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Things to Do in Guilin, China
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Guilin, China
Top things to do in Guilin, China include exploring the Reed Flute Cave, known for its spectacular stalactites and colorful lighting. Visit Elephant Trunk Hill for stunning river views and unique rock formations. A Li River Cruise offers unforgettable scenery over 83 kilometers from Guilin to Yangshuo, ending with a stroll down Yangshuo West Street.
1. Reed Flute Cave
Experience the underground world woven with light and shadow, and marvel at the fantastical stone landscapes carved by nature. Step into the colorful stone forest and explore nature's artistic masterpiece.
Quick facts: The lights illuminate thousands of years of stalactites, making it feel like stepping into a dreamy underground palace. Inside the cave there are over 180 stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone curtains, each with unique shapes and breathtaking beauty.
Highlights: Inside the cave, the colorful rocks under the lights unfold like a painting scroll. Some stalactites resemble historical figures and wild animals, incredibly lifelike. The guide tells legendary stories about the cave, letting you experience the ancients' awe and imagination toward nature.
2. Elephant Trunk Hill
Get up close to unique pictographic mountain formations and feel the natural wonder. Stroll through Water Moon Cave and enjoy the dreamy scene of moonlight reflecting on the water.
Quick facts: Elephant Trunk Hill looks just like a giant elephant stretching its long trunk into the Li River, creating a highly recognizable natural landscape. Legend has it that the water cave under the elephant's trunk is called the "Water Moon Cave," and on moonlit nights, the moonlight reflected on the water at the cave's entrance creates a very enchanting scene.
Highlights: Elephant Trunk Hill is not only unique in shape but also hides the Water Moon Cave. At night, visitors can see the moonlight reflected on the water, like a moon in the water, a magical sight. The rocks on the hill show the texture of elephant skin, making it feel as if you can truly touch the elephant's trunk.
3. Seven Star Park
With unique landscapes, the Seven Star Peaks are breathtaking. An amazing adventure through caves and waterfalls awaits your exploration.
Quick facts: Seven Star Park has seven peaks arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper, a breathtaking sight. The park hides over 1,000 karst caves, offering a strong sense of exploration.
Highlights: The Seven Star Cave in the park was once used by the ancients as a summer retreat, with the sound of the Water Curtain Cave waterfall echoing in your ears. At night, the Seven Star Cave under the lights looks like a starry sky reflected on the ground, creating a dreamy scene.
4. Li River Cruise
Feel the natural scenery like a landscape painting. Experience the unique charm of cormorant fishing from a boat.
Quick facts: Taking a boat along the Li River, you can see magnificent karst peaks stretching for hundreds of kilometers, creating a grand landscape painting. The water is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and distant mountains, like a wonderland.
Highlights: The peaks along the Li River come in various shapes, with natural wonders like "Elephant Trunk Hill" and "Yellow Cloth Reflection." Bamboo rafts of fishermen often drift on the water, creating a tranquil yet vivid scene. On the boat, you can also watch fishermen perform with traditional cormorants, experiencing the harmony between ancient fishing techniques and nature.
5. Yangshuo West Street
This is a paradise for experiencing diverse cultural cuisines and handcrafts. The lively night market and antique lanterns bring you a unique Eastern charm.
Quick facts: There is a street that brings together snacks and handicrafts from around the world, bustling with activity. At night, the lights and ancient architecture complement each other, and the unique night market atmosphere makes it hard to leave.
Highlights: The unique soul of this street lies in its blend of century-old historical buildings and modern culture. As night falls, colorful lights illuminate every detail of the street, and the aroma of street food wafts over, making your mouth water. A special recommendation is the lychee-flavored traditional sugar-coated hawthorn stick, sweet with a hint of sourness, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
6. Fubo Hill
See sweeping views from an iconic hill. Experience a legendary stone turtle and river vistas that feel straight from a fairy tale.
