Guilin

Guilin (桂林; Guì​lín) and the surrounding region are among the most scenic areas in China and the most popular tourist destinations both for Chinese travellers and the international backpacker set. Guilin is the hub for trips to the surrounding area's karst terrain, limestone mountains eroded into fantastic shapes. Apart from its sheer visual beauty, karst terrain also provides many cliffs suitable for rock climbing and many caves.

There are many scenic places within short traveling distance of Guilin. These include Longsheng with its famous Longji rice terraces; the Lijiang River, a scene of which is printed on the back of ¥20 bank notes; and Yangshuo, a small county downstream from Guilin. This makes Guilin an excellent base for exploring the northern end of Guangxi Province.

Guilin is a beautiful city. The town center is surrounded by two rivers and four lakes and studded with sheer sided karst mountains. Outside the city center, the buildings are less well kept. The main industry in the city is tourism so the city is much cleaner than other Chinese cities.

Guilin is like most other medium size Chinese cities, other than that it has a large number of western-style hotels, tourists and is relatively free of air pollution. Many Chinese domestic tourists also flock to this area. What makes it special is its proximity to many picturesque limestone mountains and formations.

Separated from the center of China and the Yangtze River basin by the Nan Mountains, Guangxi has always been distinct from the rest of China. The Han Chinese empire first expanded into Guangxi in the 3rd century BC. The Ling Canal was cut around the time, allowing small boats to transit from the Yangtze to the south flowing Xi River via the Xiang River.

Trade grew along the canal and river routes. Guilin was founded as a trading post in the 1st century BC on the West bank of the Kuei River. During the Ming dynasty, a garrison was set up in Guilin and the surrounding area gradually civilised with the development of farmland. The city had a population of over two million at the time of the Second World War, but was utterly destroyed during the war. The population slowly recovered with post-war construction of several factories for the production of paper, chemicals and agricultural equipment. However, market forces have caused several of these industries to relocate out of Guilin.

Guangxi and Guilin are home to 12 ethnic minorities besides the Han Chinese. Guangxi is an autonomous region for the Zhuang ethnic group, rather than a province. See List of Chinese provinces and regions. Various other minorities, such as the Dong, are also found in the area.

Guilin is the third largest city in Guangxi, after Nanning and Liuzhou.

As anywhere in China, standard Mandarin is almost universally spoken as it is the language used in education and governance. Nevertheless, the local variant of Mandarin has a non-standard pronunciation characteristic of most regions in southern China and also exhibits influence from Cantonese. The native Zhuang minority speak their own language, which is theoretically co-official with standard Mandarin.

English is not widely spoken but you can expect reasonable-to-excellent English from staff in most hotels and hostels (especially those popular among Westerners) and tourist shops. Elsewhere, English proficiency is none-to-limited, therefore it is recommended to have hotel staff write down your intended destination for taxis or to carry a bilingual map and phrasebook.

• Central Square. 51,400-m² large gathering place in the centre of town. Here you can watch a giant atlas on the ground and an artificial waterfall every evening at 20:30.
• Jingjiang Prince City, 1 Prince City, +86 773 2803149. In the center of the city lies a small forbidden city, once home to the princes of the area. The palace buildings are now a museum. ¥120.
• Moon and Sun Pagoda. Although there is nothing much to see inside the pagodas, the view from the outside as well as the surrounding lake offers a good respite from the traffic and noise of Guilin's city center.

Central Square. 51,400-m² large gathering place in the centre of town. Here you can watch a giant atlas on the ground and an artificial waterfall every evening at 20:30.

Jingjiang Prince City, 1 Prince City, +86 773 2803149. In the center of the city lies a small forbidden city, once home to the princes of the area. The palace buildings are now a museum. ¥120.

Moon and Sun Pagoda. Although there is nothing much to see inside the pagodas, the view from the outside as well as the surrounding lake offers a good respite from the traffic and noise of Guilin's city center.

• Guilin Art Museum, 173 Longchuanping Rd, Xiangshan District (象山区龙船坪173号) (Take bus 33 and get off at the last stop., +86 773 3902889. 08:30-17:00. Free.
• Guilin Museum, West Pinggui Road, Lingui District (临桂区平桂西路; Pingguixi lù) (in Lingui New District, 16 km from Guilin Railway Station, bus 91 or 65, +86 773 2897308, +86 773 2898862. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. The museum's collection includes over 30,000 pieces of culture relics including 22 pieces of national first-class relics, 687 pieces of national second-class relics and 2592 national third-class relics. For foreigners, passports may be required to get free admission tickets. The Guilin Library and the Guilin Grand Theatre can be found in the same building complex. Free.
• Jade Culture Museum, 3 Taohuajiang Road, Xiufeng District (秀峰区桃花江路3号) (Take bus 213 and get off at the tool factory (工具厂) bus stop, +86 773 2891168.
• Ronghu Art Museum, Level 5, Panhu Hotel, Ronghu Road North, Xiufeng District (秀峰区榕湖北路十六号榕湖饭店五号楼) (Take bus no. 21, 22 or 205. Get off at the Guilin Normal College Xinyi Campus (桂林师专信义校区), +86 773 2885333. 10:00-21:30, closed on Mondays. Free.

Guilin Art Museum, 173 Longchuanping Rd, Xiangshan District (象山区龙船坪173号) (Take bus 33 and get off at the last stop., +86 773 3902889. 08:30-17:00. Free.

