Eight Different Destinations to Explore a Unique Guilin!

Preface: Eight Must-Do Things in Guilin

As everyone knows, Guilin's landscapes are unparalleled under heaven. Every visitor to Guilin is captivated by its exquisite scenery. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, full of灵动 beauty. In the past, when coming to Guilin, people mostly went to Yangshuo, but over time, I realized I had overlooked the beauty right before me. Guilin is not just about landscapes; there are many different ways to enjoy it! If you come to Guilin, you must do these eight things: go boating and brew tea on the Four Lakes, stroll around Mulong Lake, experience New Year traditions at the Osmanthus Commune, pray at the Wangcheng Scenic Area, visit an exhibition at the foot of Diecai Mountain, try paragliding in Lingchuan, and finally go skiing at Tianhu Lake in Quanzhou. It will be an unforgettable trip.

1. Boating and Tea Brewing on the Four Lakes

Guilin's 'Two Rivers and Four Lakes' refers to the Li River, Taohua River, Mulong Lake, Gui Lake, Rong Lake, and Shan Lake. The ring water system is 7.33 kilometers long and is an important part of Guilin's scenic beauty.

The best way to visit the Two Rivers and Four Lakes is by cruise boat, paired with the trendy 'campfire tea brewing' to slowly enjoy the scenery on both sides—a double delight for body and soul.

Board at the Sun and Moon Bay Pier, and step onto a cruise boat full of festive New Year atmosphere. The red and lively vibe instantly sets the mood. Each table is laden with snacks and fruits, along with small red paper fans for photo opportunities.

In addition, there are limited-edition rabbit-themed pastries. As the boat slowly moves, the green mountains on both banks unfold like a painting. Wearing ancient costume and boating on the lake feels like crossing time, allowing communication with the ancients. How fortunate to live in Guilin!

During the hour-long journey, you pass various famous Chinese and foreign bridges, elegant pagodas and pavilions that adorn the ancient landscape city. While sipping tea and chatting, you truly feel the splendor of Guilin's unparalleled landscapes.

2. Stroll Around Mulong Lake

Mulong Lake was built against the old city wall's East Gate, modeled on the Qingming Riverside Scroll and many Song Dynasty buildings, exuding ancient charm. The Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise passes by, but a quick glance can't capture its beauty—take a walk to appreciate it slowly.

It is said that Mulong Lake did not exist before; it was artificially created for the Two Rivers and Four Lakes ring water system. The Li River water flows into Guilin city from here. Although it is the smallest of the Four Lakes, its scenery is no less impressive.

The Mulong Pagoda in the lake is modeled after the Longhua Pagoda of the Song Dynasty in Shanghai. Surrounded by mountains and water, the pagoda is especially exquisite. Walking around the lake, you get different views from every angle.

Climb the 800-year-old ancient Song Dynasty city wall and quietly gaze at Mulong Lake flowing at its base, spring after spring. She is like a graceful and affectionate woman, endearing.

Mulong Lake is perfect for photo shoots in ancient costume. In the afternoon with few tourists, wander and stop; in unexpected corners, you'll encounter surprises and emotions.

3. Experience Special New Year Traditions

Osmanthus blooms in golden autumn, but its flowering period is short. However, in Guilin, there is a place related to osmanthus where you can see everything about it at any time—the Osmanthus Commune.

Inside the Osmanthus Culture Experience Hall, a visual, auditory, and olfactory feast presents the story of Guilin's osmanthus and depicts the scene of the city covered in blooming osmanthus.

In the 'Compendium of Materia Medica' and many ancient medical texts, the efficacy of osmanthus is recorded. Osmanthus can be used medicinally and in cooking. At the Osmanthus Commune, osmanthus is made into essential oils and other skincare products, which are very popular.

Osmanthus fragrance fills the world, and osmanthus gifts express true feelings. Various gift boxes like osmanthus wine, tea, and cakes are perfect for gifting, and they are available here.

