29 Best Things To Do in Guilin, China
Got your chopsticks ready and wanderlust ignited? Good. Take my no-heeled, well-worn boots for a moment, and let me take you on a saunter through an enchanting theater of mist-shrouded hills and glistening waters.
Guilin, my intrepid explorers, is where we find ourselves today—a symphony of nature’s grandeur and mankind’s resilience, layered over by a thousand years of history yet defiantly vibrant. Discover a place where rivers aren’t just stretches of water, but craftsmen of geographic poems so stunning, the view could almost be a form of cheating.
You’re asking about things to do in Guilin? Why sugarcoat it—it’s impossible to pare down this city’s offerings to any numbered list, for the best “things to do in Guilin” aren’t merely things. They are experiences.
Stolen moments tasting rustic noodles while navigating narrow, buzzing streets faintly perfumed with osmanthus. Time warped visits to ancient villages or twilight explorations of karst landscapes that no Instagram filter could ever justly portray. So tighten your laces and loosen your expectations, because what lies before you is not just a journey, but an awakening.
Things to Do in Guilin, China
1. Illuminated Secrets of the Reed Flute Cave
Get lost in an ethereal world below ground where whimsical stalactites dance overhead and stalagmites reach up to meet them in one of Guilin’s most prized subterraneous landscapes. Nature’s untouched art gallery unveils itself in the Reed Flute Cave. Named for the verdant reeds flourishing outside, the caves are a Pandora’s box of marvels reflecting the vibrant tales of eons, a symphony played on stone.
Play your own game of shadow and light as you descend into the time-forged chamber. Visualize pensive sages or majestic dragons in the surreal formations, crystallized stories frozen in limestone for millennia. Set afoot in the Crystal Palace of the Dragon King, a grand cavern where colossal columns confer an air of solemnity, like grand old sentinels preserving time.
Embellished with luminescent colors unveiling twisted tapestry masterpieces, the cave appears to shimmer in silent hymns of the past. As you tread deeper, the sense of the modern world evaporates, replaced by an intimate encounter with raw, expressive earth artistry. Breathe in hues of gold, electric blue, and crimson revealed by strategic lighting, rendering visages of tranquil gardens or ferocious battles in the folds of these subterranean sculpted forms.
Ever wonder what it feels like to swallow ancient whispers and feel the epic poetry of geological evolution? A walk through the echoing corridors of this limestone marvel is your answer. The chilling drip of water, the echo of quiet footsteps, and the mesmerizing panorama encapsulated within the labyrinthine paths of this underground spectacle will echo within you long after you resurface to rejoin the ordinary world.
Address: 1 Ludi Rd, Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi, Cina, 541002
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2. Riding the Serpent’s Spine: The Yangshuo Lijiang River Experience
Picture this – beneath a sprawling, painter’s sky, you sway gently atop a bamboo raft, embarking upon a journey down the undulating serpent-like twists of the Lijiang River. Welcome to Yangshuo County, where mystery unfolds in shades of jade and emerald, graced by the ancient karst mountains playing reflections upon the water’s placid surface.
This isn’t a pit stop, a place to just snap a photo, and move on. No – the Yangshuo Lijiang River asks for surrender, immersion, a willing heart quickened by the spirit of adventure. It’s a call to explore that river valley that has witnessed epochs, narrating an ageless saga sculpted by wind and water.
From the moment that mystical veil of morning mist recedes to reveal gargantuan limestone pinnacles, time itself seems to slow down. A waltz with nature ensues, one that’s interspersed with ceaseless spectacles – water buffalo grazing by the riverbed, fishermen wading into the depths with their loyal cormorant companions, and the ever-changing dance of sunlight and shadow on the limestone facade.
Pull over to the nearby hamlets dotted along the river bend. Discreetly tucked away, they provide a taste of local life, where Guangxi traditions echo strongly and the simplistic charm takes you back, way back, undoing the city’s buzz.
Experience the Lijiang River, a touchstone of Guilin’s natural allure, not merely as a sight, but as a voyage through the heart of China’s primal beauty. It’s not just somewhere you visit. It engulfs, overwhelms, and enchants – an enchantment that’ll linger, long after you’ve stowed your luggage away.
Address: WG8G+PM5, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, 中国 541906
3. Unleashing the Serenity of Liquid Mirrors in Guilin
Let’s not beat around the bush — the Two Rivers & Four Lakes Scenic Area in Guilin is not a destination merely to be seen but a place to be tasted, breathed, and savored. It’s a melody played out on the strings of time, each note reverberating through the winding waters and whispering groves of laurel trees.
Imagine cruising along mirrored rivers and placid lakes under the luminous blanket of the moon, each ripple on the water’s surface etching a spectral dance of lights onto your retinas. With each disembodied bend in the river or undulation of the lakes, the night cloaks the region in a fresh, mystical aura yet unseen. It’s an immersive tapestry of sights and sounds, rendered almost mythical in the jade-green waters reflecting the silver bursts of fireworks and a million crimson lanterns.
But what truly sets this place apart is its untamed ability to stir up introspection. This throbbing water network, cradled by verdant hills and ancient bridges, is the lifeblood of Guilin, anchoring its identity, and intricately woven into its folklore. As you navigate these epicurean waterways, contemplate on this: You’re not just paddling upon centuries-old rivers, you’re floating across the pulse of an ancient civilization, witnessing a remarkable testimony of times both savage and sacred.
The Two Rivers & Four Lakes Scenic Area isn’t a mere spot on a map but an existential poem. A trip here isn’t just a visit; it’s a communion with the eternal, ageless rhythm of nature and history, making it an inescapable part of any thrilling Guilin itinerary.
Address: 2 Binjiang Rd, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541002
4. Ascend to Majesty: The Solitary Beauty Peak Prince City
The moment your foot steps onto the time-worn cobblestone of the Solitary Beauty Peak Prince City area, your senses tingle with a tangible weight of a millennia-old narrative waiting to be uncovered. The green mantle of the rugged karst peak reaches skyward, crowned by a single pavilion perched precariously at its zenith. It’s a marrow-deep whisper to a timeworn era when emperors and beggars both took their shuddering breath beneath the same big and open sky.
