Travel Guide to Guilin, China

In April, Guilin is like an inkstone spilled by God. The inky shadows of the mountains are reflected on the satin-like Li River, and the mist, like a veil, carves the peaks into hazy verses. Sailing on the river, you'll feel as if you've stepped into the blank spaces of A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains. The mountains are meticulously painted, while the water is splashed with brushstrokes, and even the air you breathe carries the scent of ink from ancient Tang and Song scholars. Here, instead of towering skyscrapers vying for height, there is only the timeless poetry of a thousand peaks embracing the city and a river encircling it. If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, come to Guilin and be a character in a traditional Chinese painting for a day.
🏞️ Must-visit Attractions:
1⃣️ Bamboo Rafting on the Li River
🎋 "The boat sails on the blue waves, and people seem to wander through a painting." The essence of the Li River lies between Yangdi and Xingping. It is recommended to take a bamboo raft in the early morning and watch the morning mist blend with the fishing lights, with cormorants perched silently on the bamboo poles, forming a silhouette like an ink wash painting. The "Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection," the scene on the back of the 20-yuan RMB note, is located here. Remember to bring the banknote for a photo.

2⃣️ Longji Terraced Fields - Spring Water Mirror Fields
🌾 In April, the irrigated terraces are like silver mirrors inlaid in the mountains. In the morning, they are shrouded in clouds and mist, and in the afternoon, when the sun shines, the terraces glisten with rippling waves. Stay overnight in a Yao ethnic group's stilt house. When you open the window in the morning, you can see the sea of clouds rolling over the "fingerprints of the earth."

3⃣️ Elephant Trunk Hill - The Poetic Symbol of the City
🐘 The hill resembles an elephant drinking water by the Li River, a natural sculpture crafted by thousands of years of geological processes. To avoid the crowds, it is recommended to view it from Zizhou Park at dusk. The setting sun gilds the "elephant's trunk," and the reflection blends with the real scene, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.

4⃣️ Yinzi Cave - The Milky Way Underground
💎 "Visit Yinzi Cave, and you'll never lack money in your life." Inside the cave, stalactites pour down like a galaxy. Under the neon lights, scenes like the "Snow Mountain Waterfall" and the "Fairyland of the Jade Pool" are like dreams. Remember to wear non-slip shoes, as it can be damp inside, but the unique scenery is well worth it.

5⃣️ Yulong River in Yangshuo - Slow Time on a Bamboo Raft
🚣♂️ The section from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian is the most classic for rafting, with nine dams creating a thrilling experience like a water roller coaster. Cycle along the Ten-Mile Gallery by the river, where 网红秋千 (网红 swings), rice field dragons, and Moon Hill make every step feel like a scene from a movie.

🍜 Recommended Delicacies
✅ Guilin Rice Noodles: The most authentic ones are often found in unnamed old shops in the alleys. The brine is rich and fragrant, and you can freely add pickled bamboo shoots and long beans. A bowl costs only 5 yuan, offering a taste of local street life.
✅ Yangshuo Beer Fish: Fresh fish from the Li River is braised with Liquan beer. The fish is tender, and the sauce is perfect for mixing with rice. "Master Chef" in West Street has the best reputation.
✅ Intangible Cultural Heritage Oil Tea: Gongcheng Oil Tea is described as "bitter in the first cup, astringent in the second, but wonderful from the third and fourth." Served with popped rice and crispy nuts, it offers a taste of the morning tea culture in northern Guangxi.
✅ Night Market Delights: Osmanthus cakes and snail stuffed dishes in Dongxi Alley; bamboo-tube chicken and mugwort rice cakes in West Street; Li River shrimps by the Two Rivers and Four Lakes - a paradise for late-night food lovers.