Guilin (桂林; Guìlín) and the surrounding region are among the most scenic areas in China and the most popular tourist destinations both for Chinese travellers and the international backpacker set. Guilin is the hub for trips to the surrounding area's karst terrain, limestone mountains eroded into fantastic shapes. Apart from its sheer visual beauty that has inspired China's best painters for generations, karst terrain also provides many cliffs suitable for rock climbing and many caves.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Separated from the center of China and the Yangtze River basin by the Nan Mountains, Guangxi has always been distinct from the rest of China. The Han Chinese empire first expanded into Guangxi in the 3rd century BC. The Ling Canal was cut around the time, allowing small boats to transit from the Yangtze to the south flowing Xi River via the Xiang River. Trade grew along the canal and river routes. Guilin was founded as a trading post in the 1st century BC on the West bank of the Kuei River. During the Ming dynasty, a garrison was set up in Guilin and the surrounding area gradually civilised with the development of farmland.
Getting a local map from a tourist guide or shop for ¥5 is a good idea. This will show the location of most of the sights as well as details of bus routes. Buses are an ideal way to get around Guilin on a budget. Many city parks and river spots can be accessed easily by bus. All the buses starting with 5# are free. A useful one is bus 58 which runs from the train station (and bus station) to many of the attractions. Bus fare are capped at ¥2 per trip. Taxis are also inexpensive and easily hailed within the city. Usually hard to catch during peak hours (17:30-19:00). Another inexpensive way for a day-trip to scenic spots in the city area of Guilin is to get a driver for a whole or half day.
1 Central Square (桂林中心广场; Guìlín Zhōngxīn Guǎngchǎng), 22 Yiren Road, Xiufeng District (秀峰区依仁路22号) (bus nos. 2, 10, 11, 91, 100, 205 and K99). Open all day. 51,400-m² large gathering place in the centre of town. Here you can watch a giant atlas on the ground and an artificial waterfall every evening at 20:30. Free. 2 Jingjiang Princes' City (靖江王城, 靖江王城 Jingjiang Princes' Palace), No. 1 Wangcheng (Princes' City), Xiufeng District (秀峰区王城1号) (May be approached from different directions; the closed bus stop to the main entrance is Lequn Intersection (乐群路口), which is served by bus nos. 1, 2, 18, 22, 89, 100, 203, 206, 301 and K99), ☏ +86 773 2851941, glwangcheng@glshly.com.
Li River Cruise, bookings@lirivercruises.com. 3-4 hr. The boats operate on a daily basis and reservations can be booked in advance or at any hotels in Guilin. Most tourists will go from Guilin to Yangshuo (a very picturesque smaller town downstream of Guilin). The river winds through some truly spectacular limestone formations and a slow boat trip there and back (with a stop in Yangshuo) will take a whole day. The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes 3½-4 hours whilst the cruise from Guilin to Xingping takes approximately 3 hours.
Guilin cuisine is influenced by Cantonese and Hunanese styles, but with more use of fish and spices and often prepared using stir-frying or steaming. Restaurants often assume westerners do not like spicy food and will make your food bland as hell if you do not insist otherwise. Even then there is a chance they will not believe you. Guilin has some distinct local ingredients used in a number of dishes. Chilli Paste is a sauce used for local dishes and also sold to other parts of China and abroad. It is made from chilli, lobster, garlic and Sanhua Wine. Fermented Beancurd has been made in Guilin for more than 300 years and is known to have a unique taste. Fruits.
Liquan beer and osmanthus tea. UBC Cafe (Shangdao Kafei), Yiren Rd (near the Central Square). This is a Shanghai chain coffeehouse also serving Chinese and Western food. The coffee card appears reasonable, but sometimes you get the feeling they serve more or less the same regardless of what you order. Large place with a piano player. Kaya café & bar, Zhonghua Lu 6 (from the walking street, walk to Solitary Beauty Peak (North), at the gate, go right and first left again, 50 meters on your right side). One of the few real bars in Guilin. Very laidback atmosphere. Located in a quiet street near the center. Offers chilled out music. They also have a branch in Yangshuo.
Guilin is quite safe by Chinese and international standards, but: The number of Westerners has engendered resentment by many of the club staff—and they are often aggressive and even violent. Watch your valuables very closely in the central city (money belt), as in many tourist locations pickpocketing is a common occurrence. The bus station is the most dangerous place in the city. Keep on guard when boarding and disembarking your bus. Never carry your wallet in your pocket. Organized gangs of pickpockets operate in this area and they will focus on you if you are of non-East Asian descent. Be careful of locals trying to sell "honey" at rest stops along the highway.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Guilin typically sees ~34°C daytime highs and 17 rainy days.
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