guilin tourist

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Guangxi's second-largest city, Guilin (桂林, Guìlín) has the hallmarks of most Chinese megalopolises, but it feels much more relaxed given its spectacular setting among the jagged-peak limestone karsts that surround it. It was China's first city to develop tourism after 1949, and for decades, children's textbooks proclaimed 'Guilin's landscape is the best under heaven' (桂林山水甲天下). It was the darling of Chinese politicians, the star city proudly presented to visiting dignitaries. Today Guilin's natural endowments still amaze, yet, thanks to imperfect urban planning, there is a pervasive feeling that the city is past its prime.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Bajiaozhai National Geopark

This park is named after eight Danxia stone peaks that lie near the border with Hunan. Round, isolated, featuring ringlike troughs and leaning 45 degrees…

Rong Lake (literally, Banyan Lake), named for an ancient Chinese banyan on its shore, and its adjoining Shan Lake are an oasis of calm in the urban hub of…

Jiangtouzhou Ancient Town

The 1000-year-old village of Jiangtouzhou is tucked away among farmland 32km north of Guilin. The mostly abandoned village has layers of old-world charm,…

Elephant Trunk Hill

At the southern end of Guilin where the Li River and the Taohua River converge is one of Guilin's best-promoted sights, Elephant Trunk Hill. Unlike other…

Sun & Moon Twin Pagodas

Elegantly embellishing the scenery of Shan Lake, the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, beautifully illuminated at night, are the highlight of a stroll around…

Guilin Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area

Tianmen (not to be confused with Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, Hunan) is home to proud cliffs, sharp ravines and dramatic waterfalls of Danxia…

Folded Brocade Hill

Folded Brocade Hill affords some of Guilin's best views, complemented by restored pavilions, some originally dating from the Ming dynasty. Climb the stone…

At the northern shore of Rong Lake is this original Song-dynasty city wall (城墙, chéng qiáng). Come by in the evening when it's illuminated, and locals…

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14 Incredible Things to do in Guilin

There are so many great things to do in Guilin and the surrounding area. With some of the most spectacular scenery in China (and I would argue in the world!), Guilin should be on every China travel itinerary. Whether you are moving to China as an expat, backpacking through the country or travelling in China with kids , there is something for everyone in Guilin.

In this article I will tell you all about the things to do in Guilin and the surrounding countryside areas, including Longji, Xingping and Yangshuo. China is a difficult country to travel in at times and information in English is limited, so here I will give you my tips on the best things to do and how to find them- much of which you will not find in the guidebooks or on most travel blogs!

Why should you visit Guilin?

Tourism in guilin, how many days should i spend in guilin, when is the best time to travel to guilin, the best places to stay in guilin, go hiking in the longji rice terraces , marvel at the view at elephant trunk hill, cruise the li river, go cycling in the rural streets of yangshuo, take a ride on a bamboo raft, take in the views at xianggong mountain, reed flute cave, seven star cave, silver cave, hike up to moon hill, watch the impression sanjie liu show, visit the ancient streets of xingping, climb laozhai mountain , things to do in guilin.

Whilst most people outside of China have never heard of Guilin, the people who have visited the city and surrounding countryside areas always remark of its beauty and unique charm. Travelling to Guilin has definitely been one of my highlights of all my time in China (and I live here, so I have spent a lot of time in the country!). And there are many amazing things to do in Guilin.

Guilin and the surrounding areas are far less touristy than I expected. There were very few Western restaurants and shops and the areas of Xingping and Yangshuo had a unique backpacker vibe that I haven’t experienced in almost two decades. It’s almost as if it is the place that time forgot. Visiting here brought back fond memories of my backpacking days in Asia, when you found out about the best places to eat or sleep from late-night conversations in your dorm room or over banana pancakes at your hostel instead if Google. This made visiting a special and unique experience, and that’s without taking into account the beauty that the destination itself offers!

If you’re into Insta tourism , then you will love Guilin, it is literally a photographer’s paradise! The 360degrees endless mountain views are the perfect backdrop for exploring the area by foot, by bike or by motor vehicle. And there are lots of cool things to do in Guilin too (which I will get to shortly).

Guilin is one of the top 4 tourist destinations for international tourists to China and is one of the best places in the world for scenery seekers. Guilin was China’s first city to develop tourism after 1949, yet paradoxically has remained one of the lesser-developed tourist destinations in the country.

In 2019 more than 100 million people visited Guilin, a year-on-year increase of 32.58 percent. The total consumption in tourism exceeded 139 billion yuan (20 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, up 43.22 percent year on year. There are many things to do in Guilin for these tourists, as I will explain shortly.

Guilin is easily accessible, with an airport and high speed rail station. However, much of what you will come to see is outside of the city itself. You can take tours to these places or if you have a Chinese drivers license you can hire a car (note- you can only drive in China with a Chinese license). You can also choose to hire a private driver. Here are some tours that I would recommend:

• Longi rice terraces
• Xingping mountain scenery
• Li River cruise to Yangshuo

We spent a week in Guilin and the surrounding areas and this was the perfect amount of time to cover the major things to do in Guilin. Many people suggest a shorter trip, but I think that if you spend less time you will be missing out on the best bits!

China is a vast country and if you want to make the most out of your trip to Guilin then I suggest you allow a week to do all of the things to do in Guilin. This allows for travel time to and from the destination as well as travel around the area. What many people don’t realise is that most things to do in Guilin are not actually in Guilin at all! As a result, you need to allow time to get to these places (most are within a 60-90 minute drive from the city).

Also, it rains a lot in Guilin. As with most mountainous areas, the weather forecast can be very unreliable. Micro-climates can make it very difficult to predict the weather. If it is raining, foggy or there is low-lying cloud then you will not be able to see the views that you have come to Guilin to see. This is another reason that I recommend you spend at least a week in Guilin- to increase your chances of good weather days!

Picking the right time to travel to Guilin is pretty important. As I mentioned, you are probably travelling here to get a glimpse of those magical vistas- so it’s important that you have clear weather to enable you to be able to enjoy the views.

