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Guilin

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Guilin is a prefecture-level city located in northeast China. It sits within the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The city is positioned on the west bank of the Li River. It also borders Hunan province to the north. The name Guilin means "forest of sweet osmanthus." This name comes from the many fragrant trees in the region.

Txu-oclc-10552568-ng49-10
Txu-oclc-10552568-ng49-10

The city is famous for its beautiful scenery. Many people call it the loveliest place under heaven. The State Council of China named it a National Famous Historical and Cultural City.

The landscape is defined by karst topography. Karst is a type of terrain formed by the dissolving of rocks. In Guilin, these formations are made of Triassic period limestone and dolomite. This process creates unique shapes like hills and deep caves. The Li River flows 83 km from Guilin to Yangshuo. This river section is a concentrated example of karst terrain. It is known for its emerald water and limestone peaks.

Guilin (579528340)
Guilin (579528340)

Famous landmarks include Elephant Trunk Hill and the Sun and Moon Pagodas. You can also visit the Reed Flute Cave or Seven-star Cave.

Guilin has a history that spans thousands of years. The Baiyue people originally settled the region. A small settlement formed along the Li River in 314 BC. During the Qin dynasty, the first administration was established there. In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty established Shi'an County. This marked the early beginning of the city. In 507 AD, the town was renamed Guizhou. Later, in 1367, the name changed to Guilin Prefecture. The city served as a nexus between the central government and the southwest border. Canals were even built to transport food from the Yangtze plain to the southwest.

The city saw massive changes during the twentieth century. In 1921, Guilin was a headquarters for the Northern Expeditionary Army. During World War II, it became a vital military and cultural center. Many refugees moved to the city during this time. The population grew from 70,000 before the war to over 500,000 by 1944.

抗戰時期的桂林
抗戰時期的桂林

This period brought many intellectuals and artists to the area. Notable figures included Guo Moruo and Xu Beihong. In 1950, the provincial capital of Guangxi moved to Nanning. In 1981, the State Council prioritized Guilin for heritage and scenery protection.

Today, Guilin is a large and diverse urban center. It administers seventeen county-level divisions. These include 6 districts, 8 counties, 2 autonomous counties, and 1 county-level city. The 2020 census recorded a population of 4,931,137 inhabitants. The largest ethnic group is Han Chinese at 84.53 percent. The Yao and Zhuang groups also make up significant parts of the population.

The economy includes many different industries. Food processing is the most important sector. Other industries include electronics, engineering, and high technology. The city also relies heavily on tourism and services.

Transportation in Guilin is highly developed for travelers. You can reach the city via Liangjiang International Airport.

GuilinAirport
GuilinAirport

High-speed rail connects Guilin to major cities. The Guilin North station links the city to Changsha and Beijing.

Guilin North Railway Station (cropped)
Guilin North Railway Station (cropped)

Trains from Guangzhou can reach Guilin in just 2 or 3 hours. Within the city, you can ride in taxis or on buses. Guilin is a leader in using double-decker buses on major routes.

There are also plans to build a large metro system by 2040.

Local food is a major part of the Guilin experience. The cuisine mixes Cantonese and Zhuang styles. It often uses spices like chili. Guilin rice noodles are a famous breakfast staple.

Guilin mifan
Guilin mifan

Legend says they were created for Qin troops. There are also three local "treasures." These are Guilin chili sauce, Guilin Sanhua Jiu liquor, and pickled tofu.

Doufuru
Doufuru

Visitors can also enjoy local products like Shatian Pomelo and Lipu Taro. These flavors are a core part of the city's identity.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:伏波山.JPG
伏波山.JPG
File:抗戰時期的桂林.jpg
抗戰時期的桂林.jpg
File:Txu-oclc-10552568-ng49-10.jpg
Txu-oclc-10552568-ng49-10.jpg
File:Guilin (579528340).jpg
Guilin (579528340).jpg
File:桂林一院两馆北阙.jpg
桂林一院两馆北阙.jpg
File:GuilinAirport.jpg
GuilinAirport.jpg
File:Guilin North Railway Station (cropped).jpg
Guilin North Railway Station (cropped).jpg
File:(CHN-Guangxi) Guilin Bus 桂C11797D K99 2024-11-25.jpg
(CHN-Guangxi) Guilin Bus 桂C11797D K99...
File:Doufuru.JPG
Doufuru.JPG
File:Guilin mifan.jpg
Guilin mifan.jpg
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