Guilin Museum, West Pinggui Road, Lingui District (临桂区平桂西路; Pingguixi lù) (in Lingui New District, 16 km from Guilin Railway Station, bus 91 or 65, +86 773 2897308, +86 773 2898862. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. The museum's collection includes over 30,000 pieces of culture relics including 22 pieces of national first-class relics, 687 pieces of national second-class relics and 2592 national third-class relics. For foreigners, passports may be required to get free admission tickets. The Guilin Library and the Guilin Grand Theatre can be found in the same building complex. Free.

Jade Culture Museum, 3 Taohuajiang Road, Xiufeng District (秀峰区桃花江路3号) (Take bus 213 and get off at the tool factory (工具厂) bus stop, +86 773 2891168.

Ronghu Art Museum, Level 5, Panhu Hotel, Ronghu Road North, Xiufeng District (秀峰区榕湖北路十六号榕湖饭店五号楼) (Take bus no. 21, 22 or 205. Get off at the Guilin Normal College Xinyi Campus (桂林师专信义校区), +86 773 2885333. 10:00-21:30, closed on Mondays. Free.

• Black Hill Botanic Garden, 206号 West 1st Ring Rd (环城西一路206号; Huán​chéngxīyī​lù) (bus 1, 6, 10, 19, 201, 202. 24 hours. One of the oldest botanical gardens in China. Free.
• Seven Star Park, Qixing Rd (on the east side of the city and 15-20 minutes walk from the main pedestrian area in the centre of town. A large park with a small zoo area on the east side farthest from the entrance with the main attraction being the giant pandas and the red pandas, additional fee to enter the zoo of ¥32, the staff host a small show with monkeys, bear, tigers and lion at scheduled hours. Additional ¥60 fee to enter Seven Star Cave inside the park. ¥50.
• West Hill Park, 2 km west of city centre. Park with a lake, temples and hundreds of Buddhist statues. In the park is also the Hidden Hill with a number of caves. Guilin Museum is also here, see separate listing.
• Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Mountain Village. 09:00-17:00. 300,000-m² area with tigers, bears, lions and other wild animals. Here you can witness research, breeding and entertainment. The place is a bit shabby and you will not see the animals in their natural environment, but you get close to the animals and can see them being much more active than in a zoo. ¥80.

Black Hill Botanic Garden, 206号 West 1st Ring Rd (环城西一路206号; Huán​chéngxīyī​lù) (bus 1, 6, 10, 19, 201, 202. 24 hours. One of the oldest botanical gardens in China. Free.

Seven Star Park, Qixing Rd (on the east side of the city and 15-20 minutes walk from the main pedestrian area in the centre of town. A large park with a small zoo area on the east side farthest from the entrance with the main attraction being the giant pandas and the red pandas, additional fee to enter the zoo of ¥32, the staff host a small show with monkeys, bear, tigers and lion at scheduled hours. Additional ¥60 fee to enter Seven Star Cave inside the park. ¥50.

West Hill Park, 2 km west of city centre. Park with a lake, temples and hundreds of Buddhist statues. In the park is also the Hidden Hill with a number of caves. Guilin Museum is also here, see separate listing.

Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Mountain Village. 09:00-17:00. 300,000-m² area with tigers, bears, lions and other wild animals. Here you can witness research, breeding and entertainment. The place is a bit shabby and you will not see the animals in their natural environment, but you get close to the animals and can see them being much more active than in a zoo. ¥80.

• Diecai Mountain, Longzhu Rd (龙珠路; Lóngzhūlù (bus 2, 13 or 58 will take you there. 08:30-17:30. A park built around several peaks, which are climbed using stone staircases. There is also a small aviary and butterfly museum with examples of pinned and mounted butterflies and moths in the park. ¥35 (Oct 2011).
• Fubo Hill, +86 773 2803000. Contains historical stone carvings from the Tang Dynasty and Buddhist inscriptions. The hill is an impressive sheer-sided rock. ¥30.

• Elephant Trunk Hill, Binjiang Rd (滨江路; Bīn​jiānglù) (in Xiangshan Park (象山公园) on the banks of the Li River, within walking distance of the town center and near to bus routes 23 and 16, +86 773 2803000. 07:00-22:00. Hill with a large natural arch cut into it. This resembles the trunk of an elephant dipping into the river. This scene is frequently used as a symbol of the city and so has developed some fame. There is a fun and cheaper alternative to get into the park, you can go all the way to the river on the street just at the right side of the west gate, you will find some people asking if you want a boat that they drop you in the park for half-price of the official ticket. It is pretty much impossible to get a good view of the natural arch without going on a boat tour as trees have been planted to prevent people from freeloading the view. ¥75.
• Peach Blossom River. This is a river going through the western parts of town. Beautiful and relaxing area. As the name indicates, here you can see the peach blossoms in spring and the red leaves in autumn.

