Guilin (Forest of sweet Osmanthus) sits on the west bank of the Li River.

Founded in 314 BC, the place became a gateway to the south after the Qin conquest of the Baiyue and it maintained its strategic position under all successive dynasties.

In the Tang and Song period Guilin was a major garrison for the imperial armies that protected the southern border.
Later the city became a center for the Lingnan Culture.

Today Guilin is one of China's top tourist destinations, mainly because it is the main gateway for the famous Li River Cruise.
But the city and its surroundings have also much on offer like the Sun and Moon pagodas, the Jingjiang Palace from the Ming period,  the intricate karstformation of Elephant Trunk Hill,  the lovelySeven Star Park from the Song Dynasty with the nicely illuminated Longyin and Seven Star caves.

And don't miss the opportunity to try the local spicy cuisine.

We visited Guilin in May 2004.