Guilin is emerging as one of China’s fastest-growing destinations for international travellers, with its dramatic landscapes, cultural heritage and slower pace of travel attracting growing interest from visitors across Asia, including Malaysia.

According to Trip.com Group, international flight bookings to Guilin increased by 75 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. Malaysia ranked as the city’s fourth-largest international source market, with flight bookings rising 98 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The data also points to changing travel preferences among Malaysians. More than 60 per cent of hotel bookings are for four-star properties and above, while searches for halal and Muslim-friendly accommodation have increased by 40 per cent year-on-year. On average, Malaysian visitors spend five days in Guilin as part of a wider multi-city itinerary through China.

Trip.com Group showcased the destination during its “Guilin Night” event, attended by more than 3,500 guests from 78 countries and regions. The event also featured the company’s Global Ambassador for China Travel, Jackie Chan, who shared his favourite experiences in the region.

Guide To Guilin

For Chan, the Li River remains Guilin’s defining attraction. The river cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo passes limestone peaks, riverside villages and the famous Yellow Cloth Reflection, a scenic stretch featured on China’s 20 RMB banknote.

Beyond the river, Chan highlighted the centuries-old Longji Rice Terraces, where layered fields transform with the seasons, and the Reed Flute Cave, an extensive limestone cavern known for its illuminated rock formations. For those seeking more adventurous experiences, he also pointed to Ruyi Peak, where cable cars, suspension bridges and skywalks offer panoramic views over Yangshuo’s karst landscape.

History also plays an important role in Guilin’s appeal. Solitary Beauty Peak and the nearby Jingjiang Princes’ Palace offer visitors a glimpse into the city’s Ming Dynasty heritage, while the nightly Impression Liu Sanjie performance combines music, dance and local folklore against the natural backdrop of the Li River. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the open-air production has become one of Guilin’s signature cultural attractions.

As travellers increasingly seek meaningful experiences over fast-paced sightseeing, Guilin is positioning itself as a destination where nature, heritage and local culture can be explored at a more relaxed pace—offering a different perspective on travel in China beyond its largest cities.