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Travel Guide

Guilin is a prefecture-level city located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It is famous for its unique karst landform scenery and is known as 'the best landscape under heaven'. Its name means 'forest of sweet osmanthus' and is named after the abundance of sweet osmanthus in the area. Guilin is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China and was among the first National Historical and Cultural Cities announced by the State Council. Guilin rice noodles are a famous local breakfast staple.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and Autumn

Daily Budget

Â¥400-800 ($60-120) per day

Getting Around

Airplane, Train, Car, Bus, Taxi, Ride-hailing

Suggested Stay

3-4 days

Must-Visit Attractions

Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area

Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area

The Longji Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and are a typical representative of terraced fields in the world. They boast a large-scale and magnificent group of terraced fields, winding from the foot of the mountain to the top. Small mountains resemble snails, and large mountains are like towers, layered one upon another, with varying heights. The Longji Rice Terraces are mainly divided into several major scenic spots, such as Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces, Jinkeng Dazhai Yao Rice Terraces, and Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Rice Terraces, showcasing the wisdom and diligence of the Zhuang and Yao people. The scenery varies throughout the four seasons: in spring, when water is poured, there are layers of silver belts; in summer, the rice waves roll, a lush green; in autumn, the rice ears are golden, a scene of harvest; in winter, the snow is white, and the landscape is wrapped in silver, forming a series of beautiful pictures, making it an excellent destination for photography, sightseeing, and hiking.

Jinkeng Dazhai Red Yao Rice Terraces

Jinkeng Dazhai Red Yao Rice Terraces are an important part of the Longji Rice Terraces, known for their magnificent terraced landscape and unique Red Yao ethnic culture. Here, layers of terraces wind from the foot of the mountain to the top, with smooth lines, grand scale, and different scenery in each season. Visitors can enjoy the magnificent sunrise and sunset, the misty clouds, experience the customs of the Red Yao people, and feel the charm of agricultural culture. Among them, the "Pavilion" is a famous viewpoint.

Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields Scenic Area

Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields Scenic Area

Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields are an important part of the Longji Terraced Fields Scenic Area, located in Longji Town, Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County, Guilin City. These terraced fields are built on mountainsides, layer upon layer, extending from the river valley to the top of the mountain, with an altitude between 600 and 800 meters. When water is poured in the spring, the fields are like mirrors, reflecting the sky; in summer, the rice is green; in autumn, the rice is golden; and in winter, it may be covered with snow. Ping'an Zhuang Terraced Fields have a long history, with most of the terraced fields built about 650 years ago, and are famous for their unique "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" and "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" viewpoints.

Yangshuo West Street

Yangshuo West Street

Yangshuo West Street, located in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, is an ancient street with a history of more than 1400 years. It is famous for its unique karst landforms, Li River scenery, and the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. West Street is the core of Yangshuo tourism, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. Chinese and English signs can be seen everywhere on the street, and many locals can speak some English. It not only has a rich history and culture, but also many climbing spots, such as Moon Hill, Low Mountain, Shuangmen, Frog, Egg, Bamboo Forest and Wine Bottle Cliff. At the same time, West Street is also a vibrant commercial street with a variety of shops, restaurants and bars, making it an ideal place to experience Yangshuo's nightlife.

Yulong River Scenic Area

Yulong River Scenic Area

Yulong River Scenic Area is located in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and is the longest tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo. It is known as the "Little Li River" for its beautiful natural scenery and unique pastoral landscape. The river is crystal clear, surrounded by green hills on both sides, reflected by verdant bamboo, and dotted with rice fields and orchards, forming beautiful Chinese landscape paintings. There are no motorized boats on the Yulong River. Tourists mainly enjoy the scenery along the way by taking bamboo rafts, experiencing tranquility and leisure. In addition, cycling along the river is also a popular activity, allowing you to deeply experience the local rural life and customs. This is an excellent place to relax and get close to nature.

Li River Scenic Area

Li River Scenic Area

The Li River originates in Xing'an County, Guilin City, and is a tributary of the Xijiang River in the Pearl River system. The 83-kilometer water journey from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most essential section of the Li River, known as the "Hundred-Mile Gallery". Along the way, there are famous attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Nine Horses Fresco Hill, and Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection, making it a world-renowned scenic tourist destination.

Must-Try Local Food

Guilin Rice Noodles

Guilin Rice Noodles

Guilin Rice Noodles are a local specialty snack from the Guilin region of Guangxi, China, known for their unique rice noodles, braised sauce, and toppings. The rice noodles are smooth, springy, and chewy, the braised sauce is fragrant and rich, and served with various toppings such as char siu (BBQ pork), crispy pork, peanuts, and sour bamboo shoots, offering a rich taste. It is a popular choice for locals' daily breakfast and main meals.

Guilin Chili Sauce

Guilin Chili Sauce

Guilin Chili Sauce is a traditional specialty of the Guilin region in Guangxi, renowned for its unique spicy and aromatic flavor. It is typically made from high-quality chili peppers and garlic as main ingredients, meticulously prepared through multiple processes. It is one of Guilin's "Three Treasures" and is deeply loved by locals and tourists alike.

Yong Tau Foo

Yong Tau Foo

Yong Tau Foo is a Hakka dish primarily consisting of tofu stuffed with minced meat or fish paste. Besides tofu, variations of this dish also include vegetables and mushrooms stuffed with minced meat or fish paste. Yong Tau Foo can be eaten in various ways: dry with a dipping sauce, or as a soup dish.

Stir-fried Pork with Sour Bamboo Shoots

Stir-fried Pork with Sour Bamboo Shoots

A home-style stir-fry, made primarily with sour bamboo shoots and pork, cooked with simple seasonings. The unique sourness of the bamboo shoots blends with the savory flavor of the pork, creating a rich taste.

Lipu Taro with Braised Pork Belly

Lipu Taro with Braised Pork Belly

Lipu Taro with Braised Pork Belly is a famous Guangxi dish, made primarily with Guangxi Lipu taro and pork belly. The pork belly is steamed, sliced, and then arranged alternately with slices of Lipu taro. It is then steamed with a special sauce. This dish has a bright red color, soft and tender taro, delicious and succulent pork that is rich but not greasy. The taro absorbs the meat juices, making it soft, glutinous, and uniquely flavorful.

Stuffed Field Snails

Stuffed Field Snails

Stuffed Field Snails is a Hakka specialty dish. It uses field snails as the main ingredient, where the snail meat is removed, minced, and mixed with fillings such as pork, shiitake mushrooms, and water chestnuts. This mixture is then stuffed back into the snail shells, and braised in a flavorful broth. Its characteristics include tender and delicious snail meat, rich filling, savory broth, and a unique flavor.