Guilin Travel Guide: Your Complete Guide to China's Most Scenic Landscape

Guilin: An Unforgettable City

Guilin is also one of my favorite cities, although I have only been there once. But that brief stay left an unforgettable impression on me.

Why is Guilin so memorable?

Why is it so memorable? Because Guilin left a deep impression on me when I was very young.

When we were in elementary school, there was a sentence in our textbook that said, “Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven.” This sentence was like a seed that was quietly planted in my childhood heart. Later, when we went to junior high school, we learned that there was another sentence after this: “Yangshuo’s scenery is the best in Guilin.”

Yangshuo is also part of Guilin. Because of these two sentences, I later decided that I must visit Guilin and see it for myself. Also, the picture on the 20 RMB note was taken on the Li River in Guilin. Whenever I see that 20 RMB note, the morning mist, fishing boats, and reflections on the Li River appear before my eyes. The location where it was taken is called Nine Horses Painting Mountain, and it is said that those who can identify nine horses possess extraordinary wisdom.

My Trip to Guilin

I went to Guilin by car with friends. During my trip, I visited the following places:

1：Li River Bamboo Raft Tour
The first activity was a bamboo raft tour of the Li River, from Yangdi to Xingping. The river was like a mirror, reflecting the towering peaks and the shadows of the clouds. The green mountains on both banks receded slowly, as if we were in a flowing ink painting. We remained silent the entire time, afraid to disturb the tranquility. It was a wonderful experience, and anyone visiting Guilin should definitely try the Li River bamboo raft tour – it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

2：Cycling along the Ten-Mile Gallery
The second activity was cycling along the Ten-Mile Gallery. The air in Yangshuo is slightly cool in the early morning. Cycling through the karst peaks, the rice fields shimmered with green light, and wisps of smoke rose from the farmhouses along the roadside.:3：West Street in

3：Yangshuo
The third activity was visiting West Street in Yangshuo. At night, the lights and voices intertwined to create a lively atmosphere. People walked briskly on the stone-paved road, and the shops on both sides were full of dazzling arrays. Ethnic customs and modern elements collided and blended here.

4：Impression Liu Sanjie Live Performance
The fourth thing I saw was the large-scale outdoor live performance, Impression Liu Sanjie. The performance used the mountains and rivers as its backdrop and lights for illumination, blending the folk songs of the Zhuang people with the night view of the Li River. The actors danced under the stars and moon, with fishing lights twinkling, as if they had stepped out of a legend. At that moment, I understood how profound and moving the fusion of nature and culture could be. The meaning of travel, perhaps, is not just about seeing the scenery, but also about hearing the voice of the land. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Guilin.

Guilin’s Karst Landforms

There are other smaller attractions, but I won’t elaborate on them here.

When discussing Guilin, one cannot ignore its karst landforms. Guilin is a city formed by typical karst topography.

Karst landforms are widespread in China. Guilin, a city shaped by the erosion of limestone over millions of years, is characterized by towering peaks and crisscrossing underground rivers. Each mountain peak is like a line of poetry written on the earth, telling a story of time’s silence and water’s gentleness. The Li River, flowing quietly for thousands of years, has sculpted the rocks into dreamlike outlines and etched the years into human memory. This landform is not only a masterpiece of nature, but also the result of a long-term dialogue between life and the environment. Walking among them feels like becoming part of geological history.

Guilin’s Geography and Beauty

Guilin’s geographical location isn’t particularly advantageous; after all, it’s not a first-tier city or a provincial capital, so I have only visited once. However, it’s precisely this remoteness that has allowed its beauty to remain in its pristine state. When visiting Guilin, you can also stop by cities like Beihai and Fangchenggang. If you have more time, you can visit the Qing Dynasty Boundary Marker No. 1.

Guilin’s Tourism Resources and Improvements

Guilin boasts abundant tourism resources, a gift from nature. However, I must point out that a few years ago, overcharging tourists was a serious problem in Guilin. This has greatly improved since then, thanks to the local government’s vigorous efforts to regulate the tourism market, standardize tour guide services, and better protect tourists' rights.

Tips for Foreign Tourists

As foreign tourists visiting Guilin, we must also remain cautious. Our in-depth travel guide offers valuable tips on how to identify scams and avoid common pitfalls. Feel free to check it out if you're interested.

Conclusion

Finally, I wish everyone a happy and enjoyable trip to Guilin. Guilin is a place full of beautiful scenery, culture, and unforgettable memories. If you want a deeper travel experience, consider purchasing our comprehensive travel guide.