• Countries
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Croatia
    • Indonesia
    • Italy
    • Jamaica
    • Malaysia
    • Morocco
    • Philippines
    • Romania
    • Spain
    • Thailand
    • United States
    • Vietnam
  • Videos
  • Travel Log
  • About Us
  • Countries
    • +
      • Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Croatia
    • +
      • Greece
      • Indonesia
      • Italy
      • Jamaica
    • +
      • Malaysia
      • Morocco
      • Philippines
      • Romania
    • +
      • Spain
      • Thailand
      • United States
      • Vietnam
  • Videos
  • Travel Log
  • About Us
Home » Journal

Guilin, China – More than just a stopover town

Abraham Posted On April 20, 2014
0


Leaving Beijing for Guilin

After a wonderful week in Beijing, we took an overnight train to Guilin. This was our first experience on Chinese trains and overall, I would say it was very comfortable. We purchased tickets for a sleeper cabin. Every so often someone would come by selling fruits, dried snacks or delicious dehydrated soup. Celeste had never seen the movie “The Last Emperor” so we started it at the same time on our ipads and watched as we passed out.

Beijing Train Station
Beijing Train Station
Snacking on baby mangos
Snacking on baby mangos
Goodnight
Goodnight
Morning Fruit
Morning Fruit
Chinese Graffiti?
Chinese Graffiti?

The Layout

Arriving into Guilin, we were pleasantly surprised by the charm of this city. Right away you notice the many rivers and trees scattered all over. Unlike Beijing, Guilin was more intertwined with nature and you could see it, feel it, and smell it. It rained much of the time we were there and in my mind, that is how I will remember the atmosphere. There was something  very romantic about the place, we noticed a lot more couples walking together, holding hands, and overall more smiling vs the fast pace and no nonsense of the big city.

People sitting by the River
People sitting by the River
Walking at Night
Walking at Night
Constant Rain
Constant Rain

We stayed at Green Forest Hostel which was pretty central. Each day we made time to walk around in different directions to better understand the town. Very few knew english so it was mostly getting instructions before leaving the house or using google translate to communicate. As always, most people are very helpful as long as you make a genuine effort.

The Food

One of our favorite restaurants, was around the corner and we had no idea what it was called. Since the sign was in Chinese, we called it Tree in a Box Noodles. The setup was boiled noodles and your choice of paid and free toppings. They would drop the noodles in boiling water along with any eggs or meats you order but it’s actually the free toppings that make Guilin noodles. They have random sauces, radishes, peanuts, etc. The finished version could never be wrong! The sauces ranged from red to green to spicy as hell! There’s also something else very interesting and dear to our hearts about Guilin Noodles. Guilin noodles are ancestors of Vietnamese noodles like Pho and Bun Bo Hue! I personally love Vietnamese food so when I found out about this, I felt as if the universe was leveling me up.

Optional Sides
Optional Sides
Guilin Noodles
Guilin Noodles

Aside from Noodles, Guilin is also famous for their dumplings. We found a random place inside of an almost abandoned mall. There was never anyone there but the dumplings were superb. After visiting a couple of times, we eventually became friendly with the owner and his daughter. They introduced us to some local rice  wines called Baiju.

Celeste w Dumplings, Beer, and Baiju

You cannot bring up Guilin food and not mention the Osmanthus tree. The Chinese are very proud of the Osmanthus tree and it can be found in teas, medicines, wines, and various foods. They are planted all over town and once you notice them, you will appreciate the city even more.

Finally, I will say that I enjoyed Guilin much more than I had anticipated. Guilin is known for being the city you travel to before taking a bus to Yangshuo (Karst Mountains 2hrs away). Even though Yangshuo is pretty impressive, I have thought about Guilin more and wish we could spend more time there because the pace was just right.

One of the many Rivers
One of the many Rivers
Guilin at Night
Guilin at Night
Cat Nap and Chinese Medicine
Cat Nap and Chinese Medicine
Games in the park
Games in the park
Fruit Vendor
Fruit Vendor
Games in the park
Games in the park
Games in the park
Games in the park
River Boat
River Boat
Commuters
Commuters
Elephant trunk hill
Elephant trunk hill
Man Fishing
Man Fishing
Street
Street
Osmanthus Tree
Osmanthus Tree
Games in the park
Games in the park
River
River
Abraham and Celeste
Abraham and Celeste
A Nearby Park
A Nearby Park
I was lost but now I'm
I was lost but now I’m
Nighttime by the pier
Nighttime by the pier
Street Vendor
Street Vendor
0
Shares
  • Share On Facebook
  • Tweet It




You may also like
In and Around Hou Hai Lake, Beijing China
April 6, 2014
An $8 cup of coffee in Beijing. No refill.
April 4, 2014
The Forbidden City & The Imperial Garden
April 3, 2014
Read Next

Green Forest Hostel - Guilin, China 2014

Leave A Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Celeste’s Instagram

    • My sister Jackie & my mom going into the sea 🌞🌊 #familytime #maui #sunnyday #love #family
    • Ahhhh the Paris waiters with that good lean and attitude. Reminds me of the Peaky (fokkin) Blinders! #travelgram #parisfashion #paris #peoplewatching
    • Too early for patrons, but ready for the day. 🍎 #paris #red #morning #travelgram
    • Hello weather system, we welcome your menace! ☔ #clouds #greece #incoming #outdoors #weather #bringit #stormyweather #nature
    • I vwill chop youuuu. Gonna break down and visit a professional about this mess soon. #haircut #travelgram #maintenance #greece #myself
    • "I am six feet two and weigh nearly two hundred pounds and am badly coordinated, except when I swim...
In the water I am beautiful." —Kurt Vonnegut #travelgram #outdoors #beautifulbeaches #tattoo #greece #theroadislife
    • Eyes wide open, salt in my eyes & happy about it. The crystal clear waters of Greece #water #ocean #travelgram #greece #balos #underwater #beautifulbeaches #outside
    • Hiked to the top of the fortress to see all the many shades of blue!!! Saw so many smiles from people, all of us in awe while visiting this pristine place. #outdoors #greece #beautifulbeaches #travelgram #blue #gooutside
  • Abraham’s Instagram

    • 🎉🎉🍾🍾 Going to be a Good Year!
    • Our host David - Beijing, China
    • Motovan - Beijing, China
    • Nap Time
    • Break time - Beijing, China
    • Drum Tower​ - Beijing, China
    • Jeepney Station / Baguio, Philippines
    • Vincy! / Baguio City, Philippines

  • Countries
    • +
      • Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Croatia
    • +
      • Greece
      • Indonesia
      • Italy
      • Jamaica
    • +
      • Malaysia
      • Morocco
      • Philippines
      • Romania
    • +
      • Spain
      • Thailand
      • United States
      • Vietnam
  • Videos
  • Travel Log
  • About Us
© Copyright Flight 303 - Skylane Creative
Press enter/return to begin your search