When is the best time to visit Guilin?

April to October is the classic season — green peaks, clear water and rafting weather. The Longji terraces are flooded and mirror-like for about two weeks after the lunar date of 15 April, and mid-autumn brings the famous 'twin moons' of the Li River reflected under Elephant Trunk Hill.

How many days do I need in Guilin?

Two days covers the essence — the Princes' City, Elephant Trunk Hill, the Li River raft from Yangdi to Xingping and one evening in Yangshuo. Three days adds the Yulong River and Ten Li Gallery cycling; four stretches to the Longji Rice Terraces at Longsheng.

How much does a Guilin trip cost?

Life is cheap: a bowl of proper rice noodles costs about RMB 3.5–5, a set meal around RMB 7, and a two-bedroom flat rents for RMB 600–800 a month. For travellers, budget roughly RMB 500–1,500 per person a day all-in, with the Li River boat (RMB 190–450) and Impression Liu Sanjie (RMB 188–680) the two big ticket items.

Is Yangshuo worth the trip from Guilin city?

Yes — locals say 'Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven, and Yangshuo's is the best in Guilin'. West Street, the Yulong River rafts and the Ten Li Gallery cycling loop are the heart of the karst experience, an 80-minute direct bus (RMB 22) from Guilin.

Can I book my Guilin trip through ToursChinaTravel?

Yes. Email info@joyotour.com or message us on WhatsApp. Our team arranges hotels, Li River boat tickets, rafts, show seats and guides — free of charge and without obligation.

Guilin Travel Guide 2026 — Li River, Karst Peaks & Yangshuo

Q: What are the Guilin Three Treasures?

Chili sauce, fermented bean curd and Sanhua liquor are the classic trio. Beyond them, sweet osmanthus tea and cakes, Shatian pomelo, summer oranges, kumquats, ginkgo, water chestnuts, persimmon cakes and the famous Lipu taro are the souvenirs locals buy.

What's inside this guide Bucket List · Highlights · Q&A · Itineraries · Attractions · Activities · Where to Stay · Food · Getting Around · Shopping · Practical Info · Day Trips · Tips · Background · Plan Your Trip

Guilin Bucket Listthe little things that make this landscape unforgettable

1 · Drift the Li River by bamboo raft

Ride the 22 km essence stretch from Yangdi to Xingping past Nine Horses Hill, the Yellow Cloth Reflection and the very peaks printed on the RMB 20 note — 'the boat sails on blue waves, and men walk inside a painting'.

2 · Cycle the Ten Li Gallery

An afternoon on two wheels through the 8 km country road to Moon Hill — karst peaks, rice paddies, the Big Banyan Tree and, in March, walls of yellow rapeseed flowers.

3 · Walk the Princes' City and old lanes

Inside the Ming-dynasty walls of the Jingjiang Princes' City you can wander the courtyards for free, then climb the 306 steps of Duxiu Peak — 'the pillar under the southern sky' — for the city view that gave Guilin its famous couplet.

4 · Stroll Two Rivers & Four Lakes after dark

When the lights come on, the Sun and Moon Towers double themselves in Rong Lake and the Guilin evening belongs to slow walkers — the best show in the city costs nothing.

5 · Raft the Longjing River for adrenaline

Guilin is calm, but the Longjing River adds a proper white-water thrill — about an hour and a half of rapids, best booked by phone first because departures are limited in low water.

6 · Eat proper Guilin rice noodles

99.99% of the 'Guilin rice noodles' outside the city are not the real thing. In Guilin itself, order a bowl of lu cai fen (dry mixed noodles with braised pork) for about RMB 5 and understand the city's love affair.

Top Highlightswhat Guilin does best

No.1 · Float down the Li River 泛舟漓江

Every peak along the river has its own name and story — 'wish to be a Guilin man, not an immortal', the old saying runs. A bamboo raft between Yangdi and Xingping, or a full 4.5-hour cruise boat from Mopanshan Dock, is the defining Guilin experience.

No.2 · Ride the Ten Li Gallery 骑游十里画廊

The 16 km round trip from Yangshuo to Moon Hill is made for bicycles: flat, smooth and lined with the city's best scenery, plus the Big Banyan Tree Park (¥20) and Julong Lake (¥68) along the way.

No.3 · The Princes' City and the old lanes 王城与旧巷

Built for the Ming prince Zhu Shouqian in 1392, with intact walls, gates and the Duxiu Peak in its courtyard, the Princes' City is where the couplet 'Guilin's scenery is best under heaven' was first carved in stone.

