I spent four incredible days exploring Guilin during the Spring Festival, discovering why this karst wonderland has captivated travelers for centuries. From cruising the legendary Li River as the morning mist lifted from the water, to climbing Solitary Beauty Peak for panoramic views of the city, to wandering through ancient temples where locals pray for prosperity—this journey offered the perfect blend of natural beauty and spiritual renewal. The golden persimmons of Gongcheng and the peaceful waters of Two Rivers and Four Lakes created memories that will stay with me long after the festival fireworks faded. If you're seeking a destination that nourishes both body and soul, Guilin delivers in ways that exceeded my every expectation.
Trip Overview
When: Late January (Spring Festival period)
Duration: 4 days
Travelers: With friends
Budget: ~1,900 RMB (~$265 USD)
Transportation: High-speed train + Local transport
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
When my friends asked where we should spend the Spring Festival, I suggested Guilin without hesitation. As someone who had heard about its legendary scenery since childhood, I was eager to experience it firsthand. The moment I stepped off the high-speed train from Guangzhou—just two hours for 370 kilometers—I knew we had made the right choice.
Guilin (桂林, Guìlín) literally means "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," and I soon discovered why this name perfectly captures the essence of this ancient city. As one of China's first national historical and cultural cities, Guilin has been enchanting visitors for over 2,000 years. In 1201, the famous Southern Song poet Wang Zhengzheng wrote the immortal line "Guilin's landscape is the best under heaven," and standing here, I finally understood what he meant.
The city sits in a typical karst landscape, where millions of years of geological transformation have created a masterpiece of towering limestone peaks, crystal-clear rivers, and mysterious caves. I was struck by how the mountains rise dramatically from flat plains, creating a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Day 1 Evening: Two Rivers and Four Lakes (两江四湖)
As the sun began to set, we made our way to the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area—the absolute heart of Guilin. This area encompasses the Li River (漓江), Taohua River (桃花江), Mulong Lake (木龙湖), Gui Lake (桂湖), Rong Lake (榕湖), and Shan Lake (杉湖). I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how the city seamlessly blends with nature.
During the day, the area is peaceful with willow trees lining the banks and locals practicing tai chi. But at night, it transforms into a magical wonderland. We decided to take a boat cruise, and I was mesmerized by the reflection of illuminated pagodas and ancient bridges dancing on the water's surface.
🎯 Practical Info: Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Location: City center, Guilin Best Time: Evening for the light show (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM) Boat Cruise: ¥180-220 (~$25-30 USD), 60-90 minutes Walking Path: Free, takes about 2-3 hours to circle Pro Tip: Book evening cruise tickets in advance during Spring Festival
As our boat glided under ancient stone bridges, I felt transported back in time. The saying "A thousand peaks stand around the wild, one river embraces the city" perfectly describes what I was witnessing. This wasn't just beautiful—it was spiritually uplifting. In Chinese culture, mountains represent nobility and water represents wealth, making this the perfect place to begin our blessing-seeking journey.
Day 2: Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山)
The next morning, we woke up early to visit Elephant Trunk Hill, and I immediately understood why it's considered the symbol of Guilin. Standing on the riverbank, I saw a limestone formation that looked exactly like an elephant drinking from the Li River. The resemblance was uncanny—the trunk dipping into the water, the body rising behind it.
The most magical spot is the Water Moon Cave (水月洞), a circular opening between the "trunk" and "body" of the elephant. When the full moon rises, it creates the famous "Water Moon" phenomenon—the moon appears both in the sky and reflected in the cave's opening, creating the illusion of two moons. Even during the day, watching the clear green water flow through the cave was mesmerizing.
🎯 Practical Info: Elephant Trunk Hill
Entry Fee: ¥55 (~$8 USD) Opening Hours: 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Best Time: Early morning for fewer crowds Location: Binjiang Road, Guilin city center Address in Chinese: 象鼻山景区, 滨江路 (for taxi drivers)
Climbing to the top of the hill, I discovered the Puxian Pagoda (普贤塔), also known as the Treasure Vase Pagoda. Built during the Ming Dynasty, its shape resembles a treasure vase, and in many Asian cultures, an elephant carrying a treasure vase symbolizes peace, good fortune, and happiness. I watched as visitors burned incense and prayed, and I couldn't help but join in, making my own wishes for the coming year.
Day 2 Afternoon: Solitary Beauty Peak & Prince City (独秀峰·王城景区)
In the afternoon, we visited the Solitary Beauty Peak and Prince City Scenic Area, Guilin's first 5A-rated tourist attraction. I was fascinated to learn that this is where Guilin's history began. The peak rises dramatically from the center of the old city, surrounded by the ancient walls of the Prince's Palace.
Solitary Beauty Peak (独秀峰, Dúxiù Fēng) is known as the "King of All Mountains" in Guilin. Standing 216 meters tall, it rises straight up from the flat ground like a pillar supporting the southern sky. As I began the climb up the 306 stone steps, I noticed many Chinese tourists counting the steps aloud—a local tradition that symbolizes "step by step promotion" or career advancement.
The rock face of the peak bears the famous inscription "Guilin's landscape is the best under heaven"—the very poem I had read about. I traced my fingers over the centuries-old characters, feeling connected to the countless travelers who had stood here before me.
