Terraces
Stair-stepped paddies curving around the mountains like contour lines drawn by hand.
Longji Rice Terraces · Guilin
Palace of Natural Arts · Reed Flute Cave
Guilin4.51 hr 15 min15k saved
A floodlit limestone cavern of stalactites and mirror pools, named for the reeds at its mouth once cut into flutes.
It sits in Guilin, and rewards going slowly rather than ticking it off. Best year-round; weekday mornings (interior is illuminated, weather-independent).
Good to know
- Best time — Year-round; weekday mornings (interior is illuminated, weather-independent)
- Arrive early for the light
- Allow more time than you think
- Keep a few yuan in cash, just in case
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
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A hill shaped exactly like an elephant dipping its trunk into the river — Guilin's emblem, best caught reflected at golden hour.
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Pagoda
A bronze pagoda and a glazed-tile twin rising side by side from the lake, blazing gold against the dark after sunset.
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Old Street
A 1,400-year-old cobbled lane gone gloriously global — lanterns, live music, beer fish and backpackers from everywhere.
The Global Village Lane · Yangshuo West Street · Guilin