No.4 · Two Rivers & Four Lakes by night 两江四湖夜景

Man-made or not, the night scene of Rong Lake, Shan Lake and the Sun-Moon Towers is the perfect after-dinner stroll — Guilin's citizens at their most relaxed.

No.5 · White-water rafting at Longjing River 龙颈河漂流

The loudest hour and a half in a quiet city: rapids, spray and shouts, about 90 minutes from Xingping — a proper counterweight to all that serenity.

No.6 · A bowl of Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉

The city's breakfast of choice, a 'love at first sight' locals defend fiercely: silky rice noodles, savoury braised marinade, crispy pork, peanuts and pickles, mixed dry with a splash of broth.

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Guilin

When is the best time to go?

April to October is the classic window. Summer means rafting weather; the two weeks after the lunar date of 15 April flood the Longji terraces into mirrors; mid-autumn produces the famous double moon reflected beside Elephant Trunk Hill. Winter is quiet and cold — around 0°C in January — but empty of crowds.

What should I buy as a souvenir?

The 'Guilin Three Treasures' — chili sauce, fermented bean curd and Sanhua liquor — plus sweet osmanthus tea and cakes, Shatian pomelo, ginkgo, water chestnut cake, persimmon cakes from Yangshuo and the big Lipu taro. Handicrafts include Guilin embroidery, combs, paper umbrellas and painted fans.

What outdoor activities are there?

Yangshuo is a holy site for rock climbers — routes of every grade on limestone faces, with beginner walls by Butterfly Spring (~¥120/hour with gear and a coach). Otherwise: rafting (Longjing River ¥150, Nine Horses Canyon ¥180, gentle Yulong River), Li River hiking (5–6 hours Yangdi to Xingping) and the Ten Li Gallery cycle.

Is Guilin expensive?

For a tourist city, no. A rice-noodle breakfast is RMB 3.5–5, a set meal about RMB 7, street snacks even less; a two-bedroom flat rents for RMB 600–800 a month. The two big spends are the Li River boat (RMB 190–450 by class) and Impression Liu Sanjie (RMB 188–680).

Is transport easy?

Very. Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is 28 km from the city with 60+ domestic and international routes; the rail network links the Beijing–Guangzhou line with the Guizhou–Guangxi and Zhiliu branches; and express buses reach every county and neighbouring province.

Can I book the whole trip through ToursChinaTravel?

Yes — email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp. We book hotels, Li River boat tickets, rafts, show seats and guides free of charge, with no obligation.

Sample Itinerariestwo, three or four days among the peaks

Guilin & Yangshuo in Two Days

The essence: the Princes' City, Elephant Trunk Hill, the Li River raft from Yangdi to Xingping, then West Street at night and the Yulong River the next morning. Highlights: Princes' City · Li River raft · Xingping · West Street View day-by-day plan →

Day 1

Princes' City, Elephant Trunk Hill & the Li River raft. Morning: Jingjiang Princes' City & Duxiu Peak (¥130, 07:30–17:30) — wander the Ming city walls free, climb the 306 steps for the city view. Walk south along Binhai Road and watch the Elephant Trunk Hill from the riverside (¥75 inside the park, 06:00–18:30 in summer). Around 13:00 take the Yangdi-bound shuttle, then a Li River bamboo raft from Yangdi down the 22 km essence stretch to Xingping (¥95–120) — Nine Horses Hill, the Yellow Cloth Reflection and the RMB 20-note peaks. Wander Xingping's old streets, coach to Yangshuo (¥7, 45 min), and finish the night on West Street — dinner of beer fish and, if it appeals, Impression Liu Sanjie (¥188–680, nightly 20:00).

Day 2

Yulong River & the Ten Li Gallery. Morning: Yulong River rafts (¥120–240 per two-person raft, 08:00–16:30) — the emerald, silent river beneath the karst walls. Afternoon: rent a bike (¥10–20) and ride the Ten Li Gallery south towards Moon Hill — Big Banyan Tree (¥20), Julong Lake (¥68), Moon Hill (¥15) along the way; in March the roadside is walled with rapeseed flowers. Evening: coach back to Guilin (¥22, 80 min, last departures around 20:30) and a free lakeside walk of Two Rivers & Four Lakes — the Sun-Moon Towers doubled in Rong Lake. Staying in Yangshuo instead? Swap the order: raft and ride first, city sights last.

