Heading to Guilin for the first time? This guide’s got you covered!
In recent years, Guilin’s tourism has been heating up again. It’s been the backdrop for numerous reality shows and documentaries, and it’s even hosted high-profile leaders. So, let’s ride the wave and whip up a travel guide for Guilin, where the lush green mountains and waters are so picturesque, they’re practically begging to trend.
Mention Guilin to any Chinese person, and the phrase “Guilin’s landscape is the best under heaven” will likely spring to mind. It’s a line I’ve heard since elementary school, followed by “Yangshuo’s scenery tops Guilin,” which planted a deep-seated yearning in me to visit and witness Guilin and Yangshuo’s beauty firsthand.
Last week, I spent a full five days exploring Guilin and Yangshuo, adding to a previous visit. I’m confident I’ve got these cities down pat, enough to craft a solid guide to give you some pointers.
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Why Visit Guilin?
Simply put, Guilin’s scenery is stunning. It’s not just about sightseeing; it’s about immersing yourself in the emerald waters and verdant hills, walking through a living landscape painting.
The area boasts unparalleled karst formations, a geological marvel of chance and beauty. It’s home to the world’s largest natural theater production, “Impression Sanjie Liu,” and the scenic Li River, part of our shared natural heritage, including the Yulong River…
Oh, and whether it’s Guilin or Yangshuo, you’ll find the hotels offer great value for money.
What to Do in Guilin?
Planning your Guilin itinerary isn’t tough. It boils down to three locations and five activities.
The three spots: Guilin, Yangshuo, Longsheng. The five activities: Mountain hopping (Elephant Trunk Hill, Nine Horses Fresco Hill, Moon Hill, Xianggong Hill…), water play (Li River, Yulong River), cave exploring (Silver Cave), rice terrace trekking (Longji Terraces), and catching a show (“Impression Sanjie Liu,” Guilin Romance Park).
If it’s your first trip to Guilin, I recommend hitting both Guilin and Yangshuo. But if you’re revisiting, consider using Guilin as a hub and heading straight for Yangshuo and Longsheng.
Guilin
The Li River’s landscape is the essence of Guilin’s beauty, with the best views nestled along its banks. Iconic spots like Elephant Hill, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Solitary Beauty Peak, Folded Brocade Hill, Jingjiang Prince’s Palace, and East-West Alley are all within easy reach, making for a perfect day trip.
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Ideal for a night cruise, this area offers a harmonious blend of city and nature, with the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas as its highlight.
Yangshuo
The Best of Yangshuo is where Guilin’s finest scenery lies, making it a must-visit. However, its attractions are spread out, so consider renting a car for ease of travel.
How to Enjoy Yangshuo?
Biking Through Scenery
Opt for an electric bike to avoid fatigue, especially along the Ten-Mile Gallery.
Rafting in a Painting
The Yulong River, a tributary of the Li River known as the “Little Li River,” offers a picturesque rafting experience. The stretch from Longshan to Jiuxian Village is particularly stunning.
Xingping Ancient Town
This town on the east bank of the Li River is where the iconic 20 yuan note backdrop was captured. It’s the heart of Yangshuo’s scenery, with attractions like Nine Horses Fresco Hill and Lotus Rock.
Xianggong Hill
The best vantage point for photographing the Li River’s first bend and a renowned photography site.
Silver Cave
Famous for its stunning interior and the local saying, “Visit Silver Cave, and you’ll never lack money.”
Starbucks with a View
Located at Yi Tian West Street entrance, this three-story Starbucks offers a panoramic view of Yangshuo’s landscape.
Authentic Guilin Noodles
The traditional way to enjoy Guilin noodles is dry-mixed, without soup.
Impression Sanjie Liu
The world’s largest natural theater performance, set against the backdrop of Yangshuo’s landscape, is a must-see, along with the indoor show in Guilin Romance Park.
Longsheng
Known for its rice terraces, a stay here with a sunrise view is a delightful experience.
Getting to Guilin
Guilin is well-connected by air, with its airport offering affordable flights. For instance, round-trip tickets from Hangzhou to Guilin hover around 1000 yuan (150 USD). There’s a good selection of daily flights, and upon landing, you can hop on a bus to either Yangshuo or downtown Guilin.
Both Guilin and Yangshuo boast high-speed train stations. From Guangzhou, it’s just over two hours to Guilin by rail, making it a favorite getaway for Guangdong residents. However, note that Yangshuo’s station is in Xingping, which is about a 50-minute drive from West Street in Yangshuo.
Traveling from Guilin to Yangshuo? High-speed trains, taxis, or chartered cars are all viable options. While Guilin’s attractions are relatively centralized, Yangshuo’s are more spread out, so chartering a car is definitely the most convenient choice. Plus, it’s quite affordable in both cities.
For a leisurely journey, consider a boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo. Daily cruises take about five hours and offer a splendid view of the Li River’s banks.
Staying in Guilin
Hotels in Guilin’s city center tend to be older, while Yangshuo is where you’ll find the more upscale accommodations. There are four high-end options in Yangshuo: Yangshuo Sugar House, Banyan Tree Yangshuo, Misty Wonderland (Yangshuo Xingping), and Kayumanis Yangshuo Private Villa & Spa.
Yangshuo Sugar House
Yangshuo Sugar House, a revamped sugar factory, boasts full marks for design and a prime location by the Li River. The downside? The basic rooms aren’t villas, and it’s close to a provincial road.
Banyan Tree Yangshuo
Banyan Tree Yangshuo sits along the Li River too, resembling a grand Chinese estate. However, its basic rooms aren’t villas, which seems a missed opportunity for an all-villa resort.
Misty Wonderland ,Yangshuo Xingping
Misty Wonderland is perched atop Xianggong Hill, offering a heavenly view of Yangshuo, especially enchanting after rain with misty mountains. The catch? Its hilltop location makes coming and going a bit inconvenient.
Kayumanis Yangshuo Private Villa & Spa
Kayumanis Yangshuo Private Villa & Spa is all about the villas and is the priciest option in Yangshuo. Its only drawback is a somewhat low-lying location.
Steigenberger Hotel SUNAC Guilin
For value, consider Steigenberger Hotel SUNAC Guilin. It’s relatively new, so you get excellent facilities at a good price. I stayed there and at the Yangshuo Sugar House, and Steigenberger Hotel SUNAC Guilin’s value for money stood out. At just over 500 yuan a night, it’s a steal compared to the 2000-plus yuan options. Plus, it’s lakeside, offering Guilin’s scenic views right from the hotel.
Wanda Vista Guilin
Wanda Vista Guilin, another all-villa hotel that opened in June 2021, is located in Guilin’s southern Yanshan district. It’s about 40 minutes to West Street in Yangshuo and 50 minutes to Guilin’s airport and train station, making it a convenient midpoint if you’re exploring both Guilin and Yangshuo.
Best Time to Visit Guilin
You can’t go wrong visiting Guilin any time of the year. But for the most comfortable and beautiful experience, aim for April to November, with July and August being peak season.
Due to its proximity to Guangdong and the popularity of high-speed rail travel, weekend accommodation prices in Guilin can soar.
For first-timers, a 4-5 day itinerary is ideal.
Got your own Guilin travel tips or questions? Feel free to share in the comments. Often, the real gems are found not in the article but in the discussion that follows.
