Guilin Travel Guide - Complete 4-5 Day Independent Travel Guide

“Guilin’s landscape tops the world, and Yangshuo’s landscape tops Guilin.” Guilin attracts countless visitors with its unique karst landforms, beautiful mountain and water scenery, and rich cultural heritage. This article provides a complete Guilin travel guide to help you plan an unforgettable trip.

Why Choose Guilin?

Guilin is located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a famous scenic tourist city in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you’ll find:

• Unique karst landforms: Peak forests, karst caves, and underground rivers form Guilin’s unique natural landscape
• Beautiful mountain and water scenery: Clear rivers like the Li River and Yulong River reflect against strange peaks and rocks
• Rich cultural history: A historical and cultural city with over 2000 years of history, full of ancient sites
• Distinct ethnic culture: Strong characteristics of Zhuang, Yao, and other minority ethnic groups

Each season offers different beautiful scenery, earning it the reputation “Landscape tops the world.”

Best Time to Visit

Seasonal Characteristics

Spring (March-May):

• Mild climate, bright sunshine
• Everything revives, beautiful mountains and clear waters
• Relatively fewer tourists, peaceful atmosphere
• Perfect for photography and hiking

Summer (June-August):

• Abundant water, most beautiful Li River scenery
• Lush greenery, perfect summer retreat
• Peak tourist season
• Great for rafting and water activities

Autumn (September-November):

• Best tourist season, clear skies and pleasant climate
• Longji Rice Terraces turn golden, breathtakingly beautiful
• More crowded, advance booking required

Winter (December-February):

• Lower temperatures but rarely snows
• Off-season discounts
• Misty and enchanting atmosphere

Recommended Duration

A 4-5 day itinerary allows for in-depth exploration of Guilin city center, Yangshuo, and Longji Rice Terraces.

Classic 5-Day 4-Night Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Guilin - City Center Experience

• Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin city center
• Attractions: Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas → East-West Alley → Qing Stone Old Street
• Experience: Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise (optional)
• Food: Guilin rice noodles

Easily start your Guilin journey, experiencing the historical and cultural atmosphere of Guilin.

Day 2: Guilin City Center - Longji Rice Terraces

Morning: 5A Prince City · Duxiu Peak

• Jingjiang Prince City: Ming Dynasty prince’s mansion
• Duxiu Peak: Guilin’s first peak, climb high and look far
• Experience traditional prince city culture

Afternoon: Travel to Longji Rice Terraces

• About 2.5 hours by car
• Arrive at Longji Rice Terraces scenic area
• Accommodation: Longji stilt house with view at 800m altitude

Experience Zhuang culture and admire world-class terraced fields.

Day 3: Longji Rice Terraces - Guilin Night Scene

Morning: In-Depth Tour of Longji Rice Terraces

• Nine Dragons and Five Tigers Viewing Platform: Best viewing point
• Ping’an Zhuang Village: Experience Zhuang ethnic customs
• Terraced field hiking, experience farming culture

Afternoon: Return to Guilin City Center

• Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin city center

Evening: Guilin Night Scene Trilogy

• One River and Four Lakes night cruise
• Admire Guilin’s brilliant night scene
• Experience the charm of Guilin nightlife

Day 4: Li River Essence - Yangshuo Style

Morning: Bamboo Raft on Li River

• Xingping Ancient Town: Thousand-year-old ancient town
• 20 Yuan RMB Background: Photo with cormorant fisherman
• Li River essence section tour

Afternoon: Yangshuo Attractions

• Yulong River bamboo rafting: Manual bamboo raft, more authentic experience
• Dong Drum Village: Experience Dong culture
• Ten-Mile Gallery · Moon Hill: Cycling or touring

Evening: Yangshuo West Street

• Accommodation: Hotel in Yangshuo
• Stroll West Street, experience Yangshuo nightlife
• Taste Yangshuo beer fish

Day 5: Guilin Classics - Pleasant Departure

Morning: Guilin Classic Attractions

• 3A Museum Reed Flute Cave: Guilin’s most famous karst cave
• City Emblem · Elephant Trunk Hill: Guilin’s iconic attraction

Afternoon: Departure

Transfer to station according to return time, ending your pleasant Guilin journey.