Guilin Classic 3-Day Tour

Three rivers and a bike: the Li River raft, white-water on the Longjing River, a night in Yangshuo, the Yulong River and the Ten Li Gallery cycle. Highlights: Li River · Longjing rafting · Yulong River · Ten Li Gallery View day-by-day plan →

Day 1

Three Hills Two Caves & the Princes' City. Morning: Elephant Trunk Hill (¥75), Fubo Hill (¥30) and Diecai Hill (¥35) — or simply walk the free Binhai Road riverside path past all three. Then Reed Flute Cave (¥90, bus 3 or free bus 58) for the 'palace of natural art'. Lunch on Zhengyang Street snacks, then the Princes' City & Duxiu Peak (¥130). Evening: walk Two Rivers & Four Lakes around Rong and Shan lakes — the night cruise (¥190) or the free lakeside stroll.

Day 2

Li River raft & Longjing River. Early from Guilin to Yangdi (shuttle from the south station area, 40–60 min), then the bamboo raft down to Xingping (¥95–120; hikers can walk the bank in 5–6 h instead). Lunch in Xingping, then the Longjing River white-water raft (¥150, ~1.5 h) — the road from Xingping is rough, allow half an hour. Change of clothes in the car. Night in Xingping (farmhouse guesthouses) or Yangshuo : West Street and Impression Liu Sanjie (¥188–680, 20:00 nightly).

Day 3

Yulong River & Ten Li Gallery. Morning: Yulong River rafts (¥120–240 per two-person raft) — from Jinlong Bridge or the shuttle from Yangshuo bus station. Afternoon: hire a bike (¥10–20) and ride the Ten Li Gallery to Moon Hill — Big Banyan Tree (¥20), Julong Lake (¥68), Moon Hill (¥15), the old Longtan village (¥10). Evening: coach back to Guilin (¥22, 80 min) or stay another night — the country roads and the sunset are worth it.

Guilin 4-Day Tour with Longji Terraces

The full sweep: the city sights, the Li River and Yangshuo countryside, then north to Longsheng for the world-class rice terraces of Ping'an and Dazhai. Highlights: Li River · Yangshuo · Longji Terraces · Longsheng hot springs View day-by-day plan →

Day 1

The city's classic line-up. Elephant Trunk Hill (¥75) and the Binhai Road riverside, Fubo Hill (¥30), Diecai Hill (¥35), Reed Flute Cave (¥90) and the Princes' City & Duxiu Peak (¥130). Evening: the free lakeside loop of Two Rivers & Four Lakes around the Sun-Moon Towers.

Day 2

Li River & Yangshuo. Raft the Li River from Yangdi to Xingping (¥95–120), wander the old town, then on to Yangshuo. Night on West Street : beer fish dinner, lanterns, bars, and Impression Liu Sanjie (¥188–680, 20:00) on the Li River stage.

Day 3

Yulong River & Ten Li Gallery. Morning Yulong River rafts (¥120–240 per two-person raft), afternoon bike along the Ten Li Gallery to Moon Hill — Big Banyan Tree (¥20), Julong Lake (¥68), Moon Hill (¥15). Evening: coach back to Guilin (¥22, 80 min) and an early night.

Day 4

Longji Rice Terraces & Longsheng. Morning shuttle from Qintan Coach Station (31 Cuizhu Road · +86 773 3832 703 ) to the Longji Rice Terraces (ticket from ¥80; about 2 h each way). Walk the terraces above Ping'an Zhuang village, lunch on bamboo-tube rice and water liquor, and finish with the Longsheng hot springs (45–58°C mineral pools, 40 min from the county town) before the evening bus back. If you have the time, sleep in a terrace guesthouse and catch the sunrise.

All three plans are bookable end-to-end by our team — see the full day-by-day Guilin itineraries hub, or the day-trip pages for single-day options.

Top Attractionstickets, hours, buses & insider tips

Li River 漓江

The essence of Guilin — 83 km of karst peaks, of which the 22 km Yangdi–Xingping stretch is unmissable. Cruise boats run daily from Mopanshan and Zhujiang docks (¥190–450 by class, ~4.5 h, departures 09:30/10:00); bamboo rafts from Yangdi cost ¥95–120. Book boat tickets at least one day ahead.

