Guilin for foreigners

Guilin and the surrounding Guangxi region have a landscape unlike anywhere else in China: sharp limestone karst peaks rising out of flat river plains, mist hanging over the water at dawn, and rice terraces terraced into mountainsides for 600 years. Most travelers base themselves in Guilin city, then take a 4-5 hour Li River cruise to Yangshuo — the cruise is one of China’s classic journeys and the highlight of any Guangxi trip. The Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Rice Terraces, two hours north of Guilin, are worth a separate day; built by the Zhuang and Yao minorities in the 13th century, the terraces flood with water in May and turn gold in October. Guilin is also a jumping-off point for a side trip to the Reed Flute Cave, a 240-meter karst cave lit with colored lights since the Tang dynasty.