Guilin & Yangshuo 桂林和阳朔

Population: 690,900
Guilin is located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China, Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. The city is rather compact when compared with other major tourist cities in the country. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboos to conifers together with crystal clear waters and wonderful caves make the city such an appealing destination. In the city, Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cat are the most popular sites.
It is also an important cultural city with a history of more than 2,000 years. The city has been the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
As a Chinese saying goes that Guilin has got the best view under the heaven, however, the best view of Guilin is in Yangshuo that is a county 60 km away south of Guilin. The imposing Karst River and endless rice paddies create the picturesque scenery among the country side houses. The best way to enjoy the view is to ride a bicycle on the off-path country road. Taste a home-cooked meal at local farmer’s house while viewing the Moon Hill, that is one of the best travel experiences here. On the bustle West Street of Yangshuo, there are various shops, restaurants and pubs, a wonderful place to kill your night time.