Guilin: City Walk WWII Spy HQ, Markets & Scenic Waterways

Step beyond Guilin’s famous scenery on a city walk through local markets, hidden WWII history, scenic lakes, and local daily life. Discover a side of Guilin most visitors never see.
Leave the typical tourist route behind and discover a different side of Guilin through its markets, wartime secrets, local flavors, and lakeside scenery.

Meet your guide at Lianda Plaza in the morning and begin with a visit to Heishan Market, Guilin’s largest and most authentic local market. Wander through lively aisles packed with fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, aromatic spices, and regional specialties. See towering piles of taro, a staple ingredient in local cooking, browse unusual produce rarely seen outside Guangxi, and take in the rich scents of star anise, cassia bark, and freshly prepared snacks. As vendors bargain with customers and locals shop for the day’s meals, you'll experience a side of Guilin that has changed little over generations.

Continue to one of the city’s most fascinating hidden historical sites, the former Eighth Route Army Office. From the outside, it appeared to be an ordinary wine distillery, but behind its walls operated a secret intelligence network during World War II. Hear the remarkable true story of Li Kenong, one of China’s most influential intelligence figures, and learn how information was secretly transmitted from this building. Your guide will reveal hidden details throughout the site, including the concealed radio transmitter built into the wall, while explaining its surprising connection to the American Flying Tigers based in Guilin.

After exploring Guilin’s wartime past, enjoy lunch featuring the city’s famous Luosifen. Known internationally as "stinky noodles," this beloved local specialty surprises many visitors with its rich, complex broth and distinctive flavor.

In the afternoon, slow the pace with a relaxing walk around Guilin’s beautiful Four Lakes area. Far from the busy sightseeing crowds, follow shaded pathways lined with willow trees, cross elegant stone bridges, and admire reflections of the surrounding karst mountains shimmering across the water. More than a scenic attraction, this is where local residents gather to exercise, socialize, and enjoy daily life, offering a glimpse into the city beyond its tourist landmarks.

Along the shores of Ronghu Lake, stop at a charming local café for a well earned break. Sip a fragrant osmanthus latte, a flavor deeply associated with Guilin, while enjoying peaceful lake views and the slower rhythm of the city.

Your journey concludes among some of Guilin’s oldest landmarks. Cross historic bridges filled with local stories and arrive at an ancient city gate dating back more than 1,300 years to the Tang Dynasty. Nearby stands a magnificent banyan tree that has watched over the area for nearly 800 years, providing a fitting ending to a day spent discovering the layers of history, culture, and everyday life that make Guilin unique.

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