Boasting its karst hills and rivers, Guilin is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Every year, thousands of tourists from all over the world take tours to Guilin. Many of them like Guilin so much that they stay in Guilin to open small restaurants or guesthouses.
In addition, there are more than a dozen ethnic minorities with unique folk customs and cultures in Guilin, such as Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong. Their villages are usually located on beautiful mountains or terraced fields, where are perfect tourist attractions.
Most tourist attractions are located in Guilin, and Yangshuo, a small town where is only 60 kilometers from Guilin and even more beautiful than Guilin. Most tourists will visit the attractions in these two places and the Longji Terraced Fields.
Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Fubo Hill, Li River sections in the City of Guilin, and Jingjiang Palace
Yulong River, Yangshuo countryside, The Impression Liusanjie Show, and Li River sections in Yanghsuo town
March to November are the best time to visit Guilin. At this time, there is little rainfall, pleasant weather, and moderate river water. And it is suitable for cruising on the Lijiang River.
It is recommended to travel to Guilin from April to October during which there are many sunny days, greener hills and clearer river water.
The summer temperature in Guilin can be as high as 37ºC. It is best to bring something convenient for summer, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, mosquito repellent, etc.r.
Guilin has many good fruits (pomelo, orange, ginkgo, bitter gourd, Lipu taro and persimmon), handicrafts, ethnic ornaments, jewelry and Chinese painting and calligraphy. Guilin’s most famous souvenirs are Sanhua wine, chili sauce and pickled tofu.
Guilin Zhengyang Pedestrian Street near the central square is a good place for tourists to buy various local handicrafts and ethnic ornaments, such as Guilin embroidery, paper umbrellas, jade carvings, wood and bamboo carvings, and calligraphy and painting. Do not forget to bargain.
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is 83 kilometers long. You will spend approximately 4 hours on a ferry. During the rainy season, the water level is high and the cruise time may be less than 3.5 hours. During the low season, the cruise time may be longer. Your lunch will be served on the ferry at around 12 pm.
Guilin rice noodle is a way of life in Guilin and the rice noodle eateries can be seen everywhere in Guilin city. There are rice noodle banquets of different tastes at some big restaurants.
Gongcheng Oil Tea is a special dish of Dong and Yao people. It is usually a bowl of hot bitter tea bolied with different snack dishes like fried rice popcorn, fried bean or fried sweet potato noodle. Most Guilin people like it so much that they even have it for breakfast or night snack.
Duck Soup with Gingko, Lipu Taro with Braised Pork, Water Chestnut Fried with Chicken Ball, Nun Vegetarian Noodles, Lingchuan Dog Meat, Yangshuo Beer Fish, Guilin Pickled Vegetable, etc. are also local favors.