Guangxi Province, 500km (310 miles) NW of Hong Kong, 1,675km (1,039 miles) SW of Beijing
One of the most-visited Chinese cities, Guilin (pop. 630,000), located in the northeastern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has long been famous for its limestone karst hills. Formed more than 200 million years ago when the oceans receded from this area, the towers sprout from a patchwork of paddy fields and flowing streams, creating a dreamy, seductive landscape that leaves few souls unstirred. Time and space meet here to produce a masterpiece of nature's handiwork. Though there are a few hills in the city that can be explored, and the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo remains one of top river journeys in the world, Guilin is also being used as a base to visit the Yao, Miao, and Dong minority villages to the northwest. Unfortunately, the cost of Guilin's overwhelming popularity is a degree of unrelenting exploitation and extortion audacious even by Chinese standards; foreigners are overcharged for everything.
With summer's heat and humidity and winter's low rainfall affecting water levels in the Li River, April, May, September, and October are the best months for cruising. April to August also marks the rainy season, however, so be prepared with rain gear. Avoid the first weeks of May and October, when China celebrates national holidays, the Li River becomes even more congested with tourist boats than usual, and the price of everything doubles at the very least. July can become unbearably hot, and this is the last place on earth that you want to be holed up in your hotel room, clinging to the air conditioner.
The city of Xi'an (population 6 million) was the first Chinese city to open up its doors to the Ancient world, not in 1980 under the "Open Door" policy but in fact during the Tang dynasty when Xi'an blossomed as the first stop on theSilk Road.
Famous for its wonderful scenery, rivers and karst peaks covered in lush greenery, Guilin has a long history as the most beautiful place in China. Established in the Qin Dynasty as a regional power base for the first emperor of China, Guilin's population exploded to around a million during the 1930s when the city was a Communist stronghold against the Japanese. In recent decades, although development and exploding tourism are changing the face of this beautiful city, Guilin has remained one of China's greenest and scenic cities.
Guilin is situated along the Lijiang River, which is a favorite travel attraction in itself. The beauty of the water and the karst peaks towering into the sky have attracted travelers to this area for centuries.
Parallel to the Lijiang River runs Zhongshan Road, Guilin's main street. In the middle of the city on both sides of Zhongshan Road areBanyan Lake and Fir Lakerespectively, each a beautiful park in its own right. To the north standsSolitary Beauty Peak, Guilin's most prominent karst peak. Along the Lijiang River are two more peaks,Wave Subduing HillandElephant Trunk Hill, each proudly showing off Guilin's unique scenery. Elsewhere in the city is the immenseSeven Star Parkwith seven peaks and six caves as well as pavilions and gardens to enjoy. Lastly, on the northwestern outskirts of town isReed Flute Cave, one of the area's wonderfulundergroundsights.
While Guilin is a very beautiful place, many travelers simply pass though Guilin on the way to their true destination,Yangshuo.Yangshuois 83 kilometers along the Lijiang River, settled amongst the most beautiful part of the Lijiang River's karst scenery. Less than 2 hours by bus,Yangshuohas become something of a backpacker's legend and the relaxed pace of life, good food (including some great western cuisine), friendly people, scenic beauty, flat landscape of rice fields and streams perfect for cycling make it paradise for all those who wish to get a rest from the harsher aspects of life in China. Yangshuo's best sights includeMoon Hillwith its local villages and caves,Green Lotus Peak, andYangdi Village.