A travel writer's account of visiting Guilin, a city in China known for its dramatic mountain landscapes, centuries-old traditions, and winding rivers.
But after spending a few days in Guilin , we realised there's a completely different side to the country. It's a place defined by dramatic mountain landscapes , centuries-old traditions, winding rivers, and views that look like they've been lifted straight out of a painting.
Recently, we visited Guilin as part of a Trip.com trip following the company's Envision 2026 conference in Shanghai. While the conference focused on the future of travel, Guilin was a reminder of why people travel in the first place: to experience places that make you stop and stare.
From cruising past mountains featured on Chinese banknotes to watching a spectacular performance on the river itself, here are six places that made the trip unforgettable:As soon as you step through the entrance, you're immediately surrounded by a vast underground world filled with towering stalactites and stalagmites that have been forming over thousands of years. Known as the Palace of Natural Arts, it's not hard to see why.
The cave is massive, and part of the fun is spotting rock formations said to resemble everything from tigers and lions to Christmas trees. One of the most breathtaking sights in Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces stretch across the mountains in endless layers. Carved into the mountains by local Zhuang and Yao communities centuries ago, the terraces have become one of China's most iconic landscapes.
After taking a shuttle bus up the mountain, visitors can explore viewing platforms, wander through the terraces, or even dress up in traditional outfits for photos. It's the kind of place where every turn feels worthy of a postcard. This village is home to the Red Yao people, whose women are famous for having some of the longest hair in the world.
During a visit, you can watch cultural performances, learn about the traditions behind their famously long hair, and explore a small museum that explains the community's history. The journey takes you past towering karst mountains, fishing villages, and lush greenery that inspired countless traditional Chinese paintings. One of the highlights is spotting the landscape featured on China's 20 yuan banknote.
Most cruises include lunch onboard, making it easy to simply sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the country's most famous scenery. The adventure begins with a cable car ride up the mountain before leading visitors across glass skywalks, suspension bridges, and scenic walkways suspended high above the landscape. There are quite a few stairs involved, so comfortable shoes are a must.
But the effort is rewarded with stunning bird's-eye views of the karst landscape surrounding Yangshuo, one of Guilin's most scenic areas. There are also plenty of photo spots along the way, and even a place to grab an ice cream while taking in the scenery. Performed on the Li River itself with the surrounding mountains as its backdrop, Impression Liu Sanjie is unlike any theatre show you'll ever watch.
Around 600 performers take part in the production, combining music, dance, lights, and local culture in a spectacular open-air performance. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who also helmed the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, the show transforms the river and mountains into a giant stage.
For first-time visitors planning a China itinerary, having everything in one place can make navigating a destination as vast as China feel a lot less intimidating From river cruises and cultural performances to flights, hotels, and train tickets, many of these experiences can be booked through Trip.com, making it easier to plan a trip across different parts of China. Here’s A Complete A To Z List Of Every Country That Drives On The Same Side As MalaysiaMasterChef Contestant Who Said ‘Roti Kanai’ Apologises To Malaysians After Viral Backlash "Guys, I did a Malaysian coconut curry, rice without a rice cooker, a pickled salad, and roti from scratch in 6... Malaysians May Soon Be Able To Travel To Russia Visa-Free
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