Most websites recommend April-October for visiting Guilin. Taking this advice, we travelled during April, only to find out after we arrived that this was rainy season. There is an average of 20 rainy days in April with only 48 hours of sunshine the entire month! So my advice is if you want blue skies in your photos, April is NOT the month to travel to Guilin!

Likewise, I would suggest that you avoid the first week of October, which is a national Chinese holiday. We travelled to Chengdu with the kids during Golden Week and had to abandon several attempts to visit tourist attractions because the crowds were unmanageable. Trust me when I say that you have not experienced overtourism until you have travelled in China during a public holiday!

The best time to travel to Guilin is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the rain is less. But, like I said before, the weather can be pretty unpredictable in the mountains- I recommend packing a lightweight pocket-sized rain coat like this one , just in case!

In order to get the most out of your trip I recommend that you stay a few nights in Guilin itself and a few nights in Yangshuo and/or Xingping. There are a few things to do in Guilin city, but most of the fun it in the surrounding areas. Many people visit the surrounding areas on a day trip and stay in the city for their entire visit and people almost always regret this, because the countryside is INCREDIBLE!

When choosing where to stay in Guilin and the surrounding areas, I recommend that you make the view from your room a priority. I am not normally one to spend extra money on rooms with a view, but it’s the view that you have come to Guilin to see! And with 360degrees vistas in areas such as Xingping and Yangshuo, finding accommodation with a view is pretty easy to do…

One thing to note is that finding decent accommodation in China is much more challenging than it is in other countries. Cleanliness standards are generally lower than in Western countries, most hotels do not offer any Western cuisine (if you are happy with rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner then you don’t need to worry about this) and many hotels do not accept foreigners. It is for this reason that I tend to stick to international hotels. International hostels are great too.

In Guilin city a popular choice is the Shangri La hotel . The standards are high and the reviews are great. There is a pool too, which is a great way to cool down after those hot and sweaty days of exploring.

If you are looking for a more budget option in Guilin then I recommend This Old Place International Youth Hostel . They also have a second branch in Xingping (an amazing town 90 minute drive from Guilin- I will talk about this place shortly), which I also highly recommend. We never actually stayed here ourselves, but we did eat here several times, allowing us to meet several travellers who were staying in the hostel. Everybody that we spoke to said that it was a great place to stay and I can personally vouch for the pizzas and banana pancakes! The staff here were super helpful too and they spoke English, which is always a plus point in China!

You will definitely want to stay outside of the city in order to get the most out of your trip to Guilin as many of the main things to do in Guilin are not in the city itself. Most people head to Yangshuo and for good reason. Almost every accommodation option here comes with spectacular views. We really wanted to stay at the highly recommended Yangshuo Mountain Retreat , but unfortunately they were fully booked. Several of our friends have stayed here and all have said that it is amazing! The views are incredible, the facilities are great AND they serve delicious Western and Chinese food (and any place that has something other than rice and noodles for breakfast is a winner in my books!).

Because the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat was fully booked we ended up staying at the Liangsu Hotel . Whilst it was 100% Chinese (food, language, other guests), it was an amazing hotel and the hospitality was fantastic (thank goodness for WeChat translate!). The view of our bedroom was just unbelievable and made our stay in Yangshuo that little bit more special!

As I mentioned before, Yangshuo has a fantastic backpacker vibe! There are a selection of places that you can choose to stay in for a relatively low cost. One place that was recommended to me was the Mountain Stream Hostel . It’s a really sociable place to stay and is a great place to meet new people.

The best things to do in Guilin

There are many wonderful things to do in Guilin. Because most tourists who visit Guilin are Chinese, there is a dearth of information in English online. I had to do some serious digging around on the Internet to find the best places to visit…. but fortunately for you, I have done the research (and tested it out!) for you, so you don’t have to. So, here are the best places to visit and things to do in Guilin….

This is one of the most popular things to do in Guilin.

Also known as the Longsheng Rice Terraces or “Dragon’s Backbone”, these terraced rice fields are built along a slope and make for the perfect hiking location. T

he rice terraces themselves resemble a dragon’s scales and the summit of the mountain here resembles the backbone of a dragon – hence the name!

Built around 650 years ago, these fields are beautifully scenic. They change with the seasons – in the summer you’ll see green rice shoots, but by winter everything will be covered in a delicate layer of frost.

Choose a 2-hour hike from Ping’an to Longji Ancient Zhuang Village, or a more intensive 4-5 hour hike from Dazhai to Ping’an. Either way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking scenery, excellent photo opportunities and exciting views!

The Longji Rice Terraces are about 90 minutes outside of Guilin. You can hire a private driver or take a tour, such as this one .

Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of the area and another one of the most popular things to do in Guilin. A visit here is a definite must when you’re in the area!

It got its name because it looks like an elephant drinking from the water below – the hill is situated at the confluence of the Lijiang and Taohua Rivers.

Legend says that the elephant was a god, and generally the hill is a very special place to the people of Guilin. The hill itself is covered in trees, and the surrounding views are leafy too: it is one of the best views of greenery in China, and looks beautiful at any time of day. You’ll be in awe! Sunset is particularly stunning here! If you do come at sunset, stay to see the moon as it floats on the surface of the water in the ‘gap’ between the elephant’s trunk and body. 

Choose from a 3, 4 or 5-star boat experience as you cruise down the Li River . This river, with its glassy water and mountain surroundings, is said to be one of the world’s top 10 watery wonders – according to the National Geographic, so naturally it is one of the most popular things to do in Guilin. And they might be right, because there are few places more beautiful than the Li River….

The 86 km is scenic beyond words; a river cruise also gives you an insight into local life as you’ll pass farmer working in the fields and traditional villages that operate as they always have done. Look out for water buffalo and karst peaks as well as all of the other flora and fauna in the area.

Cruises generally include lunch, and are narrated. Book an upper deck seat for the best views, if possible!

You can hire a bike from West Street in Yangshuo, and whizz off to cycle around the town and beyond. There are plenty of routes that head into the mountains, through the fields and along the river. Four of the most popular cycling routes in and around Yangshuo are:

• The Yong Village Countryside Route – 26 km
• The Yulong River Short Route – 15 km
• The Baisha and Yulong River Route – 16 km
• The Fuli and Xingping Route – 55 km

Which route you take is likely to be dependant on your skills and fitness levels. Rest assured that whichever cycle route you choose in Yangshuo, you will be treated to jaw-dropping scenery and a wealth of beauty around you. This was one of my favourite things to do in Guilin!

