The fourth stop of the Chinese Renminbi banknote scenery tour is perhaps the iconic scenery in China – Guilin scenery. With the spectacular karst landscapes under heaven, crystal-clear rivers and majestic rice terraces, Guilin has more to offer. Follow CGTN to take a Li River cruise, enjoy an aerial view of the Li River meandering among karst hills and appreciate the must-see sights in Guilin. 

Reflection of Yellow Cloth Shoal 

Noted as one of the highlights in Li River cruise, the Reflection of Yellow Cloth Shoal, also known as Yuanbao Mountain, is located in the area of Xingping Ancient Town. There are seven hills standing along the river bank and the reflection of hills on the glassy surface of the river forms an impressive picture, making it a must-see view for travelers taking the cruise journey. 

In sunny days, the beautiful scene blurs the boundary of the river bank, so that visitors could view a yellow cloth hanging from the sky to the bottom of the river, and that's why it got the name of the "Reflection of Yellow Cloth Shoal."

This spot is also adopted as backside scenery of 20 RMB banknote due to its splendid views along the Li River. There is no doubt that Guilin has the perfect combination of mountains and waters, and its scenery has been the best representative of the Chinese landscape. A famous Chinese poet Han Yu (768-824) once praised that "The Li River winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins."

Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill 

Considered as the symbol of Guilin's scenery, Elephant Trunk Hill stands majestically in the downtown area of Guilin City at the junction of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. The hill got its name because it looks like a giant elephant dipping its trunk into the river.

On the cruise journey, visitors could take stunning photos of the Elephant Trunk Hill and listen to the legend of how an elephant turned into a hill there, and figure out the secrets hiding in the belly of this "elephant." 

These mysterious mountains along the Li River formed fantastic shapes and give travelers a feeling of peace and serenity. It is no surprise this part of China is the subject of countless paintings and postcards. 

Longji Rice Terraces

The Longji Rice Terraces, also known as Longsheng Rice Terraces, is the world's most incredible scenery, and it is one of the top attractions that you can't miss when traveling to Guilin. Covering several village areas in Longsheng County, the Longji Rice Terraces is a feast for the eyes. The most popular terraced field areas are around Ping'an Village (Peace Village) where Zhuang Minority people live.  

Today, this scenic spot is well-occupied with modern facilities including dining and accommodations where tourists could find it convenient to enjoy the ancient lifestyle of villagers there. 

Savor authentic Guilin's flavor 

Guilin rice noodles 

Beyond the must-visit tourist attractions, the authentic food would enrich your stay here. Guilin rice noodles, known in Chinese as "Guilin mifen," is the most popular and authentic local food in Guilin. 

With a history dating back to 2,000 years, Guilin rice noodles use the water from Li River and use rice grown in Guilin as raw materials, with the gravy, oil, fried peanuts, pickled beans, chopped scallion and thin slices of marinated meat added on top. 

This dish has long enjoyed high popularity among tourists from home and abroad. Meanwhile, CNN once ranked the Guilin rice noodles as one of the favorite recipes that can cure the homesickness of the Chinese people living overseas. The Chongshan Rice Noodles and Youyixuan Horse Meat Rice Noodles are the recommended noodle shops to taste the authentic Guilin rice noodles. 

Stuffed Li River Snails 

Stuffed Li River Snails, also called in Chinese as Yangshuo Niang Tianluo, is a traditional dish of Yangshuo. Snail shells are stuffed with minced pork and a small number of vegetables and mint and then cooked in a light sauce. This dish is popular for chili lovers as it is often a little spicy. 

In addition to its delicious taste, this dish also helps people to digest. When you travel to Guilin, this dish is a must-try as it would probably make your trip linger on your taste buds.

Travel information 

As the terminal of the 65 kilometer-long Li River cruise tour, Yangshuo is one hour away from Guilin. After visiting the Guilin City, travelers could head to Yangshuo to settle down, where you could explore local villages and enjoy the folk custom. 

With four distinct seasons and high humidity, Guilin is suitable for tourists to travel all year round. However, we recommend tourists to visit from April to October as during which time, the scenery is charming, and the weather is comfortable. 

Guilin is a city where visitors could slow down the travel pace and get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.