Guilin Travel Guide (2026)

Guilin is the China you see in paintings. The Li River winds between dramatic karst peaks, fishermen pole bamboo rafts through mirror-still water, and rice paddies climb the hillsides in green staircases. It's a slower, more scenic counterpoint to Beijing and Shanghai — most visitors spend 2–4 nights and combine it with Yangshuo, a small town 1.5 hours downriver.

When to Visit

Best months: April–May and September–October

Season	Months	Weather	Crowds	Verdict
Spring	Apr–May	18–28°C, misty, occasional rain	Moderate	⭐ Best (iconic misty river views)
Summer	Jun–Aug	25–35°C, humid, heavy rain	High	OK (water is high, peaks are lush)
Fall	Sep–Oct	18–28°C, clear, golden	Moderate	⭐ Best (clearer photos)
Winter	Dec–Feb	4–12°C, damp, foggy	Low	Skippable (cold and gray)

Note: The iconic misty river scenes (you've seen them in films) are most common in April–May. Clearer weather in fall makes photography easier but loses some atmosphere.

How to Get to Guilin

By Air

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) — 28 km southwest of city.

• From Beijing: 2.5–3 hours
• From Shanghai: 2.5 hours
• From Hong Kong: 1.5 hours
• Airport to city: DiDi ¥80–120 (30 min) or airport bus ¥20 (50 min)

By High-Speed Rail

Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站) is the high-speed hub. Guilin West Station (桂林西站) is newer and faster for some routes.

• From Beijing: 8–10 hours, ¥800–1,200 (overnight sleeper option)
• From Shanghai: 7–8 hours, ¥600–900
• From Guangzhou: 2.5–3 hours, ¥180–250
• From Hong Kong: 3.5 hours, ¥400 (via Guangzhou transfer)
• From Kunming: 4.5–5 hours, ¥350

How to Get Around

• Bus: Cheap (¥1–2) but English signage is limited
• DiDi: Works fine, ¥20–40 for most trips in city
• Bike: Popular in Yangshuo, less so in Guilin city itself
• Boat: The Li River cruise and bamboo rafts are themselves transport

The Li River Cruise (漓江) — The Centerpiece

This is the single most popular thing to do in Guilin. A boat ride from Guilin to Yangshuo (or vice versa), passing some of the most photographed scenery in China.

Two Options

Option	Route	Duration	Cost	Notes
Full cruise	Guilin → Yangshuo	4–5 hours	¥215–450 depending on boat class	Larger boat, often with lunch
Bamboo raft sections	Various	1–2 hours	¥80–150 per section	Smaller, more intimate

The Full Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo)

• Departure: Zhujiang Pier (珠江码头) in Guilin, typically 9:00 AM
• Tickets: ¥215 (basic) to ¥450 (luxury with lunch)
• Buy tickets: Trip.com, your hotel, or at the pier (advance booking recommended)
• What's included: The boat, lunch (in mid-tier+), and the views from the upper deck
• Bring: Sunscreen, hat, a jacket (the upper deck is windy), camera
• You'll see: The iconic "20-yuan bill" view (Elephant Trunk Hill silhouette in the background), Nine Horse Mural Hill, and dozens of unnamed karst peaks

Note: The cruise is one-way. After arriving in Yangshuo, you stay there or arrange transport back to Guilin.

Bamboo Raft Section (Best for Photographers)

• Xingping Ancient Town → Nine Horse Mural Hill: 1.5 hours, ¥80–120 per raft (fits 4 people)
• Yangshuo → Fuli: 1.5 hours, similar pricing
• Fuli → Xingping: 2 hours, longer and quieter
• Booking: Through your hotel or the rafts at the dock

The smaller rafts are more atmospheric — you can stop, take photos, talk to the boatman. The full cruise is a more relaxed way to see the same scenery.

Yangshuo (阳朔)

A small town 1.5 hours downriver from Guilin. Most visitors stay 2 nights here. It has a famous "West Street" (西街, foreigners' street), bamboo rafts on smaller rivers, and the karst scenery that surrounds it.

Top Things to Do in Yangshuo

• Bamboo raft on the Yulong River (遇龙河): Smaller, calmer than the Li River. Most popular activity here. ¥200–400 per raft (2 people), 1.5–2 hours
• Bike the countryside: Rent a bike in town (¥20–40/day) and ride through rice paddies and villages. The route to Moon Hill (月亮山) is classic
• Impression Sanjie Liu (印象刘三姐) light show: Outdoor evening performance on the Li River, directed by Zhang Yimou. ¥238–688 depending on seating. Iconic but touristy
• Cormorant fishing demo: Traditional cormorant fishing demonstration on the Yulong River (commercial, ¥30–60)
• Rock climbing: Yangshuo is one of the world's top climbing destinations. Half-day guided climbs ¥400–600

Where to Stay in Yangshuo

• West Street area (西街): Central, walkable to restaurants and bars. Mid-range ¥300–600
• Outside town (countryside): Boutique guesthouses with karst views. ¥400–800
• Most bookable via: Trip.com or direct booking

Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田)

2.5 hours from Guilin — a UNESCO-listed area of rice terraces built into the mountains by the Zhuang people over 700 years.

