Guilin Local Lifestyle

 

There is a saying amongst local Guilin residents that says, "I would rather live in Guilin than in heaven". For the residents of Guilin, a city filled with picturesque landscape and beautiful mountains, Guilin is an ideal place for living and enjoying a leisurely and comfortable life. Guilin locals are easy going and care very much about the quality of their life.

In the early morning hours elderly people can be seen walking the streets heading towards one of Guilin's parks, or open areas for their morning exercises. Guilin's elderly believe strongly in exercise and it gives them an excuse to visit with friends, share common interests and chat. They can be seen throughout the city practicing tai chi, martial arts, ballroom dancing, singing, or doing the local drum or dancing with a Chinese fan. After their exercises, they will head to a local noodle restaurant. Guilin is famous for its rice noodles and they are a common breakfast food. They will then sit and chat for hours. Often, the elderly women have their grandchildren in tow. In Chinese society, the grandparents watch the children while their parents are working. The grandparents will then go to the local markets to buy food for the day. Chinese people believe that if the food was picked that day, it isn't fresh and not worth eating.

The evening is when Guilin really comes to life. People return home from work for dinner, which is always a family affair. Normally dinner is eaten at home made by the grandmother, but occasionally people will go to a local restaurant, or roadside stand to eat. After dinner, everyone steps out into the street for a stroll. There is an old idiom in Chinese that says 100 steps after eating is good for the digestion. Families can be seen walking down the street chatting and spending time with each other. They will frequently stop and chat with neighbors and friends, or occasionally stop at a little roadside stand to pick up a snack. After their walk people will get together to play chess, mahjong, or cards.

For the younger crowd, they can usually be seen in the city center shopping, or visiting nightclubs and bars. Guilin's downtown area has a hopping nightlife and there are many things to do. Many people enjoy seeing and being seen. It is where all the fashionable people hang out. Many people simply like window shopping in the evening.

What makes Guilin such a wonderful destination is not just its breathtaking landscape, but also its people. The people of Guilin have a warm spirit and are quick to greet visitors. They do their best to make people feel welcome to their city. Guilin residents are fiercely proud of their city, and love to share it with others.

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