• Reed Flute Cave, Ludi Rd (芦笛路; Lúdílù) (about 5 km west of Guilin, catch bus 3 or rent bikes and buy a map for a pleasant cycle. 08:00-17:30. This limestone cave with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations is worth a visit if you have not seen such caves before. An English-speaking guide will take you around the various artificially lit formations supposedly resembling lions, monkeys, old men, the skyline of Guilin, etc. There is also a brief laser/light/music show inside the cave. You may have to wait a while for a large enough group to accumulate. Avoid the hawkers by taking the elevated path on the side of the hill, rather than the tarmac road. ¥90.
• Solitary Beauty Peak, +86 773 280 3149. 08:00-17:00. Rises dramatically above the center of Guilin and offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. As with so many peaks and rocky upthrusts in and around Guilin, centuries of visits have led to the creation of a carved stairway leading to the summit. The pathway starts at Wang Cheng, the Ming Dynasty palace in the center of town, now home to the campus of Guangxi Normal University and also the site of nightly performances by local ethnic minorities. Only the city walls and some of the foundation of the original buildings are left, the buildings themselves are all recent. ¥70.
• Yaoshan Hill Park, Jingjiang Rd (several km east of the city center, bus 10 and 98 run nearby but still leave a lengthy walk, +86 773 5864592. This is a large country park which encompasses the highest peak in the area. Foot paths run to the summit, however the chair lift provides an effortless way to attain the top and enjoy the scenery. There are extensive views of the surrounding area from the summit. There is a wheeled toboggan run down part of the mountain. To access this, dismount the chairlift at the station half way down the mountain. A taxi to and from the park will cost about ¥25 each way. If you plan to do this, alert the staff at the ground station so personnel at the midway station can help you get off. There is a Ming Dynasty Mausoleum nearby as well. The park is not listed on any of the tourist maps so you may get some looks on asking where it is. ¥60.
• Feng Yu Yan. Feng Yuyan due to river where oil abundance of fish named, known as " one through nine, Miao Jing must the world " reputation, known as "Asia's first hole".

Diecai Mountain, Longzhu Rd (龙珠路; Lóngzhūlù (bus 2, 13 or 58 will take you there. 08:30-17:30. A park built around several peaks, which are climbed using stone staircases. There is also a small aviary and butterfly museum with examples of pinned and mounted butterflies and moths in the park. ¥35 (Oct 2011).

Fubo Hill, +86 773 2803000. Contains historical stone carvings from the Tang Dynasty and Buddhist inscriptions. The hill is an impressive sheer-sided rock. ¥30.

Elephant Trunk Hill, Binjiang Rd (滨江路; Bīn​jiānglù) (in Xiangshan Park (象山公园) on the banks of the Li River, within walking distance of the town center and near to bus routes 23 and 16, +86 773 2803000. 07:00-22:00. Hill with a large natural arch cut into it. This resembles the trunk of an elephant dipping into the river. This scene is frequently used as a symbol of the city and so has developed some fame. There is a fun and cheaper alternative to get into the park, you can go all the way to the river on the street just at the right side of the west gate, you will find some people asking if you want a boat that they drop you in the park for half-price of the official ticket. It is pretty much impossible to get a good view of the natural arch without going on a boat tour as trees have been planted to prevent people from freeloading the view. ¥75.

Peach Blossom River. This is a river going through the western parts of town. Beautiful and relaxing area. As the name indicates, here you can see the peach blossoms in spring and the red leaves in autumn.

Reed Flute Cave, Ludi Rd (芦笛路; Lúdílù) (about 5 km west of Guilin, catch bus 3 or rent bikes and buy a map for a pleasant cycle. 08:00-17:30. This limestone cave with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations is worth a visit if you have not seen such caves before. An English-speaking guide will take you around the various artificially lit formations supposedly resembling lions, monkeys, old men, the skyline of Guilin, etc. There is also a brief laser/light/music show inside the cave. You may have to wait a while for a large enough group to accumulate. Avoid the hawkers by taking the elevated path on the side of the hill, rather than the tarmac road. ¥90.

Solitary Beauty Peak, +86 773 280 3149. 08:00-17:00. Rises dramatically above the center of Guilin and offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. As with so many peaks and rocky upthrusts in and around Guilin, centuries of visits have led to the creation of a carved stairway leading to the summit. The pathway starts at Wang Cheng, the Ming Dynasty palace in the center of town, now home to the campus of Guangxi Normal University and also the site of nightly performances by local ethnic minorities. Only the city walls and some of the foundation of the original buildings are left, the buildings themselves are all recent. ¥70.

Yaoshan Hill Park, Jingjiang Rd (several km east of the city center, bus 10 and 98 run nearby but still leave a lengthy walk, +86 773 5864592. This is a large country park which encompasses the highest peak in the area. Foot paths run to the summit, however the chair lift provides an effortless way to attain the top and enjoy the scenery. There are extensive views of the surrounding area from the summit. There is a wheeled toboggan run down part of the mountain. To access this, dismount the chairlift at the station half way down the mountain. A taxi to and from the park will cost about ¥25 each way. If you plan to do this, alert the staff at the ground station so personnel at the midway station can help you get off. There is a Ming Dynasty Mausoleum nearby as well. The park is not listed on any of the tourist maps so you may get some looks on asking where it is. ¥60.

Feng Yu Yan. Feng Yuyan due to river where oil abundance of fish named, known as " one through nine, Miao Jing must the world " reputation, known as "Asia's first hole".

• Crown Cave, 45 minute by long distance bus, then take the monorail or visitor jeep (¥35) to the entrance of the cave. A 3-km section of the cave is open to tourists. At the entrance of the cave, take the elevator and venture 30-m deep into the cave. After looking at the various stalactite and stalagmite formations, you can also visit the waterfall (¥5) inside the cave. After that, take the monorail to admire the largest and most beautiful section of the cave. To exit the cave, you can either travel back to the entrance point, or take a boat that will travel from the cave to the banks of the Li River. ¥65 per person excluding transport to/from cave entrance.
• Gudong Waterfall. 08:30-17:00. Waterfall with water coming from springs. ¥60.

Crown Cave, 45 minute by long distance bus, then take the monorail or visitor jeep (¥35) to the entrance of the cave. A 3-km section of the cave is open to tourists. At the entrance of the cave, take the elevator and venture 30-m deep into the cave. After looking at the various stalactite and stalagmite formations, you can also visit the waterfall (¥5) inside the cave. After that, take the monorail to admire the largest and most beautiful section of the cave. To exit the cave, you can either travel back to the entrance point, or take a boat that will travel from the cave to the banks of the Li River. ¥65 per person excluding transport to/from cave entrance.

