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Telephone Code: 0773
Population: 1,342,000
Area: 27,800 sq km
Guilin is a must when you travel to China. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills, or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboo to conifers together with wonderful caves make Guilin such an attraction for tourists.

Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. Situated within this area one may find green mountains, crystal clear waters, unique caves and beautiful stones. Major attractions include Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River, Reed Flute Cave and Seven-Star Park that boasts a Stone Museum where amazing geological finds are displayed. Each of these places and many more besides will leave you with lasting memories of your visit.

Guilin is also an important cultural city with a history encompassing more than 2000 years. The city has been the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Solitary Beauty Peak is considered to be the oldest place of interest and has been so since the far off days of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The prosperity enjoyed by the city during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) is epitomized by the Tomb of Prince Jingjiang.

The many ethnic minorities represented here that include the Zhuang, Yao, Hui, Miao, Mulao, Maonan and Dong enrich the cultural life of the city. Each minority has its own unique customs and festivals and this means that they are much more abundant here than in many other places elsewhere in China. Travelers can enjoy these pageants at the Li River Folk Customs Center.

Guilin is a well-developed tourist center with convenient transportation, communication and accommodation facilities. You can enter Guilin by air, by train or by bus and get around on free buses. From luxury hotels to hostels, from splendid restaurants to local snacks, you are sure to find that your needs will be met beyond your expectations.

---Main Atrraction

---Climate

Yunnan has a diverse climate, embracing temperate, tropical and rigid zones in one province. Kunming, the capital city, is marked by a pleasant spring weather which prevails year round while it is also notable for the abrupt change into winter weather caused by rain.

Dali's climate is somewhat similar to that of Kunming. Lijiang has a rather cold climate whereas Xishuangbanna is rather hot for most of the year.

Spring - February to April

Summer - May to July

Autumn - August to October

Winter - November to January

---History

Guilin has a long history, dating back to over 2,000 thousand years ago. It was first established by the Emperor Qinshihuang (the First Emperor in China’s imperial history whose Terra Cotta Army Museum is among the best-known sights in China). Guilin’s good location near the junction of two waterways connecting the South and Central China made it a significant historical city. Guilin began to develop as a political and cultural center in the Three-Kingdom Period when it served as the capital of the Shi’an Shire(a kind of administrative unit used in China’s ancient Qin an d Han Dynasties more than 2,000 years ago). Guilin flourished during the Tang Dynasty when it became a big city with great halls and huge city walls. Guilin was the capital of today’s Guangxi and Hainan Inland provinces during the Song Dynasty. Guilin had its political heyday during the Ming Dynasty when generations of Jing JIang Princes ruled here. Their palace is well preserved and is now the site of one of the campuses of the Guangxi Normal University. It served as the capital city of Guangxi Province until the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 when it was replaced by Nanning. Guilin has become a a city renowned for its beauty and tourist attractions and enjoys great fame throughout China and internationally.

---Local Specialties

Guilin sanhua alcohol, Guilin fermented bean curd and Guilin chili sauce are considered to be Guilin's three treasures, and are top choices with visitors to the city.

Products made from sweet-scented osmanthus are also recommended since the name of Guilin literally means forests of osmanthus. Osamnthus tea, sugar and wine will bring you sweet memories of this city.

The gingko tree is described as a living fossil. Gingko is said to promote healthy blood circulation, moistens facial skin and so chases away wrinkles. It is so versatile that it can also be made into drinks and snacks.

Guilin chufas can be eaten as fruit or as a vegetable. Chufas, sometimes referred to as tiger nuts in the West, are grown in Guilin and are very sweet and crispy. Chufa paste, chufa panocha and canned chufa each have their own unique flavors and will add extra zest to your cooking.

Luo Han Kuo got its name as it looks like the belly of Buddha. Luohan means arhat in Chinese. This fruit has long been a traditional Chinese herb. It is sweet and mellow and is considered conducive to the system and helps lower blood pressure. Instant Luo Han Kuo tea is a very convenient way to prepare it and preserves the original flavor of the fruit.

Shaddock is the best-known fruit in Guangxi. Shaddock is sweet with a light scent. It is rich in Vitamin C.

Cumquat is a citrus like fruit with a sweet rind and acidic center. It can be eaten fresh or be made into a sweetmeat, canned or squeezed as a fruit juice drink. It is rich in Vitamin C1, B2, B1, P, Ca, etc.

Sugar cane is one of the main winter crops in Guilin. It is a must during the Spring Festival as it can help to dispel a hang over and the unwelcome effects of fatty foods.

Lipu taro, chestnut, persimmon and green tea are worth trying, too

---Shopping

Guilin International Tourism Commodity Wholesale City is one of the largest wholesale markets for tourist souvenirs in China. You can find Guilin paintings, stones, root carving as well as Burmese jade ware, Fujian woodcarving, Qingtian stone carving, Yixing clay pot, Suzhou embroidery, and Hunan embroidery.

Every evening, thousands of locals and travelers will rush into the Guilin Zhengyang Buxing (pedestrian) Street for shopping, entertainment and dining. The dazzling lights from various shops, the bubbling people, the multifarious goods justify this stree's reputation as "the first street in western China".

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