There are a few places around that offer bamboo raft rides. It is one of the best and most exciting ways to experience Guilin – an authentic experience you will remember forever!

Head to Yangdi Pier on the Li River, and look out for someone offering raft rides. The rafts are made less from bamboo these days, and usually something like PVC. Most also have motors and seats, come equipped with life jackets and even have a canopy.

It is still an amazing way to experience the Li River and all its beauty, especially if you don’t want the crowds (and cost!) that come with a river cruise. See Nine Horses Hill and other beautiful photo spots as you float 10 km down the river – you’ll get about 2 hours on the raft, and there’s plenty to see. You can get off at Xingping and explore this lovely little town, too. 

If you want a shorter raft ride head to Fuli Bridge. Here the rafts are a bit more authentic and you will gently drift along the river (there are no motors here). You will start from and return to the bridge, which is handy if you have bikes or scooters.

Note that children under 100cm are not allowed on the rafts. Despite the water being very shallow and us taking our own lifejacket this was non-negotiable.

This is one of the favourite things to do in Guilin, so plan in advance if you can.

This is one of the favourite things to do in Guilin with hikers and photographers alike- Xinaggong Mountain is a stunning place to visit. The views are awe-inspiring, and the mountain is said to look like a man wearing an official hat and costume of ‘feudal China’.

From Hebao Village at the foot of the mountain, it takes around 15 minutes to walk to the viewing platform. This is beyond worth it for the incredible views you’ll be greeted with at the top! Look down at the gorgeous Li River, and see the other hills rising in the background.

Sunrise, of course, is particularly beautiful here. You’ll need to arrive before 5 am for this, and you can stay at the nearby Xianggong Mountain Villa to make things easier.

Take a visit to one of the many caves

There are a lot of caves in and around Guilin. They are brilliant for exploring, photographing, and generally just enjoying the view. Visiting the caves is one of the most popular things to do in Guilin for families and adults alike. Some famous cave locations include Reed Flute, Seven Stars Park and Silver Cave…

At 240 metres long, Reed Flute is the biggest cave in Guilin. It has 3 entrances and can be accessed by foot. It is often referred to the as the Palace of Natural Arts, and has been some sort of attraction in Guilin since the ancient times. There are ink markings throughout the cave, some of which date back as far as 792 AD – the Tang Dynasty.

Since its rediscovery in the 1940s, by a group of refugees who were escaping Japanese soldiers, the cave has been an incredible landmark to visit in Guilin. Inside, artificial lighting illuminates this beautiful cave.

This cave is best visited between April and October, tickets cost 90 Yuan.

Located at Seven Star Park on the eastern side of the Li River, this cave is the second biggest in the area. It is more than 1.5 km long, and served as an ancient underground river channel.

The middle stratum is now a major tourist attraction, with stone columns and curtains inside as well as artificial lighting and inked poems on the walls. The cave has been popular with visitors for more than a thousand years, since the days of the Tang and Sui dynasties.

It continues to be popular tourist attraction, with an entrance fee of 30 Yuan and guided tours available throughout the day.

This is a karst cave, and can be easily reached when visiting Yangshuo from Guilin.

It is around 2,000 metres long with multiple levels, winding through twelve peaks and full of natural art. The stalactites inside make it resemble some sort of underground art gallery. They form curtains, columns, waterfalls and more! There is an underground river, and just so much to see down inside the cave. At 65 Yuan, it is well worth the entry fee for the wonders inside.

This isn’t too much of an intense hike, and the views are so worth it. It’s a half-day activity, and there are steps to climb up rather than just the hill itself. Wear good shoes and take some water with you, and you’ll be good to go!

The view of Moon Hill itself from Li Village is amazing – you can see ‘the moon’ perfectly here. It changes shape as you hike, turning from a full moon into a crescent as your perspective shifts. From the top, the lush greenery that stretches out beyond you is stunning – on a clear, sunny day you’ll be in for a treat- making this one of the best things to do in Guilin.

This is an amazing audiovisual display that you really have to see to believe. It is one of the top-rated things to do in Guilin, with hundreds of 5-star reviews.

Representing the culture of the local area, the show feels ceremonious in a way. The costumes and lighting are incredible, the dancers’ skills are outstanding and the natural backdrop is wonderful.

This is a fantastic way to spend an evening in Guilin. Book your Impression Sanjie Liu tickets easily here.

Whether you reach it by bamboo raft as mentioned above or prefer to travel by bus or car, a visit to Xingping is definitely something to factor into your trip to Guilin.

Initially settled 1750+ years ago, this ancient town is beautiful. You’ll recognise the landscape for the 20 Yuan note (this makes for a great photo opportunity…) and there is plenty to see and explore. Go fishing or kayaking, go shopping, meet the locals, or simply wander the streets taking in the ambience, there are plenty of things to do in Guilin found here.

You might be sensing that there’s a theme when it comes to this part of China – excellent views, and many ways to explore them. This is one of the less popular things to do in Guilin, but it shouldn’t be!

This climb is not for the faint-hearted, with steep rusty vertical steps and wobbly railings. You definitely need to take your time and be careful, but when you reach the top of the Laozhai Mountain the panoramic view is immensely rewarding.

The rolling hills and sheer beauty of your surroundings will more than make up for the steep steps up to the top! Just make sure you wear decent walking shoes, cover up and stay hydrated.

I hope that this article about the things to do in Guilin has been helpful in planning your trip to Guilin and the surrounding areas! As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Guilin to keep you occupied during your trip.

