Guilin Nightlife

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Close to the hotel we had, included in our travelling package, a show of the ethnic minorities. It was totally different from the previous shows in Beijing and Xi’an.

We were in a common theatre, with a popular audience, talking and laughing during the show, only missing… the popcorn. More visual and varied than the other, with simpler means, the result was, however, very positive.

Also differently from the other, they didn’t allow pictures of the show, but announced that the actors would join the public in the foyer to free photos. They did: a great confusion, with the exiting people stumbling in those standing for photos, and, in a couple of minutes everybody was gone.

There are a few pubs scattered along the pedestrian street ( Bu Xing Jie ) in Zhong Shan Zhong (central) Lu. It's less than a kilometer from the Zhong Shan Hotel.
Plays mixture of Chinese and English - R&B, hip hop & later technos..
Jack Daniels+coke (Bottled) are around RMB25 -30, and beer starts from RMB 20.
Other house pourings starts from around RMB 30.

Dress Code: Casual

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Not so much people around, but anyway there's some people... And even some beautiful girls ;-) It's not that difficult to make friends... If you are a single as me, go around and have a beer with some girl... :-)

Guilin water system scenery area contains the two rivers - Li River and Peach Blossom River both linked with the four lakes - Guihu Lake, Banyan Lake, Fir Lake and Mulong Lake, to form a round-the-city wateray attraction. It not only adds more charming scenic pots to Guilin, restoring the ancient city's style and features but also greatly contributes to the urban environment. Today, Guilin has the cleanest river and lake water of any Chinese city.

At present, tourists can take boat trips by the water route around the city. The cruise route is divided into three main scenery areas. The scenery along the rivers and lakes can compare in beauty to the Amsterdam Canal, the Scenic of Paris and the waterways of Venice. It is just like wandering in a wonderland to visit the rivers and bridges by boats at night with the lamplights glittering on the pristine river.

Three wharfs to board a boat cruise are the Wenchang Bridge Wharf, Zhiyin Tai Wharf and Jiefang Bridge Wharf.

Day ticket: RMB90
Night ticket: RMB120

This is a performance combining acrobatics, modern circus and ballet. There are many actors and actresses in the show, ranging from children, teenagers and adults.

I find their costumes rather odd-looking with mismatch colours. Few flaws and failed attempts have been spotted in their performance. Accompanying music is so modern and has no oriental flavour at all. If you are keen to enjoy chinese cultural performance, then this is not the kind of show of your preference. It's more westernised and you can watch better quality ones at some western countries. I could not even figure out that this show has any connection with Li River. The stage is rather small too.

One thing that fascinated me was the toilet and its ambience. Lighting is dark and with purple hue. There's even a TV screen installed on the toilet floor. You still can catch a glimpse of the show while you are lining up for your turn.

Tickets are cateogorised into lower and upper floor. A bottle of mineral water is distributed upon admission. Filming is prohibited. There's no enforcement on latecomers and thus causing many disturbances. Best seats are at the middle of the lower floor.

Ticket price is RMB120

West Street (Xi Jie) is situated in Yangshuo, the most beautiful town along the Li River. Built in 590 during the Sui Dynasty with the Li River passing by on the east, the street, which has experienced much wind and rain, is still well preserved, revealing the resplendence of past days.

Since being opened up to the outside in 1978, West Street has received countless foreigners from all over the world and it was reputed as "Earth Village in China". Today, the 2000-m-long street is filled with stores, bars, cafes and hotels. Nearly all the inhabitants, old and young, in the street can speak simple English and the street is regarded as the largest foreign language corner in China.

Offering not only elegant scenery, but also superior dining and Chinese and western snacks, Xijie, has become a good place for those who have been wandering around China for a while to have a break from oily stir-fried vegetables and grab a cup of coffee.

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Le Feitz Irish Pub is one of the most popular place in Guilin among expats community.
Live music, themed parties every week-end.
Close to the universities, foreign students from all over the world.

A nighttime walk along the Li River is so colorful and enjoyable - don't ever miss it! The Chinese people are really "masters of illumination"!