Guilin has more to appeal to tourists

Merryland Resort

Known as the Disneyland of China, the Merryland Resort covers an area of more than 1,000 mu (66.67 hectares), which is the largest in South China. The layout of the whole Merryland Resort is centered on Lake Linghu, a natural lake with a surface area of 780 mu. The resort is surrounded by high hills on every side and is home to many pines. It is functionally divided into four sections: the Theme Park, the Golf Club, the Resort Hotel and the Forest Resort Village.

Location: Linghu Road, Xing’an county, Guilin city Admission: 150 yuan per person

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:30 (from March to June); 8:30-18:00 (July & August); 9:00-17:30 (September & October); 9:00-17:00 (January, February, November and December)

Tips: Visitors can take the Shuttle directly to the Resort at Guilin Bus Terminal or take the fast bus bound for Xing’an from Guilin; then upon arrival get a transfer to get to the Resort. Tel: 0773-6229988

Longsheng Hot Spring

The scenic area boasts beautiful hills and peaks and lush vegetation. The hot spring water gushes out of rocks which are 1,200 meters under the ground. The water is clear and there are altogether 16 springs. With a comparatively high mineral content, the spring water is good for medical purposes and drinking and meets the national standards of mineral water and drinking water. Moreover, the spring water contains more than 10 trace elements such as lithium, strontium, iron, zinc and copper that are beneficial to health.

Location: Ailing town, Longsheng county, Guilin city

Admission: 128 yuan per person Opening Hours: 7:00-23:30

Tips: Shuttle buses between downtown Longsheng and the hot spring are available from 7:00 to 18:00 at an interval of 20 minutes. The bus fare is 4.5 yuan per person.

Tel: 0773-7482889 / 3870886

West Hill Park

The West Hill Park consists of 12 peaks, including the Qianshan Hill, the Stone Fish Peak, the West Peak, and the Guanyin Peak. As the highest of all, the West Peak consists of layers of Devonian limestone which was formed more than 350 million years ago.

Location: No 2, Xishan Road, Xiufeng district, Guilin city

Admission: 75 yuan per person Opening Hours: 7:30-18:00 (Daylight Saving Time); 8:00-18:00 (winter time)

Tips: Tourists can take Bus No 14, 25, 89, or 209 and get off at the Xishan Park Stop which faces the main entrance of the Park.

Tel: 0773-2803149/2897170

Butterfly Spring Park

The Butterfly Spring is located in the most attractive section of the “Ten-Mile Gallery” of the Moon Mountain Scenic Area, Yangsuo county, Guilin city. Among the scenic spots there are the Butterfly Cave, Butterfly Hill Waterfall, Butterfly Bridge, Butterfly Lake and the Butterfly Garden. The Butterfly Garden is the largest garden for butterflies in China and is currently home to more than 200 kinds of butterflies numbering more than 10,000. With dense and thick forests, the Butterfly Spring Scenic Area is a natural oxygen bar.

Location: The “Ten-Mile Gallery”of the Moon Mountain Scenic Area, Gaotian township, Yangsuo county, Guilin city

Admission: 60 yuan per person Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30

Tips: Tourists can take the tourist bus bound for Yangsuo Bus Station from Guilin near the Guilin Railway Station between 7am and 6 pm; then take the minibus at the station to get to their destination.

Tel: 0773-8811466/8811469/8829978

The Seven Star Park

The Seven Star Park is the largest comprehensive park in the city of Guilin and it has many tourist attractions. The park consists of seven peaks (four in the Putuo Hill and three in the Crescent Hill), These peaks are arranged in a pattern similar to the Ursa Major (Big Dipper) constellation, which is called “Bei Dou Qi Xing” in Chinese, hence the name of the park. Famed scenic spots include the Flower Bridge, Putuo Hill, the Seven Star Cave, Camel Hill, Crescent Hill, the Dragon Retreat Cave, the Guihai Forest of Steles, and the Square of the Light of China etc.

Location: No 1, Qixing Road, Guilin city

Admission: 75 yuan ($12) per person

Tips: Visitors can take Bus Nos 11, 18 or 58 free bus to reach the entrance.

Tel: 0773-5815050;5814343