Sightseers
For the ultimate landscapes and beautiful nights, Guilin is perfect for sightseers with an eye for beautiful landscapes.

Adventurers
With attractions like the Crystal Palace of the Dragon King, the Returned Pearl Cave, Reed Flute Cave, and the Flower Bridge, adventurers have plenty of options to explore to their hearts' content.

By Taxi
Taxis are widely available and a great means of transportation in Guilin. Major public areas are the best place to look for a taxi, but they can also be found on the sides of major roads.

On Foot or By Bicycle
Guilin is a compact city, so it's easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle, including bicycle-hire shops and most hotels. Try to avoid handing over your passport, though.

Not only famous for its beautiful landscapes, Guilin's food is as varied and delicious as it is well known. Various influences have created a mingled diet of Cantonese and Hunanese dishes in Guilin. The cuisine is usually characterized by its sweetness and delicate use of spices and chili. Dishes not to miss include Guilin Rice Noodles (Mifen), Lipu Taro and Pork Loaf (Lipu Yutou Kourou), Yangshuo Beer Fish (Yangshou Pijiu Yu), and Oil Tea (You Cha).

Check out a few of these exciting restaurants:

Nightlife
Guilin has beautiful scenery, even at night. For a fun night on the town, head to the local bars and clubs; since foreigners have opened many of them it shouldn't be too hard to meet friends, both old and new.

For a more romantic evening, go for a walk along the water. With charming scenic spots and a great view of the city's distinct style, the lamplights' glittering reflection on the pristine water will enchant you.

Night markets are one of the main shopping attractions in Guilin, where bargaining is half the fun and the merchants expect it. Shop 'til you drop at stalls that sell everything from tea and delicious local fare to electronics. Fun items to look for in Guilin include paper umbrellas, painted fans, pottery and porcelain, and landscape paintings.

Make sure to check regulations and requirements for exporting souvenirs and other items out of China.

Chinese New Year & The Lantern Festival
Beginning of the year. Also known as the Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year, the Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. Estimated to have been going on for more than 4,000 years, the annual celebration binds the whole country together in a show of celebratory unity. The Lantern Festival officially ends the Chinese New Year, and is celebrated by lighting beautifully crafted and embellished lanterns that symbolize letting go of past selves and getting a new start in a new year.

Dragon Boat Festival
May. Crowds line the banks of the Lijang River every 3 years to watch the dragon boats race for first place. Full of color, drums, bells, dragon boat songs, and general noise, this prestigious event awards winners with traditional prizes of silver coins and a roasted pig.

Ziyuan Song Festival
July. Local residents gather by the local rivers to sing and light lanterns to set free on the water in honor of their ancestors and to keep disaster from falling on themselves. Especially beautiful at night, this festival also offers plenty of festivities to enjoy during the day, including dragon and lion dancing.

Foreigner Fascination
Don't be surprised if people stare at you. While foreigners are common in Guilin (and other big cities, like Beijing), many provincial tourists are likely to snap a picture of you (sometimes without asking).

Don't Sit on the Ground
Anything that touches the ground (your feet, for instance) is considered dirty. Don't put your feet on anything without removing your shoes first, and do not sit on the ground.

Scams and Overcharging
Unfortunately, scams aimed at tourists are particularly popular in Guilin's tourist-busy daily life. Be aware of locals trying to scam you (research popular scams before you leave so you can avoid getting sucked in). Overcharging is another unfortunate reality in Guilin; tourist sights charge steep fees and restaurants may overcharge. Be aware of this and look up the general prices of things before you leave to get an idea of how much you should be spending. Compare pricing and don't haggle until you're ready to buy. If the vendor isn't willing to match your price, walk away and they might follow you with better offers.

Public Toilets
While most nice hotels sport a more Western type of toilet, some public toilets (especially train station facilities and public toilets off the street) are the open kind, which means no stall doors and no privacy. Public toilets usually do not have toilet paper, so carry extra tissues with you (hand sanitizer might be a good idea, too). If you're not keen on trying something open and non-private, try to find a shopping mall or wait until you get back to your hotel.

Good to Know

Airport Name: 3-letter Code:	Guilin Liangjian International Airport KWL
Best Weather:	April - October
Best Values:	December - February
Currency:	Chinese Yuan, also known as the Renminbi (rmb)
Language:	Mandarin; locals speak the Guilin dialect
Time Zone:	Guilin is on China Standard Time, and does not follow Daylight Saving Time. Depending on the time of year, it is 13-14 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.
Proof of Citizenship:	Government legislation requires all people traveling via air to and from the United States and Canada to have a valid passport. For details on passports, visas, and health requirements, see Entry Requirements.
Tipping:	Tipping is generally not acceptable, and is even illegal in certain circumstances. The only places where tips are accepted are high-end hotels that cater to Western tourists and tours (where it is expected that you tip).
Dress:	Though the dress code is more relaxed in China than it is in other parts of Asia, it is still considered appropriate to wear modest, conservative clothes. Short sleeves and shorts in the warmer months are generally okay (but scream “tourist”), only as long as they are conservative. Aim for an overall “neat” or “smart” look, and plan accordingly for rain. For festivals, bright colors, especially red, are considered good luck, so bring plenty with you.