Guilin Travel Guide
" Everything you need to know before traveling to Guilin"
Guilin is one of the most beautiful places that anyone can visit in the world surrounded by incredible jagged-peak limestone karsts, caves, and water scenery. While you are enjoying the culture and the history of China in ancient cities, don’t miss your chance to visit this green carpet in southern China. 2 famous rivers and 4 stunning lakes have made Guilin as a must-see destination in China.
The city has historical value with 2000 years of history as well. In Guilin, unlike other modern cities of China with tall and supertall buildings, has constructions mostly limited to 20 floors so they don’t distract the view from the landscapes.
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Local Name 桂林市 (Gveilinz)
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Country China
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Population (2010) 4,747,963
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Time Zone UTC+8 (China Standard)
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Area Code 0773
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Website www.guilin.gov.cn
Why Visiting Guilin?
When it comes to China, the first thing that comes to your mind may be the historical and cultural attractions of the country, but don’t make a mistake! China has many cities around with stunning landscapes and natural beauties like Guilin. Karst landscapes, stunning rivers, beautiful countryside, majestic rice terraces, and ethnic minorities have made the city a very fantastic destination for the tourists of China.
One of the most important aspects of Guilin is that this city is full of water landscapes. There are two rivers and four lakes in this city. The two rivers are the Taohua River and Li River, and the Four Lakes are Banyan Lake, Osmanthus Lake, Fir Lake, and Wood Dragon Lake. As these landscapes are located in the city center, you can reach them easily and spend an enjoyable time there.
Yangshuo is the main must-see of Guilin. It’s a county under the jurisdiction of Guilin City offering different attractions such as Yangshuo West Street, Yangshuo Yulong River, Impression of Sanjie Liu, Yangshuo Big Banyan Tree, Silver Cave, etc.
The caves in Guilin are also fantastic. There are various karst caves in this city that can be amazing for tourists and visitors. Reed Flute Cave, Crown Cave, and Silver Cave are the most famous karst formations in this city, which should not be missed by any visitor.
Guilin is full of fantastic stone mountains, which are not too high but covered by plants. Solitary Beauty Peak, Guilin Yao Mountain, Folded Brocade Hill, Yangshuo Moon Hill, and Elephant Trunk Hill are the highlights of mountains in Guilin.
Guilin Tours
What to See in Guilin
- Elephant Trunk Hill
- Guilin Zoo
- Li River
- Longji Rice Terraces
- Reed Flute Cave
- Seven-Star Park
- Solitary Beauty Peak and Jingjiang Prince City
- Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Spot
- Wave-Subduing Hill
- Yangshuo
- Bajiaozhai Scenic spot
- Cat Mountain
- Chuanshan Park
- Chuanshan Park
- Crown Cave
- Daxu Ancient Town
- Flying Tigers Heritage Park
- Folded Brocade Hill
- Fubo Hill
- Ginkgo Forest of Haiyang Town
- Gudong Waterfall
- Guilin’s ‘Flying Tiger’ Heritage Park
- Lingqu Canal
- Mao’er Mountain
- Merryland Resort
- Moon Hill
- Rustic City Life
- Shangri la
- Silver Cave
- The Ling Canal
- The Longji Terraced Fields
- Tongmu Village, Haiyang County
- Woodcarvers Street
- Xianggong Hill
- Yao Mountain
Best Time to Visit Guilin
Guilin has mild weather with four distinct seasons. January is the coolest time of the year with an average temperature of 8 C (46 F) and July is the hottest time of the year with an average temperature of 28 C (82 F). You can expect more rains in summer, especially in May and June. However, snow in Guilin is very rare.
Spring (March – Mid-April)
- Temperature: 10°C (50°F ) – 23°C (73°F)
- Features: The weather in spring is mostly sunny with beautiful and green landscapes. You may face some spring drizzles in the first days of spring but near the summer, the rain will be increased.
What to wear?
Light T-shirts with a raincoat are suitable for spring.