Gudong Waterfall. 08:30-17:00. Waterfall with water coming from springs. ¥60.

Many of the towns around Guilin have an old district that is being slowly replaced by new buildings on the periphery. The old buildings have generally been left in place and remain in relatively good condition as of 2019, although a lack of visitors may mean a lack of incentive to maintain them long-term. These towns can be gorgeous to walk through, although most contain few attractions of note and only minimal tourist infrastructure. With all the other things to see around Guilin, these towns tend to see relatively few tourists and can offer a welcome change of pace.

• Daxu Old Town, 23 km southeast of Guilin, 0.5 hours by bus (close to Crown Cave. Ancient town along the east bank of the Li River dating back more than 1,000 years, probably the nicest in the area. The town is beautifully located close to the Millstone Hill and the Snail Hill. The heart of town is the 2 km long Bluestone St with many well preserved buildings. The town has lots of attractions dating back hundreds of years including the Gauzu Temple, The Hanhuang Temple, the assembly halls, the Longevity Bridge and the Seven Stars Tombs. Take the local bus from the City Bus Terminal (close to the city Railway station). The entrance is on the backside of the Bus Terminal. Pay on the bus.
• Chucun. A large old town perhaps 6km behind the airport, with signs directing visitors to several houses, a small bridge, a school, and an ancestral temple, among other places. When the town was invaded by the Japanese in the 1940s, the villagers hid in an enormous cave in the mountain behind the town, protecting its entrances with ground chilli peppers. The mountain can be climbed, but the cave is locked. Visitors can follow a 50-100m-long secret passage dug between a defensive wall on the mountainside and the town itself. Access this near the Azalea Well above the town.
• Xiongcun. A relatively large old town with small city gates at many of its entrances. Signs with English direct you to the major old streets

Daxu Old Town, 23 km southeast of Guilin, 0.5 hours by bus (close to Crown Cave. Ancient town along the east bank of the Li River dating back more than 1,000 years, probably the nicest in the area. The town is beautifully located close to the Millstone Hill and the Snail Hill. The heart of town is the 2 km long Bluestone St with many well preserved buildings. The town has lots of attractions dating back hundreds of years including the Gauzu Temple, The Hanhuang Temple, the assembly halls, the Longevity Bridge and the Seven Stars Tombs. Take the local bus from the City Bus Terminal (close to the city Railway station). The entrance is on the backside of the Bus Terminal. Pay on the bus.

Chucun. A large old town perhaps 6km behind the airport, with signs directing visitors to several houses, a small bridge, a school, and an ancestral temple, among other places. When the town was invaded by the Japanese in the 1940s, the villagers hid in an enormous cave in the mountain behind the town, protecting its entrances with ground chilli peppers. The mountain can be climbed, but the cave is locked. Visitors can follow a 50-100m-long secret passage dug between a defensive wall on the mountainside and the town itself. Access this near the Azalea Well above the town.

Xiongcun. A relatively large old town with small city gates at many of its entrances. Signs with English direct you to the major old streets

• Li River Cruise. 3-4 hr. The boats operate on a daily basis and reservations can be booked in advance or at any hotels in Guilin. Most tourists will go from Guilin to Yangshuo (a very picturesque smaller town downstream of Guilin). The river winds through some truly spectacular limestone formations and a slow boat trip there and back (with a stop in Yangshuo) will take a whole day. The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes 3½-4 hours whilst the cruise from Guilin to Xingping takes approximately 3 hours. The 3-star boats travel from Guilin (Zhujiang Pier) to the pier at West Street (Longtoushan Pier), a few 4-star boats travel from Guilin (Zhujiang Pier) to the pier at West Street (Shuidongmen Pier) and the majority of 4-star boats to Xingping (as of 1 April 2018). Xingping is about 35 minutes away from Yangshuo. There are also 4-star cruises returning from Xingping to Zhujiang Pier in the afternoon, which take approximately 4½ hours. from ¥600 + (4-Star Boat), ¥300 (3-Star Boat) includes lunch.
• Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise, Binjiang Rd, +86 773 2831040, +86 773 2888805. 09:00-21:30 every half hour. A boat tour around the four lakes and two rivers of Guilin city. At night, the scenery is spectacularly flood lit. At the mid point in the tour, there will be a demonstration of traditional cormorant fishing. It is the best activity at night. Tours last about 90 minutes. ¥200 (¥180 off-season).
• Dreaming on Li River Show, 95 Qixing Rd (七星路95号; Qī​xīnglù), +86 773 2851279. 20:00. A theatrical dance and music performance daily. The show tries to recreate the culture of the various ethnic groups around Guilin. ¥150.
• Mountain Bike Rental, 40 Sanduo Road (三多路40号）, +86 13635190031. 09:00 - 18:00. A centrally located bike shop at city downtown with 24/27 speed mountain bikes for rent (¥45-100 a day). English speaking staff. Many one and multi-day cycling/hiking trips in and around Guilin.