Quick facts: Fubo Hill's name means "Wave-Subduing Hill", inspired by an ancient general who supposedly tamed waves here. The hill rises sharply with over 200 steep steps leading to stunning views of the Li River's winding paths below.
Highlights: A secret cavern inside holds a stone that looks like a giant turtle's shell, a symbol of longevity and strength in local folklore. Climbing to the top reveals a panoramic vista where the river resembles a dragon weaving through the landscape.
7. Longji Rice Terraces
The breathtaking layered terraces unfold like a painting. Explore along the mountain path and witness the reflections of water fields and golden autumn rice waves.
Quick facts: The terraced fields cover an area of over 66 square kilometers and have a history of more than 600 years. Every spring and summer, when the fields are filled with water, they reflect the sky like mirrors, a sight so beautiful it intoxicates the heart.
Highlights: Over 95% of the terraced fields step upward in layers along the mountain, with farmers using an ancient irrigation system to bring water uphill. In autumn, when the rice turns golden, the entire terraced landscape becomes like a flowing golden painting.
8. Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area
Enjoy a unique charm on a city tour by water. Feel the stories and romance flowing in the lights of ancient bridges.
Quick facts: This body of water connects three rivers and four lakes in Guilin. At night, the lights reflect on the water surface, creating a dreamlike beauty. Taking a boat tour around the lakes is the best way to experience the scenery, with different charms in every season.
Highlights: There are 12 ancient bridges circling the area. When lit up at night, the entire water system looks like a flowing gallery. Riding a traditional painted boat, you glide over the shimmering lake, as if traveling through a tunnel of time.
9. Guilin National Forest Park
Feel the strong essence of mountains and rivers, explore奇特 rock peaks and mysterious caves. Let your vision and breath feel fresh and invigorated.
Quick facts: The forest park covers an area of over 8 square kilometers, with rich karst landforms and diverse vegetation. The mountains are dotted with dense bamboo groves, the air is fresh, and it serves as a habitat for rare birds.
Highlights: The towering rock peaks stand like natural sculptures, and when mist surrounds them, it feels like a fairyland. When visiting White Lotus Cave, you can see fantastically shaped stalactites, as if entering an underground palace.
Where to Stay in Guilin, China
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Sweet Osmanthus Jelly
Sweet Osmanthus Jelly is a fragrant dessert made from the Osmanthus flower, popular in Guilin for its light floral aroma and refreshing taste. It is often enjoyed chilled, making it a perfect treat during warm weather.
Guilin Rice Noodles with Sweet Red Bean Paste
This unique combination features Guilin's famous rice noodles paired with a sweet red bean paste, blending savory and sweet flavors in a delightful way. It showcases the versatility of rice noodles beyond savory dishes.
Sugar-coated Hawthorn Fruit
Sugar-coated Hawthorn Fruit is a traditional street snack in Guilin, known for its tangy and sweet flavor that awakens the palate. The hawthorn berries are skewered and dipped in a shiny sugar syrup glaze, creating a crunchy texture.
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Most popular day trips
Longsheng Rice Terraces
Famous terraced fields with stunning landscapes and minority villages.
Detian Waterfall
Spectacular transnational waterfall on the China-Vietnam border.
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
High-speed trains to major cities like Guangzhou, Beijing
High-speed trains to Shanghai, Shenzhen
From Guilin Airport, take the airport shuttle bus or taxi to downtown, about 40 minutes.
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Comments (6)
It rained nearly every day during our visit in October, which dampened the hiking plans. Still, the local markets made up for it with authentic snacks.
Buy tickets for the Li River cruise early online. Booking last minute can double the price and all boats fill up fast in peak season.
Guilin is charming with a slow vibe, but I found the city center lacking lively nightlife. Best to focus on day trips out to the countryside.
For cheap eats, avoid main tourist streets. Head 5 minutes away to side alleys near the bus station for tasty dumplings and fried rice at local prices.
Food scene is great for noodles, but expect some tourist crowds around Elephant Trunk Hill. Weather was nice in spring, perfect for river cruises.