Rural living environment is one of the key indicators for measuring rural revitalization and also serves as an important guarantee for the development of rural tourism. The Li River basin, with its extensive coverage, is a typical region of karst landforms in China and a major destination for the picturesque landscapes of Guilin. Driven by the development of rural tourism, the evolution and improvement of rural living environments in the Li River basin are underpinned by unique natural ecological endowments and rich cultural heritage. Starting with a geographical overview of the Li River basin, this study explores the guiding role of tourism on rural living environments. From four perspectives—tourism, ecology, interests, and policy—the study investigates the mechanisms behind their evolution. Finally, it proposes pathways for enhancement from four aspects: key areas, internal driving forces, innovative models, and policy support.
Zhang Qiong (2025) studied this question.