Just like Beijing or Xian, Guilin is one of the must-see cities of China. Situated in the south-eastern region of the country, Guilin is famous for its stunning natural scenery which has attracted visitors, poets and artists for thousands of years. The limestone karsts which jut from the lush valley floor provide the perfect backdrop for the placid Li River which flows through the city and out into the countryside. The harmonious combination of natural features rarely fails to impress visitors, making it well worth the trip to this corner of China.

The intense popularity of Guilin does however come with a price. The environment, both urban and natural, has seen relentless development of Guilin’s treasures which has been deemed excessive by some. However, this should not deter anyone from visiting and exploring this beautiful city. You will find dozens of surreal parks, hills and natural features which are stunningly picturesque and the river journey from Guilin to Yangshuois one of the most beautiful and interesting river trips in the world. Guilin is also the ideal base to explore the countless ethnic minority groups who called this region home long before the rise of Chinese culture.

Combine the impressive selection of attractions to see and do in Guilin with the city’s well-developed tourist infrastructure and you’ll find that this is one of the more comfortable and welcoming cities in China. The cuisine is top-notch and travelling to and from Guilin is very convenient. When you visit the vast realm that is China, make sure you include a few days to linger in the surreal and magical world of Guilin.

Hotels can be found in abundance and offer luxurious and plentiful facilities at affordable prices. There are a number of world-wide chains in the city as well as independently owned ones. It is advisable to book your hotel in advance to secure a room, especially if you are travelling during one of the many annual festivals. Most of the guests are local Chinese, sometimes busloads full, so be prepared to do as the locals do. Facilities and food likewise suit their tastes. The largest selection is found along the Li river in this city of parklands.

Guilin has a history stretching back over 2,000 years as an important centre of political, cultural and economic interests in China. The city’s strategic location at the confluence of two major rivers connecting the central and southern regions of China ensured its destiny as a place of significance. Emperor Qinshihuang, of Xian’s buried Terra Cotta Army fame, was the first ruler to establish a town at this site in 214 BC. But it wasn’t until the Three-Kingdom Period, when the Wu Kingdom poured money and resources into the area that Guilin truly began its life as a major political and cultural hub.

The proceeding Tang Dynasty brought even more prosperity and prominence to Guilin, creating a city with massive walls and impressive buildings. During the Song Dynasty, the city became the capital of what is today known as the Hainan Island and Guangxi provinces. But the Ming Dynasty brought the height of Guilin’s political power when several generations of Jingjiang princes ruled from the city. Their spacious palace is well-preserved and now used as a campus for the Guangxi Normal University. Guilin continued to serve as the capital of Guangxi Province up until 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was established and Nanning became the new capital.

The Communist movement tried to promote the area as an industrial centre, building factories for the production of chemicals, paper and agricultural equipment. Recent years have seen this industry shift to the booming coastal regions where transport costs are much lower. Since then, Guilin re-established itself as one of the most popular tourist, cultural and artistic destinations in China. The city is renowned throughout the country for its sublime beauty and depth of cultural attractions. In 1981, the State Council named Guilin as one of the four cities to receive special protection for its historical and cultural heritage.

Guilin is a city ruled by its waterways and as such, the time of year will greatly affect the quality of your visit. In general, Guilin enjoys a damp monsoon climate with four distinct seasons bringing their own positive and negative qualities. Without a doubt, the best time to visit is during the autumn months of September and October, when the rivers are full of water, the summer rains have abated and the temperatures have dropped back to a tolerable level. The next best season is springtime, from April to May, although you’ll have to deal with a lot of rain.

Summers are rather brutal, as the mercury rises to its highest point, diabolically matched by the stifling humidity and continual rain showers. The rainy season falls between April and August, which helps keep the water in the rivers but unfortunately coincides with the hottest time of year. Winters are relatively warm, but the lack of rain means that water levels in the Li River are alarmingly low. This takes away from the main attraction of Guilin, its watery scenery. Also be aware that travelling anywhere in China during the holiday weeks at the beginning of May and October equate to a superlative headache. Guilin is a very popular destination for Chinese tourists as well, so these are two times best avoided.