At the onset, the ascent itself poses as an unfolding story, engraved on stone steps eroded by generations of reverent soles. With every exhaled breath, a bit of modern existence is purged, replaced by a visceral recounting of history. Rare, fragrant orchids peek from crannies in the weathered stone, tiny sentinels guarding nature and relics alike.
Halfway up, the ambience alters, humbling reminders of history’s grandeur peer from the verdant tapestry around – a group of scholars once whispered poems in symphony with the wind here. Be prepared to digest not just the altitudinal climb, but a climb through layers of civilization.
On the summit, the pavilion’s threshold serves as a portal to the past. Stepping through, time rewinds, painting the cityscape in ancient hues – streets rambling along like verses from an antiquated ballad, buildings narrating tales of yore, waterways carrying forgotten whispers downstream.
Cresting the Solitary Beauty Peak Prince City area is akin to consuming a flavorful broth brewed from nature, architecture, and the enduring human spirit. It’s more than just another stop – expect to leave a piece of your heart among these timeless stones.
Address: Cina, Guangxi, Guilin, Xiufeng District, Donghua Rd, 王城1 邮政编码: 541001
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5. Unlock Your Inner Explorer at Seven Star Park
When illustrating Seven Star Park, think of an enchanting dreamscape etched out of water, stone, and greenery—a celestial haven on earth. It’s the grandeur of this painter’s palette that implores you to dismiss the mundane and immerse yourself in the richness the park has to offer.
There’s a silent poetry in the rippling waves of the River Xiaodong, reflecting the intermittent dance of sunlight on the water, while the stone-hushed wisdom of Putuo and Lunar Hill leaves you spellbound. The ethereal beauty of Seven Star Cave, illuminated by sporadic peeks of light, may feel like a metaphorical journey through Guilin’s complex history.
Each footstep in the park is a narrative, guiding you through a visual tapestry of unusual rock formations, verdant vistas, and camphor trees lifting their leafy heads to the heavens. Within this space, the harmony between humans and nature is not just a cliché, but a lived experience.
A whimsical emblem of this balance is the Guilin Zoo. Children radiate joy as they discover the synchrony between the animal kingdom and the landscape. This isn’t your typical zoo-visit—here, the crickets sing louder, and the roars echo deeper.
But perhaps the most heart-tugging spectacle in the park is the Flower Bridge—a vivid testament to enduring love and time. Smell the faint perfume of blooming flowers, hear the soft murmur of the river underneath, and you might grasp the essence of life itself.
In Seven Star Park, you’re not just exploring a landmark; you’re living the deeply embedded narrative of Guilin, etched into every stone and eternally flowing with every river. It’s not just an encounter—it’s a feeling, a timeless bond unfolding with every breath.
Address: 1 Qixing Rd, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi, Cina, 541010
6. Unmask the Mythical Majesty in The Ivory Fortress
Pack your sense of adventure as we envelop ourselves in the profound lore and spectacular vista offered by the emblematic Elephant Trunk Hill. This limestone monument, frozen in time, frames the confluence of the Taohua River and the Li River, like an ancient watercolour painting requesting your unraveled admiration.
Our amble takes us through a landscape that whispers and echoes the tales of an elephant who earned eternal rest in its jade-tinged waters, its trunk frozen in a perpetual thirst-quench. As the last of Apollo’s rays caress the undulating hills, your eyes will encounter the exquisite blend of the ruggedness of time-weathered rocks and softness of the setting sun’s glow, casting a mystical bronzed hue.
Closer to the terrestrial poetry, the Moon over Water Cave, encapsulates the serenity that the night sky lends to this unusual terrain. Mystifying, isn’t it? The paradox of seeing the moon reimagined in the day, against the backdrop of a sun-drenched sky! This cave-within-a-hill gifts you with the juxtaposition of celestial elements that, much like yin and yang, hold together the cosmic balance.
Undeniably, Elephant Trunk Hill is not simply a terrain; it’s a chorus of narratives singing the harmony of nature, myth, and man. A stroll here feels like sifting through thousand-year-old poetry, and with each step, the layers of rustic charm and folkloric flair unwrap themselves swiftly, crafting an enriching and immersive adventure for souls akin to nomads, poets, history aficionados.
So, as your itinerary for Guilin unfurls, engrave the curiosity-inspiring Elephant Trunk Hill on it and step closer to weaving your own verses in this eternal lore.
Address: 778V+Q8C, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541000
7. Enchantment Beyond the Horizon at Shiwai Taoyuan
As cherries of the breaking dawn spill their blush over an ethereal crown of hills, your senses awake amidst the orchestration of colors in Guilin’s divine wilderness, Shiwai Taoyuan. The name, a poetic whisper for ‘The Peach Garden far away from this World’, aptly captures the breathtaking scenery, a sensory feast where every fold of terrain unfurls another dramatic vista.
Weaves of emerald paddy fields ripple across the landscape in this rural-meets-writing-tableau spectacle. This verdant tapestry, punctuated by hand-hewn wooden edifices and adorned with water buffalo meticulously tilling the fertile canvas below, captures a glimpse into a time cradled in a simpler, rustic beauty.
A waft of sweet territorial nostalgia mingles in the air, the aromatic smoke clinging to every farmstead. You’re never merely observing Shiwai Taoyuan; you’re becoming a part of its languorous rhythm, breathing in its ancient lifelines etched into the terraced hills. Amidst the gushing streams and the whispering bamboo groves, folk tunes vibrate, tracing an audible path across time in their poignant recitals of tales both tragic and triumphant.
The labyrinthine mountain trails invite wanderers to discover the remnants of human imprints in an otherwise untouched haven; a calligraphy-adorned pavilion here, a weathered stone statue there, each fraught with unspeakable stories waiting to unfold. Resist not, for the shadows cast by quaint fishing junks on mirroring ponds and the faint echo of reverent temple gongs in distant valleys implore you to immerse further into Shiwai Taoyuan’s fascinating heritage. This is no conventional attraction; it’s where time stands still, a placid mirror reflecting the soul of Guilin itself.