Summer (Mid-April - August)
- Temperature: 20 C (33 F) – 68C (91 F)
- Features: Summer is the rainy season of Guilin, especially in May and June. Over 50% of precipitation per year (up to 1,000 mm) happens in this season. However, visiting Guilin with misty rain, especially in the Li River can be an amazing experience for you
What to wear?
T-shirts, skirts, shorts, and slacks are good choices for summer when the temperature is high.
Autumn (September-October)
- Temperature: 30°C (86°F) – 17°C (63°F)
- Features: : Autumn is the best and the peak season of the year. The weather is cool and clear; however, the temperature difference between day and night is notable.
What to wear?
Comfortable and light clothes like long-sleeved T-shirts as well as shirts and thin jackets are good choices for the autumn.
Winter (November - March)
- Temperature: 20 °C (32°F) – 0°C (41°F)
- Features: The weather in winter is cold and wet; however, the snow can be seen only in mountains. The temperature can change sharply in a few days.
What to wear?
Overcoats and generally warm clothes, as well as a hat and an umbrella, are suitable choices
How Long To Stay?
Answering this question depends on your time; however, three full days can be enough for visiting Guilin. You can spend one day in Guilin itself and the other two days for visiting Yangshuo and the countryside of the city. If you had more time, you can even stay for 4 or 5 days without getting bored.
Things to do in Guilin
Most of the top things to do in Guilin include going to visit the natural environment of this province because of the many karst mountains and green forests. There are beautiful rivers and lakes too, that is just wonderful for going on an adventure to relax and take pictures. While this city has its fair share of historic monuments and heritage sites, plan your trip to mostly include the nature and wildlife of Guilin as well as the local villages before anything else.
If you want to bask in the beauty of the east, pack your things and call your friends for this trip. Just be sure to check the forecast or take a tour package to avoid harsh weather. It is usually calm in Guilin, but there is a chance of heavy fogs and too much snow in winter.
Cruise on the Li River
The number one recommendation of many travelers is a cruise on the Li River, and for good reasons. You can take your pick of the simple bamboo rafts to luxurious cruise rides on the calm jade waters of Li River. Each cruise also has its own duration, you just spend some time on the water and head back to Guilin, or you can head toward Yangshuo. Since there are a lot of options on how you want to go on about a ride on the river, it is difficult to say how much you need to spend. But one thing that is clear and recommendable is that you can get better prices and rides if you book the cruise from your hotel or a tour provider. This way you will not have to worry about getting a fair price or good quality.
Make the most of this trip because as soon as you get off, you will start missing it!
Hiking Along the River Li River
If you want to spend more time enjoying the journey, it is also a good idea to go hiking along Li River. It takes a lot longer, but you will be spending more time in the woods and can bask in the view of the River. This trip needs you to pack appropriately and be ready for a long way, but it is also very much recommended.
If the long journey bothers you, you can choose to go hiking in the most popular spots along the River. You can take a ride to one of the villages and head to the next one on foot to make it easier. If you find a cycling tour in the area and want to go with friends, it is also one of the top experiences of Guilin.
Stroll Along the Li River During the Night
If you like the idea of hiking and spending some more time along this beautiful River, you and try the night-time stroll along the Li River as well. This time for hiking is not recommendable for everyone unless you are with a group of professional and able-bodied companions or on a tour package with a guide.
Explore Yangshuo
The best destination to pick after a cruising or hiking along the Li River is the town of Yangshuo. There are a lot of things you can do in this beautiful town and countryside, which is why we leave it up to you to just go exploring the area in any way you see fit. Our recommendation is to try some local cuisine in this area and enjoy talking to the locals if possible.
