Just as Xian is a must when you travel to China, so is Guilin. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills, or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboo to conifers together with wonderful caves make Guilin such an attraction for tourists.
Located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. Covering an area of about 27,800 square kilometers (10,734 square miles), the city is rather compact when compared with other leading cities in the country. However, situated within this area one may find green mountains, crystal clear waters, unique caves and beautiful stones.
Major attractions include Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River, Reed Flute Cave and Seven-Star Park that boasts a Stone Museum where amazing geological finds are displayed. Believe that each of these places and many other attractions will leave you the lasting memories.
Guilin is also an important cultural city with a history encompassing more than 2000 years. The city has been the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Solitary Beauty Peak is considered to be the oldest place of interest and has been so since the far off days of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The prosperity enjoyed by the city during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) is epitomized by the Tomb of Prince Jingjiang.
The many ethnic minorities represented here that include the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan and Dong enrich the cultural life of the city. Each minority has its own unique customs and festivals and this means that they are much more abundant here than in many other places elsewhere in China. Travelers can enjoy these pageants at the Li River Folk Customs Center.
Guilin is a well-developed tourist center with convenient transportation, communication and accommodation facilities. You can enter Guilin by air, by train or by bus and get around on free buses. From luxury hotels to hostels, from splendid restaurants to local snacks, you are sure to find that your needs will be met beyond your expectations.
Recommended Guilin Package Tour Itineraries:
Essence of Guilin: 3 Days Guilin-Yangshuo-Guilin
Ethnic Minorities Discovery: 6 Days Guilin-Longsheng-Sanjiang-Yangshuo-GuilinRecommended Tours including the visit to Guilin:
Classic China: 12 Days Small Groups of Beijing-Xian-Guilin-Yangshuo-Guilin-Shanghai
Highlight Cities Tour: 13 Days Beijing-Xian-Shanghai-Guilin-Yangshuo-Guilin-Hong KongGolf Tour Information
Guilin Golf Tour: 5 Days Golf Tour of Guilin
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Travelers' Voices on Guilin
1.
Nov. 18,2009 22:31 Reply
Mr.Kelvin(Malaysia) said:
Hi! Im planning a trip to Guilin on 7 Jan to 10 Jan 2010.
1) Should i get a ground tour or just free and easy.
2) Transportation to/from Guilin-Yangshou.
3) How many days hotel in Guilin and Yangshou based on my schedule?
Any help or advise would be appreciated.
2.
Nov. 18,2009 21:37 Reply
Ms.Jo Lee (Malaysia) said:
Hi everybody, I will be guilin for 13 days, can someone give me some advise how to plan my journey,yangshou/longseng/kali/sanjiang/guangxi/zhaoxing/heping/ping an/jingkeng, I like to see sightseeing,I travel at Dec'2009
3.
Nov. 17,2009 19:54 Reply
Ms.Annie(Malaysia) said:
Hi
I intend to visit Guilin with my aged mother in September next year. May I know:
1.the weather in the month of September?
2. My Mom is suffering from rheumatism and walks with a walking stick. She cannot do too much walking. That is the main reason why this holiday with her at Guilin would be for 9 days! So, that she can take her time to sight see one day and then rest her legs the next 1-2 days. Is there local tour that caters for the elderly? I had a horrid experience with a day tour in Hong Kong.
3. Can you recommend any place to stay that is convenient to get food and local transport?
4. Any tourist spot that I should avoid visiting due to my Mom's problem, eg, walking up steep slopes, etc?
Thanks for the advice in advance!
Annie
Nov. 18,2009 00:42
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
1、September is the hottest month in Guilin.The tempurature is about 30-38C.
2、if you need help ,you can add my MSN. i work in the local tour in Guilin.
3、the Sheraton Hotel is very good
4、Fubo Hill, Diecai Hill is not very well for you
Nov. 18,2009 03:00
Ms.Annie (Malaysia) replied:
Thank you for your prompt reply and advice!
By the way since September is the hottest month in Guilin, I intend to change my flight. Which is the best month to visit for us to enjoy autumn scenery?
THank you again!
Regards
Annie
Nov. 18,2009 09:46
Ms.Weng(Philippines) replied:
Free and easy okay around the city if you're staying around there. There are a lot of properly labeled taxis. I am sure there will be tour operators around to visit Elephant Hill etc. A number of youth speak English. People are very helpful. Streets along the Li River passing through the city well-lit and safe to walk.
Nov. 18,2009 20:54
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
hi ,Annie,the best month to Guilin is the April or May.but the June or July is better too
4.
Nov. 18,2009 20:44 Reply
Ms.Annie(Malaysia) said:
THank you for your reply, Ms Weng.