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Guilin Attractions - Things to Do

Guilin boasts magnificent natural beauty and many precious cultural relics. Every visitor going there will be enchanted by the unique karst landscapes, which are embodied in the verdant hills along the Li River and various caves decorated by colorful lights. If you want to explore the Guilin top attractions in downtown only, one or two days are enough. The Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Seven-Star Park, Silver Cave, and Folded Brocade Hill are the top picks of most travelers. However, most tourists will extend their trip to Yangshuo by a Li River cruise to fully enjoy the sceneries en route. As the ship sails down the river, you will encounter the most breathtaking part of your Guilin tour at the section from Yangdi Village to Xingping Town. In addition, it will be a great idea to spend one or two days at the Longji Rice Terraces, a paradise for shutterbugs and ethnic culture lovers.

Top 5 Guilin Attractions

• A must see during your Guilin vacation for the fascinating karst landscapes.
• As it sparkles in the sunlight, the river meanders through lush mountains like a liquid jade belt.
• A Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the best way to take in the sceneries.
• The Yellow Cloth Shoal along the Li River is where the background of the CNY20 banknote was taken.

• One of the most beautiful towns in China where you can feel the rustic charm of China’s countryside.
• Li River presents its glamour to the best in Yangshuo. Take a bamboo raft ride on the river is the most-favored way for visitors to relax.
• Cycle along the Ten-Mile Gallery to visit a series of impressive tourist sites including the Big Banyan Tree, Moon Hill, and Assembling Dragon Cave
• The West Street with a history of over 1,400 years, aka the Foreigners’ Street, is filled with bars, restaurants, and cafes.

• A landmark in downtown Guilin and also a highlight of the Li River.
• It vividly looks like a giant elephant drinking water from the river, a wonder created by nature.
• At moonlit night, the semicircular Water Moon Cave between the elephant’s legs and trunk will form a bright moon together with its reflection on the water, which is very impressive.
• On the top of the hill stands the Puxian Pagoda in the shape of a bottle.

• One of the most famous karst caves in Guilin and even in China.
• Merely 5 km (3 mi) from the city center and can be easily accessed by public transport.
• Abundant in stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes, like lions, pagodas, forests and waterfalls.
• Walking in the colorful cave makes you feel like you are inside of a fairy crystal palace.

• About 80 km (50 mi) from Guilin.
• Vast rice terraces reveal the original rural scenery of Longsheng.
• Not only can you view the splendid natural scenes, but also have a glimpse of genuine folk life and culture of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups.
• The two most popular sites are the Ping’an Zhuang Village Terraced Fields and the Jinkeng Terraced Fields in Dazhai Village.

Hot Guilin Attractions

More Attractions in Guilin

• historical sites
• modern sites
• natural scenery
• religious sites
• Chuanshan Park
• Flying Tigers Heritage Park
• Ginkgo Forest of Haiyang Town
• Gudong Waterfall
• Half-Side Ferry
• Lingqu Canal
• Mao'er Mountain
• Merryland Resort
• Ox Gorge & Wangfu Rock
• Wave-Subduing Hill
• Xingping Town
• Yangdi Village
• Yao Mountain
• Yellow Cloth Shoal

A Classic Guilin Attractions Visiting Route for Reference

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Top 8 Things to Do in Guilin and The Finest Places to Visit

Guilin features some of the world's most spectacular karst landscapes. There are so many things to do and see in Yangshuo that cater to different travel styles, from enjoying a quiet cruise down the Li River to hiking or bicycling in the countryside. On your Guilin holiday, we've compiled a list of the top 8 things to do and see.

Guilin and the nearby cities of Yangshuo and Longsheng are known for their landscape and leisure activities, such as cruising the Li River, cycling through the countryside, and visiting minority settlements.

Cruise down the Li River

Relax aboard a cruise boat and take in the jade waters and bamboo-lined banks of the Li River, which meanders amidst towering karst peaks, to get a true flavor of old China.

It is indeed not a lie when it is said that this river is the stuff of dreams. The images you take as you sail down the river will be ones that people will want to see again and again. Although it may be the most expensive portion of your trip to Guilin , I believe it must be at the top of the list.

The Chinese travel from all across China to Guilin specifically to have their wedding photos taken in one of China's most picturesque locations. It's breathtaking how the hills dot the horizon and the engulfing natural greenery blends together.

Take some shots and make a memory that will last a lifetime. If you go with us, our guides will be pleased to take photos of you and your family.

The river is toured by cruise boats and motorized "bamboo" pipe rafts with seats and a canopy. The cruise lasts half a day, and the start time necessitates a one-night stay in Guilin . The raft rides on the most famous stretch of the Li River run approximately an hour, although the outboard motors are noisy.

Visit the Rice Terraces and the Villages of the Minorities.

Guilin's rice terraces, which wind around the hills in tiered bands, like huge chains or ribbons. Villages of ethnic minorities are also worth visiting.

There are two ways to acquire the best shots of the Longji rice terraces. You can visit in mid-May when the rice paddies are still wet and there is no fog, or in September/October when the rice paddies have turned a golden hue. The mountains are nice and clear at both of these times of year, so you won't have to worry about visibility. The greatest recommendation is to stay away from November to February because there is a chance of terrible weather!

We believe that an authentic travel experience entails connecting with the locals and learning about their cultures in addition to visiting the must-see sights. When visiting the rice terraces, we recommend stopping by a local ethnic family and listening to their stories while they prepare bamboo tube rice.

Near the tallest hill in South China, the Longji region is roughly 70 kilometers (40 miles) from Guilin. There are winding country roads as well as a freeway.

Discover And Explore The Reed Flute Cave

Yangshuo's scene is timeless, with grazing water buffalos, farmers working in their fields, and a couple of small towns with antique structures situated among green karst hills. Cycling through rice farms and peaceful villages is an option, as is rafting down the Yulong River in a bamboo raft.

If you are seeking for more things to do in Guilin, this is a must-see. The Reed Flute cave region is a 15-minute cab ride away and offers amazing views and a wonderful day out.

This cave system is accessible all year and is weather-protected. The best months to visit are April through October, as these are the hottest months of the year. The rest of your visit will be optimized as a result.

Travelers who do not prefer cycling can still enjoy the countryside because we offer alternative modes of transportation.

Because cycling vacations are weather-dependent, our tour arrangements and guides are adaptable. We can work with you to adjust your route so that you may take advantage of wet days and enjoy cycling when the weather is nice.

