Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven — and that’s no exaggeration. I believe the autumn scenery in Guilin must be the most beautiful, incredibly vibrant and colorful. I’ve gathered quite a few great spots and travel tips for visiting Guilin in autumn from the internet, and I’d like to share them with you all.
Food Section
Guilin not only boasts beautiful scenery but also an abundance of delicious food. The most must-try, of course, is the famous Guilin rice noodles, along with Yangshuo beer fish, Gongcheng oil tea, Lipu braised pork, Guilin river snails... The variety of Guilin cuisine is simply countless. Here, I’d like to highlight Gongcheng oil tea. It’s said to have an energizing effect — drinking it makes you feel particularly refreshed, hehe. If you have friends visiting Guilin, do suggest they give it a try.
Accommodation Section
When you come to Guilin, you’ll find that there are tons of hotels here — some entire streets are lined with them — so you definitely don’t need to worry about finding a place to stay. As a major tourist city, Guilin offers pretty good accommodation. I recommend checking out local hotel websites, such as Tule Booking, to search for hotel info before making your choice.
Travel Section
Autumn Osmanthus Viewing — Seven Star Park
The osmanthus flower is Guilin’s city flower, with a planting history of over a thousand years in the city. The famous Song Dynasty poet Yang Wanli once praised: “Whoever speaks of Guilin in this world? The flower fairies descend into the moon’s deep realm at night. They transplant the celestial garden of fragrances, placing it as golden grains upon the treetops.” According to statistics from the gardening authorities, Guilin currently has 200,000 osmanthus trees, comprising about 57 varieties, accounting for 35% of the known species worldwide. The diversity and number of osmanthus types in Guilin rank first in China, earning it the title “City of Osmanthus.” October is the peak blooming season for osmanthus, while November marks the tail end of the season. Thanks to the activation by rain, the flowers will bloom again.
As the saying goes, “Osmanthus trees form a forest.” When the osmanthus blooms, the entire city of Guilin is filled with its rich fragrance. Beyond just the sense of smell, what you see, hear, and taste in Guilin allows you to experience a deeply atmospheric “sensory” world.
Guilin’s Seven Star Park alone has over 6,000 osmanthus trees, truly making it a “garden of osmanthus.” You might want to visit the park to witness the splendid sight of various osmanthus varieties blooming competitively.
The Li River dyed in autumn hues — cruise along its waters
Visiting the Li River in autumn is a delightful experience. The fragrance wafts from both banks, and the cool breeze feels incredibly soothing. As the cruise glides slowly along the Li River, a hundred-mile scroll of scenery unfolds. The mountains stretch endlessly, each with its own unique shape; the water is crystal clear, allowing you to see the aquatic plants and stones beneath. Cruising through the Li River, one can’t help but marvel at the immense power of nature, and a sense of happiness naturally arises.
Ginkgo leaves dancing in Lingchuan
“Ocean Ginkgo” is a renowned scenic beauty in Lingchuan. By late autumn, the million ginkgo trees in Ocean Township, located 45 kilometers from downtown Guilin, gradually turn from green to yellow, displaying their most beautiful colors under the brilliant sunlight. When the autumn wind blows, golden leaves swirl in the sky, and scattered gold and jade-like leaves cover the ground. Against the backdrop of blue skies, green mountains, and rural houses, along with elderly villagers gathering leaves beneath the trees and children playing in the woods, a series of stunning autumn scenes unfold. Within an area of nearly 4 square kilometers, there are 1 million ginkgo trees, including over 500,000 ancient ones. The oldest tree is over 500 years old, and the largest “King of Ginkgo” stands 30 meters tall, with a trunk so thick it takes six people to encircle it. In this golden world, a fairytale-like dream continues.
Ancient Dong maple forests painted layer by layer
The Ancient Dong scenic area now boasts the largest pure maple tree group in southern China, earning it the reputation of the “Little Fragrant Hills of the South.” The red maples of Ancient Dong, tinted by autumn frost, transform the over 3,000 acres of pure maple forest into a riot of color in this vibrant season. Thousands of acres of red maples are like morning glow brushed across the mountain ridges, resembling an artistic gallery of flying gold and dancing brilliance, vividly performing the symphony of autumn.
The autumn hues nestled among the mountain streams and waterfalls are richly varied, but the most beautiful sight is the 3,000-acre red maple forest — dazzling and romantic. Maple trees and Masson pines stand in rows; the wind blows, the forest moves, and the heart stirs. Standing on the suspended suspension bridge, you can rival the towering maple trees, embrace the mountain forest, and breathe deeply.
Golden rice waves on the Longji Terraces
In autumn, the Longji Terraced Fields are covered with golden rice ears. The terraces look like golden pagodas topping jade palaces, attracting crowds of visitors. Like chains or belts, the lines flow effortlessly and gracefully, winding from the mountain foot to the summit, layer upon layer, high and low. The exquisitely crafted shapes possess a poetic and picturesque charm. The scale and grandeur, as well as the beauty of the lines and colors, along with the richness of ethnic culture and the completeness of preservation, are truly world-class.
