Guilin
As far as endorsements go, "number one under heaven" isn't bad. And no, it's not Dashan or Yao Ming selling Chinese microwaves, it's the considered judgment of centuries of Chinese culture regarding the "rivers and mountains" of Guilin. If you're at all familiar with classical Chinese landscape painting, you've seen the landscape around this Li River town and its downriver neighbor, Yangshuo: fantastic limestone formations towering above placid waters and green rice paddies.
Guilin is also number one on a lot of tour itineraries, and the town and surrounding countryside are often quite crowded. So, if you're hoping to experience the area's magnificent scenery as something other than a backdrop for giddy shutterbug tour groups, you might need to get out of town and into more remote countryside. On the other hand, if you don't mind a traditionally Chinese "hot and noisy" crowd, there are numerous boat tours down river to Yangshuo.
In Guilin itself you'll find ample accommodation and dining options; pleasant paths along the river or the city's twin lakes, Rong Hu and Shan Hu; grottoes in Fubo Shan (Wave Subduing Hill) adorned with ancient Buddhist carvings; the Ming-era Jinjiang Prince's Palace and a slew of other attractions, including the 800-year-old carved inscription on the karst peak Duxiu Feng (Solitary Beauty Peak), attributed to Guilin's original booster, governor Wan Zhengong: "Guilin's rivers and mountains are number one under heaven." Do believe the hype.
History
First settled in 314 BC, Guilin was a self-governed community until 111 BC. City establishment began during the Han Dynasty under the Emperor Wu (140 BC-87 BC).
From the 7th to 13th centuries under the Tang and Song Dynasties the city acted as buffer zone between the Chinese heartlands and the southwestern border regions. Successive rulers garrisoned armies in the area and developed a network of canals to facilitate the distribution of food and supplies to the area below the Yangzi River.
In subsequent years, Guilin's relative remoteness gave it a measure of autonomy in its role as capital of Guangxi. As China began to industrialize in the twentieth century, Guilin found economic success in the manufacture of chemicals, paper and agricultural equipment. In 1925 Chinese nationalist hero Sun Yatsen launched the "Northern Expedition" from Guilin; in subsequent years, the city became home to more than one million refugees as the Japanese advanced against Chinese troops. Tragically, Guilin was not safe from Japanese air power and was nearly leveled in a series of bombing raids.
Guilin was rebuilt following the Communist victory in 1949, albeit along bluntly utilitarian lines, resulting in a rather unattractive cityscape. Still, the city's many parks and bridges keep it beautiful, and recent decades have seen an increased interest in preservation and rehabilitation of traditional architecture—in 1981 China named Guilin as one of four cities (alongside Beijing, Hangzhou and Suzhou) whose cultural history, heritage and environment would be preserved and protected by the government.
Climate
The best time of year to be in Guilin is between April and October. The subtropical climate makes for rain and humidity year round; summers are generally the wettest and lushest. Summers are also usually quite hot (averaging 28 ˚C (83 ˚F)). Expect frequent afternoon showers. Winter brings moderate temperatures (8 ˚C (46 ˚F)) and rain. Towards the end of the spring, through summer and into early fall are when Guilin is at its greenest and when the Li River waters run their highest and clearest. Keep in mind when exploring the area that heavy rains can fall at any time, causing flash flooding and loosening soil, making things slippery and unstable.
Guilin is also number one on a lot of tour itineraries, and the town and surrounding countryside are often quite crowded. So, if you're hoping to experience the area's magnificent scenery as something other than a backdrop for giddy shutterbug tour groups, you might need to get out of town and into more remote countryside. On the other hand, if you don't mind a traditionally Chinese "hot and noisy" crowd, there are numerous boat tours down river to Yangshuo.
In Guilin itself you'll find ample accommodation and dining options; pleasant paths along the river or the city's twin lakes, Rong Hu and Shan Hu; grottoes in Fubo Shan (Wave Subduing Hill) adorned with ancient Buddhist carvings; the Ming-era Jinjiang Prince's Palace and a slew of other attractions, including the 800-year-old carved inscription on the karst peak Duxiu Feng (Solitary Beauty Peak), attributed to Guilin's original booster, governor Wan Zhengong: "Guilin's rivers and mountains are number one under heaven." Do believe the hype.
History
First settled in 314 BC, Guilin was a self-governed community until 111 BC. City establishment began during the Han Dynasty under the Emperor Wu (140 BC-87 BC).
From the 7th to 13th centuries under the Tang and Song Dynasties the city acted as buffer zone between the Chinese heartlands and the southwestern border regions. Successive rulers garrisoned armies in the area and developed a network of canals to facilitate the distribution of food and supplies to the area below the Yangzi River.
In subsequent years, Guilin's relative remoteness gave it a measure of autonomy in its role as capital of Guangxi. As China began to industrialize in the twentieth century, Guilin found economic success in the manufacture of chemicals, paper and agricultural equipment. In 1925 Chinese nationalist hero Sun Yatsen launched the "Northern Expedition" from Guilin; in subsequent years, the city became home to more than one million refugees as the Japanese advanced against Chinese troops. Tragically, Guilin was not safe from Japanese air power and was nearly leveled in a series of bombing raids.
Guilin was rebuilt following the Communist victory in 1949, albeit along bluntly utilitarian lines, resulting in a rather unattractive cityscape. Still, the city's many parks and bridges keep it beautiful, and recent decades have seen an increased interest in preservation and rehabilitation of traditional architecture—in 1981 China named Guilin as one of four cities (alongside Beijing, Hangzhou and Suzhou) whose cultural history, heritage and environment would be preserved and protected by the government.
Climate
The best time of year to be in Guilin is between April and October. The subtropical climate makes for rain and humidity year round; summers are generally the wettest and lushest. Summers are also usually quite hot (averaging 28 ˚C (83 ˚F)). Expect frequent afternoon showers. Winter brings moderate temperatures (8 ˚C (46 ˚F)) and rain. Towards the end of the spring, through summer and into early fall are when Guilin is at its greenest and when the Li River waters run their highest and clearest. Keep in mind when exploring the area that heavy rains can fall at any time, causing flash flooding and loosening soil, making things slippery and unstable.
