That Year, a 10,000-Mile Road Trip Through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi: Viewing the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi | Practical Self-Drive Travel Guide to Guilin, Guangxi | [June 2021]

A 10,000-mile road trip through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu: Viewing the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi | Practical Self-Drive Travel Guide to Guilin, Guangxi | [Guilin, Guangxi Chapter] [Stop 25] [June 1, 2021]

Guilin's Internet-famous Check-in Spot: The Legend of Zhuangyuan Bridge in Tianxin Village

Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven

Guilin's Internet-famous Check-in Spot: The Legend of Zhuangyuan Bridge in Tianxin Village

Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven: Elephant Trunk Hill

Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven: The Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas

Guilin Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall

Self-drive from Yangshuo, Guangxi, 70 km, 2 hours to Guilin, Guangxi, starting a 2-day tour of Guilin, Guangxi | Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven | Guilin East-West Alley | Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Hill | Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Trunk Hill | Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Shanhu Lake Scenery | Guilin's Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas | Guilin Jingjiang Prince's Mansion | Internet-famous Spot: The Legend of Guilin Zhuangyuan Bridge | Guilin Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall |

Departing from Qingdao by car on May 1, 2021, a 40-day journey covering 10,200 km through 6 provinces and 30 cities, successfully completing the 10,000-mile self-drive plan through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu.

Talking about this trip:

I drove from Yangshuo, Guangxi at 8:00 AM. The roads were smooth, accompanied by the stunning scenery of Guangxi. After driving 70 km in 2 hours, I arrived in Guilin, Guangxi at 10:00 AM.

Two-day itinerary in Guilin, Guangxi:

Day 1: Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven, Guilin East-West Alley, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Hill, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Shanhu Lake Scenery, Guilin's Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, Guilin Jingjiang Prince's Mansion

Day 2: Internet-famous spot: The Legend of Guilin Zhuangyuan Bridge in Tianxin Village, Guilin Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall

[About Attractions]

Admission tickets: Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area in Guilin, Guangxi: Adult ticket 50 RMB per person (10 RMB cheaper if booked on Ctrip), parking 10 RMB. There are many tourist attractions in Guilin, most of which are free of charge.

[About Accommodation]

Accommodation in Guilin, Guangxi: Booked on Ctrip: Home Inn · neo (Guilin Railway Station Branch), standard room 110 RMB including breakfast for two (clean and tidy room, good breakfast).

[About Dining]

Dining: During the self-drive trip, we experienced local cuisines, various noodles, and recommendations from certain websites, each with its own merits! Since some attractions are far apart, you can bring your own drinks and snacks. After parking at night, have some drinks and enjoy local food, savoring the joy of life.

[Travel Equipment Preparation]

Travel photography equipment brought:

Canon 60D kit (18-135mm IS)

For a travel enthusiast, Guilin, Guangxi is a must-visit. If you are tired of crowded scenic spots and dense shops, and want to find a place to relax your mind and soul, the secret land of Guilin, Guangxi is worth considering.

Travel needs no reason, because the scenery is there!

Travel is a practice of the soul.

Another meaning of travel: to discover beauty in places where others have grown tired!

The winding road always attracts you to the distant horizon.

After retirement, travel has become an important part of my life, a habit. If I don't go out for a while, it feels like something is missing, my heart itches as if grass is growing, I can't sleep well, and food doesn't taste good. Strange, but once I go out, everything is fine. During the journey, climbing mountains, crossing rivers, visiting ancient villages, and paying homage to red classics fills me with joy and makes me feel the majesty and beauty of our motherland.

Guilin, Guangxi:

Guilin is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, at the southern end of the "Xiangxi Corridor." Since ancient times, it has been renowned as "the finest scenery under heaven," famous for its landscapes, people, customs, and leisurely lifestyle. Guilin is beautiful, with landscapes represented by the Li River scenery and karst landforms. The mountains rise abruptly from the ground in various shapes, and the waters of the Li River are winding and crystal clear. In addition, Guilin has unique folk customs and cultures of more than ten ethnic minorities, including Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong, adding even more charm to this land.

Learn some history of Guilin, Guangxi:

Guilin has a long history. According to artifacts found in the Baojiyan and Zengpiyan caves in the urban area, it is verified that the Zengpiyan people had entered the matriarchal clan society stage, dating back about 10,000 years.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was changed to Shian Marquisate.

