Guilin is a city in southern China, in the Guangxi Autonomous Region. It is known above all for its karst landscape, where limestone peaks rise steeply out of the surrounding plain and the Li River winds among them. The city is also written 桂林 in Chinese characters.
What the visit is like
Most visitors come for the scenery. The views of the river and its limestone peaks are the reason many people make the trip, and they suit a slow, unhurried pace. The landscape is dramatic, and it has a traditional Chinese character that draws people who enjoy painted hills and misty waterways.
What to expect
- Scenery: steep karst peaks and the Li River, the main attraction of the area.
- Pace: a visit suits those who want to look, walk and take in the views rather than rush between sights.
- Setting: a city in southern China, reached within the Guangxi region.
Because the landscape is the main draw, plan your time around the river and the peaks. Check current arrangements for travel and viewing before you go, as the facts available here do not cover them.