Guided by the intoxicating allure of Shiwai Taoyuan, curiosity sows its seeds, a twinge of wanderlust blooms in the heart, setting you off on an unforgettable adventure in this living painting, etching indelible portraits of the treasured past.
Address: China, Guangxi, Guilin, Yangshuo County, 321国道白沙镇五里店 邮政编码: 541903
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8. Unravel the Mystical Splendors at Rongshanhu Scenic Area
Stray off the typical Guilin trail to stumble upon the intangible realm of Rongshanhu Scenic Area. A tapestry of history, culture, and nature woven in time. The landscape, an intelligent haiku penned by nature herself, whispers tales of centuries past while confounding you with its still, majestic beauty. This scenic retreat is a gem that seems unfazed by the passage of time—a visual symphony conducted by Mother Nature herself.
See how the jade-green lakes mirror an ever-changing sky, like colossal sheets of emerald-glass capturing the whim of every passing cloud. Marvel as you witness the sun fall lazily behind twin karst peaks, as though carefully choreographed by celestial hands. When night dances in, the region adopts an enchanting aura, as ancient architectural gems humbly light up to merge seamlessly into the twilight, birthing a blend of serene natural beauty and muted illumination.
But it’s not just about panoramas. Feast upon the delicious cuisine that is as gallant a storyteller as the landscape itself, retelling tales of culinary tradition that span generations. Stroll through the antique craft shops displaying the intricacies of local crafts that echo the identity and humor of the Guilin people.
Through every narrow alley, over each silent stone bridge, the Rongshanhu Scenic Area is a testament to millennia of cultivation carved into a hidden corner of this earth, an amazing intricacy spun between human and nature. Tear yourself away from the prosaic and venture into a space that flows seamlessly into the everyday, leaving any voyager with the sense of stumbling upon a clandestinely profound piece of the universe. The Rongshanhu Scenic Area is not just a place, but an experience—an ongoing tale of magic and mystery, waiting to be part of your travel recollections.
Address: 77GQ+2P9, Ronghu S Rd, Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi, 중국 541000
9. Unearth the Royal Majesty at Jingjiang Princes’ Palace
Welcome, oh intrepid explorer, to the hallowed and storied grounds of the illustrious Jingjiang Princes’ Palace. Let the paved pathways guide you through a chorus of stone-carved dragons, their silent stone roars echoing the imperial power of yesteryears.
This ethereal monument to China’s Ming Dynasty inspires not just awe but reflection. Time here seems to ripple with the charisma of past princes, their legacies etched deeper than the grooves in the time-worn cobblestones underfoot. As your fingers graze against the ancient architecture, feel the weight of six centuries resonate through your fingertips.
Each courtyard tells a tale, every corner a chapter in an unspoken story. The echoing hush of the awe-inspiring Solitary Beauty Peak reverberates through cedars older than some civilizations. As you ascend, surrender yourself to the spellbinding view of Guilin unfolding beneath you, a stunning mosaic where verdant foliage kiss the intricate ziggurats of urban Guilin.
The Jingjiang Princes’ Palace beckons not just admiration, but a contemplative introspection of city-life beyond the fast-paced hustle. This oasis amidst urbanity, doesn’t flaunt its opulence, but holds its regal past in dignified silence. It’s here that history untangles itself from the threads of reality, gifting snapshots of bygone eras framed against nature’s grandiose palette.
Come, drink in its majesty, engage your senses, savor the palpable pulse of history. Let your wanderlust guide you past the parchment-thin barriers of the temporal, to embrace the whispered wisdom of Guilin’s imperial heritage here. Because the eternal dance of past and present, they say, is best savored at the heart of the stage – and there’s no better amphitheater than the Jingjiang Princes’ Palace.
Address: China, Guangxi, Guilin, Xiufeng District, 中华路 邮政编码: 541001
10. Embrace the Surreal at Yuzi Paradise
Travel, in many ways, is a flirtation with the unexpected. The rare delights, the unexpected treasures that transform an ordinary trip into a journey of discovery. Yuzi Paradise, a sculptural surrealism hidden in the heart of Guangxi’s arresting landscapes, is one such treasure–a sanctuary where art mingles with nature to tell stories that defy the conventional and the mundane.
Carved from the lush verdant canvas of Guilin ten years ago, this monumental sculpture park stretches across a sprawling 132 hectares, making it seem less a creation, and more a crude eruption of human ingenuity through the underbelly of Mother Nature’s grand tapestry. The entire place breathes an air of enigma. Towering forms of steel and stone rise against the skyline, wisps of abstraction grounding the natural grandeur of the land in a tactile familiarity, breaking the monotony of daily realities.
Behind each sculpture, there is an echo of the artist’s passion. Over a hundred international artists have bled their time here. They’ve tasted the spiced air of the region, swallowed the inspiration, and breathed life into cold, hard materials to create silent storytellers of their experiences.
Challenge yourself to perceive each form from a different lens. With every blink, let your perception waver and shift, shape your understanding. This is no flat, two-dimensional gallery. This land opens itself, embracing the horizon, stretching the canvas of your imagination to a boundaryless infinity.
In Yuzi Paradise, art and nature coexist in a triumphant love affair; rejecting the commonplace, it cultivates a heartening sense of exploration, like a secret whispered in the heart of Guilin. This isn’t merely a stop within an itinerary, but potentially the journey of a lifetime, caught in a moment’s raw expression etched deep in the soul of the land.
Address: Chine, Guangxi, Guilin, Yanshan District, 026乡道大埠乡 邮政编码: 541006
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11. Uncover the Symphony of Nature at Darongshu Scenic Area
Step into the serene sphere of the Darongshu Scenic Area, and be prepared to have your senses marinated in its mystical charm. Here, your explorer’s pulse gives rhythm to the soft whispers of the wind, as it plays through the emerald curtains of the bamboo forest. A vibrant orchestra of bug-lined melodies and bird-song harmonies scores your journey, resonating through the echoing hills shimmering in the dawn’s dew-dusted light.