Transportation

Getting to Guilin

By Air:

• Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, about 28km from city center
• Airport shuttle bus direct to city center, about 40 minutes
• Taxi or ride-hailing also available

By Train/High-Speed Rail:

• Guilin Station (regular trains)
• Guilin North Station (high-speed rail)
• Guilin West Station (high-speed rail)
• Guilin Station is closest to city center, about 10 minutes by car

By Bus:

• Guilin Bus Station
• Can reach various places in Guangxi and surrounding provinces

Transportation Within Scenic Areas

Guilin City Center:

• Public buses: Cover main attractions
• Taxi/ride-hailing: Convenient and fast
• Shared bicycles: Suitable for short distances

Yangshuo:

• Recommend renting electric bikes or bicycles to tour Ten-Mile Gallery
• Can rent cars or charter cars to various attractions

Longji Rice Terraces:

• Need to take scenic area shuttle bus
• Requires hiking within scenic area, wear comfortable shoes

Accommodation Recommendations

Accommodation in Guilin City Center

Advantages:

• Convenient transportation, attractions concentrated
• Many dining and shopping options
• Rich nightlife

Recommended Areas:

• Xiangshan District: Close to Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes
• Xiufeng District: Commercial center, convenient shopping
• Qixing District: High modernization level

Accommodation in Yangshuo

Advantages:

• Close to main attractions
• Rich nightlife
• Diverse homestay options

Recommended Areas:

• Near West Street: Rich nightlife but noisy
• Yulong Riverside: Beautiful environment, quiet and comfortable
• Near Ten-Mile Gallery: Beautiful scenery

Accommodation in Longji Rice Terraces

Advantages:

• Excellent view from viewing rooms
• Experience Zhuang culture
• Can admire sunrise and sunset

Booking Tips:

• Peak season (National Day, summer vacation): Book 1-2 months in advance
• Limited viewing rooms in Longji Rice Terraces, recommend advance booking
• Pay attention to hotel cancellation policies

Must-Visit Attractions

Elephant Trunk Hill

• Characteristics: Guilin’s city emblem, shaped like an elephant drinking water
• Best viewing: All day
• Photography tips: Morning light is softest, best for photos

Li River

• Characteristics: The essence of Guilin’s landscape
• Best tour: Xingping to Yangdi section is the essence section
• Tour methods: Cruise ship or bamboo raft
• Highlights: Nine Horses Painting Hill, Yellow Cloth Reflection, 20 Yuan RMB background

Yulong River

• Characteristics: Manual bamboo raft, more authentic experience
• Best tour: Jindong Bridge to Jiuxian section
• Highlights: Rural scenery on both banks, peaceful and beautiful

Longji Rice Terraces

• Characteristics: World Agricultural Heritage Site
• Best viewing: Spring and autumn seasons
• Highlights: Nine Dragons and Five Tigers, Seven Stars Accompanying Moon viewing platforms
• Accommodation tips: Stay inside scenic area to enjoy sunrise

Yangshuo West Street

• Characteristics: Yangshuo’s most famous commercial street
• Best tour: Evening, rich nightlife
• Highlights: Fusion of Chinese and Western culture, bars, restaurants, shops everywhere

Ten-Mile Gallery

• Characteristics: Yangshuo’s most beautiful scenic route
• Best tour: Cycling or electric bike
• Highlights: Big Banyan Tree, Moon Hill, Julongtan, etc.

Reed Flute Cave

• Characteristics: Guilin’s most famous karst cave
• Highlights: Stalactites, stalagmites, and stone curtains in various shapes
• Best tour: Follow guide tour, learn about cave formation

Ticket Information

Main Attraction Tickets

Elephant Trunk Hill:

• Ticket: 55 RMB/person (free for locals)

Li River Cruise:

• Li River essence section (Xingping): About 80-120 RMB/person
• Li River full cruise: About 200-300 RMB/person

Yulong River Rafting:

• Jindong Bridge to Jiuxian: About 200-250 RMB/raft (seats 2 people)

Longji Rice Terraces:

• Ticket: 80 RMB/person
• Sightseeing bus: 30-50 RMB/person

Reed Flute Cave:

• Ticket: 90 RMB/person (includes guide)

Discount Policies

• Children under 6, seniors over 70: Free
• Minors 6-18, students, seniors 60-70: Half price
• Disability certificates, military IDs eligible for discounts

Booking Methods

• Official WeChat account booking
• Scenic area ticket window purchase
• Ctrip, Qunar, and other platforms

Food Recommendations

Guilin Rice Noodles

Recommended Restaurants:

• Laodongjiang Rice Noodles
• Chongshan Rice Noodles
• Minggui Rice Noodles

Specialty: Guilin’s most famous snack, smooth rice noodles with rich side dishes

Yangshuo Beer Fish

Recommended Restaurants:

• Dashifu Beer Fish
• Xiedajie Beer Fish

Specialty: Yangshuo’s most famous specialty dish, fresh fish with fragrant broth

Other Specialty Foods

• Bamboo Rice: Sticky rice, bacon and other ingredients stuffed in bamboo, fragrant and delicious
• Lipu Taro Pork: Guilin traditional dish
• Water Chestnut Cake: Sweet and refreshing snack
• Gongcheng Oil Tea: Guilin specialty drink
• Ginkgo Old Duck Soup: Nourishing soup

Food Street Recommendations

• East-West Alley: Traditional snack gathering place
• Yangshuo West Street: Fusion of Chinese and Western cuisine
• Zhengyang Pedestrian Street: Shopping and food street

