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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Asia
- China
- Guilin
Guilin
Guilin is a small city in southern China when compared to
bustling metropolises like Beijing or Shanghai, but it is one of
the country's most visited. It's name means 'forest of Sweet
Osmanthus' due to the large number of Osmanthus trees in the area.
The distinctive limestone karst hills provide a dramatic backdrop
for the city of 1.3 million people, making it a favourite
destination for avid photographers.
The hills were formed in tectonic shifts about 200 million years
ago, and limestone sediments thrust up from the sea to form the
unusual hills, caves, and stone forests which are so distinctive of
Guilin.
Guilin's two major lakes, Banyan Lake (Rong Hu) and Cedar Lake
(Shan Hu) offer scenic boat trips to view the hills, along with
pagodas, bridges and centuries-old banyan trees. They are connected
via waterway to other lakes in Guilin as well. Another popular boat
tour goes along the Li River to the town of Yangshuo.
Guilin is a tourist-oriented city, with all the amenities you'd
expect from one, including comprehensive public transport, local
and western restaurants, and overpriced souvenirs. The city is
popular with local tourists as well, in part because of the clean
air.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are
hundreds of local dialects.
Money
The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY). The Yuan
is divided into 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange
your leftover Yuan before returning home because this currency can
be exchanged only within China's borders. Travellers cheques,
preferably in US Dollars, and foreign cash can be exchanged in
cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed weekends. The larger
hotels and the special 'Friendship Stores' designed for foreigners
will accept most western currencies for purchases. Major credit
cards are accepted in the main cities at various establishments,
but outside the major cities acceptance is limited. ATMs are scarce
outside the main cities.
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