Li River Cruise. 3-4 hr. The boats operate on a daily basis and reservations can be booked in advance or at any hotels in Guilin. Most tourists will go from Guilin to [[Yangshuo]] (a very picturesque smaller town downstream of Guilin). The river winds through some truly spectacular limestone formations and a slow boat trip there and back (with a stop in Yangshuo) will take a whole day. The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes 3½-4 hours whilst the cruise from Guilin to Xingping takes approximately 3 hours. The 3-star boats travel from Guilin (Zhujiang Pier) to the pier at West Street (Longtoushan Pier), a few 4-star boats travel from Guilin (Zhujiang Pier) to the pier at West Street (Shuidongmen Pier) and the majority of 4-star boats to Xingping (as of 1 April 2018). Xingping is about 35 minutes away from Yangshuo. There are also 4-star cruises returning from Xingping to Zhujiang Pier in the afternoon, which take approximately 4½ hours. from ¥600 + (4-Star Boat), ¥300 (3-Star Boat) includes lunch.

Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise, Binjiang Rd, +86 773 2831040, +86 773 2888805. 09:00-21:30 every half hour. A boat tour around the four lakes and two rivers of Guilin city. At night, the scenery is spectacularly flood lit. At the mid point in the tour, there will be a demonstration of traditional cormorant fishing. It is the best activity at night. Tours last about 90 minutes. ¥200 (¥180 off-season).

Dreaming on Li River Show, 95 Qixing Rd (七星路95号; Qī​xīnglù), +86 773 2851279. 20:00. A theatrical dance and music performance daily. The show tries to recreate the culture of the various ethnic groups around Guilin. ¥150.

Mountain Bike Rental, 40 Sanduo Road (三多路40号）, +86 13635190031. 09:00 - 18:00. A centrally located bike shop at city downtown with 24/27 speed mountain bikes for rent (¥45-100 a day). English speaking staff. Many one and multi-day cycling/hiking trips in and around Guilin.

• Wupai River Drifting, +86 773 4315888. White water rafting down the scenic river.
• Guilin Shangri-la park. Set in beautiful scenery, this ethnic theme park tries to introduce visitors to the wide range of local nationalities and their cultures. A short boat trip will take you around the butterfly lake. On the way, various performances are staged on the shore of the lake, demonstrating different aspects of the culture. The boat will drop you off at the 'village' where you can see displays of local crafts including weaving, embroidery, buffalo horn carving and calligraphy. These crafts are produced on site and you may watch them working.
• Butterfly Cave, +86 773 8811466, +86 773 8811498, +86 773 8811469, +86 773 8829978. A pair of sheer sided mountains surrounded by a butterfly themed park. One of the mountains has a cave running through the core of it. Inside this cave are many strange rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites. One particularly unusual formation is shaped like a butterfly, lending the hill its name. A rope bridge connects from the cave's exit over to the other mountain. At the side of the bridge, a waterfall cascades down the mountain side. The path takes you around the summit of the second peak and down to the gardens below. A dance performance greets each tour party here. The final stage is a walk inside a netted area in which a large variety of butterflies may be observed.
• The Guilin Merryland World Resort, located about 1 hour drive north of Guilin offers two attractions:

  *Golf Course, +86 773 6229898. Beautiful golf course with 27 holes. A bit on the expensive side but well worth the money.

  *Theme Park.

Wupai River Drifting, +86 773 4315888. White water rafting down the scenic river.

Guilin Shangri-la park. Set in beautiful scenery, this ethnic theme park tries to introduce visitors to the wide range of local nationalities and their cultures. A short boat trip will take you around the butterfly lake. On the way, various performances are staged on the shore of the lake, demonstrating different aspects of the culture. The boat will drop you off at the 'village' where you can see displays of local crafts including weaving, embroidery, buffalo horn carving and calligraphy. These crafts are produced on site and you may watch them working.

Butterfly Cave, +86 773 8811466, +86 773 8811498, +86 773 8811469, +86 773 8829978. A pair of sheer sided mountains surrounded by a butterfly themed park. One of the mountains has a cave running through the core of it. Inside this cave are many strange rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites. One particularly unusual formation is shaped like a butterfly, lending the hill its name. A rope bridge connects from the cave's exit over to the other mountain. At the side of the bridge, a waterfall cascades down the mountain side. The path takes you around the summit of the second peak and down to the gardens below. A dance performance greets each tour party here. The final stage is a walk inside a netted area in which a large variety of butterflies may be observed.

The Guilin Merryland World Resort, located about 1 hour drive north of Guilin offers two attractions:

*Golf Course, +86 773 6229898. Beautiful golf course with 27 holes. A bit on the expensive side but well worth the money.

*Theme Park.

There is a big underground bazaar running from the train station all the way to the bus station selling clothes, footwear, accessories, bags, and many more. The second underground market is located underneath the city center selling food, bags, mobile phones and other electronic devices. Remember to bargain if prices are not openly displayed.

Branded luxury goods can be purchased from the departmental stores near Cross Street. Suncome has many branches throughout the city selling everyday necessities.

There is also a street market set up along Zhongshan Lu at night selling typical tourist trinkets.

Guilin cuisine is influenced by Cantonese and Hunanese styles, but with more use of fish and spices and often prepared using stir-frying or steaming. Restaurants often assume westerners do not like spicy food and will make your food bland as hell if you do not insist otherwise. Even then there is a chance they will not believe you.

Guilin has some distinct local ingredients used in a number of dishes.

• Chilli Paste is a sauce used for local dishes and also sold to other parts of China and abroad. It is made from chilli, lobster, garlic and Sanhua Wine.
• Fermented Beancurd has been made in Guilin for more than 300 years and is known to have a unique taste.
• Fruits. Guilin is renowned for its fruit, especially shatian pomelo, arhat fruit and gingkgo

As many other Chinese cities, Guilin has its own snacks.