Beyond the bamboo whispers, ancient karst topography stirs your soul with its dramatic profile, oozing tales of Mother Earth’s history like hot wax. Hand-in-hand with these rugged cliffs, the waltzing Li River injects a mirror-like serenity into this surreal canvas – as alive and shifting as the faces of the curious fish hovering under its surface. Revel in the delightful antics of the farmers in rice hats, knee-deep in their aquatic nurseries, cultivating more than just sustenance, but bonds of community, woven by generations.
Hardly a person crosses this natural cathedral without feeling a renewed connection to existence’s intrinsic textures. The Darongshu Scenic Area satisfies the discerning palate – a feast for the soul eager to appreciate the enveloping symphony of life – both in its simple, raw truths and its grand, unyielding enigmas. As your footprints dimple the paths running besides the agricultural hamlets, the dazzling scenic beauty images are struck into your memory, forever embossing the mesmerizing score of Guilin’s real-life symphony.
This is more than a simple destination in Western China; it’s an encounter with the heart of the Earth that, once visited, leaves a pulsing echo in your veins, drawing you back to its harmony time and again.
Address: Cina, Guangxi, Guilin, Yangshuo County, 321国道桂阳公路 邮政编码: 541999
12. Unearthing Treasures Along Lijiang, the Pulse of Guilin
Our journey brings us to Lijiang, a proud, enigmatic tributary of the Pearl River, the aquatic thoroughfare coursing through Macau. This is not your ordinary waterway, but rather a silent narrative capturing the rhythm of Guilin, echoing the beat of centuries-old civilizations and shaping landscapes where nature appears to have stopped to paint a masterpiece.
A visit to Lijiang transcends the contours of conventional travel. It’s like attending an open-air gallery stretching for miles, presenting an ever-changing tableau of limestone towers reaching skyward, their reflections flung onto the river’s surface like shattered glass. The mist-draped scenery is punctuated by the distant outlines of cormorant fishermen, their bamboo rafts bobbing to a dance choreographed by the river herself.
Stand on the riverbank at sunrise when the universe is pastel-tinted, and the world feels like a myth in the making. The heart-throbbing energy of Lijiang seeps into your veins, unraveling a connection you hadn’t known was possible. This waterway is more than a geographical feature; it’s a testament to the resilience and complexity of life itself.
Strolling along, behold an intricate tapestry of life – from farmers nurturing their rice terraces, relentless under the sun, to the mystic local traditions, told with unabashed candor, pulsing through the riverside hamlets.
Lijiang is an unassuming adventure, a poetic journey rather than a single destination. It embodies the very essence of travel, the perpetual quest for the unknown, whispering tales on each bend of the river. Here, every ripple is an untold story, every rustle of leaves, a legend waiting to be lived.
Embedded in Lijiang’s allure is the timeless bond between the river and Guilin, one beyond words, demanding to be soaked in with open heart and eyes wide with wonder. Dig deeper, look closer, and let the river share her secrets.
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13. Delving Deeper into Lijiang Folk-custom Garden, Guilin’s Treasure Trove of Tradition
As a tide pool reveals its secret life at low tide, so does the Lijiang Folk-custom Garden with its labyrinthine lanes and ornate architecture. Within its sprawling complex on the outskirts of Guilin, this historic hotpot offers an extraordinary plunge into the spiraling depths of history, culture, and local lore that transcends the ordinary.
Navigate your way through centuries past, where winding cobblestone paths battle the relentless embrace of age and moss. Nestled in unexpected corners, discover urban sanctuaries of darkened wood and intricately decorated rooftops – a testament to the boundless creativity of the Naxi artisans of yore. Each bend, flicker of shadow, and creaking threshold is an immersive tableau of Guilin’s intertwined past beauty and present realities.
The lively gardens burst into a symphony of colors, whether it’s the cherry blossoms whispering in spring or fiery-red maples standing defiant in autumn. Amid these horticultural landscapes, cobbled paths weave their way towards quaint dwellings shrouded in age-old mystery and charm. The merging of human craft and natural splendor turns this folk-custom garden into an enchanting living, breathing album of Guilin’s might and spirit.
Every moment in the Lijiang Folk-custom Garden is a bridge into the vanished eras, a masterclass in Tujia and Miao culture, a sensation of textures only history can imbue, and a melody that only echoes in the folds of memory. Around every corner, history tiptoes in whispered narratives and cultural cadence that nudges you covertly, coaxing you to lean into its mystery a little more. Here’s your call to embark on this sensory journey – bring your appetite for the unconventional, the unknown, and the unutterably sublime.
Address: 250 Linjiang Rd, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541004
14. Unveil Mandarin Magic at Mulong Lake (West Gate)
Step into a canvas of impeccable beauty at Mulong Lake (West Gate). This gem of Guilin is like an ink painting sprung alive, where time weaves seamlessly with the lake, dispelling delineations between the modern city and the ancient civilization. Here in Guilin, famed for its karst scenery, the shimmering garnet waters of Mulong Lake echo the sharp crags, whispering timeless tales significant to the region.
The scenery sways in rhythmic harmony with the Guilin’s heartbeat. The lake’s surface mirrors the scene of inverted peaks, set like jade jewels into the copper-hued landscape. On the lake’s periphery, a silhouette of the archaic Song dynasty Wall frames the modern city beyond. The juxtaposition of the ancient fortification with the urban skyline is a melody of ink strokes against paper, a vivid composition of the old and the new.
Explore the Diaojiaolou, wooden houses suspended on stilts that used to dot the river banks, capturing the spirit of olden communities. Walk down the corridors of centuries past, through Longzhu Pavilion, encrusted with an array of ornamental carvings, and the King City, a miniaturized replica of Ming Palace. Amidst the pandemonium of bustling touristic excitement, the lake could be your still, quiet refuge where opportunities for introspection abound.
Let your steps echo among the ancient tales at Mulong Lake—an evocative landscape painting that holds your hand and guides you on an intimate voyage through time. After all, the legacy of a location lies not just in the visible, but in the stories it dares to whisper through its silent stones and reflective waters.
Address: 77RX+F87, Zhongshan N Rd, Diecai District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541001
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15. An Unearthly Haven at Yangshuo Park
The moment you cross into the embrace of Yangshuo Park, you’re slipping through the fabric of ordinary life into a lush ink-wash painting come alive. And immediately, you’ll sense it – an intimate connection with nature, seasoned by the overlays of history and culture cradling this beautiful corner of our world.
