If Guilin is a living entity, the Li River is the absolute soul. Originated from Mao’er Mountain, Li River starts its journey from Guilin down to Yangshuo, just like a jade ribbon winding among the green hills to form a most poetic beauty spot. The reflection of the fantastic karst peaks in the water, the cowboys, the fishermen at leisure and the simple households along its banks are mesmerizing. The section from Xingping Town to Yangdi is the highlight of this magnificent picture scroll.

Moco Museum packs big-name modern and contemporary art into the 1904 Villa Alsberg, a townhouse steps from the Rijksmuseum. Since 2016, its intimate (if somewhat cramped) rooms have showcased Banksy, Basquiat and Kusama alongside rising stars, all sourced from private collections. The permanent Banksy exhibition shares space with rotating shows, while the gift shop peddles cheeky art merch. Expect queues for Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms or Warhol’s pop pieces; early mornings or late afternoons ease the squeeze. More accessible than scholarly, it’s ideal for art newcomers or those short on time.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of cultural and natural history. Employing multi-disciplinary methods of education, Rosicrucian teaches visitors about the complexities of past, present and future human relationships and endeavors. The research is collection-based, and the learning programs are collaborative and diverse. The architecture was modeled after the Temple of Amun at Karnak, and the museum boasts the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America.