Cruise

¥210–450 (Apr–Nov)

Tips: ¥190–380 (Dec–Mar) Raft: ¥95–120

View details →

Elephant Trunk Hill, the emblem of Guilin

Elephant Trunk Hill 象鼻山

Guilin's emblem: a limestone 'elephant' drinking from the Li River through the arch of Water-Moon Cave, where the river and Peach Blossom River meet. Climb to the top for the city view, or simply walk the free Binhai Road riverside path past the park.

Admission	¥75
Hours	06:00–18:30 summer, 06:30–18:00 winter

Tips: Visit: 1.5 h

View details →

Jingjiang Princes' City & Duxiu Peak 独秀峰·王城

Built for Ming Prince Zhu Shouqian in 1392, with intact walls and gates around the solitary Duxiu Peak — 'the pillar under the southern sky'. The couplet 'Guilin's scenery is best under heaven' was carved here. Wander the city interior free; the peak climb (306 steps) needs the ¥130 ticket.

Admission	¥130 (under 1.4 m free)
Hours	07:30–17:30

Tips: Visit: 1.5 h

View details →

Reed Flute Cave — the palace of natural art

Reed Flute Cave 芦笛岩

The 'palace of natural art' — a 240 m-deep limestone cave of stalactites and stalagmites coloured by a million years of mineral water, lit for visitors since 1962. The cave every head of state on a Guilin visit is taken to.

Admission	¥90
Hours	07:30–18:00 (summer), 08:00–17:30 (winter)

Tips: Visit: 40 min

View details →

Xingping Ancient Town 兴坪古镇

Where the Li River makes its great bend, and the peaks of the RMB 20 note rise straight from the water. Ancient streets, temples and wharves, plus a photographer's sunrise over the fishing village. A perfect overnight stop or day trip.

Tips: Bus: ¥7 from Yangshuo, 45 min, every 15 min

View details →

Yulong River 遇龙河

The gentlest of Guilin's rivers: emerald water, rice paddies and karst walls, floated on two-person bamboo rafts in segments of ¥120–240. The legend says a sea dragon fell in love with the scenery and stayed — hence the name 'Meeting Dragon River'.

Best season

morning light, low season

Tips: Raft: ¥120–240 per raft (2 people)

View details →

Golden Longji rice terraces at Longsheng

Longji Rice Terraces 龙脊梯田

A UNESCO-quality rice-terrace landscape carved by Zhuang and Yao farmers over centuries: Ping'an Village's classic terraces and the red-yao Dazhai (Jinkeng) terraces, 87 km from Guilin. Flooded to mirrors for about two weeks after mid-May; golden at harvest.

Tips: Bus: from Qintan station Stay: farm guesthouses from ¥100

View details →

Duxiu Peak rising above the Princes' City

Two Rivers & Four Lakes 两江四湖

The Li River and Peach Blossom River looped through Rong, Shan, Mulong and Gui lakes — the night cruise (¥190 adult / ¥125 child) or the free lakeside walk past the Sun-Moon Towers is the classic evening outing. Day cruise ¥80.

Cruise

¥190 (adult) · ¥80

Tips: Walk: free

View details →

More in the region: Fubo Hill (¥30), Diecai Hill (¥35), Silver Cave at Lipu, Lingqu Canal at Xing'an, Dawei Ancient Town, Shangri-la Garden (Shiwaitaoyuan, ¥70), Guan Cave, Mao'er Mountain (Guangxi's highest, 2,141 m), the Bajiaozhai danxia peaks and the Big Banyan Tree. Browse every Guangxi sight on the Guangxi attractions page.

Activities & Festivalsthe karst country's calendar

Rafting 漂流

Three proper options around Yangshuo: the white-water Longjing River (¥150, ~1.5 h, limited departures in low water — call ahead), the Nine Horses Hill Canyon (¥180), and the gentle scenic Yulong River rafts (¥120–240 per two-person raft). Tickets are sold at most hotels and travel agencies.

Rock climbing 攀岩

Yangshuo is China's climbing mecca — limestone crags of every grade. Beginner walls by Butterfly Spring on the Ten Li Gallery cost about ¥120 per hour including gear and a coach; intermediate routes cluster around Moon Hill; the hard stuff spreads across Gaotian.