Get a taste of Yangshuo's nightlife on West Street.

With hundreds of restaurants, souvenir stores, disco clubs, and nightclubs, West Area is a very popular retail street.

During the day, this street is peaceful, with clothes stores and restaurants available to the public. It's a whole different story at night. When the evening arrives, a slew of clubs with live music and karaoke open their doors.

It's a busy area with Chinese and foreign tourists, as well as loud music at night, but if you want this type of entertainment, it's still a terrific atmosphere.

The River Night Show is worth watching.

The Impression of Third Sister Liu (Impression Liu Sanjie) is a stunning nighttime spectacle on the Li River that features colorful lights, music, and folk melodies.

It's a pretty excellent spectacle with roughly 600 performers that is mostly done against a natural stunning setting. Zhang Yimou, who also organized the spectacle for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, directed it.

The river night performance in Guilin is one of the lesser-known attractions in the city. Every night, up to 600 performers perform on the banks of the Li river in a massive performance. It is based on a Chinese legendary love story between two amazing singers. The event is masterfully organized to take advantage of the Li River's natural splendor, and the tunes reverberate across the hills.

You'll notice a pattern here: the best time to visit is between March and October. This is to reduce the chance of rain or fog interfering with your experience. There's basically no reason to visit Guilin in the winter.

Do not schedule your trip around the months of January and February because the performance does not generally run during those months.

Guilin Rice Noodles are delicious.

Rice noodles are Guilin's most popular local snack, and residents eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Rice noodles from Guilin are likely to be found within 100 meters of any town or city corner in this area.

With the help of your guide, you can also uncover the most genuine restaurants hidden in the backstreets.

Take a walk or a cruise among the city's lakes.

The water system of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes runs through the heart of Guilin, forming a continuous scenic river. The multicolored lighting makes the scene much more beautiful at night.

The two rivers and four lakes can be visited in two ways: one by walking around the lakes, and the other by taking a cruise boat.

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Guilin Tours

Private, Tailor-Made Guilin Tours — Expertly Created for You

Guilin's karst landscape and idyllic countryside are a picture of timeless beauty.Relax on a boat cruise down the Li River, meandering among jutting karst peaks. Cycle on an off-the-beaten-path country road, which most travelers don't know. See the rural scenery of grazing water buffalos, farmers working in their fields, and small villages with old buildings set among green karst hills.

Our Guilin tours will allow you have a true sense of classic rural China from the days when your great grandparents were but children.

1.We innovate and create uniquely delightful experiences.

Our tours are typically private and tailor-made. There is no big bus, no group of strangers, and no fixed itinerary. We create your own Guilin itinerary, tailored to your style of travel.

All our travel advisors and guides are locals. We know when the Li River has the finest reflections, where to see water buffalos, which seasons you will see locals working in their fields, and where you can find real traditional local families who have lived in their mountainous village for generations (not those staged for tourists). Create your own Guilin tour following local experts' suggestions

2. We help you connect with the locals.

We don't take you hurrying from one attraction to another. We believe an authentic travel experience that goes beyond visiting the must-see attractions. We enable you to genuinely connect with the people and their customs. We live in Guilin, and are highly connected with the locals.

When visiting the rice terraces, we could knock at the door of a local tribal family, like grandma Beidong's, and let her share with you her stories of cooking bamboo tube rice and making sticky rice beer.

3. We stand out among Guilin tour operators

We are travel specialists living in Guilin, who have been in the online travel business since 1998. Our knowledge of local China will make your trip go deeper and smoother, from being able to get around quicker, to showing you the best places to take photos of the Li River and helping you find the best Guilin rice noodles shop, which has been going over 20 years.

Our Guilin tour guides really look after you. They not only work hard for your tour, but also love to help you as a friend. They are happy to do anything possible to ensure you have an enjoyable trip, from helping to take photos, ordering your preferred dishes, suggesting good laundry services, to performing kung fu for your kids to keep them entertained. They love to stay overtime with you if you need them.

You may want a patient guide who attends to all your children's needs. We have guides like Mrs. Jenny Zeng, mother of a 15-year-old boy and married to an American, to accompany your family.

We don't sell you a Guilin tour with a fixed itinerary. We help you create your own experience. If you are not fond of hill walking, we could take an electric van up to some of the best view spots at the Longji Rice Terraces. If you wish to go to the off-the-beaten-path and take photos with a local fisherman, our travel advisors know where to find one.

But if you have limited time and want to experience the best of Guilin as much as possible we would love to recommend you book with Trippest (a child brand under China Highlights), they offer well-planned mini group (no more than 6 participants) day tours to Guilin with professional Guilin local tour guides and is of amazing value!

Based on our purpose of creating a real connection with the beauty of a destination, we have carefully crafted the following Guilin tours to explore all the highlights in and around Guilin. All our private Guilin tours are flexible and can be customized to suit your budget and interests.

Best Guilin Tours for 2024/2025

All the following tours are private and can be customized. Don't like the Guilin city tour? Want to spend one more night in Yangshuo? Let's change it. We are here to tailor-make your unique experience.

• Hidden beauties of Guilin
• New activities in the countryside

Popular Guilin Tours

• Less-visited rice terraces trail
• Relaxing outdoor activities
• Classic Li River cruise
• City highlights
• Enjoy the cruise on the best available boat
• Cycling or walk around the Countryside
• Ancient town and fishing village
• Historical Ling Canal

Guilin Tours by Theme

• Hike on a less-travel path in Terraced Fields
• Explore the Li river on a kayak
• A professional coach leads the ride
• Biking along the picturesque Yulong River
• This tour is designed for shutterbugs
• The beautiful nature and idyllic life
• Designed for middle and high school students
• Participate in a variety of outdoor activities

Tours from Guilin

• Countryside cycling and bamboorafting
• Rice Terraces hiking and minority handicrafts making
• specially designed for photography lovers
• Attractions that only shutterbugs can find
• See the two grandest rivers in China
• Explore the most beautiful countryside

Enrich Your Guilin Tour with the Spotlight Experiences

Would like some memorable stories to tell about your Guilin tour? Enrich your days with our handpicked and exclusive experiences.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

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unbranded - Lifestyle

Stunning Guilin From Above: A Drone's Eye of Nature's Art

Posted: August 16, 2024 | Last updated: August 16, 2024

Experience the captivating beauty of Guilin with this breathtaking drone footage, showcasing its iconic karst mountains, serene rivers, and lush green rice terraces. Discover the natural splendor and unique landscapes of one of China's most picturesque regions from an incredible aerial perspective!

