Encounter the poetic landscapes and unlock a dream trip to Guilin
Encounter the poetic landscapes and unlock a dream trip to Guilin
"Guilin's landscapes are the best in the world", this famous saying that has been passed down through the ages has made Guilin a poem and a distant place in the hearts of countless people. The mountains and rivers here are a beautiful painting carved by nature with its magic power. Every peak and every stream tells a story of time. Now, follow this guide and start your magical journey to Guilin!
Trip Planning
Three-day tour
- Day 1: Arrive in Guilin → Elephant Trunk Hill → East-West Lane → Two Rivers and Four Lakes
- Morning: After arriving in Guilin, take a short break and head to Elephant Trunk Hill. This iconic attraction, named after its shape which resembles a giant elephant drawing water from the river, is the symbol of Guilin. Standing in front of the Elephant Trunk Hill, you can experience the magical creation of nature up close. Don’t forget to capture your beautiful self at the best photo spot.
- Noon: Taste Guilin rice noodles at a restaurant near Elephant Trunk Hill. The fragrant rice noodles paired with the fresh and tender pot-roasted noodles will make you fall in love with the taste of Guilin at first sight.
- Afternoon: Stroll along the East-West Alley, the only historical alley left from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Guilin. The quaint buildings and a wide range of specialty shops will take you through time and space to appreciate the charm of old Guilin.
- Evening: Take a boat tour of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes and enjoy the dazzling light shows of Rong Lake, Shan Lake, Gui Lake, Mulong Lake, Li River and Taohua River. The Sun and Moon Twin Towers along the way, illuminated by lights, look like two luminous pearls, shining brightly.
- Day 2: Li River Bamboo Rafting (Yangdi-Xingping) → Xingping Ancient Town → Yangshuo West Street
- Morning: Go to Yangdi Wharf and take a bamboo raft to explore the best section of the Li River. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery such as the Nine Horse Painting Mountain and the Reflection of Yellow Cloth, and you can also check in at the 20-yuan RMB background to take in the essence of Guilin's landscape.
- Noon: Taste local delicacies in Xingping Ancient Town. Lijiang fish is an indispensable delicacy with tender meat that melts in your mouth.
- Afternoon: Visit Xingping Ancient Town and feel the tranquility and simplicity of this thousand-year-old town. Then head to Yangshuo and take a short rest upon arrival.
- Evening: Walk into Yangshuo West Street, which is full of exotic atmosphere, with bars, restaurants and handicraft shops bustling with activity. Order some beer fish, then find a bar, listen to some music, and enjoy a leisurely night.
- Day 3: Yulong River rafting → Shili Gallery cycling → return
- Morning: Go to Yulong River and take a bamboo raft to experience the freehand painting of "people swimming in a painting". The section from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian is the most popular rafting route. The whole journey takes about 90 minutes. The pastoral scenery on both sides of the river is so picturesque that you will be intoxicated by it.
- Noon: Taste farm-style food at a farmhouse near the Yulong River and experience the simplicity and deliciousness of the countryside.
- Afternoon: Rent a bicycle or electric bike and ride along the Ten-mile Art Gallery. Along the way, you will pass by scenic spots such as the Big Banyan Tree and Moon Hill. You can stop at any time to admire the beautiful scenery and take photos. Afterwards, we returned with a lot of good memories.
Five-day in-depth tour
If you have enough time, you might as well take a five-day in-depth tour to appreciate the charm of Guilin more comprehensively. In addition to the above three-day tour attractions, you can also add Longji Rice Terraces and Silver Rock.
- Day 4: One-day tour of Longji Rice Terraces
- Morning: Depart from Guilin and head to Longji Rice Terraces. During the irrigation period from May to June, the terraces shine like mirrors; from September to October, the rice matures and turns golden, creating a beautiful sight.
- Noon: Taste bamboo rice, bamboo chicken and other specialties at a farmhouse near the terraced fields.
- Afternoon: Hike to Ping'an Village or Jinkeng Dazhai to enjoy the magnificent view of the terraced fields. You can also enjoy the sunrise and sea of clouds at the mountaintop homestay (if you choose to stay overnight).
- Day 5: Silver Rock → Return
- Morning: Visit Yinzi Cave. The stalactites in the cave present a fantastic scene under the light. The "Music Stone Screen" and "Guanghan Palace" and other attractions are breathtaking.
