NANNING, China, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Swimming enthusiasts from across the China will gather on July 28 in the city of Guilin, a popular tourist destination in Southeast China, to participate in the unique swimming in Li River.

Li River flows 83 kilometers from Guilin to Yangshuo, where the Karst mountain and scenic sights highlight the famous Li River cruise.

It is the 17th time the swimming activity is to be held since its inauguration in 1996, said Zhou Yuan, secretary general of Guilin Winter Swimming Association.

And it has attracted more than 1,000 swimmers from 20 cities in China this year, the highest number of participants over the years, said Zhou.

Swimming in the Li River is thought be a healthy sport combined with recreation. Participants will go through Guilin' s famous tourist attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill and cockfighting Hill along the way.