How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo: Best Travel Guide

Written by Wendy Mo | Updated April 02,2026

Guilin and Yangshuo are often included in the same itinerary, as they together show the most appreciated landscape in Guangxi province. As a result, knowing how to travel between them is also important to a lot of travelers. This guide offers you the most useful information that you’ll need when planning this trip.

Guilin and Yangshuo are about 65-80 km away, and the transportation options available include Li River Cruise, High-Speed Train, Bus, and Taxi/Private Transfer. Li River Cruise is the most recommended, as it’s the most scenic and immersive experience, while the High-Speed train takes the shortest time. Below are more detailed instructions for these transportation methods.

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• How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo
• What Is the Best Way to Travel from Guilin to Yangshuo?
• Tips for Traveling from Guilin to Yangshuo
• Enjoy the Unparalleled Scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo with China Xian Tour

How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo

1. Li River Cruise (漓江游船) – Recommended 

Li River Cruise makes your journey more than a simple transfer. Every moment along the way is impressive, as the route follows the most beautiful section of the Li River, passing dramatic karst mountains. An interesting thing is that you can find the exact landscapes on the 20 RMB banknote, so it would be a nice try to take photos of the note in the front and the real scenery at the back.

In general, if you take this option, the transfer time also becomes a highlight in your Guilin trip. While landscapes keep changing, don’t miss the perfect photo opportunities from the deck. However, if you’re short in time, you may consider other choices as it’ll take 4-5 hours.

• Duration: 4–5 hours
• Frequency: Daily departures (usually morning, limited seats)
• Price: ~CNY 215–390 / ~USD 31-57 (depending on class)
• Booking: Online platforms, hotels, or local agencies (recommended in advance)
• Pros:

1. 1. Best scenery of the entire route
   2. Relaxing and immersive
   3. Direct arrival in Yangshuo town center

• Cons:

1. 1. Slowest option
   2. Fixed schedule
   3. Less convenient with large luggage

Cruise Types Comparison

You may notice that there are also different classes of the cruise. Here’s a clear comparison for you.

Tips:

• Sometimes the piers for arrival would change, remember to check the information on your traveling day.
• There’s no cruise from Yangshuo to Guilin.
• It takes time to travel from Guilin city center to the piers (50-60 mins drive), so when planning your journey, don’t forget to include this transfer time.
• You’ll need a transfer after arriving at Longtoushan Pier.

High-Speed Train

If you’re short on time and prefer a more efficient transportation, then a high-speed train is more recommended. It moves quickly between destinations with a great comfort level.

• Duration: 25-45 minutes (train ride only)
• Route: Guilin / Guilin North / Guilin West Railway Station→ Yangshuo Railway Station
• Frequency: 20-30 direct trains daily (from early morning to evening)
• Price: ~CNY 25–35 (2nd class), ~CNY 40–55 (1st class)
• Booking: 12306 official app, Trip.com, or station ticket counters
• Pros:

1. 1. Fastest option
   2. Cheap and reliable
   3. Frequent departures

• Cons:

1. 1. Extra transfer needed after arrival
   2. Minimal scenic value

Tips: Yangshuo Station Location

It is important to know that you’ll arrive at Yangshuo Railway Station (阳朔站), which is located in Xingping Town, but not at the Yangshuo town center. To go to Yangshuo, you need to travel for another 30km. So add 30-40 minutes to your total travel time. Overall, Guilin North is more recommended.

Bus

It is rather practical and widely appreciated to take a bus from Guilin to Yangshuo. Compared to high-speed trains and cruises, the most striking advantage of buses is that they offer a direct connection between Guilin and Yangshuo town center, which means no extra transfer needed. In many ways, it holds the best balance between time, cost, and convenience, making it a popular choice.

Along the way, you’ll travel via highway through countryside landscapes. While you’ll see occasional karst hills and rural scenery, it is not technically a sightseeing experience like the Li River cruise.

• Duration: 5–2 hours
• Distance: ~65–90 km (depending on route)
• Price: ~CNY 22–40
• Frequency: Every 10–30 minutes during the day
• Booking: On-site at station, sometimes directly on the bus, Trip.com
• Pros

1. 1. Extremely frequent departures
   2. Direct arrival in Yangshuo town, no transfer needed

• Cons

1. 1. Can be crowded during peak seasons
   2. Traffic may slightly affect travel time

Tips: If you are traveling from Guilin airport, you’ll also find direct buses to Yangshuo Bus Station.

Taxi / Private Transfer (Taxi & Private Car)

Taxi or private transfer is the most comfortable option. While door-to-door service is guaranteed, you also get flexible schedules. Private cars allow you to travel at your own pace, and you can decide whether to make a stop along the way for photos or short visits. The route usually passes through rural Guangxi landscapes, with views of karst hills, farmland, and some small villages. It doesn’t offer the river scenery that is only available on the Li River cruise though, it does provide a more personal and customized travel experience.

• Price (taxi): ~CNY 330-350/~USD 45.58-48.43
• Duration: ~1.5 hour
• Pros

1. 1. Door-to-door service
   2. Flexible time
   3. Comfortable and private
   4. Ideal for travelers withlarge luggage

• Cons

1. 1. Most expensive transport option
   2. Traffic conditions may affect travel time

Tips: A private car is not the cheapest option, but for groups or travelers who prioritize comfort and flexibility levels, it saves time and avoids transfer hassles. China Xian Tour also offers this type of service, you can join us for a perfect guided Guilin-Yangshuo trip.

What Is the Best Way to Travel from Guilin to Yangshuo?

The best travel way always depends on which kind of experience you value the most. So now, let’s see a comparison of the key facts about the transportation methods listed above and pick out your own choice.

In general:

If it’s your first time in Guilin:

→ Li River Cruise

After all, the scenery is one of the major reasons for people come here, so don’t miss it.

If you are short on time:

→ Bus or High-Speed Train

Fast, efficient, and practical, especially the bus for direct access.

If you want flexibility or travel in a group:

→ Taxi / Private Transfer

Tips for Traveling from Guilin to Yangshuo

• Choose based on experience, not just transport:

Traveling from Guilin to Yangshuo can be a really special case compared with other transfers. If this is your first visit, the Li River cruise is certainly worth the time.

• Book Li River cruises in advance:

Tickets are limited and often sell out during peak seasons.

• Be aware of Yangshuo train station location:

It is about 30 km from the town center.

• Travel light if taking a cruise:

Luggage space is limited on the cruise and boarding will also become less convenient.

• Check weather conditions:

Rain or fog can affect visibility on the Li River.

• Use mobile payment & booking apps:

Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Trip.com are three of the most important apps you need to prepare. They are widely used for tickets and transport.

Enjoy the Unparalleled Scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo with China Xian Tour

Guilin and Yangshuo’s natural scenery is so beautiful that just one glance and you’ll never forget. Traveling in these places feels like being in a fairyland carved by nature. To better explore these two beautiful areas, China Xian Tour can be your best travel friend. We can customize a Guilin tour for you that fully based on your preferences and give you some reasonable suggestions to make the tour smoother than ever. So it’s time to get in touch with us and get prepared for your incredible journey.