Guilin's Enchanting Escapes: 7 Unforgettable Neighborhoods Beyond the Li River!

Guilin, situated in Guangxi Province, is an enchanting city surrounded by the splendid sceneries of karst mountains and green grasses. It is the most famous tourist attraction in China; it is characterized by staggering cliffs that are carved along the Li River.

However, I need to point out that there is much more to Guilin than the Li River cruise, although they are worth seeing. Go for a walk around some of the lesser-known neighborhoods that are not so popular among tourists and you will discover that there is a different facet of this city – multicultural, multicolored, mouthwatering, and friendly.

1. Xiaopu Food Street

To experience the culture of the Chinese locals, check out Xiaopu Food Street; it’s right in the central business district. This is one of the most active areas that, once the darkness sets in, is filled with furious smells of barbecued meat on sticks, hot noodles, and fish. Sit down at one of the low tables and order Guilin noodles, rice tofu, cured pork, beer, or just about anything else you fancy. It is cheap, tasty, and at the same time makes you feel like you are in the midst of New York’s active dining scene.

2. Central Square

Guilin’s Central Square in the middle of downtown is another good place for a leisurely walk under tree-lined structures with beautiful edifices in the background. Built during the Ming Dynasty the Sun and Moon Twin Towers stand tall, and their image is as grand as it can get as it is reflected in the big pond adjacent to them. In the evening, the area of Central Square is filled with the life of regular people dancing, performing tai chi, singing, playing musical instruments and just having fun with friends against the background of the historical building.

3. South Bank Food Street

After crossing Fir Lake, a food lover will be delighted to find out that there’s yet another crowded dining area called South Bank Food Street. This is a specialty where rice noodles are served Guilin style and some stalls have been around for over 150 years. Apart from the famous noodle making, food vendors prepare all sorts of Chinese delicacies like the feared stinky tofu, crawfish, and much more; the bar and café allow for beautiful views of the lake.

4. Qixing Park

To enjoy the magnificent and calm city panorama with nature accessories like hills, bamboo forests, little streams, and pavilions, there is a much-loved local park called Qixing Park. Old people come here to make a few moves at chess or to practice beautiful Chinese calligraphy while tourists enjoy a quiet walk under osmanthus trees and through the orchids. The seven-star cave pagoda perched on Guilin’s lakes and rivers provides a spectacular view of the mountain in the background surrounded by mists.

5. Xianggong Mountain

Ascending to the north of the scenic area, there are forests and steep rocks of Xianggong Mountain which is reputed to be one of the most favorable places for hiking starting from the city's central area. Sweat your way through a perfect blend of city and countryside sceneries alongside historical writings, little-known caves, and calm mountainous communities. One of the farmhouses will offer you a cup of oolong tea to make friends with the locals and fuel you up as you head back to the urbanization.

6. Market Street

Right in the middle of Guilin is the crowded Market Street, or as some people may call it, ‘snack street’ due to the number of choices of things that one will find on the road that is exclusively for pedestrians. They begin selling everything from freshly extracted sugarcane juice to steamed buns, and duck necks to stinking tofu, ranging from morning till the evening. Look out for two such unique Guilin dishes namely rice noodles coated with powdered sugar and mien or scented sticky rice cakes!

7. Seven Star Park

Seven Star Park is one of the biggest Guilin attractions located at the crossing point of three rivers and occupies 120 hectares of land. It has lovely landscaping with lots of ups and downs accompanied by peaks, ponds, and pavilions, where there are beautiful temples, interesting museums, and even caged bears that may entertain the visitors. Travel by car to natural wonders such as Seven Star Cave and Stone Monkey Watching the Sea attractions. Indeed, this piece of land, surrounded by rivers, transforms into a perfect vantage point as Guilin comes alive under the twinkling night sky.

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