Guangxi Travel Guide

One of China's five autonomous regions, Guangxi Zhuangzu is located in the southern part of the country. It has an area of 240,100 square kilometers (92,700 square miles) and bordered by Yunnan Province to the west, Guizhou Province to the north, Hunan Province to the northeast, and Guangdong Province to the southeast. It is also bounded by Vietnam in the southwest and the Gulf of Tonkin in the south. It is the only border province (region) in China that has access to the sea and inland waterway transport. This is a region where many ethnic groups inhabit. People in the region are warm and friendly, and custom and habits show great versatility. It is a very popular destination for tourists from home and abroad.

Guangxi is a mountainous region. Rocky mountains make up more than two thirds of the region's total area, while the central part is covered with hills and plains. Many rivers cut valleys through the mountains. Most of these rivers form the tributary basin of the West River. Guangxi also boasts a vast land of forest. Good climate and geographical location enables Guangxi to have as many as over 8,000 tree species, including precious ones like Cathay silver fir.

The sub-tropical humid monsoon climate brings distinct dry and damp seasons. Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau extends into western part of Guangxi. Under the joint action of the sun radiation and atmospheric circulation, the climate here is characterized by having a short winter and long summer with the annual temperature averaging between 16 degrees Celsius (60.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and 23 degrees Celsius (73.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Guangxi's culture traditionally has had a close connection with the Cantonese. Cantonese culture and language followed the Xi River valley from Guangdong and is still predominate in the eastern half of Guangxi today. Outside of this area there is a huge variety of ethnicities and language groups represented.

Karst geomorphy (areas of irregular limestone formations in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns) is wide-spread in the region, creating numerous natural scenic spots that inspired such eulogies as 'Guilin, the most beautiful spot in the world' and 'Yangshuo, the best of Guilin'. Major tourist attractions are Guilin, the Li River, the West Hills in Guiping, Huashan, and the Silver Beach in Beihai.

Ethnic native minorities in Guangxi, such as the Zhuang and Dong, are also interesting for tourists. A visit to a minority village will help visitors see art, music, dances of various nationalities. The minorities have their own colorful festivals as they sing songs, hold dragon boat races, dance, or light firecrackers on these occasions. It is fascinating to watch or participate in these intriguing activities.

 Attractions
 Guilin: Liver River, Diecai Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Seven Star Park, Ling Canal, Tomb of Prince Jingjiang 
 Yangshuo: West Street, Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree, Green Lotus Peak, Schoolboy Hill 

 Recommended Guilin Tour Itineraries:
Guilin-Yangshuo Tour: 4 Days to Guilin Fubo Hill, Seven Star Park and take cruise down to Yangshuo 
Guilin Side Trip: 2-Day of Guilin - Longsheng - Sanjiang - Guilin
China Highlights Tour: 11-Day Small Group of Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin - Shanghai