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Fubo (wave-subduing) Hill to the northeast of downtown Guilin by the Li River has the Xinxi Marquis Temple built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The title of Xinxi Marquis was given to Fubo General Ma Yuan, so the name of the mountain. Half of the graceful lone peak of the hill is in the river and the other half is on land. During flood season turbulent currents explode against the hill rocks. On top of the hill one sees an exquisite scenery like a traditional Chinese painting. Inside the "Return the Pearl" Cave, also known as Fubo Cave in the mountain side, there are the "Try the Sword" Rock, the 1,000-Buddha Crag (Buddha images carved on stone), and many carvings on the cave walls. Among the best carvings is a self-portrait of Mi Fu, a famous painter, and a poem by Fan Dacheng, a famous poet, both from the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The Ling Canal is one of Guilin’s hidden gems. The most unfortunate aspect about the Ling Canal is that it is situated about 70 klms north of Guilin City in an area that does not attract many foreign tourists because of its isolation from other tourist destinations. The other tourist attraction in this area is Merryland Theme Park and Golf Resort but by its nature it attracts a different kind of tourist.

Many foreign visitors come to China seeking examples of tradition but never find them. Too many people leave the country disappointed that the China they were looking for has been replaced by blocks full of skyscrapers and eight-lane highways. The Qin Family’s Courtyard may be the place that they seek.

The Crown Cave is a giant subterranean river cavern by the Li River. Taking the shape of an gold crown of ancient emperor, the cave is 12 km long and consists of three parts. Views inside were fantastic, stalactites and stalagmites in all strangle shape illuminated by lights glittering a golden glow. An underground stream passes through the cave and then joins the Li River. The cave has been set with modern sightseeing facilities, including an elevator, small train, yachts and sightseeing roller coaster.

Banyan Lake (Rong Hu) and Chinese Fir Lake (Shan Hu) are the two largest and most famous of the lakes on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise. They are located in the very center of Guilin City, either side of Zhongshan Zhonglu (Sun Yatsen Middle Road). The origin of both parks dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when they were part of a city moat. As Guilin expanded in all directions, the moat became a lake within the city area.

The Mausoleums of Jing Jiang are tombs of generations of Ming princes who were dispatched by the emperor to govern today’s Guilin region. The tombs are located at the foot of the grand Yao Mountain in the eastern suburbs, some 5 kilometers from the city.

Located to the northeast of Xin’an Town, about 110 kilometers north of Guilin, Cat Mountain is the highest mountain in South China. It got the name Cat Mountain because its stony peak looks like a huge cat. The main peak of the mountain is about 2,141 meters above sea level and is renowned as the “Summit of South China”.

One kilometer to the south of the Big Banyan Tree, 50 minutes’ bike from Yangshuo, there lies the Moon Hill. Named for the crescent shaped cave running through the moon, Moon Hill is one of the highlights in Yangshuo. The journey up to the summit is an arduous one which covers 800 steep steps. The scenery overlooking the countryside through the half moon, however, is well worth the trek, which is probably the best you will get in the area. 

Longji's terraced fields offer some of the most fantastic scenery in Guilin or indeed China. Beautiful when the sun reflects in the water of the paddy fields and glowing with yellow ears when the harvest is ripe, Longji (Dragon's Back) is a feast for the eyes.

Huangyao ancient town is situated in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on the lower reaches of Li River and 200km (around 3.5 hours drive) from Guilin.