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| Tourist
Guides for China |
Guilin Tourist
Guide (October 2008) |
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General Comments:
Beautiful Guilin is a paradise for foreign visitors.
It is pictured on the reverse of the Y20 bank note -
such is it's fame in the Orient. Guilin is a modern
city with Regional airport and good transportation links.
It lies to the North West of Guangxi Province, just
across the border from Guangdong
Standard excursions to Guilin are usually of 4 days,
and fully inclusive prices should be in the region of
$150 if you book locally. However you may wish to spend
several weeks there - it is a very special place. Hotels
are plentiful and cheap, and finding one that suits
you should be quite easy except during Chinese National
Holidays. The scenery is magnificent, and the nightlife
is full of Americans, Australians and British ... people
like yourselves who were 'Just passing-through', but
decided to stay a while
Visitors to Guilin usually opt for the charabanc tours,
or walking and cycling options along the Li River. As
with most Chinese tours, these are quite hectic affairs,
with your whole itinerary planned leaving little time
for taking time-out to relax in the wonderful scenery
and simply chill. More adventurous people will also
find stiffer challenges such as white water rafting,
climbing and canoeing available nearby, however they
will need to book excursions locally themselves
My personal version of this trip is slightly longer,
as I prefer a little less of the organised tour, and
a little more exploring and interaction with local people.
I would include a one day package, but prefer to spend
a free day and night in Guilin itself. The nearby town
of Yangshuo offers good relaxation, and a very westerners-accepted
chill. There are a plethora of local things to do, and
I prefer to mix local and see what happens - chances
are you will have dinner with a local Chinese family
in their home, and next day the son or daughter will
escort you to see what others never see, the local streets
and curios
Breakfast, shops/adventures, lunch and chill. Later
we join a local fisherman and go fishing the river.
This art is now dying out, being replaced by modern
fishing vessels, but the old Cormorant Fishermen can
still be found, if only putting on displays for tourists.
They fish by trying a string around the Cormorants neck
so it is unable to swallow. They then dive and return
with the fish they have caught. However, Cormorants
are not stupid, and can count up to seven fish. After
this they refuse to dive again unless they are fed
There is also a magnificent waterfall here which is
a photograph mecca. All Chinese who visit have their
picture taken here, and you should do likewise. See
left. In addition, take time to sample a river cruise.
There are several versions, the longer ones usually
feature a meal on board and are very good value. Do
hire a bicycle, the terrain is flat and easy. Tandems
are available, and bikes are left at the destination
unless you book a longer tour
Otherwise you may find Guilin a busy city with industry
and a smog problem. Tourists and commercial enterprise
are also responsible for mildly polluting the river,
and whilst some efforts are made to clean this up, the
effects can put a damper on what should be a beautiful
memory. In its defence, Guilin city is now tackling
the problems of factory and tourist pollution, but it
will be several years I worry until the benefits are
visible
Guilin does boast good shopping and an excellent nightlife,
completed by numerous restaurants serving dishes from
all over China. In addition, there are a great many
street restaurants that stay open late into the night
I am certain most people will enjoy a few days spent
here, but we suggest you also explore nearby Yangshuo
which is a far more relaxing and rewarding experience.
Independent travellers and those seeking the thrills
of more extreme sporting pastimes should use Guilin
as a base until they find exactly what they are searching
for
Summary:
Guilin is one of China's top tourist
destinations and a must see. The enigmatic peaks along
the Li River are wondrous to behold, and memories will
stay with you for a lifetime
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This information is as supplied by the Chinese Embassy
in UK, as dated 20th June 2008, and/or other reliable
sources. Please check this information yourself as it
may alter without notice, and whilst we try our best
to ensure it is correct, please do not hold us responsible
for any errors - this is intended as a simple guide
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