- Noon: After having a meal nearby, pack your luggage and return to Guilin with nostalgia for the past.
Transportation
External transportation
- Plane: Arrive at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, about 30 kilometers from the city. You can take the airport bus to various stops in the city, or you can take a taxi, which costs about 100 yuan.
- High-speed rail: Guilin has Guilin Station and Guilin North Station. Guilin Station is located in the city center with more convenient transportation; Guilin North Station is a little far away, but has more trains. From Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other places, it takes about 3 hours to get there by high-speed rail.
Internal Transportation
- Urban area: Bus routes cover a wide range, travel is convenient, and the fare is generally 1-2 yuan. You can also choose to take a taxi, the starting fare is about 10 yuan. In addition, shared electric vehicles are also a good choice, which is convenient and flexible and suitable for short-distance travel.
- Yangshuo: Renting an electric car (50-80 yuan/day) and exploring freely is the best way. You can stop at any time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and control your itinerary freely. There are also special buses to and from Guilin city.
- Longji Rice Terraces: Take a bus from Guilin Qintan Bus Station to Longsheng, then transfer to the scenic area bus. If you don’t want the hassle, you can also choose to sign up for a one-day tour, which includes round-trip transportation and tickets, which is more worry-free.
Food Recommendations
- Guilin Rice Noodles: This is Guilin's signature food and can be found everywhere in the streets and alleys. I recommend old shops like Chongshan Rice Noodles. The braised rice noodles are paired with crispy pot roast and a spoonful of braising liquid, which tastes great.
- Beer Fish: A specialty of Yangshuo, it is made with fresh fish from the Li River and beer. The fish is fresh and tender, and the aroma of beer is blended into it, which is unforgettable. Daren Fu Beer Fish and Chunji Roast Goose are both restaurants with good reputations.
- Lipu Taro Braised Pork Belly: The perfect combination of soft, sweet Lipu taro and fatty but not greasy pork belly is a frequent guest at Guilin banquets and you must try it.
- Snacks: Water chestnut cake, oil tea, snail stuffed with rice, mugwort cake and other snacks are not to be missed. Oil tea is slightly bitter and has a unique flavor when paired with rice flowers; stuffed snails are a mixture of snail meat with pork and other fillings, giving it a rich taste.
Accommodation suggestions
- Guilin City:
- High-end: Lijiang Waterfall Hotel is a landmark hotel in Guilin, with a prime location and beautiful river views; Shangri-La Hotel has a beautiful environment, thoughtful service and complete facilities.
- Value for money: Choose a B&B near Zhengyang Road or Dongxi Lane, which is convenient for travel, has many delicious foods nearby, and can also feel the lively atmosphere at night.
- Yangshuo:
- Yulong Riverside: Secret Garden, Jiyun Shangyuan and other designer B&Bs have a quiet environment, allowing you to get close to nature and enjoy a peaceful vacation.
- West Street area: suitable for tourists who like nightlife. You can feel the prosperity of West Street as soon as you go out, but the price is relatively high and it may be a bit noisy at night.
- Longji Rice Terraces: It is recommended to choose a guesthouse with a view in Pingan Village or Dazhai, such as the Panoramic Building. If you book in advance, you can choose a room with a great view and enjoy the magnificent view of the rice terraces when you wake up in the morning.
Precautions
- Weather: Guilin is rainy in summer, so remember to bring an umbrella; it is cold and damp in winter, so keep warm; March to May is the misty season, and Guilin at this time is like an ink painting with a unique charm, but you should pay attention to weather changes when traveling.
- Pit prevention guide:
- When taking a Li River cruise, you should choose a regular pier, such as Mopanshan Pier. Be wary of the traps of low-priced roadside tours to avoid being forced to consume.
- When renting an electric car, be sure to check the condition of the vehicle and the battery level, and sign a formal contract to prevent problems such as "yin-yang contracts".
- Cultural respect: When visiting the ethnic minority villages in Longji Terraces, you should respect local customs and habits and do not enter private fields to take photos at will.
- Photography tips: The best time to take photos is 1 hour before and after sunrise and sunset. The light is soft and the photos taken will have more layers. On the Yulong River bamboo raft, you can also take pictures of the beautiful reflections of the mountains and waters.
Slow down and feel every breeze, every mountain and water in Guilin. May you leave behind an unforgettable and beautiful memory in this city of mountains and waters.