Written by Natalia |
The scenery in Guilin is renowned as the best under heaven, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists include Guilin in their China tour. In general, the tourists attractions can be categorized into four kinds: natural scenery, historical and cultural relics, karst cave wonders and special experiences. Then what are the famous scenic spots in each category?
Li River, Yulong River and Elephant Trunk Hill are famous for splendid natural beauty. Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Solitary Beauty Peak and East and West Alley scenic areas boasts several Ā historical and cultural relics in Ming and Qing Dynasty. As for karst caves, Reed Flute Cave and Silver Cave are well-known all over China. The special experience is related to culture of ethnic minorities with Longji Rice Terrace being the most famous scenic spots. Now, follow this article to learn more about these must-see Guilin attractions and also some other hidden gems.
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- Top Iconic Guilin City Attractions
- Unique Sights and Experiences around Yangshuo & Li River – Guilin’s Scenic Heartā
- Ancient Towns in and around Guilin
- Beyond the City: Seasonal Wonders & Extension to Your Guilin Trip
- Essential Travel Tips for Guilin
- FAQ About Attractions in Guilin
- Plan Your Guilin Tour with Chinaxiantour
Top Iconic Guilin City Attractions
All the attractions in Guilin CityĀ blend the natural beauty and cultural heritage. The natural wonder of Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave, tranquil beauty of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes and comprehensive charm of Seven Star Park all will leave an unforgettable impression on you.
1.Ā Elephant Trunk Hill: The Symbol of Guilin
Elephant TrunkĀ Hill is the landmark of Guilin. The appearance of the hill is like a giant elephant drinking water from the Li River, thus it got the name. Between the trunk and foot of the elephant forms a cave called Water Moon Cave. On a moonlight night, the shadows of the cave and the full moon overlap, creating the spectacular scene of ātwo moons floating on the waterā. there are also over 50 stone scriptures inside the cave, including masterpieces of ancient Tang poets. At the mountain top is Puxian Pagoda, a cultural relic of Ming Dynasty.
2.Ā Reed Flute Cave: A Dazzling Underground World
Reed Flute CaveĀ connects 12 different peaks, with a depth of 240 meters and a 500-meter-long pathway. As the most famous karst cave in Guilin city attractions, a thousand groups of stalactites inside the cave form different spectacular wonders of landscapes, including Crystal Palace, Lion Rock and Sunrise, Pines in the Snow, Sky-Scraping Twin, etc. This cave is also the filming location for the Dragon Palace in the famous Chinese drama āJourney to the Westā. Over 300 heads of state have visited here.
3.Ā Two Rivers and Four Lakes
The scenic area is composed of Li River, Taohua River, Rong Lake, Shan Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake. The most popular sightseeing way is the night cruise. During the one-hour tour, about 10 famous mountains will be passed by, including Elephant Trunk Hill. Besides, tourists can appreciate light show, watch cormorant fishing show and have a glance at historical sites like Sun and Moon Twin Towers, ancient city wall of Song Dynasty, Beidou bridge, etc.
4.Ā Seven Star Park
Integrating mountains, water, caves, rocks, forests and cultural relics, Seven Star ParkĀ is the largest and oldest comprehensive scenic area in Guilin. Its name originates from the seven mountains in the park which arrange like the Big Dipper. The core scenic spots include Seven Star Cave, Camel Hill, Flower Bridge, Forest of Steles, Qixia Temple, etc. In addition, there are also animal zoo, childrenās playground and rock climbing base, making it suitable for families.
Unique Sights and Experiences around Yangshuo & Li River – Guilin’s Scenic Heartā
The scenery in Yangshuo ranks top in Guilin tourist attractions, which combines the breathtaking natural beauty with local ethnic culture, making it a must-visit place for foreign travelers during their China tour. Tourists can not miss the stunning landscapes along tranquil Li River cruise, exhilarating Yulong River bamboo rafting, and relaxing cycling along Ten- Mile Gallery. The historic charm of West Street is also the highlight of Yangshuo tour.
5.Ā Li River Cruise
The Li River cruise is the most popular way to visit Guilin attractions. There are mainly three types of cruise ships: three-star ships, four-star ships, and five-star ships, which vary in comfort, service and price. The core route from Mopanshan or Zhujiang to Yangshuo is the most attractive section. Along the 60-kilometer long tour, about 80% of the scenic spots of Li River have been covered, including Nine-horse Fresco Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal and Xingping Ancient Town.
Besides, there are also some theme cruises such as Osmanthus Flower Cruise, Liu Sanjie Number and Tea Culture Cruise, where you can savor osmanthus tea and pastries, listen to Zhuang ethnic mountain songs, watch performance of throwing embroidered balls, and experience the making of oil tea respectively.