Both the town and the countryside are amazing places for this exploring experience. For the same reason, there are many tour options available as well. Whether on a tour or on your own, these two activities in Yangshuo are among top recommendations:
Cycle Through the Yangshuo Countryside
Cycling around town and the countryside are among the top activities if you have enough endurance; and of course, a bike! There are two ways of going on this kind of adventure: First, taking a cycling tour; Second, renting a bike. It is not difficult to find a place to rent a bike, especially in the main streets of Yangshuo. But it is better to go on a tour which offers a fixed price and lets you know what you will be riding. If you are up to the challenge and everything is in order, try the Shili Hualang (Ten Mile Gallery) road.
Try the Nightlife in Yangshuo’s West Street
Cycling or not, you have to give the West Street a try. The West Street of Yangshuo is an ancient part of town, which is a great place to spend some quality time. The best time to come and visit the area is at night when you can also enjoy the nightlife of West Street. If you are looking for a place to eat, drink, or go shopping, this area of town is just what you are looking for.
Try the Calm and Relaxing Waters of Yulong River
Another activity near Yangshuo is bamboo rafting and relaxing on the waters of Yulong River. The River is mostly calm and has a scenic route in the countryside. Whether you are heading to a new destination or just want to spend more time in another beautiful river, the bamboo rafting on the Yulong River is a must-try.
Alternatively, you can go hiking along this River, just like the hike along the Li River. But keep in mind that this journey will now be mostly about the journey and not the destination. You can reach rice paddies or visit small villages along the path and see three beautiful bridges on the Yulong River.
Visit the Longji Rice Terraces
While in Guilin, make sure to visit the Longji Rice Terraces, which is part of the landscape that you will probably not see anywhere else. This place is about 60 kilometers to the south of Guilin where several minority villages reside. What brings many travelers to this area is the landscape that is rarely found anywhere else. What you must do in the Longji Rice Terraces is watch the sunrise and sunset as you spend some time exploring.
If you want to make it the most memorable visit to the Longji Rice Terraces, try the time of harvest. But no matter when you come, it is one of the most enchanting views one can get. Therefore, if you enjoyed the first visit and can come again, be sure to catch the view of both summer and autumn.
Photo by Gary Stevens via Flickr
Make a Visit to Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave is filled with natural limestone rock formations as well as stalactites and stalagmites, to the north-west of Guilin. This cave and its neon lighting make the visit something unique and extremely beautiful. The colorful lights make the walk inside these caves a magical experience as you travel deeper. It is like a gateway to a magical land of China that you certainly have to visit!
Try Rice Noodles All Over Guilin
Simple yet with a lot of variety, is the reason why you must Try Rice Noodles All Over Guilin. This dish usually has meat and vegetables in addition to fresh herbs and many ways of cooking. Every place you visit will make their special dish, and therefore you can try this delicious food as any one of your daily meals. There is no special recipe or magical ingredient to it except all the various ideas that people use to make this simple dish of Rice Noodles.
Daxu Ancient Village
Along the Li River, there is a place that will take you back in time, called the Daxu Ancient Village. It dates back to even before the common era and has seen the rise and fall of many empires but has remained in its place. This beautiful part of China is filled with extremely old, yet very well-preserved houses and shops that are several centuries old. The most picturesque part of this town is a 2.5-kilometer street that is paved in bluestones. The Daxu Ancient Village is one of the most peaceful places in Guilin that has even preserved some of the old ways of life. While in Guilin, you need to make time for a visit and a long stroll in the streets of Daxu.
Marvel at The Elephant Trunk Hill
Somewhere at the junction Li and Yang rivers, there lies a natural arched rock known as the Elephant Trunk Hill. This beautiful rock looks like a stone elephant trying to drink from the River. This area is not only famous for the Elephant, as there is the Love Island a little to its north and a Pagoda on its top. This beautiful landmark is among the top places for travelers who come to take pictures and enjoy the quiet. Besides the view and the calm of the area, we recommend visiting this place with a guide to hear about the legends of the surrounding area. If you are the adventurous type, you can also look for the Water Moon Cave near the River.
