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Guilin (桂林) is a city in Guangxi Region, China. Guilin is a scenic town and one of the best-known tourist destinations in China. There are many scenic places within short traveling distance of Guilin. These include Longsheng with its famous Longji rice terraces; The Li jiang river, a scene of which is printed on the back of ¥20 bank notes; Yangshuo, a small city downstream form Guilin; and much more. This makes Guilin an excellent base for exploring the northern end of Guangxi region. Guilin is a beautiful city. The town center is surrounded by two rivers and four lakes and studded with shear sided karst mountains. Outside the city center, the buildings are less well kept. The main industry in the city is tourism.

Guilin itself 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.

[edit] Understand

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 this time, allowing small boats to transit from the Yangtze to the south flowing Xi River via the Kuei 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 different 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 for an explanation if needed. Various other minorities, such as the Dong, are also found in the area.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

There are daily flights to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) from major mainland cities and from Hong Kong, Macau, Bangkok(not regular), Kuala Lumpur,Osaka and Seoul.

Air Asia provides flights to Guilin from Kuala Lumpur every day.

Airport bus to town 20RMB, but drops just south of city centre. Taxi should then be around 10RMB to most hotels.

[edit] By train

Guilin has two train stations. Guilin station (Guilin Zhan) is in the centre of town on Zhongshan Nanlu while Guilin North station (Guilin Bei Zhan) is far away from downtown area. Most, but not all, trains which originate/terminate in Guilin go to or come from Guilin North while trains which come through Guilin from elsewhere usually only go to Guilin station and not Guilin North.

There are trains from North (Beijing, Changsha, Wuhan, Shanghai, Xian), West (Kunming), South (Liuzhou, Nanning, Zhanjiang), and East (Guangzhou, Shenzhen).

• From Beijing — If for some reason you need to rush from Beijing to Guilin or vice-versa, there are three trains on either direction. To Beijing, trains depart from Guilin (not Guilin Bei) at 12:59AM (train from Zhanjiang), 3:06PM (from Nanning) and 7:30PM. Journey time is between 22 hour to 30 hours, with the 3:06PM train being the fastest.

• From Hong Kong via Shenzhen — Take MTR to Lo Wu via the East Rail line. After going through immigration and customs, keep to the left when exiting. To get to the area for long distance travel, you need to walk past the Guangzhou trains area. The T38 departs 17:51 arriving Guilin 06:42. The ticket will cost approximately ¥430 for a soft sleeper and ¥245 for a hard sleeper (prices vary slightly depending on the bunk position). The return trip T40 departs Guilin 21:28 arriving Shenzhen 10:35.

• From Guangzhou and Shenzhen — Two trains to Guangzhou daily, leaving at 6:04PM (from Liuzhou) and 8PM. The latter goes all the way to Shenzhen.

• From Hong Kong via Guangzhou — It is relatively easy to book a train ticket to either Shenzhen or Guangzhou on MTR, however note that if going to Guangzhou there are two stations in this city, the MTR trains terminate in "Guangzhou Station" and the domestic trains depart from the other "East" station which is on the other side of the city and a fairly long metro ride (English is on the Metro ticket machine). There is a metro entrance in the train station when you arrive in Guangzhou, and its a bit of a pain to find, just look for the stairs going down in a corner of the station. The tickets to Guilin are sold around the corner from this exit, you have to go outside the station and you'll see another set of ticket stalls. Whether there will be tickets available depends on how early you are booking, don't expect to get them for the day of travel.

• From Kunming — The fastest trains from Kunming are those which go via Nanning and the scenic Nankun railway, taking around 20 hours. Those going via Guiyang take at least 28 hours. If traveling to Kunming, trains depart Guilin at 5:46AM (from Zhengzhou via Guiyang), 8:52AM (via Nanning), 1:34PM (from Nanjing via Guiyang) and 7PM (from Shanghai via Nanning).

• From Nanning — There are around ten trains to choose from if coming from Nanning (5 to 6 hours). From Guilin (not Guilin Bei) to Nanning, trains depart at 12:13AM (train from Xian), 6:22AM (from Nanchang), 7:48AM, 8:09AM (train from Zhengzhou), 8:26AM, 8:52AM (train to Kunming), 2:36PM (train from Beijing), 4:13PM (from Wuxi), 4:05PM, 7PM (from Shanghai to Kunming). The fastest train is the 8:26AM, taking just 5 hours. All these trains stop at Liuzhou (2 hours from Guilin). One way hard seat ticket cost ¥65.

• From Chengdu — There is 1 train per day from Chengdu, the K652. It departs Chengdu at 3:15 PM and arrives 25 hours later. Cost is about 230RMB.

