Guilin Travelers Recommend

With three days in Guilin, you’ll have time to cruise down the Li River, explore Yangshuo and the surrounding countryside, and visit the Longji Rice Terraces, ancient villages, and hills and caves in the area. Here’s how.

Day 1: Li River cruise and Yangshuo

A highlight of any Guilin trip is a cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo. During the 4- to 5-hour journey, take in vistas of limestone peaks such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Mural Hill, and Yellow Cloth Shoal; ancient villages such as Daxu and Xingping; and much more.

Once in Yangshuo, take a stroll along bustling West Street, then head to the countryside on a guided tour to hike, bike, rock climb, or check out the scenic Ten Mile Gallery. Float along the Yulong River on a bamboo raft, or savor the views from Xianggong Hill. Alternatively, try a cooking or calligraphy class, or visit a nearby village. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Impression Sanjie Liu, set along the Li River.

Day 2: Hills, caves, and ancient towns

Join a guided tour of Guilin to make the most of your second day. Get your bearings and a different perspective of Guilin from the top of Fubo Hill or Solitary Beauty Peak before taking a closer look at Elephant Trunk Hill. Then, explore Reed Flute Cave or Seven Star Cave.

Later, venture out of town and step back in time in the village of Daxu Old Town, Xiong, or Jiangtou. Some villages date back more than 1,000 years and have remarkably well-preserved buildings and streets. Spend the evening wandering around the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area, or embark on a night cruise.

Day 3: Longji Rice Terraces

Finally, take a day trip to the Longji Rice Terraces. Hike from village to village along the way, relishing the natural beauty of the terraced fields while learning about the Zhuang and Yao cultures. On the way back to Guilin, stop by a tea plantation.

For your last night, dine on local favorites such as Guilin rice noodles and steamed Li River fish, then pick up souvenirs on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street or at the Guilin Night Market.

Guilin, in southern China, is renowned for its scenery, which is characterized by dramatic limestone formations and the Li River. Here’s how to experience the best of Guilin and the surrounding countryside in just one day.

Morning: Cruise Down the Li River

If you only have one day in Guilin, spend it on a cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo, a highlight of any trip to the area. Trips typically take between four and five hours and pass Elephant Trunk Hill, Mural Hill, and other formations named after the things they resemble. You’ll also pass by ancient villages such as Daxu and Xingping, where you may get a glimpse of local riverside life that comprises farmers in fields, water buffaloes, and fishermen fishing with cormorants.

Afternoon: Explore the Town or Countryside

Disembark at Yangshuo and head towards bustling West Street, the oldest and most famous street in town. Visitors have a number of options for exploring Yangshuo and the countryside. More active visitors can go hiking, biking, or rock climbing, with guided options available for ease of experience and route finding. Nearby highlights include Green Lotus Peak, Moon Hill, and the scenic Ten Mile Gallery. Visitors looking for something a little more relaxed can stay in town and take a cooking, calligraphy, or Chinese language class. Another popular option is to float on a bamboo raft down one of the prettiest stretches of the Yulong River.

Night: Experience Local Culture

Enjoy dinner in Yangshuo. Be sure to try local favorites such as Guilin noodles, Li River steamed fish, or Yangshuo beer fish. Wrap up your day by enjoying a performance of Impressions Sanjie Liu. Directed by the acclaimed Zhang Yimou, it uses the Li River as its stage and the mountains as its backdrop, which results in a natural theater spectacle that you won't soon forget.

Two days in Guilin gives you time to discover top city attractions, visit an ancient village, and cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo—a must when visiting the area. Here are some suggestions to make the most of 48 hours in Guilin.

Day 1: Essential Guilin

Morning: Guilin’s highlights are best explored as part of a sightseeing tour, which typically cover Elephant Trunk Hill, one of the symbols of Guilin, and either Fubo Hill or Solitary Beauty Peak for sweeping city views. Finish off the morning at Reed Flute Cave or Seven Star Cave to see rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.

Afternoon: Take a quick trip outside of the city this afternoon to visit an ancient village. Daxu Old Town is most accessible, with the majority of day trips visiting there, but other options include Xiong and Jiangtou, where you can walk along ancient streets and admire the well-preserved architecture.

Night: After dinner, go shopping for souvenirs at Zhengyang Pedestrian Street or Guilin Night Market. Afterwards, head over to the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area to end your night with a boat ride or stroll.

Day 2: River Cruising

Morning: No visit to Guilin would be complete without a cruise down the Li River. Journeys usually take 4-5 hours and offer unobstructed views of the countryside. You’ll see dramatic karst formations, many of which have names based on what they resemble, and may get a glimpse of farmers, fishermen, and water buffaloes.

Afternoon: Arrive in Yangshuo and spend some time on West Street, which is full of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Spend the afternoon exploring Yangshuo highlights, such as the scenic Ten Mile Gallery, or head out to the countryside to hike, bike, or rock climb. You could even opt for another river cruise, this time on a bamboo raft.

Night: During dinner in Yangshuo, try local favorites such as Yangshuo beer fish. Then, finish off your final night with a performance of Impressions Sanjie Liu, directed by Zhang Yimou and set along the Li River.