Places to know
Eight to ten stops, with the neighborhood and why you would go. Hours and ticket prices change, so check them before you queue.
Landmark
Elephant Trunk Hill
The hill on the Li River that looks like an elephant drinking. The classic in-town photo.
Landmark
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
The linked lakes and rivers through town. A night cruise here is the city version of the scenery.
Landmark
Sun and Moon Pagodas
The gold and silver pagodas in the lake, seen best from the night circuit.
Viewpoint
Fubo Hill
A small hill on the Li with a view along the water. A short stop near the center.
Park
Seven Star Park
A large park of karst hills on the east bank. Come if you want to walk more than you want another viewpoint.
Nature
Reed Flute Cave
A lit limestone cave. It is a set visit with a path, not a hike.
Museum
Jingjiang Prince's Palace
The Ming prince's city in the center, now part of a campus-like compound. A quieter historical stop.
Day trip
Li River
The karst river. The classic boat is a one-way trip downstream toward Yangshuo, not a lap from the city center.
Neighborhood
West Street
The walking street in Yangshuo. Stay for the countryside around the town, not only the street itself.
Day trip
Longji Rice Terraces
Terrace hills north of Guilin. A separate day in the mountains, not an add-on after the river.
Three days
A sample, not a booking. Each day stays in one part of town. Move a stop if you are tired.
Day 1
In town
The city sights are small. Do not expect the full river view here.
- MorningElephant Trunk Hill
See the hill from the park and from the opposite bank if you have the energy.
- MorningFubo Hill
A short climb nearby if you want one more angle on the river.
- AfternoonJingjiang Prince's Palace
A historical pause in the center.
- EveningTwo Rivers and Four Lakes
The lake circuit and the pagodas after dark.
- EveningSun and Moon Pagodas
They are part of that same water, not a second destination.
Day 2
Down the Li River
The boat is the day. It does not bring you back.
- MorningLi River
Take the downstream boat toward Yangshuo. Piers are south of the city. Plan the ride out, and a different way back or onward.
- EveningWest Street
Arrive in Yangshuo. Eat, walk, and sleep there if you can. The town is the point of getting off the boat.
Day 3
Yangshuo, or the cave
If you woke up in Yangshuo, stay out of town. If you woke up in Guilin, use the cave or the park.
- MorningWest Street
Leave the street quickly and see the karst countryside around Yangshuo. Bikes are common. Confirm a ride back to Guilin before you wander.
- AfternoonReed Flute Cave
The cave instead, if this day is a Guilin day.
- AfternoonSeven Star Park
The east-bank park if you would rather walk hills than go into a cave.
Getting around
Guilin does not have a metro. In town, use buses, taxis, and DiDi. The Li River piers used by the downstream boats are south of the center, so "the river" on a map is not one dock.
The official Li River guidance describes the essence cruise as a one-way trip downstream to Yangshuo, with different departure piers. Plan the return, or the onward night, on purpose. Rail and road both link Guilin and Yangshuo. Yangshuo railway station is not in the middle of West Street, so check the last hop.
Longji is north of the city, in the hills. It replaces the river day. It does not fit beside it.
Food to try
Guilin rice noodles (mifen) are the local breakfast and the late snack. They are not a spicy soup by default. Add the toppings you want.
In Yangshuo, beer fish (cooked with local beer, tomato, and peppers) is the countryside meal people order. Eat it when you are actually in Yangshuo.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the comfortable months for boats and bikes. Summers are hot and rainy, which can swell the river and wash out paths. Winters are milder than in the north and can be gray.
The karst is there in every season. The difference is heat, rain, and how many boats are on the water.
Stay connected
A stable, hassle-free connection, where your apps work like they do back home.* Maps, DiDi, and payments all need data the moment you land.
- Alipay. Pay in shops and taxis, and open transit codes. Set it up before you fly.
- WeChat. Messages and pay. Most people in China use it.
- Amap. Transit and walking directions. Save the hotel address in Chinese.
- DiDi. Ride hailing. It also opens inside Alipay and WeChat.
- Trip.com. Trains and hotels, alongside the official 12306 app.
A plan for this trip
Three days is a short trip. China 5GB is the one to start with: 5 GB high-speed, 30 days, $9.90. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). Launching soon · checkout opens with the store
* How apps work depends on the network route and isn't guaranteed. Your data is routed via Hong Kong, according to our network provider. Services and networks can change.
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Guilin?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Summers are hot and rainy. Winters are milder than in northern China.
How do you get around Guilin?
There is no metro. Use DiDi, taxis, and buses in town. The Li River boat toward Yangshuo is one way, so plan the ride back by road or rail. Yangshuo station is not on West Street.
Will a haalaan eSIM work in Guilin?
Yes. Guilin and Yangshuo are in mainland China. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). A 3-day trip is a good fit for the China 5GB plan.
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