Guilin Merryland Resort World

1. Introduction

Located in Xing'an County, Guilin City, Guangxi, Guilin Merryland Resort World is one of China's first batch of 5A-level tourist attractions, one of China's Top Ten Self-drive Tourism Brand Scenic Spots, and one of the nation's first tourism standardization demonstration enterprises. Spread across over 6,000 acres within the Ling Lake Scenic Area of Xing'an County, it integrates the beauty of Guilin's landscapes, the art of Guangxi's ethnic minorities, and the joyful culture of Merryland into a leisure resort hotel that is both elegant and relaxing. The American-style rolling hills 36-hole international standard golf course offers exclusive views of Guilin's stunning scenery, challenging your ultimate sense of honor. The vibrant theme park combines fashion, dynamism, excitement, and joy. These elements together form the resort destination of Guilin Merryland Resort World, a perfect blend of prestige, nature, romance, leisure, and happiness.

2. Main Attractions

2.1 Ling Lake

Merryland Resort World is built alongside Ling Lake. Known as the "Little West Lake," Ling Lake covers an area of approximately 780 acres, with its deepest point reaching 30 meters. Its water source is the Haiyang River from Haiyang Township, Lingchuan County, Guangxi. The water is clear and cool, with reflections of surrounding green pines and cypresses, resembling a light ink-wash landscape painting. On sunny days, the lake sparkles with ripples, reflecting the green peaks. The lakeshore is beautifully scenic, with ducks flying and birds singing, offering a delightful and refreshing sight. Taking a painted pleasure boat tour on Ling Lake is a truly enjoyable experience. Amidst this picturesque landscape, one can fully appreciate the beauty and tranquility of nature, enjoying the enchanting scenery around the lake. It feels like transcending the mundane world, purifying the soul, making all worldly matters seem less important.

Under the gentle breeze, the lake water ripples slightly. The soft sound of waves lapping against the shore and the splashing of boats cutting through the water compose a moving aquatic melody: "Water pats the green mountains, mountains play with shadows; mountains sway the blue water, water glows with light." As the saying goes: natural beauty crafted by nature's artistry. On rainy days, mist and rain drift over the lake, creating ever-changing scenery. Sometimes, it's mist yet not quite mist, rain yet not quite rain—mist carrying rain, rain carrying mist, truly presenting a scene of "mist veiling towers, moon confusing the ferry." The trees on the mountains appear faintly visible.

For a moment, it adds a sense of transcending the mundane world, entering a mysterious realm of "empty mountains where no one is seen, yet voices are heard." "Don't dislike viewing mountains in the rain, for the mountain colors are enhanced by the rain." Adorned by a drizzle, Ling Lake becomes distant and ethereal. Viewed from afar, it seems clear yet unclear, deep and unfathomable, like a fairyland, extraordinarily beautiful, inspiring poetic feelings and adding a few strands of enchanting sentiment. Ling Lake, as serene as a maiden, with its clear water, reflections of emerald cypresses, and rippling blue waves—this scene intoxicates visitors, making them joyful and reluctant to leave.

2.2 Merryland Camellias

The founder of Merryland, Mr. Ma Zhiling, a renowned Taiwanese entrepreneur, has a deep passion for camellias. Since 1997, he has invested in establishing a camellia cultivation base at Merryland, dedicated to planting camellias and promoting camellia culture. The Merryland Camellia Base covers approximately over forty acres. It has successfully introduced and cultivated over ten thousand large camellia trees and grafted seedlings, collecting a total of more than 380 varieties of Chinese and foreign camellias. These mainly include precious varieties introduced from Europe, America, Japan, Taiwan, etc., as well as excellent domestic varieties.

At the 4th China Camellia Exhibition held in March 2003, the 'Furong Xiangbo' (Hibiscus Fragrant Wave) submitted by Merryland won the Silver Award. Every year around January to March, Merryland hosts camellia-themed activities. Strolling along the shores of Ling Lake during this time, you can admire the spectacular sight of "ten thousand camellias vying for spring's beauty." Camellias have now become an important cultural symbol of Merryland and the official flower of the Merryland Resort World theme park.

From March 1 to 20, 2005, the 2005 Merryland International Camellia Expo was held at Merryland, jointly organized by the Guilin Municipal Government, the Forestry Bureau of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Camellia Branch of the China Flower Association. This was the largest, most comprehensive, most numerous, and highest-quality camellia exhibition in China's history. Guests invited to the expo included camellia experts from 7 countries and regions, leaders from districts, cities, and counties, journalists from major news media, and other social dignitaries. During the expo, approximately 100,000 visitors entered the park to view the camellia exhibition. The camellias 'Shiba Xueshi' (Eighteen Scholars) and 'Elizabeth's Wave' submitted by Merryland won top honors at this grand event, while 'Furong Xiangbo' (Hibiscus Fragrant Wave) also won the Silver Award in two consecutive expos.