Impression Liu Sanjie 印象·刘三姐

Zhang Yimou's first 'landscape show': 70 minutes every night from 20:00 on the Li River stage at Yangshuo, with 600 performers, lights and the karst peaks as the backdrop. Tickets ¥188 (C), ¥320 (B), ¥680 (A president seats). Address: Li River Landscape Theatre, Yangshuo.

San Yue San 三月三

The Zhuang people's song festival on the third day of the third lunar month — 'song fairs' by day and night, when the whole of Guangxi sings. Catch it in Guilin's minority communities or on a trip to Longsheng.

Miao New Year 苗年

The Miao new year (first mao-day of the tenth lunar month) opens with three cannon blasts, then bullfights, horse races and lusheng pipe dances in the mountain villages.

Fireworks Festival & Wind-Forbidden Day

The Dong people's Huapao Festival (any month from the first to the tenth lunar month) fires three rockets for people, wealth and harvest; the Yao Wind-Forbidden Day on lunar 20 January bans all sound in the village — and turns into a singing fair at the temple fairground instead.

Where to Stayfrom five-star riverside to youth-hostel bunks

Guilin's tourism industry is mature, so beds span every price — book early for golden-week peaks. Stay in the city for the sights, or base yourself in Yangshuo for the countryside. Every hotel below is bookable by our team; browse the full Guangxi hotels directory.

Sheraton Guilin Hotel 桂林喜来登饭店

Right on the Li River in the city centre, a short walk from Central Square, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill; 30 minutes from the airport. From ¥790. Address: 15 Binhai Road, Xiufeng District · +86 773 2825 588

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel 桂林漓江大瀑布饭店

Beside Central Square on Shan Lake North Road — Guilin's grandest business hotel, with a famous nightly waterfall. From ¥720. Address: 1 Shanhu North Road, Xiufeng District · +86 773 2822 881

Vienna Hotel Guilin Zhongshan 维也纳酒店（桂林中山店）

At the junction of Zhongshan Middle Road and Nanhuan Road, five minutes' walk from Rong Lake, Shan Lake and the Li River. From ¥338. Address: 3 Zhongshan Middle Road, Xiangshan District · +86 773 2251 888

Ronghu Hotel 桂林榕湖饭店

The state-guest hotel on the west bank of Rong Lake — courtyard pavilions facing the lake, the South Gate and a thousand-year-old banyan. From ¥446. Address: 16 Ronghu North Road, Xiufeng District · +86 773 2895 176

Home Inn Guilin Railway Station 如家快捷酒店（桂林火车站店）

Directly opposite the south railway station, surrounded by restaurants and shops. From ¥132. Address: 64 Shangzhi Lane, Zhongshan South Road, Xiangshan District · +86 773 3877 666

Backstreet International Youth Hostel 桂林后街国际青年旅舍

The best-placed budget bed in town — between Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and the Li River, five minutes from Rong Lake and Elephant Trunk Hill. Dorm beds from ¥35. Address: 3 Renmin Road, Xiufeng District · +86 773 2819 936

Wangcheng International Youth Hostel 桂林王城国际青年旅舍

Between the Princes' City and the Li River — one minute from the city wall, five from Zhengyang Street; all central sights within ten minutes. Dorm beds from ¥35. Address: 10-3 Donghua Road, Xiufeng District · +86 773 2836 888

Yangshuo · Wanyuan Garden Hotel 阳朔万丽花园大酒店

Beside Biliang Peak and five minutes from the Impression Liu Sanjie theatre, right at the West Street end. From ¥450. Address: 51 Pantao Road, Yangshuo County · +86 773 6917 777

Yangshuo · Chun Nuan Hua Kai Inn 阳朔春暖花开客栈

A theme inn one minute from West Street, with free local travel advice. From ¥120. Address: 46 Lianfeng Lane, Yangshuo County · +86 773 8884 727

Yangshuo · Laobanzhang International Youth Hostel 阳朔老班长国际青年旅舍

At the mouth of West Street where it meets the Li River, next to the backpacker hub. Dorm beds from ¥30. Address: 23 Dianqian Lane, Diecui Road, Yangshuo County · +86 773 6919 780

Food & Restaurantsthe flavours of Guilin and Yangshuo

Guilin rice noodles with a karst backdrop

Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉

The city's soul food: round lu cai fen or flat qie fen, dressed with braised marinade (the secret of every shop), crispy pork, peanuts and pickles. Tourist favourites: Shiji (opposite the side gate of Weixiao Tang on Jiefang West Road); local picks: Chongshan chain, Youyixuan (Jiefang West Road — try the horse-meat noodles) and Liuboniang chain. About ¥5 a bowl.

