Guilin Events, Things to Do and Festivals

(Guilin, Guangxi, China)

Whenever you pay a visit to Guilin, you are likely to find plenty of things to do and activities to keep you occupied, although if you time your holiday right, you may also be able to enjoy a traditional Chinese festival or two. A number of seasonal events are staged on an annual basis in and around the city, such as the Guilin Dragon Boat Festival on May 5th, where participants race along the Li River in their decorated boats.

From late October until early November, the Guilin Mountain and River Festival is a particular highlight for tourists and showcases the region's impressive scenery. Those attending this event can expect to find an array of folk customs, dancing, music and trade fairs being just some of the highlights.

Guilin Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015: General Information

The city of Guilin is also known for its reed-pipe (lusheng) dancing, where at certain times, locals don traditional costumes and wear dragon masks, performing to crowds of onlookers. Bull fighting is another tradition in Guilin, together with horse racing.

In the middle of July each year, the Ziyuan River Lantern and Song Festival is held in the nearby Ziyuan County, which is under two hours away by car and therefore suitable for a day trip. Based within the city itself, the Guilin Scenery, Culture and Tourism Festival lasts around eight days in mid-November and has been held annually since 1992. This event features an opening ceremony at the Seven Star Park, with evening illuminations, fireworks and plenty of oriental-style food.