That year, on a ten-thousand-li self-driving tour through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, I stood by the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi ▏A practical guide for a self-driving trip to Guilin, Guangxi ▏[June 2021]

A ten-thousand-li self-driving tour through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu—I stood by the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi ▏A practical guide for a self-driving trip to Guilin, Guangxi ▏[Guangxi Guilin Chapter] [Stop 25] [June 1, 2021]
A sneak peek at the highlights
Guilin's internet-famous spot—the legend of Zhuangyuan Bridge in Tianxin Village
Guilin's scenery tops all under heaven
Guilin's internet-famous spot—the legend of Zhuangyuan Bridge in Tianxin Village
Guilin's scenery tops all under heaven—Elephant Trunk Hill
Guilin's scenery tops all under heaven—the mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas
The Memorial Hall of the Xiangjiang Campaign of the Red Army's Long March in Guilin
Before I begin:
Departing by car from Yangshuo, Guangxi, 70 kilometers, 2 hours to reach Guilin, Guangxi, starting a two-day tour of Guilin ▏Guilin's scenery tops all under heaven ▏Guilin East-West Lane ▏Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Elephant Hill ▏Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Elephant Trunk Hill ▏Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Fir Lake scenery ▏Guilin's mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas ▏Guilin Prince Jingjiang's Mansion ▏The legend of Guilin's internet-famous Zhuangyuan Bridge ▏The Memorial Hall of the Xiangjiang Campaign of the Red Army's Long March in Guilin ▏
Trip report:
On May 1, 2021, I set off by car from Qingdao. Over 40 days, I covered 10,200 kilometers, passed through 6 provinces and 30 cities, and successfully completed the ten-thousand-li self-driving tour through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu.
About this trip:
I set off by car from Yangshuo, Guangxi at 8:00 a.m. The roads were smooth all the way, accompanied by gorgeous Guangxi scenery. After driving 70 kilometers in 2 hours, I arrived in Guilin, Guangxi at 10:00 a.m.
Two-day tour route in Guilin, Guangxi:
Day 1: Guilin's scenery tops all under heaven, Guilin East-West Lane, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Elephant Hill, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Fir Lake scenery, Guilin's mysterious Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, Guilin Prince Jingjiang's Mansion
Day 2: The legend of Guangxi Guilin's internet-famous Zhuangyuan Bridge, the Memorial Hall of the Xiangjiang Campaign of the Red Army's Long March in Guilin
Practical information:
[About attractions]
Admission: The Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area in Guilin, Guangxi costs 50 yuan per adult [booking on Ctrip saves 10 yuan], and parking at the scenic area is 10 yuan. Guilin has many tourist attractions, and most are free.
[About accommodation]
Accommodation in Guilin, Guangxi: Booked on Ctrip: Home Inn · Neo (Guilin Railway Station Branch), standard room 110 yuan including breakfast for 2 [the room was clean and refreshing, and the breakfast was good]
[About dining]
Dining: During our self-driving trip, we tried local foods everywhere. The various noodle dishes and recommendations from an online ranking list each had their own strengths! Because some scenic spots are quite far apart on a self-driving trip, you can bring some drinks and snacks. After parking the car at night, have a little drink and eat some local food you like, and enjoy the pleasures of life.
[Travel equipment preparation]
Photography equipment brought on the trip:
Canon 60D kit (18-135mm IS)
Travel reflections:
For a travel lover, Guilin, Guangxi is a place worth visiting. If you're tired of the crowds at scenic spots and the rows upon rows of shops, and want to find a place where your soul can relax, the hidden gem of Guilin, Guangxi is somewhere you might consider.
Travel needs no reason, because the scenery is there!
Travel is a cultivation of the mood.
Another meaning of travel: discovering beauty in places where others are tired of living!
The winding road to heaven—what draws you is always the distance.
Reflections on life:
After retirement, travel became an important part of my life, a habit. If I don't get out and walk around for a while, it feels like something is missing. I feel itchy inside, as if grass is growing in my heart, I don't sleep well, and food doesn't taste good. Strange as it is, as soon as I get out there, everything gets better. On the journey, climbing high mountains, crossing rivers, walking into ancient villages, and paying homage to revolutionary classics, my heart feels at ease, and I feel all the more that our motherland's mountains and rivers are majestic and lovely.
Preface
Guilin, Guangxi:
Guilin is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, at the southern end of the "Xiangxi Corridor." Since ancient times it has enjoyed the reputation of having "the finest scenery under heaven," and it is known for its landscapes, people, customs, and leisurely, comfortable way of life. Guilin has beautiful scenery, with landscapes represented by the Li River scenery and karst landforms. The mountains here rise straight from the flat ground in a thousand shapes and forms, while the Li River's waters wind and turn, bright and clear as a mirror. In addition, Guilin is home to more than ten ethnic minorities, including the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong, whose unique folk customs and cultures add endless charm to this land.
A little history of Guilin, Guangxi:
Guilin has a long history. According to relics discovered in the Baojiyan and Zengpiyan caves in the urban area, textual research shows that the Zengpiyan people had already entered the stage of matriarchal clan society, about ten thousand years ago.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was changed to belong to the Shian Marquis State.
In the fourth year of Wude in the Tang Dynasty (621), Li Jing built a city south of Duxiu Peak.
In the Song Dynasty, it first belonged to Guizhou in Guangnan West Circuit, and later to Jingjiang Prefecture.
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it belonged to Guilin Prefecture of Guangxi Province. During the Republic of China period, it belonged to Guangxi Province.
On November 22, 1949, Guilin was liberated and became a city under Guangxi Province. In 1958, it was renamed Guilin City of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Memory:
For someone from Qingdao by the sea, perhaps the beauty of the ocean has been seen for too long, and the sea's appeal is no longer so strong. I always long for the scenery of Guilin, Guangxi in all its varieties. I yearn for Guilin's long history and beautiful landscapes. The unforgettable food of Guilin constantly pulls at me and attracts me. That wonderful imagination spanning time and space pushed me to set off on this mysterious journey.
Route map of the ten-thousand-li self-driving tour through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu;
Departed from Qingdao on May 1, 2021—Yueyang, Hunan—Changsha, Hunan—Shaoshan, Hunan—Hengyang, Hunan—Yongzhou, Hunan—Loudi, Hunan—Shaoyang, Hunan—Huaihua, Hunan—Zhangjiajie, Hunan—Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan—Jishou, Hunan—Tongren, Guizhou—Zunyi, Guizhou—Anshun, Guizhou—Guiyang, Guizhou—Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou—Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou—Hechi, Guangxi—Baise, Guangxi—Chongzuo, Guangxi—Nanning, Guangxi—Guigang, Guangxi—Laibin, Guangxi—Liuzhou, Guangxi—Yangshuo, Guangxi—Guilin, Guangxi—Xianning, Hubei—Huanggang, Hubei—Xuancheng, Anhui—Wuhu, Anhui—Hefei, Anhui—Chuzhou, Anhui—Nanjing, Jiangsu—Yangzhou, Jiangsu—Qingdao
Self-driving travel budget:
Based on my travel experience, for long-distance self-driving trips, as long as you don't buy things, stay in budget hotels or farmhouses, don't dine too extravagantly, and reduce spending at scenic spots, a couple can basically cover all expenses on about 400 yuan per day.
Trip summary; [Guilin