• Tickets: ¥80 (cash preferred, not always in the booking system)
• Where: Longsheng (龙胜) county, accessible by bus from Guilin
• Best time to visit: April–June (flooded terraces reflect the sky, photographers love this) or September–October (golden harvest)
• Three main villages to visit:
  • Ping'an (平安): Easiest access, most developed for tourism
  • Longji (龙脊): Larger, less crowded
  • Jinkeng (金坑): Highest, most dramatic, requires more walking

How to get there:

• From Guilin: Bus from Guilin Bus Station (¥25, 2.5 hr) or DiDi/taxi (¥400–500, 2 hr)
• From Yangshuo: Direct buses run, but easier to go back to Guilin first

Plan 1 day — the bus ride, hiking between villages, and return takes 8–10 hours.

Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山)

The symbol of Guilin. A karst hill with a moon-shaped hole eroded through the side, said to look like an elephant drinking from the Li River.

• Tickets: Free entry to the park, ¥70 to climb
• Hours: 6:30 AM–7 PM
• Time needed: 1 hour
• Best photo spot: Across the river at the free observation area

It's a quick stop — most visitors spend 30–60 minutes. Worth it for the photo.

Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩)

The most famous cave in Guilin. Stalactites and stalagmites lit in psychedelic colors. 240 m long, 1 km total walking path.

• Tickets: ¥90
• Hours: 8 AM–5:30 PM
• Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
• Getting there: Bus 3 from city center, ¥2, 30 min

Honest review: It's touristy and the colored lighting is kitsch, but the cave itself is genuinely impressive. Worth one visit if you haven't seen karst caves before. Skip if you've already visited similar caves elsewhere in China.

Other Things to Do

• Seven Star Park (七星公园): ¥35, large urban park with karst hills, a zoo, and a giant camellia garden
• Fubo Hill (伏波山): ¥15, smaller hill with views
• Folding Fan Hill (叠彩山): ¥20, good 30-min stop near Elephant Trunk Hill
• Two Rivers and Four Lakes (两江四湖) night cruise: ¥220, 1.5 hr, the city lit up at night

Where to Stay in Guilin

• City center (near Zhengyang Pedestrian Street 正阳步行街): Most restaurants and shops within walking distance. Mid-range ¥200–500
• Along the Li River: Better views, ¥300–800
• In Yangshuo: See above

Recommended Restaurants

• Chun Ji (椿记烧鹅): Famous for roast goose, Guilin specialty. Multiple locations
• A Shan restaurant (阿甘酒家): Local beer fish (啤酒鱼) — Yangshuo classic
• Gui Tao Yuan (桂涛园): upscale Guilin cuisine
• For breakfast: Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉) — available at every corner shop, ¥6–10

Don't leave without trying: Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉). The local breakfast staple, served at tiny shops everywhere. You pick your toppings from a tray (¥1–3 per topping), add chili, and eat.

FAQ

Is 2 days enough for Guilin?

Yes for the highlights: 1 day Li River cruise + Yangshuo, 1 day Longji Rice Terraces. Add a third day for rock climbing or Impression Sanjie Liu show.

Should I do the Li River cruise or the bamboo rafts?

Do both if you have time. The full cruise is more relaxed and covers more scenery. The bamboo rafts are more intimate and give you more photo flexibility. Most visitors do the cruise one day and a bamboo raft on the Yulong River the next.

Can I visit Guilin and Yangshuo without joining a tour?

Yes. The cruise is a scheduled public boat, not a tour group. Yangshuo is a regular town with English-speaking hotels and DiDi. Independent travel is easy and recommended over tour groups.

Is Guilin rainy in summer?

Yes, June–August is the rainy season. Heavy showers are common but usually short (1–2 hours). The karst peaks look more dramatic in the rain. Bring rain gear and plan for flexibility.

How much does a trip to Guilin cost?

• Budget: ¥300–500/day (hostel, street food, public transport, basic sites)
• Mid-range: ¥800–1,500/day (mid-range hotel, sit-down restaurants, all major sites, 1 performance)
• Luxury: ¥2,500+/day (5-star hotel, private tours, premium experiences)

Is Guilin worth it in winter?

Honest answer: not really. The scenery is gray, the mist that makes the photos iconic doesn't happen, and many smaller attractions close. April–May and September–October are clearly better.

Can I do a day trip from Guilin to Yangshuo?

Yes, but you'd miss the sunset and evening West Street. 1 night in Yangshuo is the minimum to enjoy it.

What about Hong Kong tourists?

Hong Kong is just 3.5 hours by high-speed rail (via Guangzhou), and the route is direct. Many Hong Kong visitors come for weekend trips.

Practical Tips

• Bring a light jacket even in summer — river cruises and caves are cool
• Cash for small vendors — Alipay/WeChat work at most restaurants, but street food and small shops sometimes prefer cash
• The sun is strong — bring sunscreen and a hat, especially for the cruise
• Photography tripods — allowed in most outdoor locations; some caves restrict them
• Smoking is restricted in most scenic areas — follow posted signs

Where to Go Next

Next city	How far	By high-speed rail
Yangshuo	65 km south	1.5 hr by car/regular train
Guangzhou	500 km south	2.5–3 hr
Kunming	850 km west	4.5–5 hr
Chengdu	1,000 km west	6–7 hr
Hong Kong	600 km south	3.5 hr (via Guangzhou)

Guilin to Kunming is a popular overland route for travelers heading to Yunnan. The slow train takes 12+ hours but passes through stunning scenery.

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Maintained by the ChinaDayOne editorial team. Sources include the Guilin Tourism Bureau, Li River Cruise official site, and visits in 2026. Found something outdated? Tell us.