General Idea

Just as Xian, is a must when you travel to China, so is Guilin. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills, or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboo to conifers together with wonderful caves make Guilin such an attraction for tourists.

Located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China,as thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. Covering an area of just 565 square kilometers (218 square miles), the city is rather compact when compared with other leading cities in the country. However, situated within this area one may find green mountains, crystal clear waters, unique caves and beautiful stones.

Guilin is also an important cultural city with a history encompassing more than 2000 years. The city has been the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Solitary Beauty Peak is considered to be the oldest place of interest and has been so since the far off days of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The prosperity enjoyed by the city during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) is epitomized by the Tomb of Prince Jingjiang.

Guilin is a well-developed tourist center with convenient transportation, communication and accommodation facilities. You can enter Guilin by air, by train or by bus and get around on free buses. From luxury hotels to hostels, from splendid restaurants to local snacks, you are sure to find that your needs will be met beyond your expectations.

Geography and Climate

Geography: Guilin is located 109°E longitude and 24° N latitude in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a city with typical karst landform area. The Guilin Government covers an area of 4,195 square kilometers. It is in a basin surrounded by the Yuecheng Range, Ocean Hill, Jiaqiao Range and Tianping Hill. Guilin is located almost due west of Hong Kong and about 1 hour fight.

Population: Guilin is a compact community by scores of minority nationalities. The population from 28 ethic nationalities such as the Zhuang, Miao, Yao, and Dong accounts for 8.5% of the total population in Guilin.

Administrative Division: From the administrative perspective, Guilin can be divided into five city districts, ten counties and two autonomous counties

Climate Briefing
Guilin lies in a region with a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, with mild Winters and long, hot, and humid Summers. The monsoon season is long, lasting from March to August, and a pronounced dry season occurs in Autumn and Winter; the total annual rainfall is 1,920 millimeters. The weather is controlled by the tropical monsoon, which generates distinct seasons, pleasant temperatures and abundant rainfall. The native people describe the climate with this proverb "Scarcely snowing in winter, perennially flowers blossoming".
 
Weather character of the four seasons in Guilin
Spring in Guilin is pleasant with sufficient sunny days and plentiful rainfall. In the early spring, the temperature is still low and thick coats are necessary.
 
Summer days are hot and humid. The temperature may peak at 36 ℃ to 38 ℃ lasting about one to two weeks. There is usually a heavy haze by mid-morning.
 
Autumn is dry with cool and fine weather. This season is very comfortable with clear skies and colorful scenery; a good time for photography.
 
Winters are cold with an average temperature of 2 ℃. Cloudy days with morning mists on rivers and lakes and rainy days with a high wind-chill are common at his time, but are, surprisingly, another great time for artists in Guilin.
 
Climate Data Table for Guilin

History

 Early History
Over ten thousand years ago, according to the discovered relics of Baojiyan Cave in Guilin urban and Zengpiyan Cave, Zengpiyan People had entered the matriarchal society.
 Guilin History
Xia and Zhou Dynasties
During this period, there lived the Baiyue people.
 
Qin Dynasty
Qin Shi Huang (214BC) set Guilin, Xiangjun, Nanhai the three counties, which is the origin of City’s name "Guilin", but the territory if not today’s Guilin. The Guilin Jun at that time was at Bushan, which is the southwest part of today’s Guipin.
 
Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms
Yuan Ding six years (111BC), Shian County was set in here, belonging to Jingzhou Lingling County.
In Han Dynasty, it was under the Shian Principality
During the Three Kingdoms, Guilin first belong to Shu and than belonged to Wu
In 265 years, there set Shian Jun Shian County, and the county was just at today’s Guilin.
 
Sui and Tang Dyansty
During Sui and Tang Dynasties, Guilin was under the administration of Lingnan Guizhou Main office
In 521, Lijing renovated the city at the north part of Qingxiu Mountian. In 634, it changed name to Lingui County.
 
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Song Dynasty and Yuan Dyansty
During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, it first subordinated to Chu and than to South Han.
During Song Dynasty, it firstly belonged to Guangnan West Road Guizhou, then belong to Jinjiang Mansion.
In Yuan Dynasty, Guilin belonged to Guangxi Province.
 
Ming and Qing Dynasty
During Ming and Qing Dynasty, Guilin all subordinated to Guilin Mansion.
The Republic of China
In 1911, Guilin was the capital of Guangxi.
In 1914, Guilin was renamed Guilin County.
In 1940, Guilin City was set.
From Nov., 1944 to Sep. 28, 1945, Guilin was occupied by Japan. Later, it belong to Guangxi Province and had been the provincial capital of Guangxi.
 
People’s Republic of China
On November 22, 1949, Guilin was liberated.
In 1958, it was renamed Guilin of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, administrated Guilin city and suburban.
On July 1, 1981 and October 8, 1983, Yangshuo, Guilin Lingui was placed under the jurisdiction of Guilin.
On February 3, 1990, Gongcheng County was established to be Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County.
On January 18, 2013, revocation of Lingui County, Guilin Lingui District was set up

Places of Interest

Li River

Reed Flute Cave

Elephant Trunk Hill

Longsheng Longji Rice Terraces