Discover the best places in Guilin

Guilin

Situated in northeast Guangxi, Guilin is considered one of China’s most scenic regions. Its name means “Forest of Sweet Osmanthus” due to the abundant local osmanthus trees. The picturesque city sits within an expansive karst terrain, where majestic limestone pillars rise dramatically from the surrounding landscape. From Guilin, travellers often take a relaxing cruise along the Li River, offering gorgeous views of bamboo-covered banks and vibrant green mountains in the countryside. The cruise ends at Yangshuo, a small county with plenty of opportunity for kayaking, rock climbing and exploration through vast networks of limestone caves with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations.

The city itself provides an opportunity to explore Guangxi’s architecture, history and natural landmarks without being separated from the countryside. Jingjiang Prince’s City in the city centre was once the palace of a prince during the Ming dynasty. Along the Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill is one of Guilin’s most recognisable landmarks, named for its resemblance to an elephant drinking from the water. To take in the city as a whole, a view from the Sun and Moon Pagodas at night is unmissable, as the urban cityscape is reflected in the calm waters of Shan Lake.

Since Guangxi is an autonomous region for the Zhuang people, the culture of Guilin is largely characterised by the Zhuang ethnic minority, whose traditions encompass a strong sense of community and a great respect for nature. This is reflected by their architecture; stilted houses of timber and bamboo stand above the earth to suit the natural environment and prevent flooding. Try to catch the Sanyuesan Festival in the spring, where Zhuang communities gather for lively singing competitions and colourful cultural parades. Guilin is very diverse, with significant populations of Yao, Miao and Dong people as well as the Han majority.

Guilin cuisine is mostly influenced by Cantonese and Hunanese food, with more use of fish and spices. Guilin rice noodles are renowned for their delicate taste, and have been the local breakfast staple since the Qin dynasty. They are served with sliced pork, pickled vegetables, peanuts and chili. Also popular are the Daxu clear water fish, duck wrapped in lotus leaf, and snails cooked with sour peppers and sanhua wine. The region is also famous for its fruit, such as the bitterless and honey-like shatian pomelo, the intensely sweet and medicinal monk fruit, and the rich and chewy ginkgo nut.

A trip to Guilin is perfect for adventure-seekers, nature-lovers and anyone looking to be immersed in a culture that values connection between humans and the natural world.