Curious about a place where the forest meets sweet fragrance? That’s Gongping in Guilin. This town is part of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is known as the “forest of sweet osmanthus”. The name comes from the many sweet osmanthus trees in the area.
Gongping is in an area settled long ago by the Baiyue people. This happened before the Qin Dynasty. Guilin’s history began around 314 BC with a small settlement on the Li River.
During the Qin Dynasty, around 221–206 BC, Guilin Commandery was established. This is where the name “Guilin” comes from. Shi’an County was created in 111 BC during the Han Dynasty. This marks the start of the city itself.
The town got a new name in AD 507. It became Guizhou. Later in 634, Lingui County was founded at Guilin’s modern location. Guilin became important during the Tang and Song dynasties. It was a link between the government and the southwest border. Armies were stationed here to protect the border. Canals were built for food transport from the Yangtze plain.
In 997, Guangnan West Circuit was established with Guizhou as its capital. In 1133, Guizhou was renamed Jingjiang Prefecture. The name changed again in 1367 to Guilin Prefecture.
Guilin played a role in the Northern Expeditionary Army in 1921. Sun Yat-sen led this army. In 1940, Guilin City was officially established. It served as Guangxi’s provincial capital until 1949.
During World War II, Guilin was a key center for military, transport and culture. The city grew rapidly with refugees. The population increased from 70,000 to over 500,000 by 1944. Many intellectuals and artists found refuge here.
In 1950, the capital of Guangxi moved to Nanning. However, Guilin remains a significant place. In 1981, Guilin was named one of four cities for prioritized heritage and scenery protection.
Today, Guilin is divided into several administrative areas. These include districts, counties, autonomous counties and a county-level city. Guilin is known for its karst topography. These formations surround the city. They are made of limestone and dolomite rocks from the Triassic period. The Li River flows through Guilin, adding to its beauty.
The climate here is humid subtropical. Winters are mild and short. Summers are long, hot and humid. Rainfall is abundant, especially from April to June.
Guilin has a large population. The city is home to over four million people. Many ethnic groups live here, including Han Chinese, Yao and Zhuang. Mandarin is spoken in the urban area. Pinghua is common in the suburbs.
The local economy includes various industries. These range from food processing to high technology. Tourism is also a major part of Guilin’s economy. The city is well-connected by air and rail. Guilin Liangjiang International Airport serves many destinations. High-speed trains connect Guilin to major cities.
Public transportation includes buses and taxis. Guilin is known for its double-decker buses. Sightseeing boats operate on the canals and lakes.
Guilin offers many scenic spots. The Li River is famous for its beauty. Other attractions include Reed Flute Cave and Seven-star Park. Local cuisine blends Cantonese and Zhuang flavors. Guilin rice noodles are a local staple. Chili sauce is a popular condiment.
Guilin has several international connections. It is twinned with cities in Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, the United States and other countries.
People often say, “Guilin’s scenery is best among all under heaven.” This quote captures the essence of Gongping and its surrounding area. The area’s unique landscape continues to inspire visitors.