Guilin

Guilin is located in the northeast of the Guangxu Zhuang Autonomous Region of far southern China. It picturesque city sits on the west bank of the Li River. The name of the city means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus" because of the large about of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city.

I got the chance to visit this beautiful city on one of the three long weekends we had while studying abroad in Shanghai. During our stay in Guilin, we got to visit the beautiful Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, City of Yangshuo, go on the Li River boat tour, Longji Terraced Field, and have a mud fight in the mud cave. While on the Longji Terraced, we decided to pay to dress up in the traditional Guilin minority clothing. The clothes were beautifully made with bright jewel-toned colors and gold embellishments. It was a picturesque weekend that I will stick with me for a lifetime.