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Guìlín (桂林) is a city in Guangxi Autonomous Region in the South of the People's Republic of China. Situated on the banks of the Kuei and Li Rivers; encircled by four lakes; and set amid spectacular limestone karst mountains; Guilin is a major tourist destination and famed beauty spot. A scene form the Li river, near Guilin, appears on the reverse side of the Chinese 20 yuan banknotes.

Separated from the center of china and the Yangtze river basin by the Nan mountains, Guangxi has always been distinct form the rest of china. In early times, it was considered to be inhabited by unruly barbarians. The Han Chinese empire first expanded into Guangxi in the 3rd century BC. The Ling Canal was cut around this time, allowing small boats to transit form the Yangtze to the south flowing Xi River via the Kuei River.

Trade grew along the canal and river routes. Guilin was founded as a trading post in the 1st century BC on the west bank of the Kuei River. During the Ming dynasty, a garrison was set up in Guilin and the surrounding area gradually civilised with the development of farmland. The city had a population of over two million at the time of the Second World War, but was utterly destroyed during the war. The population recovered slowly with the post war construction of several factories for the production of paper, chemicals and agricultural equipment. However, market forces have cause several of these industries to relocate out of Guilin.

Guangxi and Guilin and home to 12 different ethnic minorities besides the Han Chinese. Guangxi is an autonomous region for the Zhuang ethnic group, rather than a province. See List of Chinese provinces and regions for an explanation if needed. Various other minorities, such as the Dong, are also found in the area.

Reed Flute Cave, (about 5km west of Guilin. Catch bus 3 or rent bikes and buy a map for a pleasant cycle). 8AM-5:30PM. This limestone cave with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations is worth a visit. An English-speaking guide will take you around the various artificially lit formations supposedly resembling lions, monkeys, old men, the skyline of Guilin, etc. You may have to wait a while for a large enough group to accumulate. Avoid the hawkers by taking the elevated path on the side of the hill, rather than the tarmac road. ¥60.

Elephant Trunk Hill, (Within walking distance of the town center and near to bus routes 23 and 16), ☎ +86 773 2803000. This park on the banks of the Li River contains a hill with a large natural arch cut into it. This resembles the trunk of an Elephant dipping into the river. This scene is frequently used as a symbol of the city and so has developed some fame. ¥33.

Fubo Hill, ☎ +86 773 2803000. A park in the northeast of the City on the banks of the Li River. The park contains historical stone carvings and Buddhist inscriptions. Fubo Hill itself is an impressive shear sided rock.

Yaoshan Hill Park, (Several km east of the city center. Bus routes 10 and 98 run nearby but still leave a lengthy walk to the park), ☎ +86 773 5864592. This is a large country park which encompasses the highest peak in the area. Foot paths run to the summit, however the chair lift provides an effortless way to attain the top and enjoy the scenery. There are extensive views of the surrounding area from the sumit. There is a toboggan run down part of the mountain. To access this, dismount the chairlift at the station half way down the mountain. A taxi to and from the park will cost about ¥30 each way.

Jing Jiang Princes City Park, ☎ +86 773 2803149. In the center of the city lies a small forbidden city. Once home to the Princes of the area. The palace buildings are now a museum and park.

Ocean Aquarium, On Zhongshan Road (South of the city center. Bus routes 4, 11, 12, 19, 99 and 56 pass here. Next to the South Stream Hill Park), ☎ +86 773 3816822. One of the largest aquariums in Asia. This modern facility has a wide range of fish and other aquatic animals.

Longji Terraced Fields (Dragon Back Mountain), Longsheng Country, [1]. Longji Terraced Fields is in the Heping town in Longsheng, a 2 hour drive from Guilin. The terraced rice fields, like ladders, wind from the bottom of the mountain to the top. The elevation varies from 380 meters to 880 meters with a drop of 500 meters. First built during the Yuan Dynasty, these rice fields were built with the determination, sweat and blood of generations of people. It is a testimony to the ingenuity of agriculture in mountainous areas. These fields are often belt-shaped, narrow and long, most of which are only wide enough for two rows of crops. The largest patch is only one Mu. There are about 66 square kilometers of terraced fields in southeast Longsheng. 50RMB.

Li River Cruise. A popular activity for travellers. The boats are frequent and easily organised by any hotel in Guilin. Most tourists will go from Guilin to Yangshuo (a very picturesque smaller town downstream of Guilin). The river winds through some truly spectacular limestone formations and a slow boat trip there and back (with a stop in Yangshuo) will take a whole day. For those looking for a cheaper option, take a bus to Xingping and take a smaller boat through the best parts of the scenery for ¥80 for 1 1/2 hours. ¥400+(with all transports).

Dreams on Water, ☎ +86 773 2831040, 2888805 (topleveltour@gmail.com), [2]. day and evening. A boat tour around the four lakes and two rivers of Guilin. At night, the scenery is spectacularly flood lit. At the mid point in the tour, there will be a demonstration of traditional cormorant fishing. Tours last between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the route purchased. ¥150 per adult.

Something of Ethnic, ☎ +86 773 2851279. A theatrical dance and music performance daily. The show tries to recreate the culture of the various ethnic groups around Guilin.

Wu Pai River Drifting, (2 hours north of Guilin (in Zi Yuan County)), ☎ +86 773 4315888, [3]. White water rafting down the scenic Wu Pai River in Zi Yua county.

Guilin Shangri-la park, (Halfway along the road between Guilin and Yangshuo). Set in beautiful scenery, this ethnic theme park tries to introduce visitors to the wide range of local nationalities and their cultures. A short boat trip will take you around the butterfly lake. On the way, various performances are staged on the shore of the lake, demonstrating different aspects of the culture. The boat will drop you off at the 'village' where you can see displays of local crafts including weaving, embroidery, buffalo horn carving and calligraphy. These crafts are produced on site and you may watch them working.

Butterfly Cave, ☎ +86 773 8811466, 8811498, 8811469, 8829978 (silinj@glhdq.com, fax: +86 773 881498, 8829978), [4]. A pair of shear sided mountains surrounded by a butterfly themed park. One of the mountains has a cave running through the core of it. Inside this cave are many strange rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites. One particularly unusual formation is shaped like a butterfly, lending the hill it's name. A rope bridge connects from the cave's exit over to the other mountain. At the side of the bridge, a waterfall cascades down the mountain side. The path takes you around the summit of the second peak and down to the gardens below. A dance performance greets each tour party here. The final stage is a walk inside a netted area in which a large variety of butterflies may be observed.

The Guilin Merryland World Resort [5], located about 1 hours drive north of Guilin offers two attractions: A Theme Park and a Golf Course, ☎ +86 773 6229898 (fax: +86 773 6229906). Beautiful golf course with 27 holes. A bit on the expensive side but well worth the money;