Guilin Attractions
Guilin lies in the middle of some fabulously beautiful countryside in the northeast of the autonomous region of Guangxi.
Several crystal-clear rivers meander through the town, which is encircled by a ring of mountains with bizarre rock-formations and caves. The landscape was formed over a period of some 200 million years, when the sea still reached this far inland. Layers of muschelkalk (chalk formed from fossilized shells) were deposited; then the earth's crust was formed, the chalk stratified and was shaped by wind and water to produce vast numbers of caves.
All that makes Guilin a unique natural experience. For hundreds of years poets and artists have been fascinated by the sheer splendor of the unique scenery, around which many fairy tales and legends have been woven. In autumn the scent of cinnamon trees fills the air.
The Qin Emperor Shi Huangdi (reigned 221-210 BC) laid the Lingqu Canal which links the Lijiang and Xiangjiang rivers. Although today it is used mainly for irrigation purposes, for many centuries the canal was the main traffic route between south and central China. Guilin has now become the capital of the administrative region of the same name. It obtains its name (''Forest of Cinnamon Trees'') from the subtropical cinnamons which have been a feature of the town since ancient times. In the mid-17th C the Ming government took up residence here when fleeing from the Manchurians. When the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) succeeded the Mings Guilin was made the capital of Guangxi and attained this status again between 1936 and 1949, after which it was finally replaced by Nanning. During the Sino-Japanese War many people from the north fled to Guilin. Its economic situation has improved considerably during recent years.
Several crystal-clear rivers meander through the town, which is encircled by a ring of mountains with bizarre rock-formations and caves. The landscape was formed over a period of some 200 million years, when the sea still reached this far inland. Layers of muschelkalk (chalk formed from fossilized shells) were deposited; then the earth's crust was formed, the chalk stratified and was shaped by wind and water to produce vast numbers of caves.
All that makes Guilin a unique natural experience. For hundreds of years poets and artists have been fascinated by the sheer splendor of the unique scenery, around which many fairy tales and legends have been woven. In autumn the scent of cinnamon trees fills the air.
The Qin Emperor Shi Huangdi (reigned 221-210 BC) laid the Lingqu Canal which links the Lijiang and Xiangjiang rivers. Although today it is used mainly for irrigation purposes, for many centuries the canal was the main traffic route between south and central China. Guilin has now become the capital of the administrative region of the same name. It obtains its name (''Forest of Cinnamon Trees'') from the subtropical cinnamons which have been a feature of the town since ancient times. In the mid-17th C the Ming government took up residence here when fleeing from the Manchurians. When the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) succeeded the Mings Guilin was made the capital of Guangxi and attained this status again between 1936 and 1949, after which it was finally replaced by Nanning. During the Sino-Japanese War many people from the north fled to Guilin. Its economic situation has improved considerably during recent years.
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Elephant Trunk Hill
Shaped much like an elephant trunk, this hill is surrounded in legend. The cave here has been the inspiration of poets and writers.
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Mount of Unique Beauty
The Mount of Unique Beauty stands at 152 m, offering lovely views over the surrounding area. On the peak is the arch known as the Southern Gateway to Heaven.
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Seven Star Park
Seven Star Park is the largest park in Guilin. It contains seven hills, some of which have caves.
Cave of the Returned Pearls
The Cave of the Returned Pearls (Huanzhu Dong) lies at the foot of the Mountain of the Gentle Waves. According to legend, this was the lair of a dragon which owned a glowing string of pearls. A fisherman found them and took them, but he was plagued by pangs of conscience and finally returned the jewels to their owner. In the cave will be found the touchstone on which swordsmen tested their weapons. On Qianfo Yan Rock can be seen over 200 Buddhist sculptures and inscriptions from Tang and Song era (7th-13th C).
South Creek Hill
On the southern edge of the town towers South Creek Hill, with its two symmetrical peaks. It is rich in caves and artistically inscribed rock-faces. The writings number 200 and date back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) eras. On the north edge of the hill lies a park of the same name.
Whirlpool Hill
Whirlpool Hill (Fuboshan) lies 300m/900ft to the east of the Peak of Unique Beauty. The iron bell weighing 2.5 tonnes and the giant Pot of a Thousand Men are from the Dingyue Si temple of Diecaishan and date from the Qing period (1644-1911).
Zengpi Yan
10km/6mi south of the town, at the foot of Mount Dushan, will be found the cave known as Zengpi Yan, where traces of a Stone Age settlement were found in 1965. The finds - stone and bone tools, pottery, traces of fires and graves - can be seen in an exhibition hall.
Guilin Surroundings
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Lijiang River
Sightseeing trips along the Lijiang River are very popular with tourists. Unique rock formations and lush forests line the river between Guilin to Yangshuo.
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Reed Flute Cave
The Reed Flute Cave is one of Guilin's most awe-inspiring cave systems, with an impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites, and one chamber large enough to hold 1000 people.
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