2.3 Merryland Golf Club

— One of China's Top Ten Golf Courses — One of China's Ten Most Influential Golf Courses — One of China's Ten Extraordinary Golf Resorts This course, crafted over more than a decade, follows the curves of Ling Lake and blends with the distant mountains. For a golfer, this is an irresistible attraction and an ultimate challenge against pressure. What constantly challenges golfers is its unpredictability—perhaps narrow and deep fairways, perhaps daunting bunkers and ponds. After conquering one hole, golfers must readjust for the next, only to later realize this is not without design and marvel at how the course integrates with the mountain peaks and river waters. Awarded "China's Top Ten Golf Courses" in 2004, "China's Ten Most Influential Golf Courses" in 2006, and consecutively honored as "China's Ten Extraordinary Golf Resorts" in 2009 and 2010, the Guilin Merryland Golf Club is an American-style rolling hills 36-hole course. It covers a total area of 2,400 acres. The overall planning of the course adheres to the USGA's construction principles and is tailor-made to fit the beautiful scenery of Guilin. The fairway design was commissioned at great expense from American fairway expert DAVID.

The Merryland Golf Club continuously pursues an environmental system meeting international standards for both hardware and software quality. It is the first course in China to use USGA-certified Eagle grass on its greens, allowing every golfer who comes here to experience the thrill of fast greens daily. The climate here is pleasant year-round, with gardens full of fragrant flowers. The course remains open even in winter. Besides enjoying the lush green scenery on the course, golfers can also relish leisure and relaxing happy times at the cozy Merryland Resort Hotel and the fashionable, dynamic theme park.

Course A features hill-type fairways with mountain views as the main theme. Surrounded by mountains and adorned with carefully selected flowers, grass, trees, and artificial lakes, it provides an excellent environment for swinging. Course B features valley-type fairways with lake views as the main theme. The fairways are designed along the natural lakeshore, featuring abundant water hazards, providing a challenging venue for golfers to test themselves. Course C inherits the rolling hills style of the course, cleverly utilizing natural landscapes like terrain and mountain views, integrating flowing water, waterfalls, small bridges, and distinctive plantings into a naturally scenic whole. The newly completed Course D takes a different turn, focusing on mountainous terrain. Benefiting from steep altitude drops and rises, the views from higher points are exceptionally open, with distant mountain ranges layered upon each other, the lake and mountain scenery before one's eyes, and small bridges and flowing water beneath one's feet. The design, however, is full of intricacies: rare oversized greens, endless bunkers and water hazards, undulating and varied fairways that even incorporate steep cliffs, significant elevation differences affecting shots, coupled with unpredictable winds, making it highly challenging. Each hole has its own characteristics: small bridges over flowing water, natural floating islands, water hazards, island greens... demanding strict control of power and accuracy. The entire course offers magnificent landscapes and broad vistas, with the lake and mountain scenery fully in view. The 11th hole is a dogleg right. From the tee, the green is completely invisible, and the fairway is built along the hillside, with OB stakes on both sides of the green, making it a relatively difficult hole. The 16th hole, dubbed the "Devil's Hole" by golfers, is even more exquisite. It's a 407-yard, PAR 4 hole. Its special feature requires clearing two lake bay hazards; a slight mistake will land the ball in the water. Here, control of power is needed, but even more so, wisdom. Most noteworthy is the 17th hole, also considered the most classic. Its green is located on a small island surrounded by water on three sides, a classic choice testing golfers' accuracy and power. The short-distance PAR 3 20th hole faces north from a commanding height. The elevation drop from the Blue Tee to the green is 10.2 meters, and from the White Tee to the green is 4.8 meters. The design of the elevated tee box is the most charming aspect of this hole. After appreciating the beauty of the back nine, golfers hitting from high to low must pay extra attention to power. If not careful, with a tailwind, a "bang" shot shows no sign of braking, and the ball's landing point will be beyond expectation. The green is surrounded by bunkers on the left, right, and behind; too much or too little power risks landing in the bunkers.

The 23rd hole faces the 22nd hole across a stream. The designer's concept is ingenious: OB is on the left of the fairway, and water hazards extend all the way to the green on the right. The fairway resembles a green cliff edge, with no good landing area, and there is a large bunker behind the green. The safest route might be the most dangerous. The scenery is captivating but forces golfers to attack the green directly. Therefore, precise long irons and putting are key to conquering this hole. The most distinctive 29th hole has a 40-meter elevation difference. From the tee to around the green, it is accompanied by cherry blossoms, hence also called the "Cherry Blossom Hole." The 35th hole, with a total length of 593 yards, is also highly challenging for amateur golfers. The 36th hole's 1,200-square-meter green impresses golfers.

Additionally, the clubhouse features a café, a boutique shop, and a 36-bay driving range.

