Guilin & Yangshuo 桂林
Guilin is the gateway to the Li River’s iconic karst scenery, while Yangshuo is the relaxed countryside base for cycling, rafting and river views. Give the area 3–5 days, take the Li River cruise or a Yulong River raft, and slow down in Xingping and the villages.
Sights in Guilin & Yangshuo
Elephant Trunk Hill 象鼻山
Reed Flute Cave 芦笛岩
Seven Star Park 七星公园
Fubo Hill 伏波山
Folded Brocade Hill 叠彩山
Two Rivers and Four Lakes 两江四湖
Dongxi Alley 东西巷
Guilin Museum 桂林博物馆
Crown Cave 冠岩
Longji Rice Terraces 龙脊梯田
Xianggong Hill 相公山
Yulong River 遇龙河
Silver Cave 银子岩
Shiwai Taoyuan (Xanadu) 世外桃源
Daxu Ancient Town 大圩古镇
Xingping Ancient Town 兴坪古镇
West Street 西街
Prices are approximate and hours change. Sights without a page haven't been checked yet.
Where to stay
Guilin city centre (Two Rivers & Four Lakes / Elephant Trunk Hill) 桂林市中心（两江四湖·象鼻山）
Walkable to the lakes, night lights and major sights, with the best hotels and transport links.
Good for: First-timers, families, short stays
Yangshuo West Street 阳朔西街
Lively base with restaurants, bars and easy access to the Li River and countryside.
Good for: Nightlife, convenience, first-time Yangshuo
Xingping Old Town 兴坪古镇
Quiet old town on the Li River near the famous ¥20-note viewpoint.
Good for: Photography, quiet stays, hiking
Getting there
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport 桂林两江国际机场
Airport shuttle bus to downtown (Civil Aviation Building) ~50 min, ¥20; taxi/Didi ~45 min, ¥100–150
Guilin Station 桂林站
Central station with some regional and slower trains; convenient to the city centre.
Guilin North Station 桂林北站
Main high-speed hub for Guilin, about 9 km north of the centre.
Guilin West Station 桂林西站
Outer high-speed station with fewer trains; far from the centre.
Yangshuo Station 阳朔站
High-speed station actually in Xingping, about 25–30 km from Yangshuo town; buses and taxis connect to town.
Getting around
Taxi / Didi
Airport transfers, station runs and cross-town trips
Use Didi where possible; for street taxis confirm the meter or agree a price first.
City bus
Cheap local trips in Guilin and Yangshuo town
Have small change or use the local scan-to-pay app; routes are slow at peak times.
Bike / e-bike
Yangshuo countryside, Yulong River and village lanes
Carry your passport for e-bike rental, wear a helmet, and check brakes and battery before setting off.
High-speed rail
Guilin–Yangshuo transfer
Yangshuo Station is in Xingping, not Yangshuo town; book seats ahead for weekends and holidays.
Li River cruise / raft
Scenic river travel and Yulong River rafting
The main cruise is one-way Guilin→Yangshuo, so plan onward travel from Yangshuo; avoid unofficial ‘short cruise’ touts.
Good to know
- Alipay accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and Diners cards. Payments under ¥200 carry no Alipay service fee; payments of ¥200 or more carry a 3% fee. Verify your passport in the app to raise limits. Source
- A travel eSIM or home SIM on roaming reaches Google, WhatsApp and Instagram without a VPN; a Chinese SIM or hotel Wi-Fi does not. Keep your home SIM active for SMS codes. Source
- Book the official Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, not a ‘short cruise’ tout; it is one-way, so plan onward travel from Yangshuo.
- At Xingping, the ¥20-note viewpoint is a 15–20 minute walk from the old town; go early to avoid tour groups.
- In Yangshuo, e-bikes are the best way to reach the Yulong River and villages; carry your passport and wear a helmet.
- Guilin rice noodles are a breakfast food; locals pay ¥5–10 at basic shops, so ¥15+ in tourist areas is not normal.
- Avoid Chinese public holidays, especially Golden Week 1–7 Oct, when boats, West Street and trains are packed; book high-speed rail 1–2 weeks ahead.
What to eat in Guilin & Yangshuo
桂林米粉
Guìlín mǐfěn
Guilin rice noodles · Breakfast staple with braised meat and peanuts; ask for a vegetarian version.
啤酒鱼
píjiǔ yú
Beer fish · Yangshuo specialty: freshwater fish braised with beer, tomatoes and chilli.
荔浦芋扣肉
Lìpǔ yù kòuròu
Lipu taro with pork belly · Rich layered dish of soft taro and braised pork.
田螺酿
tiánluó niàng
Stuffed river snails · Li River snails stuffed with seasoned minced pork and herbs.
恭城油茶
Gōngchéng yóuchá
Gongcheng oil tea · Savory tea with puffed rice, peanuts and scallions; usually vegetarian base.
马蹄糕
mǎtígāo
Water chestnut cake · Cooling, slightly chewy snack made with water chestnut flour.
艾叶粑
àiyè bā
Mugwort rice cake · Green glutinous rice cake with mugwort and sweet or savory filling.
桂林松糕
Guìlín sōnggāo
Guilin steamed sponge cake · Light, sweet steamed rice cake, often sold at street stalls.
Weather by season
| Months | Day | Night | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar-May | 23 °C | 15 °C | Mild but very wet; misty karst views and slippery paths. |
| Jun-Aug | 32 °C | 24 °C | Hot, humid and stormy; carry rain gear and mosquito repellent. |
| Sep-Nov | 26 °C | 17 °C | Warm, clear and comfortable; the best overall season. |
| Dec-Feb | 13 °C | 6 °C | Damp cold; indoor heating is often weak, so pack layers. |
Typical averages, not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Guilin & Yangshuo?
Sep–Nov; Apr–May for green scenery (expect rain)
Which sights in Guilin & Yangshuo should I book in advance?
Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Folded Brocade Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Longji Rice Terraces, Yulong River, Shiwai Taoyuan (Xanadu).
Which airports serve Guilin & Yangshuo?
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL).
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