Summer Vacation Adventure in Guilin

🎈 My kids, already on summer break, kept asking where to go. After some planning, we set off to explore Guilin's stunning landscapes—its "world-famous" scenery truly lives up to the hype! For a better experience, we opted for lesser-known attractions, and our joyful journey officially began!

⛰️ **Yaoshan Scenic Area**: Boasting unique natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, its ever-changing, vibrant seasonal views are breathtaking. No need to worry about physical stamina—take the panoramic cable car to the summit. Along the way, misty rain and layered mountain vistas create a mesmerizing painting-like scene, making it the perfect spot to overlook Guilin's panoramic views.

🌊 **Two Rivers and Four Lakes**: Let me introduce—the two rivers are the Li River and Taohua River, while the four lakes are Ronghu Lake, Shanhu Lake, Guihu Lake, and Mulong Lake, forming a scenic belt around Guilin's city center. A boat tour lets you admire the landscape, explore historic sites, enjoy live performances, and even witness cormorant fishing up close. The guide shares Guilin's cultural history throughout the journey, and themed boats offer unique, cozy interiors.

🌿 **Shangri-La Park**: The closest "paradise on earth" near Guilin's urban area, it features lotus ponds, Swallow Lake, Swallow Cave, Dong ethnic culture, primitive tribes, and Yuanming Villa. Stroll along ancient bridges, explore waterborne ethnic villages, and immerse yourself in idyllic scenery, stepping into a real-life version of a fairy-tale utopia.

🫧 **Shanshui Park**: With over 1,400 years of history, it’s famed for its engraved historical inscriptions, combining stunning landscapes, cultural relics, and rare artifacts. Overlooking the winding Li River, its ancient tree-lined trails offer breathtaking views of morning mist, sunset, and drizzling rain—a symbol of Yangshuo's natural beauty and cultural roots.

🐉 **Julongtan (Gathering Dragon Pool)**: Its exquisitely shaped stalactites, formed over billions of years, create ever-changing scenes inside the cave. The sight is truly awe-inspiring—it's Yangshuo’s only water-and-land cave tour, open year-round regardless of season.

📌 Guilin’s beauty lies in its immersive experience of "a millennia-long dialogue between nature and culture." Visiting during summer vacation is a fantastic choice—roam freely through its landscapes and feel Guilin’s vibrant energy!

@Ctrip Community Creation Center @Ctrip Travel Guide Editorial Team

Post by Daniel Davis | Jun 18, 2025