Guilin was China’s first tourist destination, its beauty and potential spotted as far back as the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It remains one of the country’s most visited spots today. The beauty of the surrounding landscape has for centuries inspired many artists, poets and old sayings alike - ‘Guilin’s scenery is best among all under heaven’ - the Li River meandering amongst towering karst peaks and lush greenery is certainly breathtaking.

The city of Guilin itself is a clean and modern city, sat on the banks of the Li. There are plenty of dramatic karst hills to climb and fascinating caves to explore in and around the city, but it is best known as a jump off point for the famous cruise to Yangshuo. Usually taking four to five to float your way downstream, every river bend brings a fantastic new view – water buffalo wallowing in the shallows, conical hatted farmers tending their rice paddies and fishermen waiting for a bite. Yangshuo itself is set amongst even more gorgeous rurality – vivid green foliage and more ragged peaks – it is easy to see why the area is so popular.