• Horse hoof cake (Matigao) is a local snack. It is a crumbly cake stuffed with red beans filling.
• Rice with Mung Bean Paste is made from steamed rice filled with mung bean paste or other. Often eaten for breakfast.
• Sweet tofu infused with a certain flower is another delicious breakfast item. Look for roadside vendors adding orange-coloured liquid to a steaming hot bag of tofu, which you then drink with a straw.
• Water Chestnut Cake made from rice flour, brown sugar, water chestnut powder and sesame powder.

A number of Guilin dishes are unique to the city or are especially wellknown here.

• Daxu Clear Water Fish is a specialty from the ancient city of Daxu. The fish is cooked with salt and ginger.
• Duck Wrapped in Lotus Leaf made from duck, dry lotus leaf, meat, bamboo shoots, ham, mushrooms, beans, shrimp and spices.
• Fengli steamed, dried and fried rice paste with ham, celery, cauliflower or green garlic.
• Nun Vegetarian Noodles this is a noodle soup boiled with soybean sprouts, mushrooms and bamboo shoots and served with . The soup is golden in color, sweet in taste, and has a mouth-watering smell. The noodles are first boiled and then put into bowls where the soup is added. It is served with Guilin Fermented Tofu, scrambled eggs, vegetarian ham, gluten flour and some spices. The fresh-cooked dish is very tasty, and the smell and color are pleasant as well. The Crescent Moon Building in Seven Star Park enjoys a great reputation for its Nun Noodles.
• Old Duck Stewed with Gingko made from the famous Guilin gingko, duck and ham stewed in a steamer.
• Rice Noodles (Mifen) is a local delicacy, also available as stir-fried (Chaofen). This is served everywhere, but try to avoid the joints near the train station. Traditionally the noodle and the topping is first eaten without soup, and once the topping has run out there is usually a pot of soup to add flavour to the rest of your noodles. There are also various pickles and condiments that you can add to your noodles. Servings are sold and priced in small, medium, and large. (一两；二两；三两）The small is more of snack, so start with the medium. There is a good spot in the street behind the Zhongshan Hotel.
• Roasted Suckling Pig. The pig is fed with rice, roasted using special local methods, and then flavored with shallot, soy sauce and white sugar.
• Snail made with sour peppers, shallot, ginger and sanhua wine.
• Steamed Bake Meat with Water Chestnut made from peeled water chestnut, meat and spices.
• Steamed Mung Bean and Meat Wrapped in Lotus Leaf. Home-style dish with streaky pork with skin, soy sauce, mung bean flour, lotus leaf, fermented tofu, and lots of spices.

Chilli Paste is a sauce used for local dishes and also sold to other parts of China and abroad. It is made from chilli, lobster, garlic and Sanhua Wine.

Fermented Beancurd has been made in Guilin for more than 300 years and is known to have a unique taste.

Fruits. Guilin is renowned for its fruit, especially shatian pomelo, arhat fruit and gingkgo

Horse hoof cake (Matigao) is a local snack. It is a crumbly cake stuffed with red beans filling.

Rice with Mung Bean Paste is made from steamed rice filled with mung bean paste or other. Often eaten for breakfast.

Sweet tofu infused with a certain flower is another delicious breakfast item. Look for roadside vendors adding orange-coloured liquid to a steaming hot bag of tofu, which you then drink with a straw.

Water Chestnut Cake made from rice flour, brown sugar, water chestnut powder and sesame powder.

Daxu Clear Water Fish is a specialty from the ancient city of Daxu. The fish is cooked with salt and ginger.

Duck Wrapped in Lotus Leaf made from duck, dry lotus leaf, meat, bamboo shoots, ham, mushrooms, beans, shrimp and spices.

Fengli steamed, dried and fried rice paste with ham, celery, cauliflower or green garlic.

Nun Vegetarian Noodles this is a noodle soup boiled with soybean sprouts, mushrooms and bamboo shoots and served with . The soup is golden in color, sweet in taste, and has a mouth-watering smell. The noodles are first boiled and then put into bowls where the soup is added. It is served with Guilin Fermented Tofu, scrambled eggs, vegetarian ham, gluten flour and some spices. The fresh-cooked dish is very tasty, and the smell and color are pleasant as well. The Crescent Moon Building in Seven Star Park enjoys a great reputation for its Nun Noodles.

Old Duck Stewed with Gingko made from the famous Guilin gingko, duck and ham stewed in a steamer.

Rice Noodles (Mifen) is a local delicacy, also available as stir-fried (Chaofen). This is served everywhere, but try to avoid the joints near the train station. Traditionally the noodle and the topping is first eaten without soup, and once the topping has run out there is usually a pot of soup to add flavour to the rest of your noodles. There are also various pickles and condiments that you can add to your noodles. Servings are sold and priced in small, medium, and large. (一两；二两；三两）The small is more of snack, so start with the medium. There is a good spot in the street behind the Zhongshan Hotel.

Roasted Suckling Pig. The pig is fed with rice, roasted using special local methods, and then flavored with shallot, soy sauce and white sugar.

Snail made with sour peppers, shallot, ginger and sanhua wine.

Steamed Bake Meat with Water Chestnut made from peeled water chestnut, meat and spices.

Steamed Mung Bean and Meat Wrapped in Lotus Leaf. Home-style dish with streaky pork with skin, soy sauce, mung bean flour, lotus leaf, fermented tofu, and lots of spices.

Restaurants can be found throughout the city. There are various eateries near the train station selling cheap and simple but delicious local dishes. There are many restaurants around the main streets, Jiefang Road and along the river, but many of them are either overpriced chains and/or tourist traps and the food they serve is less than authentic. Do not be fooled by them being crowded, they are not worth the money. A better option may be to wander the side streets.

