Introduction Guilin Travel Guide
Guilin is a city located in southern China. Home to 4.75 million people, it covers a 27 809 km² area.
The city is most known for its stunning scenery. In fact, the city is located on the Li River and is well know for its day cruise to Yangshuo, a smaller town down the river.
In addition, the city offers some great traditional street and local scenery.
We loved Guilin, that’s the reason we put up this Ultimate Guilin Travel Guide
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
Moving around
The most common way to move around is by bus. Buses are running through the whole city. Another option is by Didi, the local Uber.
Where to stay
They are many accommodations in Guilin:
- Budget: Ease Hostel or Guilin Central Wada Hostel
- Mid-Range: Secret Courtyard Resort Hotel or QingHuYuan Lakeside Villa
- Luxurious: In Share No.9 Garden Villa
Things to do
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
Stroll around the most popular street in town. Enjoy the traditional architecture and eat some local dishes.
Reed Flute Cave
Mother earth at work. Also called the Palace of Natural Arts, the place is a natural limestone cave with multi-coloured lighting. It has been an attraction for over 1200 years and is past 180 million years old.
Things to do around
Longji (Dragon backbone) Rice Terraces
Take a day trip to visit the rice terrace and admire a fantastic view. It takes 3h to get there by private transfer or tour. Once there hike up the terraces, enjoy, snack something and go back.
Li River Cruise & Yangshuo
Embark on a cruise to discover the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo. Along the way, you will pass the landmark print on the 20 RMB note.
Itinerary
Day 1:
- Reed Flute Cave
- Elephant Trunk Hill & Xiangshan Scenic Area
- Guilin Rongshanhu Scenic Area
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
Day 2:
Longji (Dragon backbone) Rice Terraces
Day 3:
Li River Cruise & Yangshuo
Day4:
- Yangshuo & Return to Guilin
Or stay one more day in Yangshuo.
冰冻三尺,非一日之寒。(bīng dòng sānchĭ, fēi yírì zhī hán) It takes more than one cold day for the river to freeze three feet deep.