Guilin, the Sweet Osmanthus forest of Guanxi, is a scenic city
of roughly 1.3 million people located in the northeast part of the
province. Receiving its name from the Sweet Osmanthus trees found
throughout the city, Guilin is known for its lush scenery and
ability to meld both urban and rural locales.
Guilin has a number of natural attractions worth visiting. The
famous Cave of Reed Flutes, located only 5 minutes outside of the
city, has truly beautiful rock formations in the shapes of various
local flora and fauna. There are also a number of boat tours
available in the area. The Li river tour takes the better part of a
day but allows you to take in the lush scenery Guilin is famous
for. If time is an issue, the Four Lakes tour is a relaxing
respite, and particularly beautiful at night.
Guilin is a great destination if you need a reprieve from the
bustle of China’s larger cities.