Verdant karst mountains surround you, their silent, majestic presence a testament to eons of geological poetry, beautifully marred by the scars of caves and crevices. Vegetative carpets, rich and ripe with varied flora, crawl up their sides with a tenacious vigor that only Mother Earth can muster. These rolling green hills watch over the park like ageless guardians, their peaks scraping the lower heavens, lost in a shroud of soft, Oriental mist.
Underneath their watchful gaze, a kaleidoscope of life waltzes in harmonious choreography. Locals, each with a story sown in their faces, embrace the morning sun with Tai Chi exercises. The air carries their soft whispers, occasionally punctuated by spontaneous laughter echoing throughout the park. Nearby, a relentless game of Chinese chess unfolds – each expert move drawing an approving nod or a faint, contemplative frown from intrigued onlookers.
Amidst this daily canvas of life, the winding pathways call out to your spirit of exploration. Follow them, and they might lead you to confessional shrines of stalactites inside the Water Caves, or perhaps, to a secluded pond where the dance between Lily pads and water striders narrate life’s simpler charms.
The symphony of human connection and natural grandeur at Yangshuo Park doesn’t merely become a part of your travels. It finds a way into the melody of your life, redefining how you perceive the beautiful ways of the world – all in the heart of Guilin.
Address: QFGR+56Q, Diecui Rd, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541900
16. Delight in the Dance of Light at Guilin Central Square
At the pulsating heart of this ancient city lies luxuriant Guilin Central Square, a grand tapestry of social life painted with masterful strokes of Chinese culture. Arrive during the reverie of daybreak or let the embrace of twilight guide your way, for the magic here wraps itself in both dawn’s hushed whispers and dusk’s fiery rhetoric. As an illuminated water spectacle unfolds before your eyes, come to know the true caliber of a Chinese metropolis – resplendent, captivating and pulsating with dynastic roots.
Flanked by the cityscape’s architectural high notes, this square unfolds like a grand theatre set beneath the open heavens, its centerpiece, the regal water fountain, a dance of engineered elegance. The fountains flame and flicker, somehow perfectly tuned to the rhythm of time – an orchestrated show only interrupted each morning and evening as hordes of eclectically dressed senior denizens gather to practice tai chi, their movements a pilgrimage of purpose.
Venture further in, carve your passage among dawdling sightseers, swift-footed locals, and bobbing vendor carts wreathed in a mist of delicious aroma. Experiments in gastronomy wait at every corner, mystery, and allure served up in steaming bamboo baskets. Cuisine born in Guangxi’s heartland, grown amongst its spiky karst mountains, and cultivated in the embrace of the Li River. An endless panorama of tastes, aromas, and textures that defy definition.
The Square, at its core, is an eternal bonfire, a beacon where the contemporary and archaic intertwine, resonating through each footfall on its cobblestones. It presents an enticing mosaic, a living portrait of Guilin that continually unfurls with each visit, a new story told, a new memory etched. Decode its secrets, succumb to its charm, and let the Central Square weave you into its narrative. Surrender, and become a chapter in Guilin’s timeless tale.
Address: China, Guangxi, Guilin, Xiufeng District, Zhongshan Middle Rd, 中山中路 邮政编码: 541000
17. Delving into the Dual Towers: Unravel the Stories of Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park
In the heart of downtown Guilin, a city seemingly kissed by watercolor aesthetics, sprawls the Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park. A realm where stone can tell stories, and rivers mirror the soul of time. The park is like an orchestral symphony with the Sun and Moon Pagodas – the two remarkable towers – striking the rhythm. These towers, through perfectly coordinated design and architecture, stand like hearty signets of an era long gone, whispering tales of the Tang Dynasty.
Strewn across Fir Lake, the towers exhibit a captivating play of contrasts— the Sun pagoda, forged in bronze, the tallest ever of its kind, piercing the fabric of the sky in tenacious vigots. Dwarfed in height yet not in allure, the Moon Pagoda slumbers peacefully in the lake’s serene embrace, its glazed tile mirrors flickering back the lunar charm during twilight.
Outdoor pathways, enveloped by an emerald thrush, guide visitors on a euphonious journey, tracing millennia-old narrative etched into the landscape, all building towards the grand crescendo of the underwater aquarium holding the two towers together. It’s a world viewed through water-crisped glass, where dancing koi fish might give you a coy look.
At the hum of twilight, when the sky dons an artist’s palette, the pagodas illuminate against the dimming backdrop, casting a mystical enchantment over Guilin. The experience of moon-viewing parties in the dual reflection of the towers will leave you entwined in the city’s poetic allure.
So, pack your curiosity, fasten your wanderlust. As you explore the park, remember, every stone unturned narrates a tale of oriental majesty unseen and unheard. Are you ready to listen?
Address: Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guilin, China, 541000
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18. Embark on a River Journey through Xingping’s Ancient Soul
Xingping Scenic Area doesn’t just beckon you; it consumes you in its ancient river whispers and majestic jungle secrets. Let the lull of the Li River, this sinuous blue-grey serpent, guide you through a narrative carefully etched out over centuries: a symphony of karst mountains, fishing villages, bamboo groves—all serenely framed by a mystical ink-wash painting.
For the weary explorers, a river ride through this verdant, water-laced panorama is not just sightseeing, it’s unveiling a heart that is painstakingly moulded by nature and time itself. Climb aboard one of the archaic bamboo rafts and watch as reality subtly blends into an ethereal dreamscape. Limestone titans rise, piercing a jade-canopy skyline, their rough, moss-coated bodies, a humble testament to their timeless prominence in this lyrical landscape.
As you cut through the silent, mist-mantled waters, allow yourself to be beckoned by the distant call of nightingale songs, or the rhythmic echo of a lone fisherman harmonising with the languid river flow. Each ripple will tell tales of an unperturbed existence, where life resonates to the rhythm of nature.
Amidst this timeless tableau, the ancient Xingping fishing village rests, cradling tales of a culture both resilient and fluid. Its weatherworn cobbled streets, traditional courtyard houses, and the elegant ebb and flow of local life effortlessly sketch a painting of profound continuity, a silent conversation between the past, present, and the timeless beauty surrounding it.