In the fourth year of Wude of the Tang Dynasty (621 AD), Li Jing built the city at the south of Duxiu Peak.

In the Song Dynasty, it was first part of Guizhou in Guangnan West Circuit, later part of Jingjiang Prefecture.

In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was part of Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Province.

During the Republic of China, it was part of Guangxi Province.

Guilin was liberated on November 22, 1949, and became a city under Guangxi Province. In 1958, it was renamed Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

As a native of Qingdao, a coastal city, I may have seen the beauty of the sea for too long, and its appeal is no longer as strong. I always yearn for the various scenes of Guilin, Guangxi. I long for its long history, beautiful scenery, and unforgettable cuisine, which constantly stirs and attracts me. The fantastic imagination of crossing time and space drives me to embark on this mysterious journey.

Route map of the 10,000-mile self-drive trip through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu:

Departing from Qingdao on May 1, 2021: Yueyang, Hunan; Changsha, Hunan; Shaoshan, Hunan; Hengyang, Hunan; Yongzhou, Hunan; Loudi, Hunan; Shaoyang, Hunan; Huaihua, Hunan; Zhangjiajie, Hunan; Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan; Jishou, Hunan; Tongren, Guizhou; Zunyi, Guizhou; Anshun, Guizhou; Guiyang, Guizhou; Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou; Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou; Hechi, Guangxi; Baise, Guangxi; Chongzuo, Guangxi; Nanning, Guangxi; Guigang, Guangxi; Laibin, Guangxi; Liuzhou, Guangxi; Yangshuo, Guangxi; Guilin, Guangxi; Xianning, Hubei; Huanggang, Hubei; Xuancheng, Anhui; Wuhu, Anhui; Hefei, Anhui; Chuzhou, Anhui; Nanjing, Jiangsu; Yangzhou, Jiangsu; Qingdao.

Self-drive travel cost budget:

Based on my travel experience, for long-distance self-drive trips, as long as you don't make purchases, stay in budget hotels or farmhouses, don't splurge on meals, and reduce scenic spot fees, a couple can cover expenses with about 400 RMB per day.

Trip summary: [Guilin, Guangxi]

Time: June 1 to June 2, 2021, 2 days

People: A couple

Method: Independent travel

Transportation: Self-driving car

Cost: 400 RMB per person (including gas, tolls, accommodation, meals, tickets, etc.)

A pleasant trip:

For Guilin, Guangxi, I had previously passed by hastily due to time constraints. This time, the 25th stop of the 10,000-mile self-drive trip through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi was arranged in Guilin, Guangxi. Driving from Yangshuo, Guangxi to Guilin, Guangxi, the beautiful scenery along the way and the bits of Guangxi's charm intoxicated me. Thus began my Guilin, Guangxi journey.

This is a perfect place for couples to travel, wandering together, experiencing the magnificent and dynamic landscapes created by nature. Enjoy the rolling hills, lush green forests, savor the cuisine of Guilin, and at night, walk along the Li River in Guilin, taking in the full view of Guilin's scenery.

I. Origin of Guilin, Guangxi

Regarding Guilin, Guangxi, after the Spring Festival this year, I made a travel plan for a 10,000-mile self-drive trip through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. In May, during the most beautiful season of Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, a couple traveled south to see the beautiful scenery of Guilin, Guangxi. Breathe the air of Guilin, taste the cuisine of Guilin, and release our passions.

II. Departure Preparation

With no worries to hold us back, we embarked on a trip at a moment's notice. For travel, we prepared all necessary items, checked the weather at the destination, and made a list of required items.

III. Itinerary for the 10,000-mile self-drive trip through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu: Guilin, Guangxi

Day 1: Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven, Guilin East-West Alley, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Hill, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Shanhu Lake Scenery, Guilin's Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, Guilin Jingjiang Prince's Mansion

Day 2: The Legend of Guilin Zhuangyuan Bridge in Tianxin Village, Guilin Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall

I. Driving route [Yangshuo, Guangxi to Guilin, Guangxi]

Departure from Yangshuo, Guangxi on June 1, 2021 at 8:00 AM - Arrival in Guilin, Guangxi on June 1, 2021 at 10:00 AM, distance 70 km, driving time 2 hours.

I am a free-spirited travel enthusiast and photography lover. I usually take landscape photos and like to visit various places in my spare time to capture the stunning scenery and local customs. As a photography lover, I never miss any beautiful people or things along the way. I believe those moments captured will form all my memories. To see more of my photography and travelogues, follow me on Ctrip: Leyapa Travel Guide.

