The otherworldly landscape of Guilin, with its limestone towers and green tranquil rivers make this one of the most magical regions of the world. Children should find the natural beauty of the area enough to keep them amazed, in particular the animal and marine life parks. If they hanker for something even more exotic, there are a number of colourful indigenous tribes that call the surrounding hills home. Thanks to Guilin’s extensively developed tourist infrastructure, there shouldn’t be any trouble finding things to do with your kids.

Bear and Tiger Park
Given the massive size of China, it follows that the country is home to some of the world’s most exotic and impressive wild animals. The Bear and Tiger Park is the largest wild animal centre in the region and will surely impress the kids with its sheer quantity of big game. More than 400 bears, 300 tigers and 100 lions live in this park, including four different breeds of tiger which are facing extinction. Regular animal performances add to the thrill of seeing these massive beasts up close.

Guilin Ocean World
On the south side of Nanxi Park is this massive aquarium complex, where several thousand varieties of fish are kept in natural environments which are very good by Chinese standards. Sea life from around the world can be viewed here, including 100-year old giant salamanders, amazing lungfish, sharks, nautilus and sea flowers. The centre also houses a tropical forest environment, a waterfall area, underwater tunnel and touching pool so the kids can get a feel for the marine life. Performances are given daily to add some excitement to the excursion.

Li River
The heart and soul of Guilin is the Li River, which cuts right through the city providing a lifeline to the rest of China. A boat cruise along this river, which is one of the most memorable experiences a child can have. The standard trip runs between Guilin and Yangshuo, taking in some of China’s most remarkable scenery. The river winds its way placidly through towers of limestone karsts, past gigantic bamboo stands and picturesque villages that seem trapped in time. The natural beauty around Guilin has inspired poets and artists for thousands of years. Perhaps it will do the same for your children.

For centuries, Guilin has been a hot destination for travellers, artists and poets in search of sublime natural beauty. Nothing much has changed, except for a bit of modern commercialism, so visitors to this charming corner of China should be pleasantly surprised by the otherworldly environment they will encounter. To complement this, there are a host of indigenous native tribes, a nice touch of Imperial Chinese history and plenty of delightful outdoor excursions.

Ethnic minority performances
Among the many ethnic minorities in the Guilin region are the Yao, Zhuang, Hui, Mulao, Miao, Dong and Maonan groups. Each minority has unique and fascinating customs and festivals which help give this city such a deep cultural flavour. One of the highlights of any trip to Guilin is an evening spent watching minority song and dance performances, which are held every night at the Li River Folk Customs Centre, the Li Jiang Theatre, Guilin Folk Customs Centre and the Guilin Spring Theatre. Due to the abundant variety of ethnic groups in Guilin, this is one of the premier parts of China for experiencing this colourful and ancient aspect of the culture.

Solitary Beauty Peak
This highlight of Guilin is considered the oldest site of interest in the city, with its roots dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty of 1127. At the peak of this hill, located in the middle of town, is a pavilion offering panoramic views of Guilin’s hills, including the spectacular Folding Brocade Hill, Seven Star Crag and Wave Subduing Hill. The history of this peak is intertwined with the 14th century palace of a Ming Dynasty prince which is also on the grounds. As one of the main attractions in Guilin, a trek up to the top of Solitary Beauty Peak should not be missed.

Tombs of Prince Jingjiang
This imperial mausoleum site is the final resting place of 11 princes and dozens of others from the Jingjiang family, who ruled during the Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644. The first Ming Emperor, Taizu, gave each of his 24 sons a region to govern in a bid to centralise his power, naming them kings in the process. King Jingjiang received his title and proceeded to build his palace at the bottom of Solitary Beauty Peak. The kings who followed him chose this place as their burial site, which is enclosed by a large rectangular red wall with more than 300 tombs spread over 100 square kilometres. The well-preserved tombs are considered one of China’s cultural relics, offering an interesting glimpse at the Ming Dynasty.

Xishan Park
This is the second largest park in the city and a major centre for local Buddhism. Comprised of Xi Hill and Yin Hill, the lovely and timeless park has been a shrine for Buddhists for centuries and offers one of the best examples of this religion in the area. Also on site is the Guilin Museum, which gives a limited but decent account of this history of the city and its cultural legacy.

Yu Hill Park
Considered the cradle of Guilin history, this park is the supposed site where Shun Yu, one of the main ancestors of the Chinese people, visited millennia ago. The Qin group who followed established a temple here around 220 BC in his memory. Over the next 2,000 years, people have come to this place to offer sacrifices to Shun Yu, giving the park a strong Confucian flavour. To get a taste of the unbroken antiquity of the Chinese culture, this is a good start.

Yuzi Paradise
The largest sculpture park in China contains the artwork of 114 artists hailing from 47 different countries. Located 30kms outside of Guilin, this wonderful park is a harmonious integration of art and life which emphasises the special symphony between mankind and nature. Visitors can also choose to create their own clay sculptures under the watchful eye of local instructors, or simply enjoy the art salon and café.

The cuisine of Guilin is a wonderful combination of Hunan and Canton styles, notable for its blend of sweetness and bright spicy flavours from the liberal use of chilli peppers. This being China, a range of animals and plants can be found in the markets and in the local dishes, such as horse meat, which is a Guilin specialty. Visitors are either amazed or disgusted by the sheer variety of pet-like animals kept in cages at the markets destined for the dinner table. Dogs, cats, turtles, birds and dozens of creatures you’ve never seen are for sale. Among Guilin’s more famous dishes are Steamed Mandarin Fish from the Li River and Stewed Clam Chicken, as well as Miao Bamboo Fish, Maonan Roast Pork and Dong Bamboo Shoot Meat.

