Guilin Video Travel Guides

China


Great Videos and Photos of the Best Places and Things to see in Guilin China. For the independent traveller who is interested in seeing places while planning their next trip. Or for anyone who likes to be close to nature and see the quieter parts of the country or city

Guilin is one of Chinas most popular tourist location. It is centred in the world famous limestone karst region. The city is named after the fragrant sweet Ostmanthus trees which flower throughout the city.





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On the River Li

The River Li flows through Guilin and some spectacular Limestone peaks. River tours are popular with visitors.

Elephant Trunk Hill

Elephant Trunk Hill

On the River Li

Once you see it, you will get where its name is coming from. This beautiful hill looks like an elephant simply having its usual water breaks along the Li River. No wonder it is one the crowd favourites. During sunset, as if it could not get any more interesting the mood brought by the changing colors of the sky adds a little more drama or story to this spectacle.

Elephant Trunk Hill houses the Shuiyue Cave or the Water Moon Cave which appears to be the space between the trunk and the body of the elephant. Apparently, there is another cave up the hill which dubbed as the Elephant Eye Cave. Since, China as we have established is rich in Pagodas, Elephant Trunk Hill also has one. It is the Puxian Pagoda which was built in the Ming Dynasty.

Wave Subduing Hill

Wave Subduing Hill

On the River Li

This hill is the house of the Xinxi Marquis Temple constructed way back in the Tang Dynasty as well, another tranquil place close to nature. Here, you will find the Listening-to-Waves Pavilion, Returning Pearl Cave, and the Thousand Buddha Crag, all of which have interesting stories. Its name has various interpretations.

Either because of the figure it presents or the purpose it serves, Wave Subduing Hill reminds people of waves as it is located in the Li River. It also houses some Karst terrains and of course more caves.

Another thing about it's name is that back in the olden days, “Fubo” General, Ma Yuan was awarded the title Xinxi Marqui. Thus, it was called Fubo Shan.

Folded Brocade Hill

Folded Brocade Hill

On the River Li

A towering spectacle in Guilin, specifically located on the west bank of the Li River, height savvies would fall in love with this hill. It is considered the tallest one in Guilin with the height of seven-hundred twenty-two feet (722). It was dubbed as Folded Brocade Hill because of the plentiful tiered rock formations found in the area. It has four peaks which serve as a house to more pagodas, caves, pavilions, and a bird garden.

This height could offer a strategic viewpoint for photographers. When talking about peace or tranquillity, Diecai Shan could definitely offer it. There is a garden, patterned after the style of the Dong, one of the indigenous people in the area. Some inscriptions all the way from the Tang Dynasty are said to be seen in the area. Admission is ¥20 and it opens at 7:00 am and closes at 7:00 pm.


Further Reading on Wikipedia : Elephant Trunk Hill

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The Lakes around Guilin

The tourist area of the city is surrounded by the river and a series of interconnected waterways and canals.

Shan Hu - Fir Lake

Shan Hu - Fir Lake

The Lakes around Guilin

This is where the Sun and Moon Pagodas stand. It is also near the Ancient South Gate.

Shan Hu and Rong Hu is divided by Zhongshan Lu. Shan Hu particularly is located in the east. Those who fancy a stroll could visit the lake and enjoy a calming view of the two pagodas and even look at its reflection on the lake. Shan Hu together with Banyan Lake are the two largest and most popular lakes in Guilin.

Sun and Moon Pagodas

Sun and Moon Pagodas

The Lakes around Guilin

When one thinks about China, it is very uncommon to miss out picturing the beautiful pagodas. In Guilin, travellers could visit the Sun and Moon Pagodas or Riyue Shuangta to personally witness the brilliance of the seeping richness of the Chinese culture that it represents.

For those who appreciate both architecture and illumination, they might find it more interesting to visit this octagonal pagoda at night. Take note that it is open from 8:30 am until 10:30 pm. Moreover, the most interesting thing about this place is the way the Moon Pagoda or Yue Ta is linked to the Sun Pagoda or Ri Ta through an underwater tunnel.

Admission is ¥30.

Rong Hu - Banyan Lake

Rong Hu - Banyan Lake

The Lakes around Guilin

As mentioned it is one of the largest and most popular lakes in Guilin. It is far larger than Shan Hu. It is also a house for numerous attractions in Guilin. It offers a view of the Twin Bridges. It houses the Ancient South Gate together with the 800 year-old banyan tree.

This is actually where the lake got its name. Full of character, this lake could also offer a lot for photographers and scene savvy travellers. It is also located on the side of Zhongshan Zhong Lu, south of Guilin’s center square.

Gui Hui - Osmanthus and Inner Lakes

Gui Hui - Osmanthus and Inner Lakes

The Lakes around Guilin

Gui Hui may not be as popular as Rong Hu and Shan Hu but same as the other, wonderful scenery still awaits you.

It is named after the Osmanthus flower which is also where Guilin got its name. Osmanthus Lake has a parade of Osmanthus trees. This lake also joins with Banyan Lake at a certain point. One should try exploring the streets of Guilin by foot and enjoy navigating along these wonderful waterways.

