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.
Administrative division
Guilin has a total area of 27,809 sq km. It has a population of 4.7 million.Guilin is located in the northeast of Guangxi Province. Guilin literally means Osmanthus forest. The city has long been known for its unique scenery of Karst topography. The Li River is running though the city with green hills standing by.
There are 6 districts and 11 counties including two autonomous counties.
Six districts: Xiufeng District (秀峰区), Xiangshan District (象山区), Diecai District (叠彩区), Qixing District (七星区), Yanshan District (雁山区), Lingui District (临桂区).
Nine counties: Yangshuo County (阳朔), Lingchuan County (灵川), Xing’an County (兴安), Quanzhou County (全州), Yongfu County (永福), Ziyuan County (资源), Guanyang County (灌阳), Pingle County (平乐), Lipu County (荔浦).
Two autonomous counties: Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County (恭城瑶族自治县), Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County (龙胜各族自治县).
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.