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Guilin strives to become world-class tourist city

The city of Guilin will take the lead in developing into a world-class tourist city and actively promote the quality and sustainable growth of its economy.

Li Chu, the mayor of Guilin, stated that Guilin will promote the construction and development plan for Guilin World-Class Tourist City, expediting significant initiatives such as the preservation and enhancement of the Lingqu Canal, hosting the Guilin Arts Festival, promoting and conserving new Guilin classics, and safeguarding the Lijiang River.

In the development of a modern industrial system, the government has fostered 24 nationally recognized specialized, elaborative, characteristic and emerging enterprises, promoted the vitalization of industries, rural areas, and science education, created pillar industries that are large in scale and have strong driving forces, and strengthened clusters for distinctive fruits, vegetables, and other industries.

Li mentioned that Guilin will continue to emphasize the recovery and expansion of consumption, conducting events such as the Lijiang River Shopping Festival to boost cultural and tourism consumption. The city will focus on key areas such as transportation, water conservancy, and wind power, and speed up the construction of 13 expressways, including the Guilin-Zhongshan Expressway.

In addition, the city will vigorously attract investment and become a hub for industrial transfers, facilitating the operation of a domestic and international dual-cycle market for Guangxi, while also providing significant support for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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20 Things to Know Before Visiting Guilin | Guilin Travel Tips

To help you know more about Guilin travel , the following 20 most commonly asked questions are provided for your Guilin Tour planning. Each selected question from Tripadvisor is briefly answered by our professional travel consultant, which includes Guilin location,  transportation, weather, food, attractions, accommodation, ect. For more detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Guilin Travel Tips

• Transportation
• Best Time to Visit
• Attractions
• Li River Cruise
• Ticket & Fee
• Accommodation
• How to Plan
• Guilin Tour

Q1: Where is Guilin?

Guilin is located in the southwest of China , Guangxi Province, about 460km to Hong Kong and 390km to Guangzhou (East longitude 109°45''-104°40'', north latitude 24°18''-25°41''). It has 5 districts (Xiufeng, Xiangshan, Qixing, Diecai, Yanshan) and 12 counties, namely, Lingchuan, Xingan, Quanzhou, Lingui, Yangshuo, Pingle, Lipu, Longsheng, Yongfu, Gongcheng, Ziyuan and Guanyang, covering 27 809 square kilometer. >>Learn More about Guilin Maps

Q2: How to get to Guilin?

Known as one of the top scenic cities in China, Guilin serves millions of tourists every year. Owning 3 major high speed bullet train stations ( Guilin Railway Station, Guilin West Railway Station, Guilin North Railway Station ), one internationalized airport ( Guilin Liangjiang International Airport ), and the expecting city metro to be bulit by 2022, Guilin is easily accessible from many other cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xian, Chengdu, etc, and other countries/regions, like Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, either by train or by air. >>Learn More about Guilin Transportation

Q3: How to get to Yangshuo from Guilin?

Guilin City is situated at the northeast part of Guangxi in Southern China, while Yangshuo County lies at the southeast part. Those two famous tourist sites are only about 65 kilometers away . Usually, it takes only about 1.5 hours to get to Yangshuo from Guilin by car . However, besides transferring by car, travelers can also get to Yangshuo/Guilin by the Li River Cruise , long-distance bus, high speed train, etc., and the Li River cruise is the most popular and enjoyable transportation choice. >>Learn More about Guilin Yangshuo Transfer

Q4: How to get to Longsheng from Guilin?

Longsheng (Longji Rice Terraces) is one of the hottest scenic areas in Guilin. Longji Area cannot be reached by train and flight , thus you need to arrive at Guilin first and then travel from Guilin to get there. Longji Rice Terraces is consisted of three main Terraced Fields. At present, Jinkeng Dazhai is the only scenic Terraced Field which can reached by the direct bus from Guilin . To get to the other two rice terraces areas, you may need transfer at Longsheng County. >>Leran More about Guilin Longsheng Transfer

Q5: How to get to Longsheng from Yangshuo?

Yangshuo and Longsheng (Longji Rice Terraces) are two hot tourist destinations in Guilin. Yangshuo is located about 80km (50 miles)'s driving distance southeast of Guilin. Longji Rice Terraces is located in Longsheng County, about 80km north of Guilin. The driving distance between Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terraces is about 145km, which takes about 4/5 hours to transfer between Yangshuo and Longji. Since Guilin is conveniently located at the middle of Yangshuo and Longsheng , travelers can also transfer at Guilin to shorten the long driving. >>Learn More about Yangshuo Longsheng Transfer

Q6: How's the weather in Guilin?

Located in the low latitude, Guilin is overall mild and humid all year round with four distinctive seasons : a long frost-free period, abundant sunshine, a long summer and a short winter. The average temperature for the year is about 19°C / 66°F . July and August are the hottest months with an average temperature of about 28°C, and January and February are the coldest. The average temperature is about 9°C / 48°F. The lowest temperature barely falls below 0 °C / 32°F. The annual average precipitation days are 166 days, and the longest continuous precipitation days are 30 days. The annual average rainfall is 1887.6 mm, and the annual average relative humidity is 76%. >> Learn More about Guilin Weather & Seasons

Q7: When is the best time to visit Guilin?

Spring and Autumn can be the most recommended seasons travelling Guilin with both warm sunshine and gentle breeze; while travel in Summer and Winter, you may meet with rainy days or chilly wind. In terms of weather and seasonal condition, the best time to visit is from April to October . However, try to avoid Chinese holidays such as the Chinese National Day (the beginning of October), the Labor’s Day (the beginning of May), and the Spring Festival (usually in Janurary), and it is necessary to check out the weather forecast when planning your Guilin tour. >>Learn More about Guilin Temperature

Q8: What to see in Guilin?

