Stop crowding Yangshuo! There's a "Little Switzerland" hidden in Guilin city that 99% of tourists don't know about

Stop crowding Yangshuo! There's a "Little Switzerland" hidden in Guilin city that 99% of tourists don't know about, just a 20-minute taxi ride away! Who says all the beautiful scenery in Guilin is in Yangshuo? I, Captain Jack, have explored every street and alley in Guilin and finally discovered a treasure—Guihai Qinglan! During these three autumn months, the temperature is as comfortable as air conditioning, the grass is so green it looks like you could squeeze water from it, and the best part is you can get there by taxi. For just 25 yuan, you can have the "Guilin landscape painting" right before your eyes. I tested it myself—no disappointment, and it’s ten times better than the overcrowded popular spots! I originally planned to head straight to Elephant Trunk Hill, but a local friend insisted I check out this lesser-known spot. I went with a skeptical "if it’s bad, I’ll complain" attitude, but was proven wrong as soon as I entered! The windows on the third floor of the visitor center offer a "God’s eye view"—no ticket needed. Just stand there and you see lush green mountains and crystal-clear lake water, like hanging the entire Guilin landscape painting right in front of you. Every photo you take with your phone is wallpaper-worthy! Going further inside is even more amazing! The "Sky Mirror" check-in spot made me exclaim "incredible"—the blue sky reflects on the lake surface, the green grass stretches to the foot of the mountains, and the distant peaks are clearly outlined. Standing by the lake feels like stepping into "Little Switzerland." No filters needed; post the original photo on social media and your friends will all ask, "Did you go abroad?" Even better, the park pays great attention to details! The visitor center has luggage storage lockers, so you can easily enjoy the place with kids or pets. The cute pet park and Cangyu Zhiye are super pet-friendly, so pet owners can bring their furry friends to play freely. This is way better than many paid attractions! After enjoying Guihai Qinglan, follow my route to explore Guilin city and get all the highlights in one day! First, rush to Elephant Trunk Hill, enter through Gate 3 and exit through Gate 2 to save energy and avoid detours, and best of all, it’s free! In the evening, go to the Sun and Moon Twin Towers Park. After 7 PM, the "Sun and Moon Shine Together" night view lights up, with the golden and silver towers reflecting in the water—ten times more beautiful than during the day! Finally, head to Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and Dongxi Alley for delicious food, then stroll around Xiaoyao Building to enjoy the evening breeze—perfect! If you want to go to Yangshuo the next day, listen to me! Don’t join a crowded tour bus. Just take a Didi taxi to Yangdi Pier and ride a bamboo raft to Xingping Ancient Town. This section of the Li River is the essence of "Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven!" During the 2-hour trip, the mountains on both sides retreat like ink paintings. Every photo you take looks like the scenery on the 50 yuan bill, way better than riding a big boat! I, Captain Jack, have shared all my best Guilin tips. If you take even more amazing photos at Guihai Qinglan or discover hidden ways to enjoy it, share them in the comments! If you want more Guilin food and travel tips, comment with a 1, and I’ll dig into it for you next time!