Guilin is also strong on snacks. Zongzi is sticky rice and mung bean paste wrapped up in bamboo or banana leaves. But perhaps the most famous local dish is Guilin rice noodles, which can be found at every street-corner café in town. If you tire of the variety of local dishes, there is Western food available in the hotels and even a McDonalds and KFC along the pedestrian street.

In contrast to the plethora of eating opportunities, Guilin is no shopping paradise. Prices are generally over inflated by Chinese standards thanks to the city’s singular role as a tourist destination. However, Guilin has traditionally been a magnet for Chinese artists, meaning that there are some truly amazing pieces of art and handicrafts from the local minority groups for sale. Hand-woven crafts which range from animals to wall decorations are popular buys, as are marble and jade items, bamboo and woodcarvings and paper umbrellas. Just be prepared to pay dearly for your souvenir.

The Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is one of Guilin’s newest shopping areas and is full of shops selling everything from overpriced ethnic handicrafts to jade jewellery. Every evening the street is flooded by locals and visitors in search of shopping, dining and entertainment. One of the most popular items to buy is a traditional Chinese painting of water and mountains. Native artists have been coming to Guilin since the Song Dynasty of 907-1279 to capture the sublime beauty of this area, and the local galleries are known throughout the country. For a surreal Chinese department store experience, stop by Guilin Weixiao Tang Shangsha. Otherwise, you will find everything you need under one roof at the Guilin International Tourism Commodity Wholesale City, which is one of the largest wholesalers of tourist souvenirs in all of China. The selection of goods is simply staggering.

Most visitors to Guilin are content to leisurely explore the vast number of ancient parks, gardens and waterways that cover the city and its environs. As many of the parks are thousands of years old and famous throughout China, they should not be missed. A boat cruise along the Li River is another activity which should be on every traveller’s agenda. Despite being the most touted attraction in the area, the boat ride will take you through the heart of this stunning landscape. Modern sports haven’t made their way to Guilin, but interested visitors will find that the ethnic minority groups have dozens of ancient traditional games which can be experienced either at one of the designated minority centres or during their annual festivals which dot the calendar.

Climbing
The nearby Gudong National Park has six waterfalls which are ideal for climbing. No climbing gear or special experience is necessary to scamper up these watery hills. At the park you can purchase a pair of handmade grass shoes which will give you all the grip you need. Chains are hanging along the way to help with your balance and the paths up each of the waterfalls are well-marked and well-worn.

Parks
Apart from the integral waterways which thread their way through the city, Guilin is a city of parks and gardens, many of which date back well over a thousand years. Travellers should make a point of visiting as many of these sublime natural spots as possible. The key is to linger for a while. Sit back and notice the subtle details that put everything in balance. For stunning views of Guilin and the surrounding area, make the climb to Solitary Beauty Peak. This limestone peak sits right in the middle of the city and offers panoramic views of notable natural sites. Folding Brocade Hill is another lofty destination that was favoured by painters and poets from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Wind Cave, which is halfway up the hill, cuts right through the heart of the mountain bringing a cool breeze during the summer.

The limestone cliffs which make up much of Guilin’s geography have created some amazing caves, such as Reed Flute Cave, located to the northwest of town. This is one of Guilin’s most popular caves due to the wildly colourful pools and formations that litter the cavernous interior. Another impressive cave can be found in the popular Seven Star Park, whose hills resemble the Big Dipper constellation. With its combination of hill climbs, cave explorations and secluded walks, this is one of the best parks in Guilin. More a natural highlight than a mountain, Elephant Trunk Hill is one of the most famous and photographed sites in China. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, it is the Moon-over-Water Cave and Moon-through-Hill Cave which make it so special. Other parks in Guilin which are worth a look are the Buddhist Xishan Park and the Confucian Yu Hill Park. At these two sites you can get a cultural experience to go with the natural beauty.

Ethnic Minority Sports
The ethnic groups who have lived around Guilin for thousands of years have their own unique sports, which have an uncanny resemblance to many Western games. If you have the chance, you can see some of these activities performed at the local minority centres, or even better, catch them in their natural environment during one of the many local festivals throughout the year.

Dang Qiuqian dates back to the Jin Dynasty between 265 and 420 and features acrobatic performances which use ropes to demonstrate strength and dexterity. Thick ropes are tied to huge trees and contestants swing as high as they can. Tiaoban is something like a seesaw made from a bouncy and sturdy plank of wood some six metres long on a pivot. Two players try and bounce each other in the air, doing flips and somersaults while airborne. Saima is the local form of horseracing, which has traditionally been an important part of ethnic lifestyle in this part of China. There are a number of activities which test the riders’ skill and horsemanship. One sport which will surprise most visitors is the ancient sport of Cuju, or soccer as we know it today. Historical records from the Shang Dynasty during the 16th century BC mention a game using a stone ball, nets and basic equipment to build up the constitution of the soldiers. The Southern Song Dynasty had the earliest recorded football club named the Yuanshe. The resemblance to our modern game of football is uncanny and this sport can be seen during special annual performances.