There are Top numerous attractions in Guilin and nearby counties, including Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and Fubo Hill in Guilin City; The Yulong River, Ten-Mile Gallery, Xianggong Mountain, West Street, Xingping Ancient Town, Silver Cave, the big Banyan Tree and Moon Hill in Yangshuo; Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng; Lingqu canal in Xingan; Huashan Rock Art in Zuojiang, Chongzuo; Wind and Rain Bridge in Chengyang, Liuzhou. >>Learn More about Guilin Attractions

Q9: What to do in Guilin?

Besides enjoying the stunning scenery in Guilin, you have a lot to do, including both indoor and outdoor activities: Hiking along Li River, Yulong River or Longji Rice Terraces; Having a leisure time enjoying the nightlife at West Street or watching Impression Sanjie Liu in Yangshuo; Biking or taking sightseeing busin Yangshuo countryside where you can see the big banyan tree and moon hill within the Ten-mile Gallery; Taking awesome photos at Xianggong mountain; Trying the Bamboo rafting along Li River or Yulong River; Getting to know Chinese culture by having Chinese Food Cooking Class, Calligraphy Class and Taichi Class. There are always more in Guilin for you to explore! >> Learn More about Guilin Featured-Activities

Q10: How to visit Li River?

The waterway distance of Li River is about 83km. To visit Li River, you can take a cruise ship along Li River. Considering about your travelling security and comfort. We recommend you the later one. Usually, it takes about 4.5 hours to finish one ride. The serving piers for the 3-star cruise ship are Boarding/Disembark pier: Guilin Mopanshan Dock and Longtoushan Dock, while the piers for 4-star cruise ship are Zhujiang Dock in Guilin and Shuidongmen Dock. Please note there is no direct bus commuting between Guilin city center and the Piers. For those independent travelers, you can only get to the pier by taxi, which may cost you about 100 RMB. If you book the cruise ticket from a travel agency or hotel agent, they will charge you ￥35/person as car fees and guide service fees. Usually the tourist bus will pick you up at your hotel. >> Learn More about Li River Cruise

Q11: When/Where can I take good photos in Guilin?

The best time for photography in Guilin is from March to October, during the early morning or late afternoon. It’s the time you can witness the essence of landscapes in Guilin, with golden rape flowers blooming along the biking route; yellow-tinted rice terraces fields lying on Longsheng; wavy Karst mountains and their reflections; rosy sunrise and marvelous sunset upon Li River; shimmering fishing lights in the mist of dawn. The top recommended photography locations are: Nine Horses Fresco Hill; Ten-Mile Gallery, Xianggong Mountain, Yellow Cloth Shoal (20 RMB note scene), Li River, Laozhai Hill, Zhuobi Peak, and Shutong Hill. >>Learn More about Guilin Photography Tour

Q12: How much is the entrance fee for attractions in Guilin?

The following is the entrance fee information of different Guilin attractions for your reference: 3-Star Li River Cruise - 215 RMB; 4-Star Li River Cruise - 360~480 RMB; Elephant Trunk Hill - 55 RMB; Reed Flute Cave - 100 RMB; Big Banyan Tree - 20 RMB; Moon Hill - 15 RMB; Longsheng Rice Terraces - 100 RMB, the ticket for cable car - 70 RMB (One Way) & 120 RMB (Round Trip); Huashan Rock Art - 82 RMB; Lingqu Canal - 55 RMB. Since the ticket price is always changing from time to time, please do not hesitate to contact us to get the updated information .

Q13: What do I need to pack for travelling Guilin?

Packing list thoughts for your reference: 1) Batteries and Phone; 2) Chargers, power packs and international adaptors; 3) Medicine: cold medicine, pain killer, etc; 4) Mosquito repellent (a must in summer); 5) Change of clothes; windproof/waterproof clothes; 6)Western sizes are very hard to find in Guilin; 7) Mini wash kit in a small zip-lock bag; 8)Fluids under 100ml; 9) Suncream; 10) Umbrella & Raincoat 11) Antibacterial hand gel and tissues; 12) Glasses & Contacts; 13) Cameras and Lens; 14) Footwear: Hiking shoes.

Q14: Can I travel Guilin without visa?

Regarded as a famous scenic city, Guilin has become the 9th 72-hour visa-free city in China since Jan 1st, 2013, which made itself an open door for visitors overseas to have the short trip in Guilin. Passengers can be exempted from visa if they transit from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport to a third country (region) within 72 hours on the basis of their valid international travel documents, the online tickets or related certificates in a third country/region with confirmed flight dates and seats for departure within 72 hours. >>Learn More about Guilin 72-Hour Visa Free Transit Exemption

Q15: What to eat in Guilin?

Located in the minority inhabited areas, Guilin has a lot unique local cuisines, and the people there is good at using pepper and vinegar, so some of the featured-dishes are usually spicy and sour. Among them, the most representative is the Guilin rice noodles which are known by nearly every household in China. For the winding Li River also nourishes numerous fish, there are fresh and yummy fish dishes, such as Steamed Li River Fish, Yangshuo Beer Fish , and Stuffed Li River Snails. Other dishes like Lipu Taro and Pork Loaf, Stir-Fried Beef With Bamboo Shoots, Gingko stewed with Old Duck, Chicken and Gecko Stew, Lotus Leaf Braised Duck are also recommended. Besides the main dishes, sweet Osmanthus cake and Oil Tea (You Cha) are the popular desserts serving the foodies wherever they are from!

Q16: What/Where to go shopping in Guilin?

Wandering at Guilin, you may encounter a lot stores selling various kinds of handicrafts, local specialties, trinkets, and snacks. The main shopping places are located near Zhongshan Rd (中山路) in Guilin and West Street (西街) in Yangshuo. Besides the two streets, you can also go to The Walking Street — Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Xichenglu Pedestrian Street (西城路步行街), Night Market — Xicheng Pedestrian Street. If you love art, Guilin Landscape Paintings, Painted Fans, and Zhuang Embroidery might be good choices. For the name of Guilin literally means "Forest of Osmanthus", you are also recommended to buy Osmanthus tea and sugar made from Guilin's fragrant Osmanthus flowers.

