Learn How to Pronounce Guilin | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Guilin

Quick Answer: In Chinese, the name Guilin is written as 桂林, transcribed in Pinyin as Guìlín, and pronounced [kweɪ̯˥˩ lin˧˥].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Guilin, a prefecture-level city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China, is globally celebrated as the archetype of sublime karst landscape scenery. Founded in the Qin Dynasty, its name poetically means "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," a reference to the fragrant trees found throughout the region. The city's iconic geography is defined by dramatic limestone pinnacles and verdant hills that seem to rise magically from the earth, elegantly reflected in the serene waters of the Li River. This breathtaking panorama has inspired Chinese poets and painters for centuries and is immortalized on the 20 Yuan banknote. As a premier destination for Guilin tourism, it serves as the gateway for Li River cruise excursions to Yangshuo, karst mountain exploration, and outdoor adventures like hiking and bamboo rafting. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the South China Karst, Guilin's natural scenery combines with cultural attractions such as the Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill to create an unforgettable travel in China experience, making it a cornerstone of the country's most scenic destinations.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard spelling "Guilin" follows the Hanyu Pinyin romanization system and is consistently used in official contexts and international travel literature. Common misspellings and typos often arise from phonetic misinterpretations or keyboard errors. Frequent variants include "Gui Lin" (incorrectly separating the two syllables, though this was an older Wade-Giles convention), "Guiling" (adding an extraneous 'g'), and "Gulin" (omitting the 'i'). Other errors might involve "Guillian" or "Guilinn," reflecting attempts to approximate the sound. In historical contexts, one may encounter the postal map spelling "Kweilin," which is now largely obsolete. Travelers searching for information should use the correct single-word "Guilin" to ensure the most accurate and current results regarding attractions, tours, and accommodations.

Example Sentences

No trip to China is truly complete without experiencing the ethereal beauty of Guilin, where mist-clad karst peaks create a landscape straight out of a classical ink painting.

We spent the afternoon hiking up to the summit of one of Guilin's many iconic hills for a panoramic view of the city nestled among the limestone towers.

The most famous way to appreciate the scenery is on a leisurely Li River cruise from Guilin downstream to the town of Yangshuo.

Photographers flock to Guilin at dawn to capture the perfect shot of fishermen and their cormorants against the backdrop of the serene river.

While the natural wonders are paramount, Guilin also offers rich cultural experiences, from exploring the illuminated Reed Flute Cave to strolling through its bustling night markets.

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