Live Your Best Lives
Since I was a child, I learned from textbooks that Guilin's landscape is the best in the world. Of course, it deserves this title. For thousands of years, Guilin's landscape has attracted many literati and poets to write and paint here.
I'd rather be a Guilin resident than a god. With Guilin as its hub, the 12 surrounding counties have become established tourist destinations. Well-known destinations include Xingping Ancient Town, the Li River/Yulong River, the Longji Rice Terraces, and the Ten-Mile Art Gallery.
Guilin's urban area isn't just a tourist stopover; it's also a great place to learn about the region's history, culture, and culinary heritage. Join a local Guilin resident and learn how to explore downtown Guilin in just half a day!
The East and West Alleys encompass traditional lanes such as Zhengyang Street East Alley, Jiangnan Alley, and Lanjing Alley. These are the only historical lanes left in Guilin from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many literati and celebrities once resided here, offering a glimpse into the urban life of old Guilin. Today, the East and West Alleys resemble Kuanzhai Alley, integrating a variety of snacks, commercial streets, and historical and cultural heritage. They are well worth a visit in Guilin.
Xiaoyao Tower was built in the Tang Dynasty, but it has weathered many storms, undergoing repeated destruction and reconstruction. The stone tablet on the Xiaoyao Tower was restored in 1972. Today, the Xiaoyao Tower has been rediscovered, showcasing its millennia of history. A visit to Guilin is essential without learning about its past.
Know Guilin through the lens of the Imperial City. This Ming Dynasty palace of the Jingjiang princes embodies Guilin's history and culture. The magnificent inscription "Three First Prizes" written by Emperor Jiaqing is a breathtaking sight. Walking along the old streets along the city walls, you can fully experience this historic city.
Elephant Trunk Hill, named for its resemblance to a giant elephant drawing water from the river, is Guilin's emblem, making it a must-see. However, due to its popularity as an online photo-op, it attracts a lot of visitors, and the entrance fee is 80 yuan. Therefore, a different approach to the experience can greatly enhance your visit! Just across the river, there's a cafe where you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea while gazing out over the panoramic views of Elephant Trunk Hill and the Sun and Moon Pagodas. A completely different perspective offers a completely different sensory experience.
Tips:
Tips: The best places to view Xiangshan are as follows:
①You can see the panoramic view from the compartments and take photos with Elephant Mountain;
② The Elephant Observation Pavilion and Elephant Mountain Square in the scenic area;
③Take a cruise or bamboo raft.
Thousands of peaks rise in the wilderness, embraced by a river. The interconnected waterways of two rivers and four lakes create the most picturesque scenery around Guilin's city center. Many people choose to take a boat tour from the pier to enjoy the scenery, but boat rides are crowded, noisy, and inevitably expensive. A better option is to stroll along the riverside trail, listening to the sounds and enjoying the scenery. If it rains, you can even experience the gentle, hazy beauty of misty Guilin. Of course, the best time to visit this area is at night, when the pavilions, bridges, twin towers, and the lake complement each other beautifully.
Guangxi cuisine boasts dozens of rice noodle varieties, like snail rice noodles and Laoyou rice noodles. If you try them for the first time, you'll likely feel the same way I did: sour and stinky, yet you can't stop eating. Guilin also boasts Guiliu specialties like Chunji Roast Goose, which are even more delicious than Cantonese dishes. Other snacks include sour noodles, oil tea, and baba. I'm sure you haven't paid much attention to these Guilin delicacies.
For many Guilin residents, the day begins and ends with a bowl of rice noodles. With over 2,000 years of culinary history, Guilin rice noodles have witnessed the city's transformation. Like the culinary giant Shaxian snacks, Guilin rice noodles have long been popular throughout China. However, one of northern Guangxi's most traditional snacks is fenli, a dish locals prepare during festivals. It's highly recommended, as many who have tried Guilin rice noodles have not yet tried this dish.
Oil tea is a unique Guilin delicacy and a symbol of local life, connecting people. The initial taste of oil tea is the bitterness of tea leaves, followed by a sweet and fragrant aroma, leaving a lasting aftertaste. Experience the joy of brewing oil tea, and of course, pair it with some pastries to fully appreciate the flavor.
Guilin residents love glutinous rice, and it's a staple in their lives. Hot glutinous rice, topped with mung bean paste, pickled bamboo shoots, pickled beans, crispy spring rolls, and braised pork, all drizzled with brine and chili sauce—you can only find it in Guilin!
Guilin's cuisine is full of sour ingredients. Rice noodles and sticky rice are often topped with sour beans and radish, and there are many sour shops on the streets of Guilin. Here, you can find sour flavors you wouldn't expect: cucumber, mango, watermelon rind, etc., which are sweet, sour, and crisp, and worth a try.
There are many sweet soup shops hidden in the streets and alleys of Guilin. You can look for them carefully. You can find quite a few in half a day!
1. Guilin Liangjiang Airport
There are special buses to Guilin city and Yangshuo at the airport. You can also book some airport transfer services or take a taxi directly.
Tips:
Tips: Airport Express http://www.airport-gl.com.cn/about/?27_1.html
2. High-speed railway station
Guilin has three train stations: Guilin Station (located in the city), Guilin North Station, and Guilin West Station (located in Lingchuan County, a relatively remote area).
3. Bus Station
Guilin South Bus Station is approximately 8 kilometers from the city center. From here, you can take a bus to Xingping, Yangshuo, etc. During peak season, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance online.
Tips:
Tips: If you're taking an illegal taxi or private car, be careful; you might be offered some tourist routes, so be mindful to avoid getting ripped off! For safety, it's best to choose a legitimate vehicle.
Guilin's spring is rainy and humid, while January and February are relatively cool. April to November is the best time to visit Guilin's natural beauty, as the scenery changes dramatically with the seasons and there are many grand festivals. Photography enthusiasts and those interested in immersive travel shouldn't miss this opportunity. Don't be discouraged if it rains; Misty Guilin offers many surprises!
Beyond its natural beauty, Guilin, a thousand-year-old ancient city, offers a wealth of fascinating insights, from cultural relics and historical sites to unique local cuisine. Join us to explore more of Guilin's hidden gems. If you'd like to learn more about Guilin, join our WeChat group!
