Guilin Attractions - Things to Do

The picturesque scenery of mountains and waters of Guilin is hailed as the most magnificent landscape in China. Embraced by Guilin’s natural surroundings, you are visually impressed by every frame that comes into view. The mountains in Guilin are small and exquisite, unlike the towering majestic ones in northern China, and the waters are green and tranquil, unlike the turbulent flow of Yangtze River. As a result, you are able to get closer to Guilin’s mountains and waters, admiring their beauty more clearly.

Guilin Landscape

With such mesmerizing views, to consider optimal ways and time to witness the most beautiful side of Guilin thus becomes a priority when planning your itinerary.
 Li River is the soul of Guilin landscape. The waterways spanning 83 kilometers (52 miles) from Guilin to Yangshuo constitute the largest karst scenic area in the world, and also the most appealing one, along which “four wonders” of “green mountains, charming waters, unique caves, and exquisite rocks” exist simultaneously. The surface of Li River glows in a bluish-green color, resembling a slightly translucent glass. Mountains on the two banks are not continuous, but scattered in clusters, as if they were erecting in the water. All of these elements contribute to Guilin’s unparalleled beauty.

Taking a cruise is the most classic way to explore Li River. Departing from Guilin Mopanshan Wharf or Pearl River Wharf, you can reach Yangshuo directly in 4 hours. It’s recommended that you take the earliest morning shift so that you can catch the brilliant moment when the landscape is perfectly illuminated by sunshine, with its natural colors enhanced. If you are lucky to encounter the scenery of Li River after rain, you’ll witness its most dreamlike moment when the river surface and mountains are shrouded in the mist. The whole journey is about tranquility and leisure. Immersed in the stunning views, you are no longer a tourist, but an immortal depicted in fantasy who accidentally enters a scroll painting.

Cruise Ship on Li River

Tourists Taking a Cruise on the Li River

 The essence of Guilin landscape can be found in Yangshuo where the mountains are easier to approach and waters are more serene, with more outstanding idyllic scenery. The Ten-Mile Gallery of Yangshuo, looked afar, is like an expansive traditional Chinese landscape painting. Spectacular karst peak clusters rush out of the ground in different postures, exhibiting their silhouette with various shades under the sunlight. Water flows with tenderness: Yulong River meanders its way like a swaying green silk ribbon, on which reflected with blue sky and ridges and peaks.

Renting an electrocar to tour around is the best way to appreciate such pastoral scenery in Yangshuo, by which you are able to bath in the breeze and wander through those broad vision of stunning scenes that flash by like a film screening. Besides, manual bamboo rafting is an unmissable travel experience. The gurgling sound of boatman’s rowing replaces the noise from motor, thus preserving the serenity here to the full extent. As night falls, you can visit the Yangshuo West Street to taste authentic rice noodles and beer fish and see how this city’s noisy side impresses its visitors.

Bamboo Rafting

Idyllic Scenery in Yangshuo

 Apart from tranquil landscape, there is another spectacular wonder here in Guilin, Longji Rice Terraces, where the rice terraces are arranged layer by layer on the slopes at an altitude of 300 - 1,100 meters (1,000 - 3,600 feet). They stack upon one another, resembling the Longji – the spines of dragons winding their way up.

Standing on the top of the terraces, you can capture the fabulous scenery from a perfect panoramic perspective. The terraces also feature different charm in different seasons, with natural mirrors-like ponds in spring, lush green rice plants in summer, and golden ears of rice in autumn. Additionally, around the terraced fields live ethnic minorities such as the Zhuang and Yao, with whom tourists can experience the most authentic customs of Chinese ethnic minorities. You can even work in the field together with locals: wearing a straw hat, rolling up your trousers, and stepping inside the pond to plant the rice seedlings, or following the traditional way of leading the cow to plow the field.

Green Longji Rice Terraces

Chinese Ethnic Minority

 Elephant Trunk Hill, the emblem of Guilin, earns its name for its shape like a giant elephant standing by the Li River and stretching its nose drinking. In between the elephant’s nose and feet is a circular hole with an area of approximately 150 square meters (180 yards), which is known as the Water Moon Cave. The ingenious combination of the cave and elephant’s nose and body makes the whole hill animated. To capture the most vivid image of the hill, you can stand on the First Viewing Platform where the entire elephant is framed.

Elephant Trunk Hill

 

Stone Pillars in Reed Flute Cave

Reed Flute Cave is an art palace exquisitely constructed and carved by nature through millions of years. It features typical karst topography, with cave stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars in various postures decorating every corner of the cave. Combined with colorful and soft lighting, the cave is like a fairy tale world. Just engage your imagination here, taking these decorations as swimming fish, strutting lions, primitive forest made up of stones, or whatever you can visualize. Moreover, it’s very cool inside the cave, thus becoming an ideal summer vacation spot for escaping the heat.
 Xingping Ancient Town is a water town with a history of thousands of years embedded in the karst landscape in Guangxi. Karst peaks are interwoven with rivers, encircling this secret town hidden inside. Along the Xingping Old Street stand a series of well-preserved antique architectural complex constructed in the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD), among which you can still see the temples and opera stages over 300 years ago. And on the two sides of the caesious flagstone pavement are gatherings of various stores and stalls selling delicacies and souvenirs with Guilin characteristics.

Antique Buildings & Flagstone Pavement

Traditional Residences in Xingping Ancient Town

 Two Rivers and Four Lakes is a collective name for Li River, Taohua (Peach Blossom) River, and other four lakes. This scenic area has a water system on par with Venice that embraces Guilin downtown. During daytime, the waters are crystal lucid, with green trees on the river banks and lakesides swaying in the wind. At sunset, lights are on simultaneously, illuminating the water surface as well as adding brilliant shades on it. Night cruise is another way to admire the beautiful views of Guilin landscape. During a 1.5-hour journey, you can fully appreciate all core attractions in Guilin downtown.

The Sun and Moon Pagodas here are the most dazzling stars during your night cruise. The Sun Pagoda is splendid and magnificent shining in golden light, while the Moon Pagoda is grand and elegant glowing in silver light. They stand abreast, enhancing each other’s brilliance. And their reflections on the lake are just like sunlight and moonlight glistening, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Sun and Moon Pagodas at Night

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