6.Ā Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
Stretching over 43.5 kilometers, Yulong River is renowned as āLittle Li Riverā. And experiencing bamboo rafting on Yulong River to appreciate the natural scenery is a top thing to do in Guilin. When sitting on a bamboo raft, you will see the reflection of the karst peaks on both banks in the water, which looks like a Chinese ink painting. The boatman usually row the raft in slow pace, allowing tourists to enjoy the scenery quietly. While when passing a small dam, the short moment of weightlessness and water splashing is a thrilling but joyous experience.
The four routes include Jinlong Bridge – Jiuxian Village, Jima Wharf- Gongnong Bridge, Shui E Di Wharf – Wanjing/Gongnong Bridge Wharf and Fuli Bridge Round Trip, which are featured by classic and thrill, pastoral and quietness, short but essence, and family-friendly, separately. So you can choose according to your preference.
7.Ā Yangshuo West Street
West Street is located in the center of Yangshuo County. With a history over 1,400 years, it is the most ancient but prosperous street in Yangshuo. Plenty of architectures there are built in Ming and Qing Dynasty and maintain the original appearance till now. It is called āglobal villageā, because numerous of foreign tourists and merchants gather here every year.
During daytime, tourists can feel the traditional culture here. While at night, the street turns into a bustling bar street, so you can drink some wine and listen to the music in a bar. Also, you can taste the characteristic local cuisines here, such as beer fish and stuffed field snails.
Related reading: Top 12 Famous Guilin Foods
8.Ā Ten-Mile Gallery
This scenic area got the name because of its picturesque scenery. So among all Guilin tourist attractions, Ten-Mile Gallery is the most suitable to enjoy a leisure travel by bike. On both sides of the road, the abundant karst peaks stand like bamboo shoots, and each has a unique shape. During the cycling, you will also pass through Yulong River, Zhuang and Yao ethnic villages, etc. If interested, stop for a while and pay a visit to Big Banyan Tree, Butterfly Spring and Totem Trail.
Ancient Towns in and around Guilin
To experience the culture of local ethnic minorities, the ancient towns in GuilinĀ are the best choices among Guilin attractions. Xingping Ancient Town, Huangluo Yao Village and Longji Ancient Zhuang Village offer different but enriching experience. During the tour, tourists can not only view the natural scenery, but also learn about the diverse and unique traditions of the local ethnic villages.
9.Ā Xingping Ancient Town
Integrating both natural scenery and historic culture perfectly, Xingping Ancient Town has been the a top tourist attraction in Guilin. The famous Nine Horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal are located here. Besides, the background pattern of the 20-yuan note of the Renminbi is taken here. Most Chinese like to take a picture of the money and the real scenic spot as a souvenir. As for the cultural relics, there are several ancient streets, bridges, drama stage and temple in the town. And the architectures are in the style of Ming and Qing Dynasty.
10.Ā Huangluo Yao Village
Huangluo Yao Village is the home to Yao Nationality. The characteristic local residence, stilted houses, are built along the stream here. As a tradition, all the women here only cut their hair once at the age of 18, so average length of their hair is over 1.4 meters, with the longest reaching 2.3 meters. Now, it is famous as āthe worldās longest-haired villageā.
There are also a variety of activities here. At 10:30, the long hair show is performed at the village square, where you can see the local women combing their hair by the stream, dancing with red sticks or umbrellas, etc. In addition, you can also join in a workshop to experience dying cloth or making silver ornaments.
11.Ā Longji Ancient Zhuang Village
The stilt house complex of Zhuang Nationality in this village is the best-preserved, oldest and largest in Guangxi. Most of these wooden buildings have a history of over a hundred years, whichĀ are built layer upon layer along the mountains and form an excellent sight in themselves. The bluestone road and stone bridge are also built in Qing Dynasty. Compared with other villages, there are relatively fewer tourists here, so you can experience a more peaceful and primitive village atmosphere, and you canĀ communicate with the locals toĀ feel their real living conditions.
Beyond the City: Seasonal Wonders & Extension to Your Guilin Trip
Except the classic downtown areas, extend the trip outside the city to immerse yourself in a seasonal wonder and hidden adventures. The Longji Rice Terraces offer different and fascinating scenery in four seasons, and in Xianggong Mountain and Silver Cave, you will marvel at the geological wonders. All theseĀ attractions in GuilinĀ are paradise for photographers and natural lovers.
12.Ā Longji Rice Terraces
Longji Rice TerracesĀ is another famous scenic spot in Guilin, which has been rated as globally important agricultural heritage site. It is composed of three major areas: Pingāan Village Rice Terraces, Jinkeng Village Rice Terraces, and Longji Ancient Zhuang Village Rice Terraces.
In different seasons, the scenery varies a lot. During the irrigation period in spring, when filled with water, the fields are like mirrors reflecting the sky. With clouds and mist at dusk, it is like a fairyland. While in summer, tourists can take part in the farm activities like rice transplanting and catching fish. The most splendid landscape is the golden waves of wheat in autumn when the wheat are ripe. It is the best time for photography.