2.3.1 Café

The café is located on the first floor of the clubhouse, in front of the departure station. You can pause for a moment while waiting for your tee-off time to enjoy a cup of rich coffee, or after an exciting round, savor a cup of aromatic coffee and enjoy a delightful afternoon tea time.#### 2.3.2 Boutique Located on the right side of the first-floor lobby, it offers the latest styles of men's and women's golf shirts and various professional golf supplies for your selection.

2.3.3 36-Bay Driving Range

Situated directly behind the clubhouse, this area not only provides a warm-up space for golfers but also serves as the best choice for beginners to experience the joy of swinging.

Meanwhile, Merryland Golf Course has specially engaged professional managers from the golf industry. With international-level professional demands and equipment, the course features resident turf experts and regularly trained and assessed full-time caddies, offering golfers more refined and professional course services.

The lush green course, high-standard software and hardware facilities, and comprehensive overall planning integrate the diverse mountains, clear blue waters, and the unique artificial landscapes of golf. This allows players to enjoy the thrill of the game while also taking in the exclusive world-class scenery, experiencing an ultimate sense of prestige and luxury.

Merryland Golf Course has hosted several major renowned tournaments, including the 6th Strait Cup Golf Invitational in 2001, the Cross-Strait Merryland Golf Invitational and the Korea Merryland Cup in 2002, and the "Audi quattro Cup Golf Championship China Finals" in 2007. It has become the premier competition golf course in Guangxi and even the broader western region.

2.4 Merryland Resort Hotel

Merryland Resort Hotel is a leisure resort hotel that blends the beauty of Guilin's landscapes, the traditional arts of Guangxi's ethnic minorities, and the joyful culture of Merryland. It is also recognized as a Guangxi Green Environmental Hotel. The hotel caters to golf enthusiasts, large corporate meetings and client events, tourism vacations, high-quality independent travelers, and tour groups. The service strives to be thoughtful, meticulous, and flexible, aiming to provide guests with a healthy, joyful, memorable, and high-quality travel experience, allowing them to experience a vacation paradise where art and taste perfectly combine.

Merryland Resort Hotel opened on December 25, 2000. On April 18, 2005, it was honored with the title of "China's Top Ten Most Popular Resort Hotels." To date, the hotel has hosted conferences for large corporate groups such as the Taiwan Young Presidents' Organization, Compaq, Oracle, IBM, HP, PHILIPS, Siemens, Parkson, the Southwest Six Provinces and Seven Parties Economic Cooperation, PepsiCo, Audi, and has repeatedly received domestic and international leaders and distinguished guests.

The wooden structure decoration of the hotel lobby ceiling integrates the architectural styles of various ethnic minorities in Guangxi. The entire ceiling decoration frame is formed by six sets of wooden frames joined by mortise and tenon, showcasing the unique and exquisite woodworking craftsmanship of ancient Chinese architecture. The floor tiles at the hotel lobby entrance feature the Dong ethnic group's unique bronze drum decorative tiles, with patterns of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals. The Bell and Drum Tower in the hotel's water courtyard stands 12.9 meters high and is modeled after the bell and drum towers in the Dong ethnic areas of Guangxi. The entire tower is hexagonal with three floors; the main structure is built using wooden mortise and tenon joints, exuding a strong Dong ethnic style. It is available for guests to ascend, enjoy distant views, and take short rests.

3. Construction History

Guilin Merryland Resort World is a large-scale comprehensive tourism and vacation destination invested by Mr. Ma Zhiling, the world's largest Chinese securities dealer. The total project investment amounts to 3.1 billion RMB. Located in Xing'an County, Guilin City, Guangxi, the resort covers an area of approximately 6,000 mu (about 400 hectares) and is only 63 kilometers from downtown Guilin, offering convenient transportation.

The construction of Merryland Resort World was completed in three phases. The first phase officially commenced operations on December 25, 2000, including facilities such as the theme park, resort hotel, and golf club. The theme park was the largest investment project in the first phase, covering 60 hectares and utilizing imported equipment to provide various amusement facilities and themed areas. The resort hotel, integrating Guangxi ethnic minority arts with Merryland's joyful culture, boasts a five-star standard.

Merryland Resort World officially opened on December 25, 2000, and was rated as one of the first national 5A-level tourist attractions by the National Tourism Administration in 2007. It filled the gap in Guilin's cultural landscapes and high-tech amusement parks, injecting new vitality into the tourism market of Guilin, Guangxi, and even South China.

Merryland Resort World is not only a tourist attraction but has also become a venue for many corporate meetings, incentive tours, and golf tournaments. Additionally, the camellia-themed events held annually from January to March attract a large number of visitors.

Since its opening in 2000, Guilin Merryland Resort World, with its rich entertainment facilities and unique cultural essence, has become one of the important landmarks of Guilin tourism and continues to contribute to local economic development.