Each bend of the Li River at Xingping captures more than just postcard-perfect imagery—it’s a window into the heart of Guilin, beating steadily with the pulse of nature and a deep-seated ancestral echo. Your journey here is a pilgrimage; an immersion into the very essence of a land that exists as if a poetic dream has been etched into reality.
Address: WG8G+PM5, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541906
19. Breathing Life into Bridges: The Undying Charm of Yulong Bridge
From the first glance, the Yulong Bridge might seem like just another well-preserved relic dotting the splendid landscape of the Yulong River. However, it’s only when your fingers trace the worn, moss-covered stones -the tangible echo of centuries- that you realize it’s more than just a crossing over a river. It’s a bridge connecting epochs, a silent scribe of the River Lee’s tales.
An exquisite feat of strength, patience, and precision, the Yulong Bridge has weathered the travails of time since the Ming Dynasty. Its sweeping, single-arch design is a testament to the ingenuity of ancient architects, whose craft speaks volumes even in its wordless stone and space arrangement.
Its persistent serenity, set against the backdrop of limestone karsts and verdant landscapes, is an improvisational symphony of nature and history – every view a postcard-worthy snapshot. As if orchestrating a subtle twist on the passage of time, the area around throbs with a delightful blend of harmonious stillness and playful liveliness. Bamboo-rafts glide through the emerald green waters beneath, their passengers captive under the spell woven by the pastoral beauty and the murmuring cool breeze.
Mingle with local denizens by the water’s edge. Feel the palpable spirit of close-knit communities, whose lives dance in rhythm with the ebbs and flows of the river. Listen to their stories, animated with laughter and whispers, carrying fragments of the old and new, co-existing, a testament to the liminal magic that the Yulong Bridge holds in its timeless grasp.
Each stone fashioned, every curve formed, narrates a resonant dialect – the local essence, a voiceless choir singing a beguilingly beautiful song of resilience, reverence, and perpetual rebirth. Discover the Yulong Bridge – a symphony set in stone.
Address: R845+8Q4, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541902
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20. Scale The Summits of Yaoshan – Monumental Heights, Muted Whispers
The ascent of Guilin’s Yaoshan Mount is more than an arduous dispute with gravity. It’s an elevation of senses, a pilgrimage to the cradle of celestial curves and verdant whispers, cradling a thousand secret narrations etched by time. It is a place one doesn’t simply visit, but experiences punctuating the routine hum of life with notes of profound beauty.
As you traverse the trajectory of heights in a technicolor cable car, the clatter of civilization mellows into a soft hush, replaced by an orchestration of nature. Mother Earth’s serenade spills into the valleys below, the undulating veneer of green occasionally flecked with the candid presence of native flora and fauna. Each ripple in the terrain hides a story – a testament to the countless sunsets etching shadows on the mountainside.
Ride the waves of exhilaration at the summit. Here, encounter a panorama so grand, it’d make even the most experienced adventurers pause. It is like sifting through the pages of an ancient tome, where tales of lore are woven into every nook and crevice.
Yet, the marvel of Yaoshan isn’t confined solely to its beauty. Obscure within its peaks reside stone structures echoing an old-world charm. They spill out cryptic tales of distant dynasties, whispered through the winds that navigate their time-worn facades.
This is Yaoshan – a charismatic dance between the earth and the heavens, the past and the present. A place that redefines perspectives, inviting the soul on an exploration of grandeur unscripted by man. Forged from centuries of resilience and seclusion, it gifts those who dare tread its path with the rare privilege of introspection amidst isolation.
Address: 79R9+WWW, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541012
21. Surrender to the Timeless Whisper of Lijiang Gudong Scenic Area
Leave behind the timeless stones of Guilin and dive headfirst into the verdant heart of the Lijiang Gudong Scenic Area. As you wind your way through dense rainforests and ascend moss-draped stone steps, the crashing symphony of cascading waterfalls echoes as the anthem of this ethereal Proserpine sanctuary.
Every inch of this majestic landscape seems touched by an ancient history, woven tight by centuries of crashing waves, relentless winds, and secret time. The eight cascading waterfalls, unraveled like an erratic spiral staircase, stand as petrified reminders of Nature’s ceaseless march. Their jovial froth, playing gleefully on the rocks, whispers sagas of extinct civilizations, poured from the lips of jade valley itself.
Beyond the tumultuous ballet of the waterfalls lies the quaint, traditional ethnic villages. Among the clusters of wooden dwellings, silver threads of smoke spiral skywards, perfuming the air with the soothing aroma of simmering ginger broth. A few words with the Yao villagers, with their crimson accessories and indigo garb, unspools a thousand tales of festivals, familial love, myths, and more–an experience no history book could replicate or simulate.
Despite the pulsating soul of untamed wilderness, there’s a calming serenity to this spot that seems to echo through its misty gorges to sun-dappled groves. The Lijiang Gudong Scenic Area is less a place on a map, and more a bridge to an older world, an unwritten chronicle, where there’s a story waiting to be discovered under every leaf, and around every river bend. So, immerse in the echoes of time and let the spirit of the land narrate an unforgettable tale.
Address: 4F53+6WV, Lingchuan County, Guangxi, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541008
22. Unravel the Lunar Mystique at Yueliang Shuiyan Scenic Area
Imagine standing at the edge of the world, where moon dust lingers on your tongue and you feel the very pulse of the universe. Welcome to the Yueliang Shuiyan Scenic Area; a lunar landscape on earth, alluring in its otherworldliness. The moon water cave, an organically carved marvel of rugged rock and mirror-pure water, echoes eons of geological artistry. Beautifully breathtaking, this tour de force of natural grandeur recoils not from boasting ethereal moon-like craters and shimmering aqua pools.
The cavern’s grand entrance, like an imperious Cyclops eye, penetrates the intense stillness ahead. Dimly lit and bristling with stalagmites, it draws you in like a surrealist painter’s dream that you’re petrified of waking from.