Yangshuo beer fish 啤酒鱼

Yangshuo's signature: fish simmered in beer with tomatoes and peppers until the sauce turns glossy red. Try Xie Dajie (chain), Laotang Dapaidang (13 Jiangjun Road) or Da Shifu (chain). Insiders say the cheap common carp tastes best — ask for it by name.

Beer fish served in a hot pot at a Yangshuo restaurant

Recommended restaurants

Xiaonanguo — classic Guilin dishes, wooden-bucket chicken and Li River prawns, ~¥45 pp (3 Wenming Road · +86 773 2855 518; 5 Jiefang West Road · +86 773 2885 558). Weidao Zhizao — 'new-concept Guilin cuisine', ~¥65 pp (19 Lijiang East Road · +86 773 5880 098). Chunji Roast Goose — local favourite for Cantonese roast goose and taro, ~¥55 pp (2 Zhongshan Middle Road · +86 773 2806 188). Guilin Porridge City — open 24 h, the late-night institution, ~¥30 pp (3 Shanhu North Road · +86 773 2828 172).

A bowl of Guilin rice noodles with braised toppings

Street snacks & gathering streets

White-fruit stewed duck, Guilin snails, water-chestnut cakes, sour pickles (the Jinbuhuan chain), Yangshuo stuffed dishes (bitter melon, snails, tofu), matuan songhua candy from Xingping (Lvji workshop by the station banyan tree), glutinous-rice baba cakes, Gongcheng oil tea and zongzi (Zongzi Dawang, opposite Huarong Supermarket on Taiping Road). Gather along Longyin Road by the river (near Seven Star Park, buses 14/16) or Zhengyang Street.

Getting There & Aroundair, rail, bus and two wheels

By air

Flights to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport

By air

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, 28 km from the city, flies to 30+ mainland cities plus Hong Kong, Macau, Fukuoka, Jeju, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Airport buses run 06:30–21:00 every half hour from the Civil Aviation Building (¥20, ~40 min); taxis about ¥80 (meter off at night — agree first). From Yangshuo, budget ~¥200 via Guilin or book a shared transfer a day ahead.

By rail

Trains to Guilin station and Guilin North station

By rail

Guilin has two passenger stations: Guilin Station (South Station) in the city, and Guilin North Station on the outskirts, linked by buses 1/99/100. The Beijing–Guangzhou line meets the Guizhou–Guangxi and Zhiliu branches here, so direct trains reach most major cities. Buses 10/100/11/16/22/4/51/91/99 and the sightseeing line serve the south station.

By coach

Coaches from Guilin bus station to Yangshuo and Longsheng

By coach

The main long-distance terminal is Guilin Bus Terminal (65 Zhongshan South Road, one stop from the railway station · +86 773 3822 666). Direct air-con coaches to Yangshuo run 06:30–20:30 every 20 minutes (¥22, 80 min). Qintan Station (31 Cuizhu Road · +86 773 3832 703) serves Longsheng and Yongfu, including the Longji shuttle.

Around town Taxis and buses in Guilin

Around town

City buses cost ¥1 (air-con 99 and sightseeing line ¥2) and reach every central sight; the Sightseeing Line 1 (08:30–21:00, every 20–30 min) links Nanmen Bridge, Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill. Taxis start at ¥7 + ¥1 fuel by day (¥7.8 + ¥1 at night). Bikes: ~¥20/day from city hostels; in Yangshuo, ¥10 for a basic bike, ¥20 for a mountain bike.

Shopping & Souvenirsosmanthus, Three Treasures and old-street crafts

Weixiao Tang Mall 微笑堂商厦

The favourite downtown department store at Shizi Street — the basement is the easiest place to buy all the Guilin specialties in one stop. Buses to Shizi Street / Jiefang West Road stop.

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street 正阳步行街

666 metres of shops, snacks and local crafts in the heart of the old city, ringed by hotels and theatres — the place locals come to shop too.

Xichenglu Night Market 西城路夜市

Guilin's biggest night market (moved from Zhongshan Middle Road): arts and crafts, live painters and calligraphers, T-shirt painting and street food. Buses to Xichenglu stop.

Yangshuo West Street 阳朔西街

1,180 metres and 1,400 years of souvenir shops, bars and crafts — go at night and walk it to the Li River end. Grab persimmon cakes and Lvji songhua candy here.

