Guilin

Guilin, China

Nature shows favoritism to particular places, and the moment you set foot in Guilin, you'll cotton on to it.

Li River winds its way past Guilin and its emerald-like surrounding area. The river is best explored on a boat. As your boat chugs forward, you'll be treated to a seemingly endless parade of limestone karst mountains jutting out into the sky like giant spikes. That immortal beauty will leave any visitor bowled over.

Guilin came into being as a town in the 7th century, and the walls of the Ming era (1369-1644) still stand. Today, Guilin is a developed city and an appealing tourist destination in the outlying province of southwest China's Guangxi. Guilin's laidback air is to be appreciated. Take a stroll along the riverfront promenade and enjoy the moist air in the morning, eat your fill in a local eatery offering distinctive local foods at noon, and round out your day with the night views of the four lakes in the evening.

See and Do

• Elephant Trunk Hill

  It conjures up the image of an elephant trunk sticking into Li River for water, hence the name. Between the “elephant trunk” and the “elephant leg” is a cave through which Li River flows.

• Folded Brocade Hill

  It affords dramatic views of the Li River and the idyllic countryside along the river. Carvings by celebrities in different periods are worth a look.

• Jingjiang Wangfu

  The walled ancient site built by a Ming dynasty prince is now part of Guangxi Normal University. Immediately adjacent to it is Duxiufeng (Solitary Beauty Peak).

• Reed Flute Cave

  It's a phantasmagorical world of stalactites and stalagmites lit up with colored lights. There are 30 attractions along a tourist route in the cave.

• Yangshuo

  The small town of Yangshou, the endpoint of the tourist-centric scenic boat ride from Guilin, is a showstopper among Guilin's sceneries. The ancient West Street is now a “global village” where a truly international crowd gravitates towards the neon-lit restaurants, shops, cafés and hostels.

  
  
  
• Longji Terraced Fields

  The locals have been earning their livelihood this way since the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). Now rice-loaded fields following the lay of the land stretch endlessly in 2000-meter-high mountains. They look a bit surreal when shimmering in the sunlight, especially if you happen to have a good viewing angle.