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Discover the hidden side of Guilin with Two Drifters. This video dives into the city's electrifying nightlife, from cozy Irish pubs to busy pedestrian streets filled with unique souvenirs and local art. Experience authentic Chinese cuisine, marvel at the illuminated Sun and Moon Pagodas, and explore lively markets. See Guilin through the eyes of locals and fellow travelers, uncovering its charm and affordability.
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Arriving and going out in Guilin
Two Drifters arrive in Guilin by train and check into a comfortable hotel with a mountain view. The night starts with dinner: they order goose pancakes, crispy skin goose and egg dumplings filled with pork. The meal is served family-style at a rotating table. They compare the crispy goose with Peking duck and enjoy the dishes as a highlight of the evening.
After dinner they walk through Guilin's pedestrian street, where shops, food vendors and street performers keep the area busy. Souvenir stalls carry hairpins, fans and magnets, and there are traditional clothes visitors can try on for photos. An Irish pub is an unexpected stop among the local shops and brings up a lighthearted discussion about the mix of Western and Chinese settings.
Night market, art and pagodas
The travelers spend time looking through the night market's colorful goods. Local artists display handmade paintings on rice paper, and one artist talks about the work and the difficulty of selling art while traveling light. The shops and stalls give Amy, who enjoys shopping, plenty to browse. There is also a short humorous moment after one traveler trips.
They continue to Shanghoo Lake to see the Sun and Moon Pagodas lit up after dark. The lakeside is lively, with many Western visitors, more than they expected, but the view of the pagodas is calm. They mention Guilin's affordability and say a nice hotel can cost around 200 yuan per night. Elephant Trunk Rock, near the hotel, is described as a formation that looks like an elephant drinking from the water. The evening brings together local food, shopping, street art, performers, the lake and the illuminated pagodas. The local artist's comments give the travelers another view of the pedestrian street beyond shopping: paintings are made on rice paper, and selling them while moving from place to place is challenging. They also see street performers and food sellers as they browse the market. Their initial surprise at the number of Western visitors becomes part of their impression of Guilin at night. The pagodas draw people to the lakeside, while the surrounding pedestrian area stays busy with shops and food. Their hotel, at around 200 yuan for a comfortable room, is one example of the city's affordability. The visit covers a train arrival, a hotel stay, a shared meal, a shopping street and evening views, with Elephant Trunk Rock as a nearby landmark they mention.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the food like in Guilin?
- A: The food was amazing. They had goose pancakes, crispy skin goose, and egg dumplings filled with pork. It was a family-style dining experience with a rotating table.
- Q: What kind of souvenirs can you find on the pedestrian street?
- A: You can find a variety of souvenirs like hairpins, fans, magnets, and even handmade art from local artists. There are also traditional clothing items available.
- Q: What was the vibe like in Guilin at night?
- A: It was surprisingly busy with many Western tourists. The pedestrian street was lively with food vendors, shops, and street performers, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas were beautifully lit by the lake.
- Q: Was Guilin expensive to visit?
- A: No, it was very affordable. Hotels were around 200 yuan per night for a really nice place, making it a worthwhile destination.
- Q: What is the Elephant Trunk Rock?
- A: It's a rock formation near the hotel that looks like an elephant's trunk drinking water. There was a bit of a debate about which part was the trunk.
- Q: What is worth seeing around the lake?
- A: The travelers visit Shanghoo Lake and see the Sun and Moon Pagodas, which are illuminated at night.
- Q: What else can visitors find on Guilin’s pedestrian street?
- A: They see souvenir stalls, street food vendors, local artists selling rice-paper paintings and traditional clothing shops.
- Q: How much did their Guilin hotel cost?
- A: The travelers describe Guilin as affordable and mention paying around 200 yuan per night for a comfortable hotel.