On a quiet day, the only sound discernable is the gentle echo of droplets from the gnarled, limestone ceiling to the glassy water below. And the coolness? It dances over your skin, a playful ghost in Asia’s heavy, sultry heat.
Beyond the stark beauty of this spectacle, the area whispers ancient tales that floats through time: fables of fantastic, mystical beings from across the cosmos who sought the peaceful solitude of this lunar haven. It is chilled, silent, mysterious and yet – it hums with an energy that’s impossible to ignore.
The Yueliang Shuiyan Scenic Area is akin to traversing the terrain of the moon while journey through the depths of Guilin’s rich cultural soul. You, fellow traveler, are not just exploring a physical realm, but a dreamscape defying human comprehension – a remarkable space where Guilin’s earth-bound history and cosmic lore intertwine.
Consider yourself an intrepid space explorer, but instead of space food, feast upon mouthwatering noodles nearby. This journey doesn’t require rocket fuel, just earthly wanderlust ignited by Guilin’s celestial beauty.
Address: China, Guangxi, Guilin, Yangshuo County, 098县道 邮政编码: 541907
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23. Unearthly Visions at Moon Hill
Shrouded in the same mystic allure that draws dreamers to the moonlit night, there lies the Yuanbao Mountain, better known to the wide-eyed wanderers as the Moon Hill. A stone’s throw from Yangshuo county with a gaping lunar-like arch, it’s more than just a karst limestone pinnacle. A lunar reflection captured in limestone and granite, it imbues a celestial charm to the warm heart of Guangxi.
As you bend your stride towards the vintage arch, fatigue gives way to exhilaration—435 steps paving your way to the summit. The zenith unveils a panorama encompassing jade-green curtains of rice fields intersected with snaking rivers and surrounding peaks, draped in a folklore woven over eternities.
While your next instinct might tell you to set your lens towards this breathtaking landscape, dare to cast your eyes back. Witness the celestial marvel of the archway, an uninterrupted sky cut by formidable stone, a masterpiece crafted by millennia of geological patience and design. Feel your breath sync with the whispers of nature as you get engulfed in this philosophical symphony orchestrated by Earth’s steady passage through time.
Local vendors punctuate your odyssey, offering refreshing bamboo juice, a humble nectar that tastes surprisingly like the voyage — primal, unpretentious, grounding.
Undeniably it’s this juxtaposition of serenity and thrill, earth, and sky, the grassroots reality, and the cosmic illusion that turn the otherwise daunting journey into a pilgrimage for many. Trekking this not-so-beaten path might just be your next meditative catharsis, a way to salute the pristine and unfettered beauty of the Middle Kingdom.
Address: Yangshuo County, Guilin, China, 541907
24. Delving into Eons, Amidst Peak and Stream
Untangling the tight braid of history in Asia’s ancient heart isn’t for the faint-hearted. Yet, the stalwart traveller sees in this enigma, not a challenge, but a siren song. The mysterious past cradled in Guilin, a land of dramatic karst scenery and jade-green waters, beckons such history-lovers. An enigmatic symbol of this twisted past is represented perfectly in the Cultural Relic Landscape Garden of Yangshuo.
Imagine a place where the curtain of time peels back gracefully to reveal China’s resplendent history and culture. Here, mystical mountain peaks shoot up from the earth and clouds, like sentinels from a mythical realm. They stand guard over a myriad of age-old cultural relics that inhabit their shadows. The Garden hums with the vibrational energy of countless eras, bearing tales of emperors, poets, heroes, and common folk alike. As you wander through, sculpture gardens whisper tales sculpted in stone, and ancient ink-marks nudge you towards sprawling calligraphy exhibits. Enraptured by this whispering chronicle, even the tranquil streams seem to shift and shimmer with echoes of the past.
This feature offers more than just a touristy jaunt; it’s a time machine, a living tapestry weaving incredible narratives under your gaze. Enigmatic, thrilling, yet serene – a journey here leaves you feeling like a traveller and an adventurer, venturing into uncharted territories. With every step, every breath taken under the watchful peaks and murmuring waters, you bear witness to countless epochs of historical and cultural transformation. So step on, intrepid explorer, and savour the unparalleled blend of tradition and natural splendour that this place has stirred together, like a beautiful symphony playing since time immemorial. Between the cryptic stone sculptures and the whispering greenery, you’ll discover more than just Guilin’s history; you’ll find the heartbeat of China itself.
Address: QFFW+RVM, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541900
25. Meandering Through the Millennia at Guilin Fu Chunyuan
Night descends over Fu Chunyuan, a breathless moment where the hues of twilight intersect with the muted glow from the crimson lanterns; their shadowed figures dancing on understated classic ribbons of architectures, hearkening back to the Ming dynasty. This splendid spectacle finds a home in the heart of Guilin, revealing herself as a tantalizing journey through time.
Fu Chunyuan is far more than stone and mortar; it’s a living testament to China’s layered history. Its wood and stone carvings whisper tales ancient secrets, its winding corridors invite you into a labyrinth of stories that unravel as you tread further. Here, remnants of jade-green jade invite touch, ensnaring senses in an intimate tango with the past.
Step into the courtyard of a thousand moonlit flowers, every petal punctuated by symphonies of cicadas, the air perfumed by age-old wisdom and tales of the literary elite that sought solitude within these stately walls. It’s a stage of refrains and verses that have echoed over time, every syllable an imprint carved into the heart of Guilin’s cultural fabric.
As time stretches and condenses here, you’ll feel not like a wanderer, but a guest; a story caught in mid-sentence, mingling with the whispers of yore and becoming one with the narrative of this sublime relic. Sip on the elusive nuances of the tea brewed in the vintage teahouse, a whispered secret between your lips and the warm porcelain.
In the silent dialogue between the modern and the ancient, between the laughter of the clouds and the tranquility of the earth, Guilin Fu Chunyuan modestly elevates, beckoning the curious and rewarding the adventurous. Twisting the kaleidoscope of time and space, it aspires to etch its indelible footprints onto the canvas of your memory.