Book a Ticket for the River Night Show
On the banks of Li River, there is a performance known as the River Night Show. This attraction is mostly famous among locals and is less known among the ordinary traveler, but it is very much recommended. About 600 performers gather every night to play local music and dance as the story of local legend is being played for the audience. The story is about two lovers and has a kind of folklore behind it. This particular show is mostly the performance that makes it very amazing. The songs, dances, and the music in a beautiful environment near the River can make this visit a memorable night for you and any companion you bring along for the show.
Ticket Price: 195 RMB per person
- The show will only take place at certain times of the year when there is no risk of rains or fogs.
- The price may change in the future. The best way to catch and find out about the final price of the show is to book your tickets from your hotel or tour providers.
Other Places to Visit?
There are a lot of great places and fun activities in this beautiful province, but to keep the list short, we chose only the best. It is possible to go hiking and cycling all around Guilin or go to the nearby mountains. The other top things you can do include visiting the Sun and Moon Towers, going one of the Tea Plantations, and going on cruises on the lakes and rivers of the province. If you have the time, try them all, and be sure to tell us about your experiences in this lovely part of China.
Where to Stay in Guilin
City Center
City Center is the best location to stay for first-time travelers as it’s the main hub of transportation in the city and major attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave as well as many other sites are accessible from this area easily. Also, if you want to reach the Li River for the cruise easily, this neighborhood can be the best choice.
Yangshuo
If you want to enjoy the countryside landscapes and have accommodation near West Street, Xingping Ancient Town, and Yulong River, make sure to stay in Yangshuo. Karst landscapes as well as a relaxing environment can make your trip so much memorable.
Longsheng
If you heard about the Longji Rice Terraces, surely you have impressed by the features of this attraction. Staying near this Longsheng can be a great experience that can help you to reach the terraces easily. Besides, the mountainous areas of Longsheng village are must-sees for visitors of Guilin.
Near Guilin Airport
This area is best for those who have early morning flights. It’s recommended to stay the last night of your trip to this area as this district is quite far from the city center and major attractions.
How to Get to Guilin
By Plane
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) offers flights to many international destinations such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, etc. and domestic destinations including Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Kunming, Macau, Nanjing, Nanning, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Dalian, Shantou, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Tianjin, Jinan, Wenzhou, Changsha, Fuzhou, and Zhuhai.
Xing’an General Airport
Xing’an airport is the first general airport in Guangxi Province offering high-end flight business to Li River, Longji Rice Terraces, Ziyuan Danxia Landforms, and other tourist attractions of Guilin. Helicopter landing points of the airport are Yangshuo, Longsheng, Weizhou Island, Fangcheng Port, Qinzhou, Leye, Santang, Bama
Address: Near Baizhupu Village of Rongjiang Town, Xing’an County, Guilin City, Guangxi Province,
By Train
Three main passenger railway stations are operating in Guilin including Guilin Railway Station (South Station), Guilin North Railway Station, and West Railway Station with over 250 pairs of trains going to and from the city.
Guilin Railway Station
Address: At the junction of South Zhongshan Road and Shanghai Road in Xiangshan District
Guilin Railways Station is the main station for rail travel in Guilin offering high-speed and normal train travel to these destinations.
