Guilin has attracted billions of people from all around the world...
Mention you’re going to Guilin to any Chinese person and you’ll almost certainly receive longing looks of jealousy. For many it’s a dream destination, and it’s easy to see why. Otherworldly karst topography provides a stunning backdrop to a city set alongside the tranquil Li River(漓江；Li Jiang) anddotted with scenic lakes, while many of the streets are lined with osmanthus trees, filling the air with a sweet fragrance not normally associated with Chinese cities.The catch? You’ll have to share it with the crowds. Guilin attracts visitors by the thousands and a very well-developed tourist industry provides for their every need
Esolitary Beauty Pak
A peaceful, leafy retreat from the city centre, the entrance fee for this famous pinnacle . includes admission to Wang Cheng, a 14th-century Ming prince’s mansion, now home to Guangxi Normal University (lucky students!). The the 152m-peak is a steep climb, but affords fo fine views of Guilin. Buses 1 and 2 both stop nearby.
Qther Hills
Just West of Solitary Beauty Peak is Wave-Subduing Hill , which offers more great views as well as the chance to see Song- and Tang- dynasty Buddhist carvings etched into the walls of Returned Pearl Cave (还珠洞；Huanzhu Dong).
A short walk further north is folded Brocade Hill , where you can find arguably the best views of the city, some restored Ming-dynasty pavilions and, inside Wind Cave (风洞；Fengdong),
another fine collection of Buddhist sculptures. Just south of the city centre is Elephant Trunk Hill(象鼻山；Xiangbi Shan)
perhaps best viewed from one of the bamboo rafts (about Y5) that float down the Li River.
Seven Stars Park 七星公园
One of China’s original tourist attractions,first opening to sightseers during the Sui dynasty, the 137-hectare Seven Stars Park (七星公园；QiXingGongYuan) makes for pleasant strolls. There are peaks to climb, caves to explore, lawns to picnic on and even wild monkeys to spot; early evening on Moon Tooth Hill (月牙山；Yueya Shan)is your best bet. Give the thoroughly depressing zoo a miss.To get here, walk, cycle or catch bus l0 or 11 from the train station. From the park, free bus 58 runs to Wave Subduing Hill, Folded Brocade Hill and Reed Flute Cave.
City Wall 城墙
About 1km north of Folded Brocade Hill is 1 the East Gate (东镇门；Dongzhen Men), a part- reconstructed gateway flanked by crumbling sections of the original Song-dynasty city wall (城墙；Cheng Qiang). Take bus 1 or 2 or free bus 51 and get off at Dongzhen Lu, then turn right down the road of the same name. Alternatively it’s a short walk or cycle north along the river bank, just east of the entrance to Folded Brocade Hill. The gate lies on the northeast edge of Mu long Lake Park (木龙湖；Mulong Hu), which houses a pretty reconstruction of a Song-dynasty pagoda (木龙塔；Mulong Ta) and is a picturesque setting for Chinese classical music or opera performances, held from 8pm every evening.On the northern shore of Rong Lake
(榕湖；Rong Hu), and strikingly illuminated at night, the more centrally located South Gate (南门；Nan Men) is the only surviving part of this section of the wall.
Reed Flute Cave 芦笛岩
The huge Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩；Ludi Yan) is a garish but nonetheless impressive grotto housing multicoloured lighting and fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. The entrance was once distinguished by clumps of reeds used to fashion musical instruments, hence the name, and the enormous Crystal Palace of the Dragon King was used as an airraid shelter during wars. Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger described the cave as ‘poetic’，although chances are he didn’t have the dulcet tones of a Chinese tour guide ringing in his ears when the thought came to him. It’s tempting to slip away from the tour groups, but bring a torch as the illuminations are often turned off as the crowds walk on. Bus 3 and free bus 58 both go here. Better still, buy a map, rent a bike and enjoy the pleasant half-hour cycle to the entrance.
Sun Moom & Twin Pagodas 日月双塔
Elegantly embellishing the scenery of Shan Lake (杉湖；Shan Hu), the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas (日月塔；Riyue Shuang Ta ), beautifully illuminated at night, are a highlight of a stroll around Guilin's two central lakes. The octagonal, seven-storey Moon Pagoda (月塔；Yue Ta) is connected by an underwater tunnel to the 41m-high Sun Pagoda (日塔；Ri Ta),the world's tallest copper pagoda and one of the few pagodas anywhere in the world with a lift:
Swimming in the Li River is very popular in summer. If that’s not clean enough for you, Guilin Bravo Hotel (Guilm Binguan; @ 289 8888; 14 Ronghu Nanlu;榕潮南路14号)has art outdoor pool (admission Y30)
Tours
Guilin's two most popular tours arc boat trips. The Two Rivers and Four Lakes (两江四湖; Liangjiang Sihu) takes you in a loop incorporating a stretch along the Li River and some lake hopping back to the city centre (duration 1 % hours). The very popular Li River (漓江；Li Jiang) trip from Guilin to Yangshuo lasts about 4% hours and includes the wonderfully scenic boat trip to Yangshuo lunch and a bus ride back to Guilin. Prices vary, but expect to pay Y350 to Y450 for a boat with an English-speaking guide or Y250 for the Chinese version. CITS (opposite) can arrange both tours, as can pretty much every hotel in Guilin.