WARNING: Once you get out of the train station, you will be approached by cab drivers/other drivers alike. While their cab meters are not dodgy, they might use a few tricks to offload you of some RMB. Our cab driver tried to sell us tours, failing which, at the end of trip, she pulled out a piece of dubious-looking, pseudo-official piece of paper, declaring that gas surcharge is actually 2RMB. (gas surcharge is supposed to be 1RMB)

[edit] By car

There are some expressways locally and within the province, however for any long distance journey, it is a 2 lane road.

[edit] By bus

• From Yangshuo — Minibuses (¥10) depart when full from the square in front of the Guilin railway station. Although the signs are written in Chinese, there are always conductors yelling out "Yangshuo". As the buses pick-up and let down passengers along the way, the journey time can take anything from one to one-half hours. Express buses (¥15) depart from the Xiangzhou (Guilin) bus terminal off Zhongshan Nanlu, several hundred metres north of the railway station (and on the same side of the road as the station). Buses depart about every half hour from 7AM. Buy tickets from counters in the bus terminal.

• From elsewhere — Buses link Guilin with a multitude of destinations, including Nanning, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and further afield. Buses depart from the Xiangzhou (Guilin) bus terminal on Zhongshan Nanlu, several hundred metres north of the railway station.

[edit] By boat

You can get to Guilin by cargo boat from Guangzhou via Wuzhou, but there are no passenger boats to Guilin anymore, except the boats to and from Yangshuo. You can take a cargo boat if you want to at almost no cost from Wuzhou to Yangshuo.

[edit] Get around

Getting a local map from a tourist guide or shop (for about ¥5) is a good idea. This will show the location of most of the sights as well as details of bus routes. Buses are a ideal way to get around Guilin on a budget. Many city parks and river spots can be accessed easily by bus. All the buses starting with 5# are free. A useful one is bus 58 which runs from the train station (& bus station) to many of the attractions. Bus fare are capped at ¥1 per trip.

Taxis are also inexpensive and easily hailed within the city. Usually hard to catch during peak hours.

[edit][add listing] See

• Reed Flute Cave, (about 5km west of Guilin. Catch bus 3 or rent bikes and buy a map for a pleasant cycle). 8AM-5:30PM. This limestone cave with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations is worth a visit. An English-speaking guide will take you around the various artificially lit formations supposedly resembling lions, monkeys, old men, the skyline of Guilin, etc. 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.  edit

• Elephant Trunk Hill, (Within walking distance of the town center and near to bus routes 23 and 16), ☎ +86 773 2803000. 7AM-10PM. This park on the banks of the Li River contains a 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. ¥33.  edit

• Fubo Hill, ☎ +86 773 2803000. A park in the northeast of the City on the banks of the Li River. The park contains historical stone carvings and Buddhist inscriptions. Fubo Hill itself is an impressive shear sided rock.  edit

• Seven Star Park. A large park on the East side of the city and about 15-20 minutes walk from the main pedestrian area in the centre of town. Has a small zoo area on the East side farthest from the entrance with the main attraction being the two giant pandas. ¥35.  edit

• Yaoshan Hill Park, (Several km east of the city center. Bus routes 10 and 98 run nearby but still leave a lengthy walk to the park), ☎ +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 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 ¥30 each way.  edit

• Jing Jiang Princes City Park, ☎ +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 and park.  edit

• Ocean Aquarium, On Zhongshan Road (South of the city center. Bus routes 4, 11, 12, 19, 99 and 56 pass here. Next to the South Stream Hill Park), ☎ +86 773 3816822. One of the largest aquariums in Asia. This modern facility has a wide range of fish and other aquatic animals.  edit
• Longji Terraced Field (Longji Terraced Field), Longsheng Country. Longji Terraced Fields is in the Heping town in Longsheng, a 2 hours drive from Guilin. The terraced rice fields, like ladders, wind from the bottom of the mountain to the top. The elevation varies from 380 meters to 880 meters with a drop of 500 meters. First built during the Yuan Dynasty, these rice fields were built with the determination, sweat and blood of generations of people. It is a testimony to the ingenuity of agriculture in mountainous areas. These fields are often belt-shaped, narrow and long, most of which are only wide enough for two rows of crops. The largest patch is only one Mu. There are about 66 square kilometers of terraced fields in southeast Longsheng. 130RMB 1 day tour with CITS only gives you 1.5 hours at rice fields but there is an option to stay overnight. 50RMB by bus.  edit

• Solitary Beauty Peak, (Take a taxi or bus no. 1 or 2 from the Guilin Railway Station. Both buses drop passengers off at the western entrance of the peak area.), ☎ (0773) 280 3149. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. Rising dramatically above the center of Guilin, Solitary Beauty Peak (Duxiu Feng) 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 located 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. RMB 50.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Li River Cruise, [1]. A popular activity for travellers. The boats are frequent and easily organised by any hotel 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. For those looking for a cheaper option, take a bus to Xingping and take a smaller boat through the best parts of the scenery for ¥80 for 1 1/2 hours. ¥400+(with all transports).  edit