Photography Tips

Best Shooting Times

• Early morning: Soft light, saturated colors
• Evening: Setting sun, enchanting light and shadow
• Avoid noon: Strong light, easy to overexpose

Photography Suggestions

• Li River morning mist is perfect for shooting
• Use polarizing filter to reduce water reflection
• Pay attention to angle and symmetry for reflections
• Longji Rice Terraces sunrise and sunset are most beautiful

Recommended Shooting Spots

1. 20 Yuan RMB background: Classic shooting location
2. Yulong River bamboo raft: Mountain and water reflections
3. Longji Rice Terraces: Sunrise and sunset
4. Elephant Trunk Hill: Iconic landscape
5. Ten-Mile Gallery: Rural scenery

Shopping Recommendations

Unique Souvenirs

• Guilin Three Treasures: Sanhua wine, fermented bean curd, chili sauce
• Yangshuo painted fans: Handmade exquisite fans
• Osmanthus products: Osmanthus sugar, osmanthus tea, etc.
• Zhuang silver jewelry: Handcrafted silverware
• Guilin rice noodles: Packaged for taking home

Shopping Tips

• Prices higher inside scenic areas, compare at nearby shops
• Distinguish between handicrafts and mass-produced items
• Check expiration date and packaging when buying local specialties

Practical Travel Tips

Pre-Trip Preparation

1. Documents

   • ID card (required)
   • Student ID, senior card, etc. for discounts

2. Clothing

   • Spring/Summer: Light jacket + long sleeves + sun protection
   • Fall/Winter: Down jacket + thermal underwear
   • Comfortable hiking shoes (Longji Rice Terraces requires hiking)

3. Other Items

   • Sunscreen (strong UV)
   • Sunglasses
   • Rain gear (Guilin is rainy)
   • Common medications
   • Power bank
   • Camera/phone

Money-Saving Tips

1. Transportation:

   • Choose public transportation instead of chartered cars
   • Book flights and train tickets in advance

2. Accommodation:

   • Choose homestays slightly further from scenic areas
   • Avoid peak season travel

3. Dining:

   • More economical to dine outside scenic areas
   • Try local snacks, good value

4. Tickets:

   • Book online in advance, note discount policies
   • Consider purchasing scenic area combo tickets

Safety Reminders

• Pay attention to safety when rafting on Li River and Yulong River, wear life jackets
• Longji Rice Terraces mountain paths are steep, watch your step
• Keep valuables safe
• Pay attention to sun protection and warmth

Important Notes

Environmental Protection

• Leave no garbage, practice “leave no trace” tourism
• Don’t discard garbage in Li River, Yulong River and other water areas
• Protect vegetation and wildlife habitats

Respect Local Culture

• Learn about Zhuang, Yao and other minority ethnic cultures and customs
• Pay attention to etiquette when entering minority villages
• Respect local residents’ living habits

Avoiding Tourist Traps

• Don’t trust touts at airports and stations
• Choose legitimate travel agencies and guides
• Ask about prices before consuming to avoid being overcharged
• Compare prices when shopping

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Guilin suitable for independent travel or group tours?
A: Both have advantages. Independent travel is more flexible and allows in-depth exploration. Group tours are more convenient and suitable for first-time visitors. Choose based on personal preference.

Q: How many days needed to fully explore Guilin?
A: At least 3 days, recommend 4-5 days for in-depth exploration including Guilin city center, Yangshuo, and Longji Rice Terraces.

Q: Which season is most beautiful for Guilin?
A: Autumn (September-November) is Guilin’s most beautiful season, clear skies and Longji Rice Terraces turn golden. More crowded, advance booking required.

Q: What’s the difference between Li River cruise and bamboo raft?
A: Cruise ships are comfortable, can tour the full route, suitable for seniors and groups. Bamboo rafts are more authentic with stronger experience, but only cover the essence section.

Q: How long needed to tour Longji Rice Terraces?
A: At least half a day, recommend staying one night to enjoy sunrise and sunset for a better experience.

Q: How many days needed for Yangshuo?
A: Recommend at least 2 days to fully explore Li River, Yulong River, West Street and other attractions.

Q: What are the must-eat foods in Guilin?
A: Must-eat: Guilin rice noodles, Yangshuo beer fish, bamboo rice, Lipu taro pork, water chestnut cake, etc.

Summary

Guilin is a must-visit destination in life. The reputation “Guilin’s landscape tops the world” is well-deserved. Whether spring’s beautiful mountains and clear waters, summer’s lush greenery, autumn’s colorful foliage, or winter’s misty atmosphere, each season has unique charm.

Plan your itinerary in advance and prepare well. We believe you will leave unforgettable memories in this place where landscape tops the world!

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Wishing you a pleasant trip to Guilin! If you have any questions, please leave a comment.