There are a few clusters of restaurants worth exploring.

• Binjiang Rd (滨江路美食街; Bīnjiānglù Měishíjiē)
• Food City (just to the east of the bus station)
• Guilinren Wangjiao Food Street (桂林人旺角美食街; Guìlínrén Wàngjiǎo) at Zhongshan Middle Rd (bus 11,18, 100). This street has lots of snack vendors.
• Jiefang West Rd (解放西路美食街; Jiěfàngxīlù Měishíjiē)
• Nanhuan Rd (南环路; Nánhuán​lù) connects Zhongshan Rd with Elephant Trunk Hill. The street has a number of budget and mid-range local restaurants. Many of the restaurants show living animal out in the street to illustrate what is on the menu.
• Putuo Rd (普陀路美食街; Pǔ​tuólù Měishíjiē)
• Yiren Rd (依仁路; Yīrénlù) runs east-west on the north side of Central Square. The street has eateries ranging from buffet-style caferias to trendy cafes.
• Ximen Bridge Area (西门桥周围; Xī​ménqiáozhōu​wéi) has a large number of Muslim restaurants.
• Zhishan Rd (雉山路美食街; Zhìshānlù Měishíjiē; opposite Food City)
• Zhongshan Rd (中山路; Zhōngshānlù)

Binjiang Rd (滨江路美食街; Bīnjiānglù Měishíjiē)

Food City (just to the east of the bus station)

Guilinren Wangjiao Food Street (桂林人旺角美食街; Guìlínrén Wàngjiǎo) at Zhongshan Middle Rd (bus 11,18, 100). This street has lots of snack vendors.

Jiefang West Rd (解放西路美食街; Jiěfàngxīlù Měishíjiē)

Nanhuan Rd (南环路; Nánhuán​lù) connects Zhongshan Rd with Elephant Trunk Hill. The street has a number of budget and mid-range local restaurants. Many of the restaurants show living animal out in the street to illustrate what is on the menu.

Putuo Rd (普陀路美食街; Pǔ​tuólù Měishíjiē)

Yiren Rd (依仁路; Yīrénlù) runs east-west on the north side of Central Square. The street has eateries ranging from buffet-style caferias to trendy cafes.

Ximen Bridge Area (西门桥周围; Xī​ménqiáozhōu​wéi) has a large number of Muslim restaurants.

Zhishan Rd (雉山路美食街; Zhìshānlù Měishíjiē; opposite Food City)

Zhongshan Rd (中山路; Zhōngshānlù)

• Wada Bar @ Wada Hostel, 212 Huancheng Xiyi Rd (Chinese Address: 环城西一路212号), +86 773 215 4888. This place has a great vibe attracting many foreigner travellers from around the world. Spacious outdoor lounge provides a great atmosphere to hang out all day long. The night comes alive with music and happy hour drinks with premium cocktails at ¥20-30 each. Great Western/Chinese food options to choose from.

Wada Bar @ Wada Hostel, 212 Huancheng Xiyi Rd (Chinese Address: 环城西一路212号), +86 773 215 4888. This place has a great vibe attracting many foreigner travellers from around the world. Spacious outdoor lounge provides a great atmosphere to hang out all day long. The night comes alive with music and happy hour drinks with premium cocktails at ¥20-30 each. Great Western/Chinese food options to choose from.

• Hao Heng Shi Jia, 2nd floor, 9 Middle Zhong Shan Rd. Good steaks, western and Chinese food. Located on the main shopping street. Internet cafe just upstairs.
• Islam Restaurant, 55 Xicheng Rd (西城路55号), +86 773-2819737. Owned by the Islam Association of Guilin. Serves traditional halal food.
• Jufulin, 10 Zhengyang Rd (near the Central Square. Serving standard Chinese dishes. Seating in and out: inside can be a bit crowded, but outside is nice.
• Rosemary Cafe, 1 Yiren Rd (in the pedestrianized area near Jiefang Bridge. Good coffee and western food, sandwiches with wholemeal bread. Free Wifi. A few books for sale or exchange. Staff are polite and efficient, though perhaps slightly cool in their attitude.

Hao Heng Shi Jia, 2nd floor, 9 Middle Zhong Shan Rd. Good steaks, western and Chinese food. Located on the main shopping street. Internet cafe just upstairs.

Islam Restaurant, 55 Xicheng Rd (西城路55号), +86 773-2819737. Owned by the Islam Association of Guilin. Serves traditional halal food.

Jufulin, 10 Zhengyang Rd (near the Central Square. Serving standard Chinese dishes. Seating in and out: inside can be a bit crowded, but outside is nice.

Rosemary Cafe, 1 Yiren Rd (in the pedestrianized area near Jiefang Bridge. Good coffee and western food, sandwiches with wholemeal bread. Free Wifi. A few books for sale or exchange. Staff are polite and efficient, though perhaps slightly cool in their attitude.

Liquan beer and osmanthus tea.

• UBC Cafe, Yiren Rd (near the Central Square. This is a Shanghai chain coffeehouse also serving Chinese and Western food. The coffee card appears reasonable, but sometimes you get the feeling they serve more or less the same regardless of what you order. Large place with a piano player.
• Kaya café & bar, Zhonghua Lu 6 (from the walking street, walk to Solitary Beauty Peak (North), at the gate, go right and first left again, 50 meters on your right side. One of the few real bars in Guilin. Very laidback atmosphere. Located in a quiet street near the center. Offers chilled out music. They also have a branch in Yangshuo.
• West Bank Café, 4/F, Binjiang Building, 18 Binjiang Rd, +86 773-2882259. Decent coffee accompanied by jazz music and river view.