• Dreams on Water, ☎ +86 773 2831040, 2888805, [2]. day and evening. A boat tour around the four lakes and two rivers of Guilin. At night, the scenery is spectacularly flood lit. At the mid point in the tour, there will be a demonstration of traditional cormorant fishing. Tours last between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the route purchased. ¥150 per adult.  edit

• Something of Ethical, ☎ +86 773 2851279. A theatrical dance and music performance daily. The show tries to recreate the culture of the various ethnic groups around Guilin.  edit

There are many more activities nearby in neighbouring towns and villages:

• Wu Pai River Drifting, (2 hours north of Guilin (in Zi Yuan County)), ☎ +86 773 4315888, [3]. White water rafting down the scenic Wu Pai River in Zi Yua county.  edit

• Guilin Shangri-la park, (Halfway along the road between Guilin and Yangshuo). 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.  edit

• Butterfly Caves, ☎ +86 773 8811466, 8811498, 8811469, 8829978 (silinj@glhdq.com, fax: +86 773 881498, 8829978), [4]. A pair of shear 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 it's 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.  edit

• The Guilin Merryland World Resort [5], located about 1 hours drive north of Guilin offers two attractions:

• Golf Course, ☎ +86 773 6229898 (fax: +86 773 6229906). Beautiful golf course with 27 holes. A bit on the expensive side but well worth the money.  edit
• Theme Park.  edit

[edit] Learn

You may join regular or part-time Chinese Language and Cultural Courses provided by Guilin University of Technology which stands near the Seven-star park in the downtown area.

• Guilin University of Technology [6] Tel/Fax: +86 773 5895613

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Eat

The local delicacy is Guilin Rice Noodles (Gui Lin Mi Fen), also available as stir-fried (Chao Fen). 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.

A local snack is "horse hoof cake" (Ma Ti Gao), which is a crumbly cake stuffed with red beans filling. Another delicious breakfast item is sweet tofu infused with a certain flower. Look for roadside vendors adding orange-coloured liquid to a steaming hot bag of tofu, which you then drink with a straw.

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

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. If you do not speak Chinese write down/print out this [7] and look for the dishes on the menu.

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.

• Rosemary Cafe, (In the pedestrianized area near Jiefang Bridge). Good coffee and western food. Decent 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.  edit

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

• Sharon's Coffee (格格咖啡), Chuanshan South Road (穿山南路) (Street to Chuanshan Park, at the corner Lijiang Road, near by Li River Chuanshan Bridge), ☎ +86 773 5861855, [8]. Pleasant atmosphere, coffee, cocktails, excellent Western food (try the Schnitzel and the iced coffee). Sharon, known as 'Shaz' to the Aussies, is your hostess and goes out of her way to help you.  edit

• Zhengyang Souper Restaurant. Despite the tacky name and shambolic decor this restaurant on the main pedestrian area near the clock tower is popular with locals (do not be fooled by the empty outside tables, they all prefer to sit inside). It has an English menu and helpful staff. Serves a good variety of Chinese dishes including local delicacies like Steamed Li River Fish. ¥18-60 for main dishes.  edit

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

Liquan beer and osmanthus tea.

• 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 have regular parties, concerts, movies, etc.. They also have a branch in Yangshuo.  edit
• 100 C, Binjiang Road (near sheraton hotel). Very good bar with great music.  edit
• Red Lips -- On the Road -- Usual Place -- Go In, Chuanshan South Road (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.  edit
• Le Feitz (Irish Pub), 1-8 Chaoyang Rd, 540004 Guilin (100m from Guangxi Normal University north gate), ☎ (+86)13737734082, [9]. 19:00-03:00. Le Feitz is an authentic Irish Pub located in the universities area. Unique atmosphere with parties and live music (band and singers).  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Guilin is a tourism city. There are many hotels, more than 30 five-star hotels, 100 four-star hotels, and 200 three-star hotels.

[edit] Budget

• Flowers Youth Hostel, Block 2, 6 Shangzhi Ln, South Zhongshan Rd (opposite the main station, down a side street, about 2 minute walk; there is a large sign that can be seen from the street directing the way), ☎ +86 773 3839625 (yhaguilin@yahoo.com.cn, fax: +86 773 3845275), [10]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 12 noon. Great youth hostel with friendly English-speaking staff. Large communal reception area with sofas which doubles as a lounge and restaurant. Free pool table and DVD room. Three internet terminals at ¥1 for 10 minutes. They will also allow you to store your luggage for a few days while visiting Yangshou. Dormitory ¥40, Singles ¥55, Twin ¥90, discounts for YHIF members, double prices during Chinese holidays.  edit