If you have any travel questions, feel free to leave me a message.

Essence of Guilin, Guangxi: Stop 25 of the 10,000-mile self-drive trip through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu:

When you lower your head, you realize the road beneath your feet. There are no wings in the sky, but birds have flown.

Self-drive route from Yangshuo, Guangxi: Depart from Yangshuo, Guangxi to Guilin, Guangxi (70 km, 2 hours).

My Guilin, Guangxi tour route:

Day 1: Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven

Guilin is a prefecture-level city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a world-famous tourist city, one of China's first National Historical and Cultural Cities, and an excellent tourist city in China. Its landscapes are world-renowned, and for centuries it has been known as "the finest scenery under heaven."

Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven: Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenery

(Twelve images of Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenery)

Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven: Li Zongren's Official Residence (Two images)

Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven: Guilin Street View (One image)

Day 1: Guilin East-West Alley (Free admission)

Guilin East-West Alley is positioned as Guilin's first multi-functional three-dimensional commercial city, a comprehensive commercial block integrating tourism, folk customs, culture, shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment.

East-West Alley is the only remaining historical street from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Guilin, with pleasant spatial scale, and is a viewing area of Guilin's ancient historical features, including traditional streets such as Zhengyang East Alley, Jiangnan Alley, and Lanjing Alley.

East-West Alley reflects Guilin's historical context and aims to create the most distinctive historical and cultural block in Guilin.

As an important part of Guilin's historical and cultural city, East-West Alley Historical and Cultural Commercial Street is based on traditional residence, traditional commerce, cultural experience, and leisure tourism.

East-West Alley integrates scenic spot tours, featuring "market streets and alleys, celebrity mansions" while also reflecting the multicultural composite historical area in line with the development of the times.

(Twenty images of East-West Alley Historical and Cultural Commercial Street, including one showing "East-West Alley Self-Service Dinner")

Day 1: Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Hill (Ticket required)

Elephant Hill, also known as Elephant Trunk Hill, is located where the Taohua River joins the Li River. Elephant Trunk Hill has been a tourist attraction since the Tang Dynasty, with nearly a thousand years of development and visitation history.

In 1986, the Elephant Hill Park Management Office was established. In 2001, Elephant Hill, Fubo Hill, and Diecai Hill were merged into the Elephant Hill Scenic Area Management Office. In 2007, after separation from the Riverside Scenic Area, the Elephant Hill Scenic Area Management Office continued.

In 2014, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area and the Elephant Hill Scenic Area, under the guidance of the parent companies Guilin Tourism Development Corporation and Guilin Tourism Co., Ltd., began preparing for 5A-level scenic area certification and decided to combine Elephant Hill, Diecai Hill, Fubo Hill, and Two Rivers and Four Lakes into the "Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Elephant Hill Scenic Area" for unified management, planning, and sales.

(Fifty images of Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Hill Scenic Area)

Day 1: Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Trunk Hill (Ticket required)

Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill, also known as Yi Hill or Chenshui Hill, is located at the confluence of the Li River and Taohua River, with an altitude of 200 meters, 50 meters above the river, 108 meters long, 100 meters wide, covering an area of 13,000 square meters. It consists of pure limestone deposited on the seabed 360 million years ago, shaped like a giant elephant extending its trunk to drink from the river, hence the name.

(Nine images of Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area)

Day 1: Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Shanhu Lake Scenery (Free admission)

Two Rivers and Four Lakes refers to the water system encircling Guilin city, consisting of the Li River and Taohua River, and four lakes: Shanhu, Ronghu, Guihu, and Mulong.

The misty rivers and lakes, with weeping willows on the banks, and the mountains and waters are breathtaking.

At night, the lights are brilliant, making it even more beautiful and indescribable.

Walking along, you can see 28 exquisite bridges of various sizes and 100 classic landscapes.

The Two Rivers and Four Lakes water system is the soul of Guilin's urban area. The silky rivers and jade-like lakes give Chinese and foreign visitors the feeling of sailing on blue waves and traveling in a painting.

With its unique advantages, Two Rivers and Four Lakes has become the main calling card of Guilin's urban area: China Human Settlements Environment Example Award, National AAAA-level Scenic Area, and Guangxi Top Ten Scenic Areas.