With the Year of the Rabbit arriving, you can personally experience making osmanthus cakes. Knead osmanthus and flour into dough, press it into molds of different shapes, and you get cakes with the character '福' or cherry blossom shapes!

Finally, write the character '福' and cut rabbit-shaped paper cuttings, and the strong New Year flavor emerges. With the fragrance of osmanthus and the blessings of a prosperous new year, the Year of the Rabbit will surely go smoothly.

4. Pray at Wangcheng Scenic Area

Duxiu Peak · Wangcheng Scenic Area, centered on Duxiu Peak, is the birthplace of Guilin city. It encompasses three major historical and cultural systems of Guilin and is a typical representative of Guilin's history and culture.

Jingjiang Prince's Mansion is located at the foot of Duxiu Peak. It was home to 14 princes of the Jingjiang lineage across 11 generations over 280 years, making it the longest-lasting and best-preserved Ming Dynasty princely mansion.

The mansion covers an area of 18.7 hectares, with the Chengyun Gate, Chengyun Hall, bedchambers, ancestral temple on the left, altar on the right, pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls—everything complete. Red walls and yellow tiles, cloud-like steps and jade walls, magnificent and splendid.

Later, it was occupied by Kong Youde, Prince of Dingnan of the Qing Dynasty, and became the Dingnan Prince's Mansion. When peasant army leader Li Dingguo captured Guilin, Kong Youde set fire and committed suicide, turning most of the 250-year-old palace into scorched earth.

Here you can also experience the national intangible cultural heritage—Prince's Mansion Secret Rubbings. It is a color rubbing technique different from traditional rubbings, with profound cultural heritage. The production process is complex, and the materials and color matching are very particular.

Duxiu Peak is one of Guilin's landmarks, known as the 'Southern Pillar of Heaven' and historically called Guilin's first peak. The peak rises abruptly, as if cut by knives and axes, surrounded by mountains, standing alone like a king.

The cliffside carvings are scattered all over. Among them, the timeless line 'Guilin's landscapes are unparalleled under heaven' originates here. On a clear day, come to enjoy the beauty and reflect on history; it will surely evoke deep emotions...

5. Visit an Exhibition at the Foot of Diecai Mountain

When at Diecai Mountain, don't miss the 'Diecai Thousand Li River 3.0' exhibition. The original 'Thousand Li River' painting is now housed in the Palace Museum, the only surviving work of Northern Song painter Wang Ximeng, and the longest scroll of the Song Dynasty.

Created by Phoenix Digital Technology, the 'Thousand Li River 3.0' dynamic digital long scroll and interactive modules use digital multimedia, interactive experiences, and other digital technologies to present the aesthetic conception of the painting where one can walk, travel, gaze, and reside.

The colors and layers of 'Thousand Li River 3.0' echo the 'stacked colors' (Diecai) of Diecai Mountain. The 'rivers and mountains' of the painting also connect with Diecai Mountain's famous scenic spot 'Rivers and Mountains Meeting Hall'.

It uses real-time layered rendering core technology and a time-change system for dynamic digital scrolls, presenting the original painting's detailed brushwork in four themes: 'Walking, Traveling, Gazing, Residing'.

The figures and landscapes in the original painting come to life, allowing viewers to vividly experience the beauty and grandeur of China's mountains and rivers through the changing seasons.

The interaction between art and people also intertwines traditional cultural elements with contemporary design. Walking through it is a sensory feast of Eastern aesthetic conception.

This permanently settled digital art exhibition of 'Thousand Li River' injects more cultural connotation into Diecai Mountain and unlocks another way to visit it—an innovation and attempt.

6. Paragliding in Lingchuan

Can you paraglide in Guilin? Yes! In Dabu Village, not far from Dabu Ancient Town in Lingchuan County, there is a Zhanyi Aviation Flight Camp. The wind direction is stable and the view is wide, making it a paradise for paragliding enthusiasts.

