Guilin means "Osmanthus Forest", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city, which has long been renowned for its unique scenery of Karst peaks. Guilin is situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River.
With Vietnam at its south, the region's location in southern China and mountainous terrain, has made it one of the border frontiers of Chinese civilization. Even into the 20th century it was considered an open, wild territory. The current name "Guang" itself means "expanse", and has been associated with the region since the creation of Guang Prefecture in 226 AD. It was given provincial level status during the Yuan Dynasty and in 1949 was reformed as one of China's five minority autonomous regions.
Guilin itself didnt acquire its present name until 1940, although a small settlement has existed here on the banks of the Li River since the fourth century BCE. Guilin is listed as one of the four cities (the other three being Beijing, Hangzhou and Suzhou) where the protection of historical and cultural heritage, as well as natural scenery, should be treated as a priority project.
Guilin cuisine is known for its snacks and the use of spices, especially chili. The famous Guilin chili sauce, Guìlín làjiāojiàng, used widely in cooking by locals, is made of fresh chili, garlic, and fermented soybeans. Guilin rice noodles (Guìlín mǐfěn) have been the local breakfast staple since the Qin dynasty and are renowned for their delicate taste. Legend has it that when Qin troops suffering from diarrhea entered this region, a cook created the Guilin rice noodles for the army because they had trouble eating the local food.
"Guilin's scenery is best among all under heaven" states a popular Chinese saying, which is why a trip here is not about Guilin the city, but what lies in the surrounding countryside. |
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