Situated in the north-eastern corner of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous
Region, Guilin is considered one of China's most beautiful and scenic
destinations.
Guilin claims to have the "finest mountains and rivers under
heaven." Two crystal-clear rivers meander through the city, which is
encircled by Karst mountains with unusual and curious rock formations and
caves.
Visas
All international travellers require visas although Brunei,
Japan, and Singapore passport holders are able to enjoy visa-free access to
China for up to 15 days.
Standard 30-day, single-entry visas can be issued in three to
five working days from most Chinese embassies, and must be used within three
months from the date of issue. Longer visas are often more difficult to obtain.
For further details, consult with your travel agent, China
International Travel Service, China Travel Service, or any Chinese embassy or
consulate.
View visa requirements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China
Currency
The Chinese currency is known as renminbi (RMB). Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.
Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.
RMB 1.00
equals:
|
Exchange Rates
|
Currency
|
|
0.17
|
Australian Dollar
(AUD)
|
|
0.13
|
Euro
(EUR)
|
|
0.11
|
British Pound
(GBP)
|
|
1.25
|
Hong Kong Dollar
(HKD)
|
|
8.97
|
Indian Rupee
(INR)
|
|
16.61
|
Japanese Yen
(JPY)
|
|
0.20
|
New Zealand Dollar
(NZD)
|
|
0.20
|
Singapore Dollar
(SGD)
|
|
0.16
|
US Dollar
(USD)
|
Taxes
A 15% surcharge, exclusive of government tax,
is applicable in most hotels and some private restaurants.
Tipping
Many mid-range and top-end restaurants generally include their own
service charge which varies between establishments.
Tipping is officially
considered inappropriate and is discouraged.
Business Hours
Bank Hours
8.30am - 5pm, Monday through Friday
8.30am - 4pm, Saturday
There is a 24-hour ATM in the hotel lobby.
Office Hours
9am - 5.30pm, Monday through Friday
Shopping Hours
8 / 9am - 9pm or later throughout the week.
Department stores are open from 9am to 9pm every day. Opening hours may vary for local shops and markets.
Public Health
Visitors entering China are required to
complete a health declaration form. Check with your local doctor about your
vaccination requirements.
Shangri-La recommends you drink only boiled
or bottled water during your stay. Complimentary bottled drinking water is
available in every room.
Dress
Dress is generally informal in Guilin except on social, diplomatic or
government occasions, when a suit and tie is appropriate. In winter you may
need a sweater or a coat, and light clothing for summer months.
Weather
The best time to visit Guilin is between
April and October. The city has a subtropical monsoon climate, ranging from
relatively hot and humid during the summer: 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F) and 2°C (35°F) during January and
February.
Today
Mostly Sunny
Mostly sunny and hot
|
High:
|
33°C /
91°F
|
|
Low:
|
21°C /
69°F
|
Tomorrow
Partly Sunny
Partly sunny and hot
|
High:
|
33°C /
91°F
|
|
Low:
|
20°C /
68°F
|
|
Saturday:
|
|
Partly Sunny
|
High:
33°C /
91°F
|
Low:
23°C /
73°F
|
|
Sunday:
|
|
Rain
|
High:
27°C /
80°F
|
Low:
23°C /
73°F
|
|
Monday:
|
|
Thunderstorms
|
High:
27°C /
80°F
|
Low:
22°C /
71°F
|