Guilin, Guangxi Travel Guide

Attraction Introduction 1 Guilin City Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes • Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area: An important part of Guilin city tourism, including Elephant Trunk Hill, Banyan Lake, Fir Lake, Gui Lake, Mulong Lake, Lijiang River, and Peach Blossom River. Take a boat tour to enjoy the unique landscape of Guilin, a city built around mountains and rivers. Elephant Trunk Hill gets its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant drinking from the Lijiang River with its trunk curled up. It is the emblem of Guilin. Attraction: Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes • Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area Solitary Beauty Peak • Wangcheng: A national 5A tourist attraction. Centered around Solitary Beauty Peak and encompassing the grounds of the Ming Dynasty Jingjiang Prince's Mansion, the scenic area features a blend of natural landscapes and historical and cultural relics. The famous saying, "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven," originated from an inscription on the stone wall of Solitary Beauty Peak. Attraction: Solitary Beauty Peak • Wangcheng Guangxi Provincial Art Museum: The only surviving theater from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in 2019 and is an important window to understand Guilin's wartime culture. It is also a popular check-in spot for internet celebrities. Attraction: Guangxi Provincial Art Museum Yangshuo County Guilin Lijiang River: A national 5A tourist attraction and the most typical karst landscape. The river is crystal clear, and the mountains on both sides are uniquely beautiful and steep. It is known for its "clear mountains, beautiful water, wondrous caves, and unique stones." The Lijiang River is described as "a hundred-mile-long gallery of paintings." Take a cruise or bamboo raft down the river to enjoy the natural beauty of Nine Horse Fresco Hill, the reflection of Yellow Cloth Shoal, and the scenery depicted on the 20 CNY banknote. Attraction: Guilin Lijiang River Yulong River: The longest tributary of the Lijiang River in Yangshuo. The water is clear, and the current is gentle. Bamboo rafting is a popular activity. Along the way, you can see the beautiful scenery of Guilin's mountains, rivers, and countryside. There are many ancient bridges on the river, each with a unique design and legendary story. Attraction: Guilin Yulong River Yangshuo West Street: A thousand-year-old street full of ancient charm. There are various specialty shops, bars, and restaurants on both sides of the street. At night, the street is brightly lit and bustling with activity. Attraction: Yangshuo West Street Longsheng County Guilin Longji Rice Terraces: The most classic representative of the many rice terraces in Longsheng, known as the "hometown of the world's rice terraces." With a long history, construction began in the Qin Dynasty, took shape in the Tang Dynasty, and was completed in the Ming Dynasty, dating back more than 2,300 years. The rice terraces have a unique charm in each season: in May, the fields are full of water; in July, the crops are lush and green; in October, the rice is ripe and golden; and in December, the snow heralds a good harvest. Each season is an ideal time for sightseeing. Attraction: Guilin Longji Rice Terraces Food Recommendations Guilin Rice Noodles: One of Guilin's most representative foods, known for its unique taste and rich ingredients. You can choose from different flavors such as braised meat noodles and soup noodles. Recommended restaurants include the time-honored Chongshan Rice Noodles. Gongcheng Oil Tea: A specialty of Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County, known as "Chinese coffee." It has a strong tea aroma and unique flavor, refreshing and invigorating. You can try it at the Phoenix Mountain Spotted Fish Restaurant. Lipu Taro: Lipu has a history of more than 300 years of taro cultivation. Since the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, it has been listed as a "tribute to the royal family." It is fragrant, soft, waxy, and sweet. You can enjoy taro dishes at the Lijin Hotel Restaurant. Beer Fish: A specialty dish of Yangshuo. The fish is tender and has a beer aroma. The beer fish at Master Chef Gold Medal Beer Fish (West Street Main Branch) is exceptional. Accommodation Options Guilin City Luxury: Guilin Yanshan Songpin Hotel, located by the mountains and rivers, offers a beautiful environment and luxurious facilities. Comfort: Lijiang Boyin Hotel (Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Elephant Trunk Hill Branch), located next to the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, offers stunning views and convenient transportation. Budget: SYYF Poetry and Distance • Elephant Hill Hotel (Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes Branch), with a rooftop pool and children's playground, offers great value for money. Yangshuo County Specialty: Yangshuo Riverside Resort Hotel, located in the heart of the Ten Mile Gallery scenic area, is close to the Gongnong Bridge Pier on the Yulong River. The hotel's architecture adopts the architectural style of northern Guangxi with Dong ethnic elements, full of ethnic characteristics. Homestay: You can choose a homestay near Yangshuo West Street for convenient travel and an immersive local experience. Itinerary Five-Day Tour Day 1: Arrive in Guilin - City Stroll Morning: Arrive in Guilin and check in to your hotel. Take a break and acclimate to the environment. Afternoon: Visit Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, which is adjacent to several scenic spots. You can go shopping, taste snacks, and then go to East and West Alley to experience the historical architecture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Day 2: Guilin City Attractions Tour Morning: Visit Solitary Beauty Peak • Wangcheng Scenic Area to learn about the history and culture of Guilin. Climb Solitary Beauty Peak for a panoramic view of Guilin city. Afternoon: Visit Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes • Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area. Take a boat tour to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Banyan Lake, Fir Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake, and admire the unique landscape of Elephant Trunk Hill. Day 3: Longji Rice Terraces Day Trip Full day: Travel to Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County to admire the spectacular terraced fields. You can choose to hike or take a cable car to experience the beauty of the terraces' lines and the changing colors of the four seasons. You can also experience the local ethnic customs and culture. Day 4: Yangshuo Lijiang River - West Street Tour Morning: Depart from Guilin to Yangshuo. Take a cruise or bamboo raft tour on the Lijiang River to admire the unique peaks and rocks on both sides. Along the way, you can see famous attractions such as Nine Horse Fresco Hill and the reflection of Yellow Cloth Shoal. Afternoon: After arriving in Yangshuo, go to Yangshuo West Street, stroll through the specialty shops, taste local delicacies, and experience the laid-back atmosphere of Yangshuo. Day 5: Yulong River - Return Trip Morning: Experience bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, enjoy the leisurely time on the river, and admire the beautiful scenery of the mountains, rivers, and countryside along the way. Afternoon: Pack your luggage, check out of your hotel, and return according to your itinerary.