- Beihai
- Beijing
- Changsha
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Congjiang
- Guangzhou
- Guiyang
- Hangzhou
- Hengyang
- Hong Kong
- Kunming
- Lijiang
- Liuzhou
- Nanchang
- Nanjing
- Nanning
- Sanjiang
- Shanghai
- Shenzhen
- Shijiazhuang
- Wuhan
- Xi’an
- Yangshuo
- Yichun
- Yiwu
- Zhangjiajie
- Zhengzhou
North Railway Station
Address: Beichen Road in Diecai District
North Railways Station in Guilin is one of the main stations in the middle of the way of Guiyang – Guangzhou High Speed Railway and Shenzhen-Guilin High Speed Rail Line. Main destinations from this station are:
- Beihai
- Changsha
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Congjiang
- Guangzhou
- Guiyang
- Haikou
- Hangzhou
- Hengyang
- Hong Kong
- Jinan
- Kunming
- Liuzhou
- Nanchang
- Nanjing
- Nanning
- Qingdao
- Sanjiang
- Sanya
- Shanghai
- Shangrao
- Shenzhen
- Shijiazhuang
- Suzhou
- Tianjin
- Wuhan
- Yangshuo
- Yichun
- Yiwu
- Zhengzhou
- Zhuhai
Guilin West Railway Station
Address: Dingjiang Village, Dingjiang Town, Lingchuan County
Guilin West Railway Station is one of the main stops along Guiyang – Guangzhou High Speed Railway. It also offers train services to these destinations
- Chongqing
- Congjiang
- Guiyang
- Sanjiang
- Shenzhen
- Yangshuo
- Zhuhai
Long-distance buses
There are three coach stations in Guilin including the South Bus Station, the Qintan Bus Station the North Bus Station. The south bus station offers bus services to nearby cities of Guangxi, Guangdong and Hunan provinces.
Water
Guilin has a mild weather with four distinct seasons. January is the coolest time of the year with an average temperature of 8 C (46 F) and July is the hottest time of the year with an average temperature of 28 C (82 F). you can expect the more rains in summer, especially in May and June. However, snow in Guilin is very rare.
Get Around In Guilin
By Bus
Along with regular city buses, there are 8 lines for tourist transportation with 110 routes in Guilin operating freely for tourists and locals; however, they are usually crowded between 09:00 and 17:00. Most of the regular buses cost 1.2 RMB but they don’t provide air conditioning but bus No.99 from south to north has air conditioning costing 2 RMB.
Tourist Line | Route |
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No.51 | Donghuan Parking Lot – Guilin Station |
No.52 | Donghuan Parking Lot – Seven-Star Park |
No.53 | Gongjiao Company – Beiji Square |
No.54 | Guilin Southern Company via Chuanshan Park – Hi-tech Zone |
No.55 | Pingshan – Cheguansuo |
No.56 | Pingshan via Nanxi Park back – Pingshan |
No.57 | Xifeng Road via Elephant Trunk Hill Park back – Xifeng Road |
No.58 | Nanxi Park, Elephant Trunk Hill Park, Seven Star Park, Folk Customs Center, Fubo Hill Park, Diecai Hill Park, Yu Hill Park – Reed Flute Park |
By Taxi
There are over 2,000 taxies in Guilin and the service is convenient. Most drivers use a meter for city travel; however, they prefer flat prices for long distances. Therefore, if you need to go to the airport or other long-distance routes, make sure to negotiate for the price.
By Bicycle
Renting a bicycle is a very good option for getting around Guilin as the city is small and compact. You can rent it per hour or per day depending on your needs. The daily rate is about 15 RMB.
Flight to Guilin (KWL)
Guilin Food
Guiling has one of the most beautiful landscapes in China with its lash areas and beautiful karst mountains. There are also ancient and traditional villages and towns in the province, near the Li River or the nearby mountains. The weather in the area makes a suitable place to find fresh herbs and ingredients and make some amazing local dishes.
As a result, it is better to try some of the local Chinese Cuisine. This list will give you some top recommendations on what to eat in Guilin. You should try anything else that catches the eye since there are a lot of great places to eat, especially in Yangshuo. Try them all and tell us about your experience with the Chinese food of this province.
Lipu Taro and Pork
Lipu Taro with pork is a Guilin original with some variety, and that means you have to try it in more than one place. This dish is rich with flavors and has always been very popular, more so in celebrations and events. The food includes slices of fatty pork and hogskin along with Lipu Taro and other ingredients like green onion, pepper, wine, and sugar. All of these ingredients give it a sort of salty and sweet taste. It sounds delicious already? Wait until you see the food and try it!