On a clear day, just a short run and you can soar into the sky, enjoying the magnificent Guilin landscape. When we arrived in the afternoon, the wind was good, and an instructor was taking off from the mountaintop with a client.

I remember my last paragliding was in Nepal, and Guilin's unique landscape will definitely offer a different experience. The camp has two takeoff points: one at 200 meters and another at over 400 meters.

Instructors take off with clients from the 200-meter mountaintop and land after about 15 minutes. As sunset approached, the 200-meter height was no longer suitable, so they decided to take us to the 400-meter takeoff point.

After about a 20-minute drive, we reached the mountaintop, with the setting sun casting rays all around. Before takeoff, my companion was a bit nervous. The instructor put on the gliding gear and protective equipment, telling him to run and fly when the wind came.

The paragliding lasted about 20 minutes. From the mountaintop, we flew toward the sun. The feeling of free soaring was truly wonderful! Seeing Guilin's landscape from a different angle in the paraglider was like an ink-wash painting.

I always remember the last line from the movie 'Waiting for the Wind': 'If you want to fly, it's not enough to just charge forward. You have to stop, clear your mind, and just wait for the wind to come!' Isn't that something we must learn in this flashy world? Don't rush, calm your heart, and what you want will surely come.

7. Camping at Cangyu Wilderness

Travel doesn't always require long journeys over mountains. Bring a few friends and drive to camp—it's also a great choice. Come to Cangyu Wilderness to get close to nature and enjoy the fun of wild luxury camping.

After a tiring work week, you can experience a different life here on weekends. Cangyu Wilderness is not far from Guilin city but gathers many interesting things, interesting souls, and unique Guilin landscapes—also a great spot for photos.

To bring camping culture and outdoor life experience to modern urbanites, the campsite offers a canopy tent area, a DIY tent area, a team-building area, outdoor movies and campfires, a water sports dock, and a style camping area. All kinds of players can experience professional and exquisite camping at Cangyu Wilderness.

With the landscape as a backdrop, this is the best place to 'escape the city and relax the soul.' No off-road hiking needed; here you'll see another perspective of Guilin's landscape that you've never seen before.

You don't need to prepare a lot for camping. It's truly a 'bring your bag and stay' concept, and they provide food packages. You can barbecue yourself, chat with friends, drink, and have a great time.

Ultimately, camping is an attitude—stepping away from the noise and worries of modern urban life, living freely and easily, returning to nature to enjoy true happiness.

8. Skiing at Tianhu Lake, Quanzhou

You don't have to travel far to ski; Guilin has a fantastic ski resort! Quanzhou Tianhu Ski Resort is located in the Guilin Tianhu Eco-tourism Resort, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and dense forests. The scenery is beautiful, and you can truly become a snow elf and enjoy the joy of winter skiing!

The most convenient way to get to Quanzhou for skiing is by self-driving. It takes about three hours from downtown Guilin, and you can park directly at the ski resort's parking lot. It's recommended to go in the morning and come down before sunset. A full day is ample time.

Since I'm not a professional and didn't bring my own ski gear, our first task upon arrival was to rent ski suits and equipment in the lobby. The resort is equipped with many brand-new ski gear, from clothing to gloves and goggles—everything is available.

Ski boots come in single-board and double-board types. The staff are professional; when renting boots, they ask for detailed sizes and then give a size larger for easy wearing and removal.

Tianhu Ski Resort is Guilin's first high-altitude outdoor ski field, arguably the southernmost outdoor ski field in China. For ski enthusiasts, it's a treasure trove to ski without going to Northeast China; for southern skiing beginners, there are professional ski instructors to teach you hand-in-hand, meeting all our needs.

Watching the bustling crowd on the slopes—children and young people alike—they shuttle across the snow, performing various moves. Skiers, with their skis on, rush down the slope like flying, and the snow spray stirred up is thrilling. This is the correct way to open winter!