What to buy

The Guilin Three Treasures — chili sauce, fermented bean curd and Sanhua liquor — plus osmanthus tea and cakes, Shatian pomelo, summer oranges, kumquats, luo han guo, ginkgo, water chestnut cake, persimmon cakes, the Lipu taro, Guilin yuba, and crafts: Guilin embroidery, combs, paper umbrellas and painted fans. Full local-product guides live on the Guangxi specialties page.

Practical Informationhospitals, numbers and local habits

Hospitals

Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University — 15 Lequn Road, Xiufeng District · +86 773 2823 244. Guilin People's Hospital — 12 Wenming Road · +86 773 2810 816. Guilin Nanxishan Hospital — 46 Chongxin Road · +86 773 3859 057.

Helpful numbers

Tourist complaints & enquiries: +86 773 2800 318. Public security: +86 773 5856 360. Tourist information centres at Qixing District and the Binjiang scenic visitor centre; official site www.guilin.com.cn.

Language

Mandarin works everywhere. The local Guilin dialect is a southern relative of the northern speech, once fixed as the 'southern official language' of the imperial exams — most visitors can follow its drift.

Cost of living

Guilin is a mid-to-low cost city by Chinese standards: noodles ¥3.5–5, set meals ~¥7, monthly rent for a two-bedroom flat ¥600–800. Only the tourist services — cruises, shows, some souvenirs — carry the classic tourist-city markup.

Minorities

Guilin is home to 28 minority groups including Zhuang, Hui, Miao, Yao and Dong, many keeping their dress, food, festivals and languages — the loudest celebration is Zhuang San Yue San each spring.

Day Trips From Guilinterraces, countryside and the river's best stretch

Longji Rice Terraces Day Trip

Up to the Longsheng mountains for the Ping'an terraces — mirrors after mid-May, gold at harvest, with bamboo-tube rice and water liquor for lunch. Early start required; about 2 hours each way.

¥100+ guesthouse lunch · all day

View the plan →

Cycling the Yangshuo countryside on the Ten Li Gallery

Yangshuo Countryside Day Trip

Yulong River rafting in the morning, then a bike through the Ten Li Gallery to Moon Hill — Big Banyan Tree, rice paddies and karst walls all in one day.

Raft ¥120–240 · Bike ¥10–20

View the plan →

Li River Essence Day Trip

The 22 km raft from Yangdi to Xingping — Nine Horses Hill, the Yellow Cloth Reflection and the RMB 20-note peaks — then a wander through Xingping's old streets before the bus back.

Raft ¥95–120 · 4–5 h on the water

View the plan →

Travel Tipsfive things to remember

1 · Order rice noodles like a local

Default is lu cai fen — dry-mixed with braised pork, marinade, peanuts and pickles; add broth only after eating it dry. ¥5 is a fair bowl. The big famous shops are touristy; the tiny busy one next door is usually better.

2 · Book the Li River boat a day ahead

Cruise tickets (¥190–450) must be bought at least one day in advance through hotel travel desks, agencies or the tourist information centres — walk-up sales at the dock are not guaranteed. Departures are 09:30 and 10:00.

3 · Watch the raft touts

At Yangdi and Xingping the riverside 'helpers' can be pushy and the tip expectations flexible. Agree the price and the route before boarding, and treat the printed segment prices (Yangdi–Xingping ¥95–120) as your reference.

4 · Taxis: metered or nothing

At the stations and hotel doors, waiting taxis often refuse the meter — flag down a moving empty cab instead, and read the menu before you sit in any driver-recommended restaurant.

5 · Call ahead for the Longjing River

Rafting runs are limited and shrink in low water — phone the scenic area to confirm the day's departure times before making the trip from Xingping.

Background & Historya city built by emperors and carved by water

Geography & climate

Guilin sits at 25°N in the southwest of the Nanling range, in northeastern Guangxi — a classic karst (limestone) landscape of solitary peaks and caves at an average elevation of about 150 m. The climate is a subtropical monsoon one: mild, rainy, with long frost-free seasons; July–August can pass 30°C, January hovers near 0°C. April to October is the golden travel window.