• Backstreet Youth Hostel, 3 Renmin Lu, ☎ +86 773 2819936. Another terrific, newly opened hostel in central location. Rooms bigger and fresher than in Flowers Youth Hostel, though staff at FYH are more helpful. Internet service in the lobby (2 PCs). Also has a good selection of hotel-like single ¥110 and double rooms. Will book many excurtions but check prices. Free luggage storage, but not secure ¥35 for 6 bed dorm with aircon.  edit

• Overseas Chinese Hostel (花俏大沙), 13 Zhongshan Nanlu (中山南路13号), ☎ +86 773 3820290. A little inconveniently located, but clean and a good alternative to a full FYH. ¥60.  edit

• Guilin Zhongshan Hotel, Zhongshan Middle Road, Xiangshan District, ☎ +86 773 2882999, [11]. Best rates on official website start at ¥218.  edit

• Guilin Jinggui New City Hotel, Zhongshan South Road, Xiangshan District, ☎ +86 773 2119333, [12]. Best rates on official website start at ¥168.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Soluxe Qixia Hotel, (3 minutes walk to Li River, 5 minutes walk to Seven Star Park and approaching Liberation Bridge), [13]. Total of 366 rooms, with stylish decoration, neat and clean environment and free internet access.  edit

• Guilin Osmansthus Flower Hotel, No. 10 Zhongshanbei RD, Guilin, Guangxi, China (Located in the downtown of the city. Only 5mins' walk to the train and bus station.), ☎ +86-13471261887. A good 3 star hotel located in the downtown. 150RMB for a standard(doule/single) room.  edit

• Guilin Golden Elephant Hotel, No. 36 Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guangxi, China (Located opposite the famous Elephant Trunk Hill, by the Li River), ☎ +86 773 2808888 (fax: +86-773-2805903), [14]. 73 rooms with basic amenities and a location in the heart of the Xiangshan District.  edit

• Eva Inn, 66 Binjiang Road, Xiufeng District, [15]. The inn looks out over Li River and Elephant Trunk Hill. It has 113 rooms and a gourmet restaurant with terrace dining. Online reservations available on the website.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Guishan Link Hotel, No. 42 Chuanshan Road, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, ☎ 86-773-5638888, [16]. Standing on the banks of the Li River, the hotel places you in one of the most beautiful spots in the city. The four-star Guishan Hotel in Guilin, China is surrounded by Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill, and Seven Star Cave. The spacious, air-conditioned rooms are each equipped with cable television, free Internet access, a private bath, and hair dryer.  edit

• Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel - Da Pubu Dajiudian, 1 North Shanhu Rd (Centrally located near the main shopping area), ☎ +86 773 2822881, 2823050 (fax: +86 773 2822891, 2825992), [17]. The most ostentatious place to stay in Guilin, it features a man-made waterfall which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. There are 646 rooms, indoor swimming pool, VIP health club and saunas.  edit

• Sheraton Hotel, [18]. Good location on the river, 2 minutes walk to main pedestrian area, 3 minutes to the Sun and Moon pagodas and 5 minutes to Elephant Trunk Hill park. Popular with westerners and probably the best western breakfast buffet you'll find in Guilin.  edit

• Hotel of Modern Art, Yuzi Paradise, DaBu Town, Yanshan district (Approx 30 minutes drive from the city center), ☎ +86 773 3867888 (fax: +86 773 3867999), [19]. This hotel is set inside Yuzi Paradise [20], a park full of stunning modern art in a remote rural location.  edit

• Guilin Merryland World Resort, (About 1 hours drive north of Guilin), [21]. The resort offers two types of accommodation: 5 Star Hotel, or Forrest Village.  edit

• Golden Dragon Airline Grand Hotel, 19 Cuizhu Road, Xiangshan District, [22]. A 4-star accommodation. Aside from its 206 guest rooms, the hotel also has function halls, restaurants, a swimming pool, gym and sauna. Accepts online reservations.  edit

[edit] Stay safe

• Watch your valuables closely in the in the central city, as in many tourist locations pickpocketing is a common occurrence.

• Also, be careful with the begging children in the city parks as there are rumours of them claiming assault if you do not buy flowers from them. The parents apparently act as "witnesses" to the assault.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

• Longsheng and Longji Village- It is famous for the excessively large number of terraced rice paddy fields on its mountain, which has created an intricate pattern on the hill side. About 2 hours from Guilin.

• Yangshuo - About 1 1/2 hours 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 is situated 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 most foreign tourists. It is a very peaceful, old town located on the Li River's most beautiful landscape, half way between Yangshuo and Guilin.

• Vietnam - It's possible to get all the way to Hanoi from Guilin. Catch the afternoon train to Nanning (5hrs), stay overnight in a cheap station hotel and get the early morning bus to Hanoi, arriving about 3PM depending on traffic. This train, hotel and bus package is available for around ¥400.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!