Stuffed Li River Snails
Trying a dish of snails is always recommended, especially in this part of China, but the Stuffed Li River Snails are a must. They are not actually the small snails that are stuffed, it is, in fact, the shell that is filled. The chefs of Guiling use the tasty snail meats and add pork or other types of meat as well as a selection of their own special ingredients. The dish is an amazing spicy Guilin Cuisine you can only find in this province, so do not miss out.
Yangshuo Beer with Fish
Among the top special dishes of Guilin, the Yangshuo Beer Fish belonging to Yangshuo, near Li River is fantastic. Found nowhere else, the special ingredient is the fish that comes fresh from the waters of Li River itself. Then, the fresh fish is cooked in a local beer with vegetables. The fish is usually cooked whole with all its bones but do not let that stop you from trying the food as this will be your only chance to try it. The sauce is especially tasty, and as the locals claim, this amazing taste comes from the waters in which the fish reside.
Guilin Rice Noodles
Guilin Rice Noodles originated in the same province because of the importance of rice and the popularity of the noodles made of rice. There are two types of noodles, one is round, and the other is flat. You may think there is nothing special about these two types of noodles, but they are. There is a wide variety of all sorts of methods of preparing the Guilin Rice Noodles, and with different ingredients. It can be a small and simple dish or served with any type of meat and vegetables. If you are a vegetarian, you can also go with the type of Guiling Rice Noodles that has no meat. Keep in mind to try this food in any area you can, as there are a lot of different recipes and methods of preparing it.
Li River Fish or Shrimps
You have already heard about one dish of the Li River Fish, which was prepared with a local beer. But that is not just it as there are other foods that are prepared with the fish and other creatures of the river that taste great. There are a lot of dishes foods like broths, barbequed fish, or local cuisines that are prepared with Li River fishes and shrimps, but these two always stand out:
Fried Li River Shrimp
You can try the tasty shrimps of Li River in snacks such as “Guilin Heye Ya” or get fried ones. The Fried Li River Shrimps are very simple dishes, but when served with local vegetables, they are amazing.
Qingzheng Lijiang yu (Steamed Li River Fish)
Again, it is believed the thing that makes the Fish and the Steamed Li River Fish so tasty and yet so tender, is the waters of this river. Whatever it is that makes them so good, they are definitely something you must try.
Appetizers and Desserts
There are several delightful and exotic snacks that you can take as appetizers or desserts in China. Due to the importance of rice in Guilin, you can find several types of local rice cakes, such as Fa Gao and Wan Gao. They are always good but what you really must try is their Pickled Vegetables, also known as Pao Cai. Because of the vinegar and sugar in these pickled vegetables, you can taste a sour and sweet taste that will also make you crave for more food!
The List Goes On
It would be such a waste if you go to China and not try Chinese food. Although our list gives top recommendations that you must try for at least once, there are, of course, many other local cuisines of China that you can try in Guilin. The safest way to know you are only getting the best in the province is to take the dishes with rice and fish in the part of the country.
After these two options, it is also a good idea to try their tea since Guilin is also known to have some of the best tea plantations of the country. Among your other suggestions are Steamed Dumplings, Yangshuo Barbecue, Yangshuo Grilled Spicy Tofu, Stinky Tofu, Cold Noodles, and Duck Wrapped in Lotus Leaf which are the options that are always worth a try no matter in which province you are staying.
Shopping in Guilin
The best shopping districts in Guilin
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
Address: The center of the city, near the Li River
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is the first commercial and shopping district in the west of China filled with different stores, restaurants, theatres, hotels, stadiums, scenic spots, and commercial facilities. Here, you can buy anything you want such as jade, teapots, clothing, woven, jewelry, souvenirs, minority handicrafts, embroidery, etc.
Xicheng Lu Pedestrian Street
Address: Xicheng Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin
Xicheng Lu Pedestrian Street is the second famous pedestrian street in Guilin offering different stores such as souvenir shops, snack shops, clothing shops, restaurants, etc. The night market also is located in this street and it’s one of the main reasons for the prosperity of the city.