13.Ā Hidden Karst Adventuresā
Xianggong Mountain is on the west bank of Li River. At the height of 350 meters, it is an ideal place to enjoy a panoramic view of āthe first bend of Li Riverā. After climbing to the top, you can see the magnificent scenery of karst peaks and winding Li River unfolded before you. The splendid light and shadow, seas of clouds, sunrises, and rosy clouds there also attract numerous photography enthusiasts.
SilverĀ CaveĀ is a typical tiered karst cave which runs through twelve peaks. It got the name because the stalactites inside the cave sparkle like silver under lights. The 2-kilometer footpath passes through a group of stalactites that are hundreds of millions of years old. You can not miss Music Waterfall, Snow Mountain and Silvery Waterfall. Tourist can also explore the underground river at the lower level by boat.
14.Ā Guilin Autumn Scenery Spots for Photography
The most famous filming spot for autumn scenery in Guilin is definitely Longji Rice Terraces, where the golden waves of wheat are attractive. There are three viewing platforms for photography. And at Jinfoding and Qianceng Tianti viewing platforms, tourists can take a picture of the entire field. While Xishan Shaole viewing platform is suitable for taking photos of sunset and sunrise.
Another recommended spot is Xianggong Mountain. At the top level of the viewing platform, you can capture a panoramic view of the Li River, especially at sunrise, the light and shadow effect is stunning.
Essential Travel Tips for Guilin
Best Time to Visit:Ā
From April to June in spring, Li River has entered high flow period, bamboo rafting offers the best experience. The flower blossoms and the karst peak forests on both banks are as picturesque as a painting. The surface of Longji Rice Terraces are like mirrors reflecting the clouds and sky. From September to October in autumn, rice terraces turn to golden, Li River is clear and reflections of scenic spots are distinct.
Getting Around
- Downtown Guilin: To go sightseeing in Guilin city attractions, several bus lines are available to Elephant Truck Hill, Reed Flute Rock, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and Seven Star Park.
- Guilin – Yangshuo: While to transfer to Yangshuo, Li River cruise is the most recommended for first-time travelers. Besides, you can take high-speed train from Guilin Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station, then transfer to a bus to downtown Yangshuo. Or take a bus from Guilin South Bus Station to Yangshuo Bus Station directly.
- Travel around Yangshuo: Ten-Mile Gallery and wharf of Yulong River rafting can be reached by electric car. While to Li River Bamboo rafting and Xingping Ancient Town, there is direct bus in Yangshuo Bus Station and Yangshuo Railway Station. Besides, taxi is also often used by tourists.
- Longji Rice Terrace: Take tourist direct bus at Guilin Bus Stations. If you set out from Yangshuo, you need to transfer to Guilin first.
Cultural ShowsĀ
Watching Impression Liu Sanjie performance is a top thing to do in Guilin. It is the first live-action performance of mountains and waters in China with the Li River as stage and the karst peaks as backgrounds. This show integrates the ethnic folk songs, fishing lights, and weddings, displaying the lifestyle of local people.
See more essential Guilin travel tips
FAQ About Attractions in Guilin
What to do in Guilin China in 2ā3 days?
2 – 3 days is enough to cover the essence scenic spots in Guilin. In downtown area, tourists can spend one day visiting Elephant Trunk Hill and Seven Star Park and enjoying a night cruise in Two Rivers and Four Lakes Area. In the second day, take a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, then explore West Street. As for the last day, you can experience bamboo rafting in Yulong River and cycle along Ten-Mile Gallery.
Is Yangshuo worth visiting from Guilin?
As it known to all, the scenery in Yangshuo is the most spectacular in Guilin, and the essence section of Li River is located within Yangshuo, so it is definitely worthy visiting.
What are the best Guilin attractions for families?
For families, the most recommendedĀ Guilin attractions are Seven Star Park, Yulong River Bamboo Rafting, and Longji Rice Terraces. These scenic areas are equipped with electric car or cable car, so even children and elders can enjoy a relaxing tour.
What are the Guilin Must-See Attractions for First-Time Visitors?
For first-time visitors, you can not miss Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River Cruise, Bamboo rafting in Yulong River and Longji Rice Terraces to indulge yourself in the charming natural scenery.
Are the Longji Rice Terraces near Guilin open year-round?
Yes, it is opened all year round. But to appreciate the most beautiful moment, time is important. Ā During the irrigation period from Mid-May to June, the mirror-like surfaces of terrace fields reflect the sky. And from Late September to October, the rice is ripe, the field form a golden sea. But in winter, the terrace is bare and not suitable for visiting.
Plan Your Guilin Tour with Chinaxiantour
If you want to plan a China group tourĀ with Guilin, but have no idea about how to arrange the itinerary, our travel agency is here to help. ChinaxiantourĀ specializes in tailored trips for several years, so just contact our travel consultant and tell her your preference, then she will tailor a satisfying trip for you. Our itinerary can also include tickets, accommodations, guide, transportation and dining according to your needs. So do not hesitate to contact us now.