UBC Cafe, Yiren Rd (near the Central Square. This is a Shanghai chain coffeehouse also serving Chinese and Western food. The coffee card appears reasonable, but sometimes you get the feeling they serve more or less the same regardless of what you order. Large place with a piano player.

Kaya café & bar, Zhonghua Lu 6 (from the walking street, walk to Solitary Beauty Peak (North), at the gate, go right and first left again, 50 meters on your right side. One of the few real bars in Guilin. Very laidback atmosphere. Located in a quiet street near the center. Offers chilled out music. They also have a branch in [[Yangshuo]].

West Bank Café, 4/F, Binjiang Building, 18 Binjiang Rd, +86 773-2882259. Decent coffee accompanied by jazz music and river view.

• 100 C, Binjiang Rd (near sheraton hotel. Very good bar with great music.
• Red Lips -- On the Road -- Usual Place -- Go In, Chuanshan South Rd (street to Chuanshan Park, at the corner of Lijiang Road, close to Li River Chuanshan Bridge. Four new bars nearby, each nicely decorated and with relaxed atmosphere, some with Internet access, young audience, often English-speaking Chinese students. Also Sharon's Coffee for excellent Western food (e.g. steak, schnitzel, burgers and baguettes) close-by.
• Logo, 1-8 Chaoyang Rd, 540004 (100m from Guangxi Normal University north gate, +86 13737734082. 19:00-03:00. Bar/club, often has a cover band playing and/or DJs very loud, but not a bad atmosphere if there's a good crowd.
• Lakeside Inn, No1-1-2 Shan lake Building, Shan Lake North Road, +86 7732806806. 07:30-00:00. Drinks and German beer, at the other side of the ShanHu Hotel building, right between the Central Square and the Sun and Moon Pagodas. English-speaking staff and visited mostly by tourists and expats.

100 C, Binjiang Rd (near sheraton hotel. Very good bar with great music.

Red Lips -- On the Road -- Usual Place -- Go In, Chuanshan South Rd (street to Chuanshan Park, at the corner of Lijiang Road, close to Li River Chuanshan Bridge. Four new bars nearby, each nicely decorated and with relaxed atmosphere, some with Internet access, young audience, often English-speaking Chinese students. Also Sharon's Coffee for excellent Western food (e.g. steak, schnitzel, burgers and baguettes) close-by.

Logo, 1-8 Chaoyang Rd, 540004 (100m from Guangxi Normal University north gate, +86 13737734082. 19:00-03:00. Bar/club, often has a cover band playing and/or DJs very loud, but not a bad atmosphere if there's a good crowd.

Lakeside Inn, No1-1-2 Shan lake Building, Shan Lake North Road, +86 7732806806. 07:30-00:00. Drinks and German beer, at the other side of the ShanHu Hotel building, right between the Central Square and the Sun and Moon Pagodas. English-speaking staff and visited mostly by tourists and expats.

Guilin is quite safe by Chinese and international standards, but:

• The number of Westerners has engendered resentment by many of the club staff -- and they are often aggressive and even violent. In 2015, an Irish tourist was stabbed at Muse Night Club in downtown Guilin by a group of bouncers who beat him behind the club. He survived, but the group attack, stabbing, and police inaction show the vulnerability of the foreign traveler in overly-touristy areas.
• Watch your valuables very closely in the central city (money belt), as in many tourist locations pickpocketing is a common occurrence. The bus station is the most dangerous place in the city. Keep on guard when boarding and disembarking your bus. Never carry your wallet in your pocket. Organized gangs of pickpockets operate in this area and they will focus on you if you are of non-East Asian descent.
• Be careful of locals trying to sell "honey" at rest stops along the highway. They will have bags with honey smelling rocks and a part of a beehive and a knife with them and offer you a taste. According to a local it is not real honey and can be impure, made with wax, and unsafe to consume, and will make you sick.
• Western tourists may be approached by people who will introduce themselves as teachers, et al., but turn out to be selling tea or artwork.

• Yangshuo - About 1.5 hours by bus from Guilin is the friendly and picturesque town of Yangshuo. This used to be a popular backpackers town, but now is full of Chinese tourists. It sits in a beautiful karst landscape. The full-day boat trip along the Li River will finish in this town. Getting there by taxi or bus and is also an option.
• Xingping - This town will probably become the next backpacker place, as Yangshuo becomes too commercial for backpacking types. It is a very peaceful, old town on the Li River's most beautiful landscape, half way between Yangshuo and Guilin.
• Longsheng- An area near Guilin with hills covered with terraced rice fields. There are many organised tours from Guilin, many of which will allow you to visit the nearby ethnic Zhuang minority villages. June and September are good times to visit when fields are flooded.
• Chengyang - On the road towards Guizhou province, this mountainous minority village area is quieter and less touristy than Longsheng. Plenty of wonderful scenery with friendly locals, quaint bridges and drum towers. It is now accessible via a 30-minute high speed rail journey from Guilin to Sanjiang and then getting a minbus from there to Chengyang.
• Vietnam - There is a new sleeper overnight bus from Guilin to Hanoi. It costs ¥390 leaving in the evening every day and arriving Hanoi next day. Or catch the afternoon train to Nanning (2½ hr with high speed train), stay overnight in a cheap station hotel and get the early morning bus in Langdong bus station to Hanoi, arriving about 15:00 depending on traffic.