(Three images of Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes and Shanhu Lake Scenery)

Day 1: Guilin's Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas (Free admission)

The Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, once destroyed by ancient war fires, were rebuilt in 2002 based on the Tang Dynasty pagoda foundations and ruins reconstructed in 2001. Located in the center of Guilin city, on Shanhu Island along the city's central axis, they are adjacent to "Elephant Mountain and Water Moon."

(Five images of Guilin's Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas)

Elephant Hill is the emblem of Guilin city, while the twin pagodas are the symbol of new Guilin. The Sun Pagoda, Moon Pagoda, along with Puxian Pagoda on Elephant Hill and Shoufo Pagoda on Pagoda Hill, echo and complement each other, known as the "Four Pagodas of Equal Beauty."

The Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas are touted as the world's first copper pagodas and are a night-viewing spot in Guilin tourism. The Sun Pagoda is 41 meters high with nine floors, entirely decorated with pure copper, using 350 tons of copper, and has an elevator for tourists.

All components of the copper pagoda, such as the pagoda base, tiles, upturned eaves, brackets, sparrow braces, doors, windows, columns, beams, ceilings, and floors, are decorated with copper murals. The entire copper pagoda has set three world records: the tallest copper pagoda, the tallest copper building, and the tallest pagoda in water.

The Moon Pagoda is 35 meters high with seven floors, made of glazed tiles. Each floor's carved and painted doors and windows have different themes, full of traditional Chinese charm. It is connected to the Sun Pagoda by an 18-meter underwater aquarium, and its underground palace features a large mural of blue-and-white plum vases from the Ming Dynasty in Guilin.

(Sixteen images of Guilin's Mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas)

Day 1: Guilin Jingjiang Prince's Mansion (Ticket required)

Jingjiang Prince City is located on the west bank of the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi. It was the palace of Zhu Shouqian, the Ming Dynasty prince of Jingjiang. Construction began in the fifth year of Hongwu (1372 AD) and was completed in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu (1392 AD). The outer walls of Jingjiang Prince City are the best-preserved Ming Dynasty city walls in China.

(Twenty images of Guilin Jingjiang Prince's Mansion)

Day 2: Internet-famous check-in spot: The Legend of Guilin Tianxin Village Zhuangyuan Bridge (Free admission)

Tianxin Village is located in the northeast of Sitang Township, Lingui District, backed by steep mountains, built in the late Ming Dynasty.

The northeast of the village borders the south of Guilin city, separated only by a mountain ridge. On this ridge, Zhu Ruodong, a native of Tianxin, built a stone road to Guilin for the convenience of villagers traveling to the city for study.

This stone road, which takes only 40 minutes to walk to Guilin, is still the main route for villagers to go to Guilin.

Standing at the start of the stone road, you seem to see the hardworking figures of Tianxin villagers studying in the past. It was because of this road that so many educated people emerged from Tianxin Village, leading to the miracle of "Nine Jinshi from one family, three Hanlin scholars from father and son."

(First three images of The Legend of Tianxin Village Zhuangyuan Bridge)

In recent years, due to its long cultural history and beautiful pastoral scenery, it has been highly praised by many photography enthusiasts. More and more tourists and photographers come here, making the once-obscure Tianxin Village famous.

(Following images of The Legend of Tianxin Village Zhuangyuan Bridge, multiple repetitions)

Zhuangyuan Bridge consists of two stone bridges, also discovered and recommended by photography enthusiasts in recent years, becoming a must-photograph spot for photographers in Guilin and a check-in spot for photography lovers.

(Many images of The Legend of Tianxin Village Zhuangyuan Bridge, multiple repetitions)

Day 2: Guilin Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall (Free admission)

The Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall is located at Jiaoshanpu, Caiwan Town, Quanzhou County, Guilin, Guangxi. The state has built a series of memorial facilities at Jiaoshanpu in Quanzhou County, where the Red Army fought, to comfort the souls of thousands of Red Army soldiers who died in this area.

The Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Park project was successfully completed on August 25, 2019.

On September 12, 2019, the burial ceremony of the remains of Red Army martyrs from the Xiangjiang Battle was held in Quanzhou County, Guilin, Guangxi.

On October 1, 2019, at 8:30 AM, nearly a thousand people from all walks of life in Quanzhou County gathered in the square in front of the Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Park to watch the live broadcast of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

(Eleven images of Guilin Red Army Long March Xiangjiang Battle Memorial Hall)