Guilin Wa Yao International Tourism Commodity Wholesale City
Wa Yao market is 6 stories large building in southern Guilin offering wholesale stores for commodities, antiques, etc. The prices here are reasonable; however, make sure for bargaining at least for less than the offered price and you will be amazed by the prices of the goods you buy.
Zhongshan Road Business District
Address: Zhongshan Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin
Zhongshan Road Business District is the most prosperous district of Guilin containing Niko-Niko-Do Plaza, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Center Square, etc. Zhongshan is the best place for leisure and shopping in Guilin.
Niko-Niko-Do Plaza
If you are into buying goods from famous brands in Guilin, then Niko-Niko-Do Plaza is the best choice for you. Here is heaven for shopaholics offering food, clothes, hats, shoes, cosmetics, ornaments, porcelain enamels, general articles, home fittings, special local products, etc.
Lianda Plaza
Address: Huancheng First West Road
Linda Plaza is where you can experience shopping, relaxation, entertainment, catering, etc. together. All kinds of stores, restaurants, bars, etc. can be found here.
What to buy in Guilin
Zhuang Embroidery
Zhuang Embroidery is the famous artwork of the Guangxi Zhuang Minority in Guilin made of silk and different colors. The most notable design in these artworks is animal shapes. Interestingly, half of the year is the time for a craftsman to finish one piece of this artwork.
Painted Hand Fan
Painted Hand Fans are common souvenirs from Asian countries, however, you can find very special ones in Guilin, which are decorated by the image of Guilin landscapes, flowers, birds, Chinese girls, etc. The sizes of these artworks are different and the large ones are great for decorations.
Zhuang Embroidery Ball
Zhuang Embroidery Ball is another masterpiece by Zhuang Minority in Guilin. These objects are made of silk clothes with different petals demonstrating the months of the year. There are images of flowers, plants, animals, etc. on these balls. The philosophy of this artwork is that a Zhuang girl throws such ball to the man she has a crush on! It is like permission for the man to pursue the girl.
Guilin’s ‘Three Treasures’
Three treasures are Fermented Bean Curd, Chili Sauce, and Sanhua Liquor, which are great souvenirs for your loved ones. Sanhua Liquor is an alcoholic drink distilled from rice and the Chili Sauce is made of fresh garlic, chili, and fermented soybeans, which is highly popular among locals for cooking foods. Besides, Fermented Bean Curd is made of fresh and high-quality beans with unique and fantastic taste.
Fruits
Fruit specialties in Guilin are Mangosteen, Valencia Orange, Ginkgo, Shatian pomelo, Lipu taro, etc. Mangosteen has an amazing scent and its tea is very tasty and healthy. Besides, Luohanguo is tasty dried fruit, which had been used in China since ancient times as a sweetener as it has the lack of calories. As for the medicine aspect, Luohanguo is used to relieve a sore throat and chronic coughing.
Guilin Travel Tips
Guilin is a very safe city for most travelers; however, in any tourist destination, there are some precautions, which should be taken seriously.
Don’t go out alone at night
This recommendation is more crucial for women in dark and secluded areas. It’s better to stay in public and lighted locations.
Don’t carry large amounts of money
Street crime is very rare in Guilin; however, it’s better to reduce the risk as much as possible. So, try not to carry too much cash.
Learn some language or have a guide
Having a guide in China is highly recommended. Also, if you can learn basic Mandarin, it would be good as well.
Exchanging Money
You cannot use your currency directly in most of the shops in Guilin and you need to exchange your money in the Bank of China branches around the city. Also, star-rated hotels provide exchanging services at the same rate as the Bank of China in Guilin. Besides, some shops and restaurants will exchange your money at a lower rate; however, as a safety tip, the Bank of China is more recommended for this purpose. In Yangshuo, hotels don’t provide currency exchange services except for the Green Lotus Hotel.