A brief history

People lived here as early as the Stone Age caves of Baojiyan. In 214 BC the Qin emperor Shi Huang unified the south and named a new commandery 'Guilin' — and drove the Lingqu Canal at Xing'an to join the Xiang and Li rivers, making Guilin the pivot of water-borne trade between central China and the sea. In 621 Li Jing built the city walls below Duxiu Peak; in 1392 the Ming enfeoffed the Jingjiang princes here, and their city — with Duxiu Peak inside — survives to this day. Guilin served as Guangxi's capital from 1911 to 1940 and again after 1945, the city's garrison defending it famously in November 1944. Two thousand years of ink have left more than 2,000 carved inscriptions on its cliffs, including the couplet 'Guilin's scenery is best under heaven' itself.

The landscape in words

'The river is an emerald ribbon, the peaks are jade hairpins' — the Li River has drawn poets since the Tang. Marshal Chen Yi's line still echoes on every postcard: 'I would rather be a Guilin man than an immortal.'

Plan Your Guilin Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place

Everything on ToursChinaTravel is bookable through our team by email or WhatsApp. Here's where each part of your Guilin trip lives on the site.

More Guangxi attractions on ToursChinaTravel

Guilin Travel Guide — Where Karst Peaks Meet the Li River

Guilin Bucket Listthe little things that make this landscape unforgettable

1 · Drift the Li River by bamboo raft

2 · Cycle the Ten Li Gallery

3 · Walk the Princes' City and old lanes

4 · Stroll Two Rivers & Four Lakes after dark

5 · Raft the Longjing River for adrenaline

6 · Eat proper Guilin rice noodles

Top Highlightswhat Guilin does best

No.1 · Float down the Li River 泛舟漓江

No.2 · Ride the Ten Li Gallery 骑游十里画廊

No.3 · The Princes' City and the old lanes 王城与旧巷

No.4 · Two Rivers & Four Lakes by night 两江四湖夜景

No.5 · White-water rafting at Longjing River 龙颈河漂流

No.6 · A bowl of Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Guilin

When is the best time to go?

What should I buy as a souvenir?

What outdoor activities are there?

Is Guilin expensive?

Is transport easy?

Can I book the whole trip through ToursChinaTravel?

Sample Itinerariestwo, three or four days among the peaks

Top Attractionstickets, hours, buses & insider tips

Activities & Festivalsthe karst country's calendar

Rafting 漂流

Rock climbing 攀岩

Impression Liu Sanjie 印象·刘三姐

San Yue San 三月三

Miao New Year 苗年

Fireworks Festival & Wind-Forbidden Day

Where to Stayfrom five-star riverside to youth-hostel bunks

Sheraton Guilin Hotel 桂林喜来登饭店

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel 桂林漓江大瀑布饭店

Vienna Hotel Guilin Zhongshan 维也纳酒店（桂林中山店）

Ronghu Hotel 桂林榕湖饭店

Home Inn Guilin Railway Station 如家快捷酒店（桂林火车站店）

Backstreet International Youth Hostel 桂林后街国际青年旅舍

Wangcheng International Youth Hostel 桂林王城国际青年旅舍

Yangshuo · Wanyuan Garden Hotel 阳朔万丽花园大酒店

Yangshuo · Chun Nuan Hua Kai Inn 阳朔春暖花开客栈

Yangshuo · Laobanzhang International Youth Hostel 阳朔老班长国际青年旅舍

Food & Restaurantsthe flavours of Guilin and Yangshuo

Food & Restaurantsthe flavours of Guilin and Yangshuo

Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉

Yangshuo beer fish 啤酒鱼

Recommended restaurants

Street snacks & gathering streets

Getting There & Aroundair, rail, bus and two wheels

By air

By rail

By coach

Around town

Shopping & Souvenirsosmanthus, Three Treasures and old-street crafts

Weixiao Tang Mall 微笑堂商厦

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street 正阳步行街

Xichenglu Night Market 西城路夜市

Yangshuo West Street 阳朔西街

What to buy

Practical Informationhospitals, numbers and local habits

Hospitals

Helpful numbers

Language

Cost of living

Minorities

Day Trips From Guilinterraces, countryside and the river's best stretch

Day Trips From Guilinterraces, countryside and the river's best stretch

Travel Tipsfive things to remember

1 · Order rice noodles like a local

2 · Book the Li River boat a day ahead

3 · Watch the raft touts

4 · Taxis: metered or nothing

5 · Call ahead for the Longjing River

Background & Historya city built by emperors and carved by water

Geography & climate

A brief history

The landscape in words

Plan Your Guilin Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place