Continuous high temperatures and lack of rainfall brought a severe autumn drought to Guilin, Guangxi province, resulting in a great decrease in the water level of Lijiang River. A large area of the riverbed of Lijiang River became bared to the elements. As a result, the current Lijiang River scenery is a far cry from its former beauty.

The once-majestic waters of the Elephant Trunk Hills in Guilin are now reduced to a small, murky pool. Nov. 8, 2009. [Chen Ruihua/Xinhua]