The Guling village is a captivating place located in the heart of the Chinese mountain Lu Shan (Mount Lu). This Chinese version of an Indian Hill station will give you a completely fascinating experience. Also, you will discover the haunt of painters, poets, and mystics. Moreover, if you are passionate about spectacular views, here you will find the ideal places for you.
Things to do
This experience starts by appreciating the delights of a visit to Lu Shan.
First of all, you’ll go through the pine-shade paths where you will admire the cloud-wrapped peaks until you get to the highest point of Mount Lu. Right there you’re going to admire the stunning views northward to the river, east to the vas Poyang Lake and south across Jiangxi Province. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to take the photographs that you wish.
Then, when you head downtown Guling, there are different things to do:
River cruise
Down the Li River, you’ll be able to admire the amazing rock formations around the river banks. Overthere, the picture you’ll have with the sun reflecting on the river will leave you breathless.
Bicycle ride
You’ll have the opportunity to go around the city on a bicycle ride throughout the country road. In the meantime, you could appreciate the local life and architecture.
The Longji Rice Terraces
In this place, you´ll be introduced to spectacular scenery and ethnic culture. Overthere you will be able to walk on small paths between terraced paddies. At the same time, go and visit a local family and learn how to cook bamboo rice.
Jinlun Cave (Mashan County)
This reed flute cave is one of the most important symbols of Guilin. There you will find a wide variety of holes, pipes and small caves that will keep you excited.
How to get there
There are different ways to get to the Guiling Residential District from the Guiling Airport (KWL). The main ways are taxi, drive or Towncar. Here some of the following:
- By Taxi – It is a 27-minute taxi journey. The price estimated is from $10 to USD 13.
- By Drive – In Guling you’ll have the option of renting a car for only $2 to USD 4 and drive your 27 minutes to the Residential District.
- By Towncar – If you want to feel more attached to the culture of the Guling People, you can pay from $35 to USD 50 for a Towncar.
Also, if you’re traveling from another city in China, you have the option to get there by train. You can get to the Guiling station in the center of the town or you can choose the one in the north or the one in the west.
When to go
The best time to visit this place is in Summer. You will be able to enjoy Lu Shan’s coolness although from June through September. In the same way, you can go in winter and admire how the mountain scenery recalls the most romantic classical Chinese painting.
Guiling is one of the most famous touristic places in China. Therefore, if you want to have a quieter experience, traveling from November to March is the best time for you.
How long
I recommend you spend around 3 to 5 days so you can enjoy all the beautiful places that this city has. Keep in mind that you will need some days to appreciate the amazing Guiling culture.
Opening and Closing Hours
To enjoy the day and nightlife in Guiling from Monday until Friday, here you have different schedules:
- Restaurants: from 10:30 am to 11 pm.
- Bars: from late in the afternoon to midnight or later.
- Shops: from 10 am to 10 pm.
Also, you need to know that the Reed Flute Cave has a specific schedule:
- From April to November: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
- From December to March: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
Planning
If you want to travel to this place in China, as a foreign citizen you’ll be required to obtain a Visa. However, you can apply for 72 hours visa-free. Once there, if you want to have a one-day tour, you can pick up a bus tour at hotels all over Jiujiang City.
On the other hand, it is possible to make your itineraries using the regular public buses to the highlight places in Guiling.
Likewise, If you’re planning to overnight, you have some modest resorts to stay too. Remember to book them around two or three weeks in advance to have a good price.
Inside Information
I recommend you to buy some Chinese currency before you make your trip to Guiling. In this case, Guling is not a modern city where you can exchange currency without any problem.
Also, to have a complete experience, it is highly recommended that you join a travel agency to help you with your trip. There is a big problem with the language barrier even if you speak mandarin.
History
This place owes his fame to an English missionary. In 1895 he created a high-altitude summer retreat for Westerners. All of this happened because he wanted a place to stay when trading during China’s intense and hot climate in the summer.
Therefore, the English missionary named the town Kuling. He dreamed of this place to be more than pine-shaded paths. As a result, the place was turned it into a high-altitude piece of England’s Surrey now known as Guling.
Websites
Other nearby attractions
If you want to keep exploring all the beautiful places near Guling, you can go to the magnificent Lu Shan (Mount Lu). It has natural beauty and splendid architecture.
Likewise, there is the highest peak in the Lu Shan range, the Dahanyang Peak. This is an elevation of about 1500 meters above the sea level where you’ll be able to take the most beautiful photos.
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