Reaching the summit, I was rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of Guilin. The city sprawled below, with its distinctive karst peaks rising like sentinels in every direction. I could see why this place has been considered Guilin's geomantic treasure spot for over 600 years. The cliff walls are covered with stone carvings about longevity and fortune, earning it the nickname "Mountain of Blessing and Longevity."
🎯 Practical Info: Solitary Beauty Peak & Prince City
Entry Fee: ¥100 (~$14 USD) Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Climb Time: About 30 minutes to the top Location: 1 Prince City, Xiufeng District Chinese Address: 独秀峰王城景区, 秀峰区王城1号
Day 3: Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩)
On our third day, we visited Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩, Lúdí Yán), and I can honestly say I've never seen anything like it. As the Song Dynasty poet Chen Zao wrote: "Guilin has many caves, as if housing immortals. The plains stretch in four directions, while a thousand peaks rise to the sky."
Walking into the cave was like entering another world. The interior is a natural art palace, illuminated by colorful lights that transform the stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars into fantastical shapes. Over millions of years, dripping water has created more than 30 distinct scenic spots, each with a poetic name like "Crystal Palace of the Dragon King" or "Virgin Forest."
I was amazed to learn that the cave has been a tourist attraction for over 1,000 years. Ancient inscriptions on the walls date back to the Tang Dynasty, proving that travelers have been marveling at these formations since at least 792 AD. As I walked through the 240-meter-long cave, I felt like I was walking through a subterranean palace decorated with jewels, coral, and jade.
🎯 Practical Info: Reed Flute Cave
Entry Fee: ¥90 (~$13 USD) Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM Tour Duration: About 1 hour Location: Northwest suburbs, 5km from city center Transport: Bus 3 or taxi (~¥30)
Day 4: Gongcheng County – Persimmons and Ancient Temples
For our final day, we ventured outside the city to Gongcheng County (恭城县), about an hour's drive from Guilin. This was perhaps my favorite part of the trip—a glimpse into rural Guangxi that few international tourists ever see.
It was persimmon season, and the Hongyan Scenic Area was covered with thousands of golden persimmon trees. We visited the 10,000-acre persimmon base and even tried our hand at picking these bright orange fruits. In Chinese culture, persimmons (柿子, shìzi) are deeply symbolic—the word sounds like "matters" or "affairs" (事), so they represent "everything going as wished" (事事如意). What better way to end a blessing-seeking journey?
After picking persimmons, we visited the famous Wenwu Temple (文武庙), which actually consists of two temples side by side. The Confucius Temple (文庙) was built in 1410, making it over 600 years old and the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty palace-style architecture in Guangxi. Walking through its grand halls, I could feel the weight of history and the respect for education that Confucianism represents.
Adjacent to it is the Guan Yu Temple (武庙), built in 1603 and dedicated to the god of war and loyalty. Locals come here to pray for courage and success in their endeavors. I watched as families burned incense and offered prayers, the smoke rising into the winter sky. These temples have become well-known blessing destinations, attracting visitors from across Guangxi seeking good fortune for the new year.
🎯 Practical Info: Gongcheng County
Distance: ~100km from Guilin (1.5-2 hours by bus or car) Persimmon Season: October to February Temple Entry: ¥30 (~$4 USD) for both temples Best Time: Morning to avoid crowds Tip: Buy fresh persimmons from local farmers—they're incredibly sweet!
Reflections: A Journey of Body and Soul
As I sat on the high-speed train back to Guangzhou, I reflected on what made this trip so special. It wasn't just the stunning scenery—though the karst peaks and clear rivers certainly delivered on that promise. It was the sense of peace and spiritual renewal that permeated every aspect of the journey.
Guilin offers something increasingly rare in today's world: a place where nature, culture, and spirituality coexist in perfect harmony. From the ancient temples where prayers have been offered for centuries, to the symbolic persimmons representing good fortune, to the mountains and rivers that have inspired poets for millennia—every element of this journey felt meaningful.
If you're looking for a Spring Festival destination that goes beyond the typical tourist experience, I can't recommend Guilin highly enough. Come for the scenery, stay for the blessings, and leave with a heart full of peace and memories that will last a lifetime.
Quick Reference Guide
Getting There
From Guangzhou: High-speed train to Gongcheng (2 hours), then transfer to Guilin From Beijing/Shanghai: Direct flights to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport Guilin has two train stations: Guilin Station (city center) and Guilin North Station
Where to Stay
City Center: Near Two Rivers and Four Lakes for easy access to major attractions Budget: ¥150-300/night (~$20-40 USD) Mid-range: ¥400-800/night (~$55-110 USD) Luxury: ¥1000+/night (~$140+ USD)
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May): Comfortable temperatures, blooming flowers Summer (June-August): Hot and humid, but lush green scenery Autumn (September-November): Best weather, clear skies Winter (December-February): Fewer crowds, perfect for cultural sites
Useful Phrases
"How much is this?" – 多少钱？(Duōshao qián?) "Where is the bathroom?" – 洗手间在哪里？(Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎli?) "Too expensive!" – 太贵了！(Tài guì le!) "Beautiful!" – 漂亮！(Piàoliang!) "Thank you" – 谢谢 (Xièxiè)