Q17: Where to stay in Guilin?

As a hot tourist city, Guilin is ready to offer you various great hotels with well-appointed rooms and superior service. According to the different destination in the itinerary in Guilin, there are many optional hotels in Guilin City, Yangshuo and Longsheng Terraced Fields Area . For the high-quality service, suitable location and reasonable price, these recommended hotels include the luxury Shangri-La Hotel in Guilin, the comfortable Yangshuo Village Retreat and the cozy Longji Star-Wish Resort and some other hotels from luxury class to economy class for your reference. >>Learn More about Guilin Accommodation

Q18: What’s the zip code in Guilin?

If you would like to write a postcard to your friends/family from Guilin. The followings are the zip codes in Guilin for you reference: 5 main districts in Guilin city (Xiufeng, Xiangshan, Qixing, Diecai, Yanshan) - 541000 ; Yangshuo - 541900; Longsheng - 541700; Lingchuan - 541200; Xingan - 541300; Quanzhou - 541500; Lingui - 541100; Pingle - 542400; Lipu - 546600; Yongfu - 541800; Gongcheng - 542500; Ziyuan - 541400; Guanyang - 541600

Q19: How to plan my Guilin tour?

A combined tour of idyllic Guilin with the picturesque Yangshuo county and Longsheng county nearby is the most popular choice for tourists. You can either visit the attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill , Reed Flute Cave in Guilin City, and try the Li River Cruise there to Yangshuo where you can get to experience the bamboo rafting and biking tour, enjoying the stunning karst landscape such as the Moon Hill and taking pictures at Xianggong Mountains/Ten-Mile Gallery. If you are excited to explore more, Longji Rice Terraces is an amazing trekking spot. You will get to experience the tranquility of the heavenly fairyland in Guilin. Since Guilin has become the 72-hour visa-free city in China, it's even more convenient to get there. Based on your itinerary, budget and schedule, you could plan a Guilin & Yangshuo tour for about 2 days and a trekking tour at Longsheng about 1 day or longer to get a brief or full exploration in Guilin . To connect all the scenic spots you are interested in, please don't hesitate to contact us for professional advice.

Q20: Is there any recommended Guilin Tour?

As the high speed bullet train has started to operate from Hong Kong to Guilin, numerous travellers landed there choose to take a combined Hong Kong Guilin Tour . For travellers in other cities and overseas, we are also offering transferring and tailor-made service for every customers. The followings are the top-recommended travelling route and the most popular Guilin tours for your references.

Travel Guilin with China Discovery

If you have more questions about the Guilin travel, please feel free to contact us with your queries. Our experienced travel consultants are very glad to help you. Then you can pay more attention about the beautiful scenery along the way, without any trouble about the transportation, accommodation, dining, hiking routes, etc. All will be tailored according to your interests and needs. Just contact us and get your personal Guilin Tour now!

Useful Guilin Travel Guide Info

• Top Attractions in Guilin
• Top Attractions in Yangshuo
• Activities in Guilin
• Activities in Yangshuo
• Guilin Transportation
• Yangshuo Transportation
• Longsheng Transportation
• Guilin Maps
• Yangshuo Maps
• Longsheng Maps
• Weather in Guilin
• Weather in Yangshuo
• Weather in Longsheng
• Guilin Hotels
• Yangshuo Hotels
• Longsheng Hotels
• Longsheng FAQs & Tips
• Guilin Travel Guide
• Yangshuo Travel Guide
• Longsheng Travel Guide

Extending Readings for Guilin Travel Planning

• How to Plan a Guilin Tour
• Guilin 72-hour Visa-free
• From Guilin to Yangshuo
• Biking in Yangshuo
• Yangshuo Bamboo Rafting
• Where to Stay in Yangshuo
• All Guilin Travel Articles
• Popular Guilin Tour Packages

Recommended Tours

Top 3 city tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.

5 Days Best Guilin In-depth Vacation (Li River, Yangshuo & Longji Terraces)

Guilin / Longsheng / Guilin / Yangshuo

6 Days Guilin In-depth Photography Tour including Xianggong Mountain

Guilin / Longsheng / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin

21 Days In-depth China Discovery Tour with All Best Highlights

Beijing / Xian / Lhasa / Chengdu / Guilin / Yangshuo / Longsheng / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai / Suzhou / Shanghai

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Mayor to build Guilin into ideal tourist city

City to embrace innovation, sustainable development, links with bay area.

Guilin, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, will put more effort into innovation-driven and green development to build itself into a world-class tourist city, according to Mayor Li Chu.

He said the city will also concentrate on developing "new quality productive forces" and accelerate the building of a modern industrial system to pursue quality development.

Innovation is one of the most important driving forces for development, and the formation and development of new quality productive forces cannot be achieved without continuous technological innovation and scientific advancement, said Li, who is also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress.

Guilin has rich technological and education resources and is ranked in the first tier in terms of the number of universities, he said in an interview at the recently concluded annual sessions of the NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The city will focus more on technological innovation, put more efforts into achieving breakthroughs of core technologies in key industries, and promote the deep integration of enterprises, universities and research institutes, and government, he said.

As the city boasts unique water and mountain scenery, a good environment is one of the most important resources for Guilin, Li said.

The city has attached great importance to protecting the local environment by developing high-tech industries with less pollution and energy consumption, he said.

Bearing in mind that lush waters and green mountains are invaluable assets, the city will accelerate the application of green technology, and promote the development of new industries with high technology, good economic returns, and less energy consumption and pollution, he said.

Guilin will also build itself into an ideal place for investment by market entities at home and abroad, Li said.

As a hinterland linking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia, it only takes around three hours to travel from Guilin to Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Hong Kong.

Last year, the city introduced 96 projects from the Greater Bay Area with total investment exceeding 73 billion yuan ($10 billion), he said.

The city will make full use of its unique advantage as a window for opening-up and further open itself to domestic and international markets. It will also accelerate the building of a freight and waterway transportation project to make it more convenient to travel between the city and the Bay Area, he said.

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