Guilin Sports & Recreation

Guilin has many natural and man-made recreational facilities to keep the sports enthusiasts very busy. One of the major attractions in this category is the Guilin Merryland Golf Club. It was designed by American golfer, Golden Louise and which has met the ASGA's regulation for golf courses. Provided below are a sampling of places for sports and recreation:

Guilin Merryland Golf Club is the largest golf club in Guangxi Province of China, an 18-hole foothill course meeting international standards. Following American USGA regulation, Merryland Golf Course has a golf path of 7073 yard and 72 par. This multi-functional golf course includes sports, entertainment, travelling and business meeting venues.

The front nine holes and the back nine holes have sharp different style. The front nine holes are based on hills. This hill theme increases the difficulty of playing greatly. The American foothills at the each side of the path change so diversely. The bunker is a popular topic of the golf players. The back nine holes are divided by water. Green is hiding in the valley. The ladder-like green is a great challenge for players. The unique subsection path will test your distance, judgment and ball controlling.

There are 60 professional paths at the training course under the instruction of it's professional trainer. Guilin Merryland golf club also provides enjoyments with Chinese restaurants, cafes, meeting rooms, a sauna and gift shop.

It is rather romantic to ride a bicycle in Yangshuo, a county nearby downtown Guilin for one can really enjoy the view along the villages as well as the landscape of mountains surrounding Li River. A few minutes of pedaling among the flickering bamboo groves, the rice fields, the wading water buffalo, the ducks with quack, the little fishers on the bank of the Li River allows one to escape the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Most of Guilin's local people who live nearby the Li River know how to swim. By wearing just a pair of underwear, they will swim to their heart's content. The water is clean and calm, and most of all swimming in the Li River is free. There's even a swimming competition held at the Li River during the winter.

There are six waterfalls in Gudong National Park in Guilin and all are suitable for climbing. You don't need any climbing gear, you just need a pair of shoes made from grass. It only costs RMB5 per pair and it is non-slippery. Along the way, there's a metal chain hanging on all the waterfalls which you can use as a guide and also for support when climbing. The climbers are mostly local people and university students from other parts of China. Climbers generally roll up their pants and jeans and carry a bag on their shoulders. The locals make the climb up the entire six waterfalls look relatively easy.

Cormorant Fishing is still practiced in Guilin. Cormorant fishing is essentially the fisherman appearing to fish properly during the day, and then put on a display for both Chinese and foreign tourists at night. A boat full of tourists sails slowly down the river, and two Cormorant fishermen on the rafts go along on either side of the boat allowing tourists to watch and take photographs.

After being with the fishermen for a few minutes you may suddenly understand why the Cormorants don't eat the fish! It is very simple, but not especially nice for the birds! A piece of some sort of wire is attached around the base of the neck. Not tight enough to stop it breathing, but restrictive enough that the bird cannot swallow any fishes it catches. It is therefore obliged to swim back to the fisherman to have the fish removed.

Duxiu Feng (the Peak of Lonely Beauty) is in the very middle of the town. To get to the top of 152 meters, you must climb about 300 steps, but the reward is the breathtaking views. In the 14th century there used to be a palace at the foot of the hill, but now there are just the remains of it. Apart from the fantastic views visitors will also impressed cleanliness of Guilin.

No visit to Guilin would be complete without the Li River cruise to Yangshuo. This trip is 80 kilometers long and takes about seven hours. It may seem a bit long but you're guaranteed not to be bored. Apart from about an hour spent inside while eating lunch, visitors can choose to stay on the top deck to view the stunning scenery. Along the winding Li River visitors can see bamboo forests, small villages, fishermen in their boats, women doing their washing but above all, the fantastic peaks and rock formations. The boating guides will point out some of the most beautiful hills and rocks with their poetic names. The ride is an absolute pleasure, so don't hesitate to go on the cruise if you happen to be in Guilin.

Guilin Bravo Hotel
The fitness of Guilin Bravo Hotel includes: Swimming Pool, Health Club, Gym, Sauna, Steam bath, and of all things MaJiang!
Address: No. 14 Ronghu Road, South, Guilin (Conveniently located in the city center on the Banyan Lake Park)
Tel: (86773) 282-3950

Guilin Osmanthus Hotel
The recreation provided by the hotel includes an outdoor swimming pool, health club, and Zhong Nan Hai sauna.
Address: No. 77 Zhong Shan Road, Guilin
Tel: (86773) 383-4300

Guilin Royal Garden Hotel
The recreation center is furnished with fitness centre, tennis court, swimming pool, MaJiang, karaoke, and sauna.
Address: Yanjiang Road, Guilin
Tel: (86773) 311-8888

Paradesa Yangshuo
The fitness of the Paradesa Yangshuo includes a swimming pool, rock climbing wall, foot reflexology, sauna, gym, Tai-Chi class, Chinese calligraphy & National painting class, National music class, cormorant fishing show and Chinese kungfu.
Address: No. 116 West Street Yangshuo, Guilin
Tel: (86773) 882-2109

Sheraton Hotel Guilin
For recreation, you can swim in the outdoor swimming pool or head to the gym, where you will find all the gear for your cardiovascular training and bodybuilding.
Address: No. 15 Binjiang Road, Guilin
Tel: (86773) 282-5588

Imperial City HotelGuilin
Address: No. 9 Binjiang Road, Guili

NOTE: Although this information is correct at the time of our web publication, it is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm the address before going to the venue because some venues may have changed their telephone numbers or address locations.

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