Since September is the hottest month in Guilin, I intend to change my flight. Which is the best month to visit for my Mom and I to enjoy autumn scenery, with comfortable temperature and climate?
5.
Nov. 17,2009 22:34 Reply
Ms.Kim(Malaysia) said:
I will be travelling to Guilin with a group of friends and family on 10 December 2009. We have children with us and the youngest is 7 years old. What do you advise in term of weather, clothing, H1N1 influenza or any other advise/suggestions you think may be helpful to us. Thank you very much.
Nov. 18,2009 00:45
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
the weather in December is very cold ,you may take thick clothes.the H1N1 influenza is not very serious in Guilin ,so don`t worry about it.
Nov. 18,2009 03:34
Ms.Jo Lee(Malaysia) replied:
Hi, Kim I will be travel to guilin on the same day,are you going with tour or free & easy, I ame doing free & easy do you have any ideal how to travel,hope to hear you soon?
Nov. 18,2009 09:39
Ms.Weng(Philippines) replied:
I am now visiting Guilin, beautiful karst landscape with rural-urban mix. It is now very cold, reading is around 3 degrees, far from Malaysian weather. Suggest bring thick jacket, bonnet, mittens. I just came back from walking around the night market wearing 4 layers of clothes and did not bring bonnet and mittens. Luckily the night market has these things so I bought for reasonable price. Enjoy your visit!
Nov. 18,2009 19:02
Ms.Kim(Malaysia) replied:
Hi! Jo Lee, i am going on tour not free n easy.
6.
Nov. 17,2009 05:44 Reply
Ms.Tuha(China) said:
Hi, I will be doing a tour of Yunnan over Christmas and I would like to add on a few days to go to Guilin and Yangshuo. I like the idea that it will be quieter at this time of year, but I know it's not the best time as the Li river will be low? Are there Li River cruises available / part way available? Plan would be one night in Guilin and then sightseeing...reed flute cave, fubo hill, seven star park, elephant trunk hill. Then head to Yangshuo where we can hopefully do a bamboo raft, watch cormorants, impression of Shanjie Liu.
Any advice of what may not be available late dec and any good seasonal axtivities would be much appreciated?
Thanks
Nov. 17,2009 23:56
Mr.Manny(China) replied:
Yes, the river will be low and the cruise will change their route at dry season. You can depart from Caoming (Guanyan) of Guilin, bambbo rafting is available there. The place to see Impression Sanjie Liu is at the convergence of Li River and Tianjia River. You can take battery van in West Street of Yangshuo to the theater. If you have enough time, you can walk there. Yangshuo will hold Yuhuo (light on the fishing boat) Festival in Nov. 25. No special local festival in December, except Beer Festival in West Street of Yangshuo in last few days of Dec.
Nov. 18,2009 00:33
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
because the week of rain ,the Li river is hign now.The cruise ship can sailing in the Li River.Yulong River rafting can not in that time.but you can see the beautiful maple and ginkgo in Gudong and Haiyang.
7.
Nov. 17,2009 01:31 Reply
Ms.Kim(Malaysia) said:
Hi! Is there any case of H1N1 infuenza in Guilin recently? If yes, how serius is it?
Nov. 17,2009 02:41
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
maybe there`s 5-7 cases of H1N1 infuenza in Guilin.but it`s not very serius.if you want to come Guilin, it`s safe.
8.
Nov. 14,2009 10:59 Reply
Mr.RobyP(Malaysia) said:
6 of us are planning to visit Guilin somewhere in august. we need some help in this area:
1.Recommended number of days we shld spend in guilin and its surrounding area
2.how much does a english local guide cost (for 1 day)?is it better to join a tour?
3.how's the weather mid august?is it rainy season?
4.good hotels
thanks...
Nov. 15,2009 10:08
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
7 days is enough ,and Yangshuo、Lonsheng、Xing`an、Daxu ancient Town are the arrounding area of Guilin.
a local english guide cost 150RMB one day.If you join a tour ,it will cheaper the 150RMB
it`s very hot and usually rain.
the sharton hotel is very good
9.
Nov. 12,2009 06:03 Reply
Ms.Stella(Malaysia) said:
which month is the best to Guilin?
Nov. 13,2009 09:21
Mr.Assist China replied:
If you don't like to go in cold winter, then May to October is summer season, that will be nice.
10.
Nov. 11,2009 00:02 Reply
Ms.yvonne(malaysia) said:
Our family will be going to Guilin from 23 - 28 November 2009. May I know what is the weather during these period of time.
Nov. 11,2009 02:13
Ms.STACEY(China) replied:
Guilin is very cold now ,wind is very strong.The temperature is about 12-17C.