Mulong Hu

Mulong Hu

The Lakes around Guilin

As we have mentioned Guilin has four lakes and this is the last one. It is also connected with Shan Hu, Rong Hu, and Gui Hui. Mulong Hu is wonderful just like the others. It looks like a green tea and emanates beauty in its own way.

Serenity just like in the other lakes in Guilin is what one would find here. Mulong Lake is also called Wood Dragon Lake. From here, travellers could also enjoy views of the bridge some hills and even Chinese style houses.

Elevator Lock

Elevator Lock

The Lakes around Guilin

The Guilin Waterway connects the inner lakes to the River Li.

Boats coming from the River Li must take an elevator lift, which raises the boat from the lower water levels of the River Li to the height of the inner lakes.


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Seven Star Park

Within the 7 Star Park there are a number of limestone formations, caves, lakes, walks and gardens.

7 Star Cave Formations

7 Star Cave Formations

Seven Star Park

Located in the central part of Guilin, this place is where travellers can experience the mountains, hills or simply the wonderful terrain of Guilin. The two highlights of this place are the Putuo Mountain or Putuoshan (Shan 山: mountain) and the Seven Star Cliff or Qixing Dong.

Within the cave there are numerous fascinating limestone features.

Its questionable whether the coloured lights add to the cave or detract from its natural beauty. Though they certainly help to create Disney Like Photo opportunities.

7 Star Cave Entrance

7 Star Cave Entrance

Seven Star Park

The Seven Stars Park is also said to resemble the Big Dipper constellation. It was dubbed after its seven summits.

Aside from this two, it is also the house of the Dragon Hiding Cave, the Flower Bridge, Guilin Seven Star Zoo, Guihai Forest of Steeles and so forth. It is not a surprise that this is considered to be the largest park in Guilin with all these attractions within it.

Walk  in the Seven Star Park

Walk in the Seven Star Park

Seven Star Park

There are a number of walking routes within the park, some along flat easy gong paths, and others which take you climbing to the top of the Limestone peaks.

Waterfall

Waterfall

Seven Star Park

Within the park there are a number of waterfalls. Even in the dry season there is a reasonable amount of water flowing.

Some of the waterfalls are used as backdrop for paid photo oppotunities.

Park Entrance

Park Entrance

Seven Star Park

There are a number of entrances to the park, but the easiest to access from the tourist area is just straight across the bridge over the River Li and about 200 metres ahead.

Ethnic Minorities

Ethnic Minorities

Seven Star Park

Within the cave a number of people from ethnic minority tribes show some of their cultural differences such as very very long hair and ringed necks.


Further Reading on Wikipedia : Seven Star Cave

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Guilin Town

The town caters well for tourists with hotels of varying quality and price and many restaurants and a few bars.

The Town

The Town

Guilin Town

“Ai” (爱) and “an” (安), which are literally love and peace in English, are what one would find in Guilin. Travellers will love this panorama of beauty filled with history and culture. This city in the southern part of China located in North Guangxi, got its name from the fragrance of Osmanthus which is “guihua” in Chinese ( 桂花). It would be a delight for people who love mountains and water. Limestone mountains and other formations inhabit the area while six forms of water surround it, two rivers and four lakes in particular. It was built in one of the most important periods in Chinese history, the Qin dynasty, which unified China for the first time. It has lived through the different dynasties that followed and has maintained some kind of eccentricities till today.

Guilin’s apparent isolation from the center of China and the Yangtze River paved the way for the uniqueness of the place. However, one of the other things that make the place unique and that which made Guilin popular for geologist and travellers alike is the roughly five thousand square kilometres worth of karst landscape. Find peace in this extraordinary experience with nature’s finest. This kind of landscape is distinguished by caves and sinkholes which are results of the dissolution of limestone or some could say that it is one of the marvels produced by the beauty of geological oddities.

A visit here could give the traveller an impression that these kinds of scenery could be experienced in reality and not just be seen in movies or be read in books. Moreover, to those who are interested in engaging themselves with the culture of the indigenous people of China, Guilin or Guangxi as a whole is a home for twelve groups of indigenous people, one of which is the Zhuang. In fact, Guangxi is an autonomous region for the Zhuang ethnic group. Knowing the locals is always a good way of learning more about a place and understanding its identity.

Now, there are many destinations that a traveller could visit in Guilin and discover on their own what we are trying to tell here as well as those things that are simply too breath-taking to be fathomed with just plainly reading.

The Streets

The Streets

Guilin Town

The area north of Shan Hu Lake is pedestrianised. The remains of one of the oldest parts of the city is close to the lakes.

For history buffs out there and those passionate about culture, Ancient South Gate of Guilin would satisfy your hearts beyond measure. Constructed way back in the Tang Dynasty period, it will give you a taste of the ancient times. Travellers could walk through a tunnel under the gate. It was once a part of the walled city of Guilin in the olden days. Same as the Sun and Moon Pagoda, one could also enjoy an illuminated version of it during the night. This wonder is located in the north of Banyan Lake and near the Fir Lake.



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