Address: X9C4+6GJ, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541903
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26. Slide into Tradition at Guilin Yaoshan Suodao
Running down the backbone of the mountain like silvery veins, the Guilin Yaoshan Suodao is more than just the longest mountain slide in China. It is a kinetic narration of rock, metal and motion that threads its tale through the verdant quilt of Yaoshan Mountain’s jade forests and misty peaks.
As you ascend the mountain, the clamor of everyday life falls away, replaced by a symphony of songbirds chattering away in the ancient fir and pine trees. Meanwhile, the slide, like a wild dragon spined with stainless steel, waits to whisk you back down the mountain. But not before you stop to marvel at the heart-wrenchingly beautiful panorama – cities sculpted from mountains and rivers, skies painted with clouds and sun.
Descending is an adrenaline-packed spectacle, a quickened pulse in Guilin’s otherwise serene heartbeat. The slide swoops and loops, mimicking a dragon’s flight. But remember, it’s not solely about the speed or thrill, it’s about immersion, a sonnet of experiences whispered by the wind as you glide down. It exhibits the juxtaposition of China’s rapid modernization against the stubborn beauty of its nature, never quite tamed.
Yet at the end of it all, as your heart rate finally concedes defeat to the tranquility of the mountain, you’ll realize, the path itself is irrelevant, it’s the journey that packs all its meat and bones. Weaving this experience into your Guilin story won’t just add another check on your itinerary; it transforms you into a part of Yaoshan Mountain’s continuous history, linking past, present and future in a dance as graceful as the winding slide itself.
Address: 79R9+WVR, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541012
27. Embarking on Subterranean Splendor at Crown Cave
Delve into the bowels of Mother Earth as we wax lyrical over an underworld wonder – Crown Cave. Picture a majestic cavern of stalagmites and stalactites, illuminated by an ethereal glow, in this sprawling, hidden kingdom beneath the auspicious Karst peaks of Guilin.
As you step into the sleek elevator and begin to descend, expect each sense to be awakened. A drop in the temperature marks your journey into the abyss. It’s darker now, save for the strategically placed lighting that glistens on the moist limestone walls, as they tell their geological tale of millennia.
The roller coaster isn’t just for adrenaline junkies. It acts as your chariot, pulling you deeper into the abyss. Your ride takes you through crevices and nooks step by step woven by geological poetry over time. With each eerie echo punctuated by the lapping of underground river waves, your sense of space and time may blur. It’s all part of the charm of this subaqueous realm.
Walking through the belly of this ancient beast feels cathartic, as phosphorescent glimmers dance in your periphery, revealing wonders like the curtain-like flow of calcite formations—each adding another layer to the thrill, mystery, and fairy tale-like aura of this geological gem.
Let’s not even get started on the river… a mystic serenade that snakes its way through the cave like a living entity, your exploration is anything but pedestrian. This bewitching encounter is sure to leave explorers etherised, etching an insatiable desire for subterranean discovery into their travel portfolios. That’s Crown Cave, friends; an unforgettable part of the Guilin tableau.
Address: 3F22+RWV, Yanshan District, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541009
28. Unravel the Brush Strokes of Nature at Nine Horses Mountain Resort
Picture yourself in a realm where reality and dreamscape entwine, where myth and man converge. This is exact sentiment that echoes through the Nine Horses Mountain Resort, a mesmerizing theater of limpid jade waters, towering limestone formations, and the ever-persistent mist-locale of countless lore etched in stone. Only here can you witness the enigma unfold, turning an ordinary journey into a pursuit of storytelling and artistic discovery.
On the banks of the Li River, Nine Horses Mountain is a fresco sculpted by Mother Nature herself, with shadows and limestone painting images of horses hidden amongst the rugged cliffs. Paddling languidly by bamboo raft, a sense of otherworldliness begins to emerge, the vista slowly revealing its intrinsic allure. As you trawl deeper, every wind-carved relief seems a canvas of the gods. Here, legend springs to life—nine horses variously posed, spirited silhouettes etched in the eternity of stone.
Time becomes vestigial as you bask in tranquil reflections on the placid river surface, savoring the elusive flavors of locally brewed osmanthus wine and the crunch of bamboo rice. Each simple delight adds dimension to this harmonious symphony of sight and sensation.
Breathtaking, whimsical, the Nine Horses Mountain Resort is not merely an attraction, it is a festinating loom of legends spun from the spindle of nature’s grandeur. Resuming from this place will feel like stepping out of an ink painting, your soul plum full with the resonances of an ancient story, vibrant with the thrum of myth and mist. An essential chapter in the grand narrative of Guilin, without which the story just isn’t complete.
Address: WFPW+69M, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, 541906
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29. Drift Through Time on Guilin’s River of Memory
While your heart may urge you to hop on those ubiquitous bamboo rafts, resist the temptation. Break free from the hoard of selfie-ridden tourists and embrace a travel philosophy that edges closer to the local pulse. Encounter the city’s underbelly on a slightly different vessel – history’s vessel.
From crimson sunsets to the whisper of reeds, the river journey is a melody of moving landscapes, a silent ode to the city’s past. This undulating pearl necklace of water, coiled around the intricacies of Guilin’s intricate topography, unfolds a panorama of sights – dancing willows, centuries-old bridges, and poetic recitations etched in stone.
The voyage proves to be a feast for your senses as the limestone mountains, those stoic sentinels of time, keep watch. As night descends, the faint silhouette of the Elephant Trunk Hill against the moonlit sky makes for an uncanny mirage. Every shadow seems to weave a folktale, every craggy outcrop a lesson in history.
At each bend in the river, the rush of life and the sweet, unhurried rhythm of the water heave in a dynamic tango. That is where life unfurls most authentically – fishermen casting wide nets, children diving into emerald depths, elders huddled in nearby tea stalls – all creating an exquisite tableau vivant of provincial charm.
Don’t seek the usual postcard perfection. Let the enchanting river narrative take you to the pulsating heart of Guilin’s folkloric tapestry. Devour every detail, breathe in the culture, and plunge headfirst into the ebb and flow of ephemeral river moments. The quest for a true ‘Guilin experience’ stops not at the bank of the river but rides on its waves. After all, as immersive river tales go, there’s no place like these idyllic waters.
Address: 22 S Ring Rd, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guilin, Guangxi, 中国 541000
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