The beguiling city of Guilin

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More than the fun and excitement, a trip to China has always been so beautiful, so intimate. Perhaps it’s the culture that seems to have taken deep ground on the local’s lives, or perhaps it is the endless beauty of nature.

Whatever the reason maybe, China is full of spots to bewitch visitors in coming again. One of them is in Guilin of the province of Guangxi – a place where beauty exists above and beneath the earth.

LOCATION

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Guilin is located in the southwestern part of China in the province of Guangxi, an autonomous region in the country.

Lying on the province’s north eastern part, Guilin is considered a major tourist attraction and one of its economic, political, and cultural hub.

With an area of around 27, 800 square kilometers, this city easily boasts a diverse landscape each as stunning as the next.

CLIMATE

(3) Li River, best for any season

Guilin experiences a comfortable climate with four distinct seasons. The peak season in which visitors flock the city is from April to October. It encompasses the start of spring in which the wet season is running its course.

However, that is not to stop seeing the city, especially enveloped in mist. Summer season has its similarity from spring with rainfall still occurring; however, the temperature is higher.

Summer season is the best time to explore the city. Autumn, just like spring, is short and marks the end of the peak season. Visitors rarely come during the winter season due to its cold weather and damp characteristic.

TRANSPORTATION

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Being a major tourist hub, Guilin has its own airport located 30 kilometers away on the western side of the city. It has connecting flights from different parts of China and direct flights from selected countries such as Macau, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.

On the airport, buses and taxis are conveniently located outside to transport you into the city. There are also shuttle services provided by major hotels in the city, which still needs an early notice before landing.

Getting around the city would be through buses, taxis, and bicycles. The buses are free of charge for both tourists and locals serving more than 100 routes; however, it can get crowded starting at 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon.

ATTRACTION

Li River

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Li River is an important tourist attraction as well as the local’s livelihood. Touring the length of the river (80 km) would require an about half a day of spending time on bamboo rafts or on the usual cruising boats.

During this tour, you’d get a glimpse of the local’s lives living in the villages by the river banks. You will also get satisfied by the picturesque view of rolling hills, cliffs, and caves.

(6) Li River in mist

The scenery of the Li River also changes as the season made its transition. Summer season would serve you a clear and vibrant scenery the same as autumn. Only, it is cooler and quieter on the latter.

It is in spring, however, that you will see the classical picture many has conjured of the Li River. Covered in mist after the heavy rain of the previous night, Li River is a sight to behold. On the other hand, you have to risk going to Guilin on a rainy season, which may affect your trip.

Elephant Trunk Hill

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Elephant Trunk Hill is an emblem of the city’s landscape located at the confluence of Yang and Li Rivers.

The stone is called karst, which made it famous as well as its shape of an elephant drinking water. On the peak of the hill is a pagoda called Puxian constructed during the Ming Dynasty.

Fubo hill

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Fubo Hill is half situated on land and half situated on the Li River. Located in the hill is a cave of the same with portraits of art masters and poems. It is also called as Returning Pearl Cave in which, according to legend cradles a dragon with its treasured pearl. The pearl got stolen after it fell asleep, but was returned; thus the name.

The thousand Buddha Crag can also be seen on the hill with different statues of Buddha carved during the Tang Dynasty.

Longji Terraced Fields

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Longji Terraced Fields is a dazzling fusion of man’s hard work and nature’s undoubted beauty. 

Located in the northern part of Guilin, it is one of the sceneries you’d expect to only exist in paintings.

The paddy fields, built on the hillside wound around the area with rough and precise beauty. 

However, what made the few truly exception is when the light strike over the water on the fields. It illuminates the place even when it is still partially dark.

Reed Flute Cave

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Reed Flute Cave is easily one of the most visited attractions of Guilin. Limestone formation as well as the historical inscriptions on the walls, lighted in multi-colored lights made the place stunning and a historical site of the city.

However, the name does not come from these natural sculptures. It came from the reed growing outside the cave that can be made into flutes.

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Images:
(1.) https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2465/3818061110_8b1364c9ba_o_d.jpg
(2.) http://www.chinamaps.org/images/china-map/province-maps/guangxi.jpg
(3.) http://www.backyardtravel.com/sites/default/files/Fishermen-and-osprey-in-Li-River1000x600_0.jpg
(4.) http://www.navjot-singh.com/uploads/3/1/7/4/3174873/3055571_orig.jpg
(5.) https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/14/4b/e5/144be59deb0674c326cc16724d287ec8.jpg
(6.) http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/b/b168/b168a5c8/19344/li-river-at-dawn-in-yangshou-china.jpg
(7.) http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/28655307.jpg
(8.) http://www.china-tour.cn/images/China_Pictures/Guilin_Pictures/Fubo_Hill.jpg
(9.) http://www.chinatouradvisors.com/UpLoad/Guangxi/Guilin/Attractions/Longji-Terraced-Field/Longji-Terraced-Field-02.jpg
(10.) http://www.zmetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Reed-Flute-Cave-Wallpapers-HD-2560×1600.jpg