Written by Jasmine Miao |
There is a very famous saying in China, āGuilin’s scenery is the best in the world.āĀ What makes the city earn the reputation? Its unique karst landform, picturesque Li River scenery and abundant ethnic cultures.
Guilin is in Guangxi Province, the southwest of China. When planning a Guilin tour, we find that the attractions are scattered, so the planning of route, transportation and hotel is all complex and takes much time and effort. To help tourists who are bothered by the similar problems, we write this guide, a one-stop resource for practical, up-to-date Guilin travel tipsĀ in all major aspects. Hope this article can help you.
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- When is the Best Time to Visit Guilin?
- Top Attractions & Must-Do Activities in Guilin (Things to Do)
- Li River Cruise vs Bamboo Rafting: Whatās the Difference?
- Pre-Departure Checklist: Bookings and Requirements
- What to Pack for a Guilin Tour?
- Essential Transportation Tips
- Where to Stay During a Guilin Tour?
- What Are the Must-eat Dishes in Guilin?
- What and Where to Buy in Guilin
- Safety Tips for Different Travelers
- How Many Days Needed and Whatās the General Budget for a Guilin Tour?
- What to Avoid ā More Essential Tips from Local Guides
- Travel with China Xian Tour for a Smooth Guilin Trip
When is the Best Time to Visit Guilin?
Generally speaking, spring and autumn are widely recognized as the golden seasons with the best travel experience. But different travelers have different preferences, so we will introduce the scenery in all the four seasons.
In spring, the mountain flowers seem to bloom in competition. With frequent spring rain, the Li River is shrouded in the thin mist, like an ink painting. Longji Rice Terrace will be irrigated in the middle and late April, and the reflections of the sky and clouds are impressive. An importantĀ Guilin travel tipĀ at this time is to avoid Qingming Festival and Labor Day Festival.
Summer is the time to enjoy water activities, such as bamboo rafting, drifting, cruise, etc. But summer is also the rainy season for Guilin, and there may be typhoons in July and August.
Autumn offers the most pleasant climate. It is an ideal time for all the outdoor activities, like hiking, cycling and photography. If you visit there during late-September – mid-October, we highly recommend the Longji Rice Terrace. The golden rice waves are really eye-catching.
Winter is the low season with fewer tourists. So the cost is much less. You may not need to queue up for Yulong River rafting. But some sections of the Li River have been suspended from navigation, and Longji Rice Terraces look a bit desolate without crops.
Top Attractions & Must-Do Activities in Guilin (Things to Do)
Must-See Attractions in Guilin City
- Li River: for every tourist who is planning a trip to Guilin, we will recommend Li River. Because the scenery of Li River is the best in Guilin. When taking the cruise or bamboo rafting,Ā Nine-horse Fresco Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal and other classic landscapes can be appreciated.
- Elephant Trunk Hill: the iconic landmark in Guilin. When approaching, you will find the mountain indeed looks like a giant elephant drinking water from river.
- Reed Flute Cave: the most famous karst cave in Guilin. It is renowned as the palace of nature arts and has been visited by hundreds of heads of state from China and abroad. You will find many exquisite shapes formed by stalactite, such as the Crystal Palace, etc.
Exploring Yangshuo County
Yangshuo County is the essence of Guilinās scenery. To completely feel its charm, the following experiences are unmissable. First, taking the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the perfect starting point of your Guilin Yangshuo tour. The 4-hour journey will pass through almost all highlights of the river. It is easy to capture breathtaking photos along the way. For photographers, we also recommend Xianggong Mountain, definitely the best shooting place for sunrise and sea clouds.
Yulong River bamboo rafting is a very interesting experience preferred by us. When rushing down the small dams, the water splashes and we canāt help yelling out happily. If you want to enjoy a more leisure time, we think cycling along the Ten-Mile Gallery to immerse in the rural scenery is a nice choice. For nightlife lovers, West Street is the best destination, where bars, restaurants and night markets are bustling at night.
Journey to Longji (Longsheng) Rice Terraces
Longji Rice Terrace is famous for its mirror-like surface in spring and golden rice waves in autumn. Middle-to-late April and late-September – mid-October are the best time for the characteristic landscapes. The scenic area is about 80km from downtown Guilin. To get there, the tourist direct bus is the most convenient way. It will take about 2.5 – 3 hours.
Before planning the tour, the first thing we want to share with you is the scenic area is actually composed of Ancient Zhuang Village, Pingāan Village, Jinkeng Dazhai Village and Jinkeng Xiaozhai Village, as well as Huangluo Yao Village and Jinzhu Zhuang Village. The distance from the ticket office to each scenic spot varies from 5 to 20 kilometers. With only one ticket, you can visit all of them.
We visit the two famous spots: Dazhai Village and Pingāan Village. In our opinion, Dazhai Village is more spectacular and is suitable for taking portraits and small scenes. It has three viewing platforms. The No.1 West Hill Music Platform is the highest, so its view is the best and it faces the sunrise directly. The No.3 golden Buddha summit Platform faces sunset directly. At 16:00, the golden rice file
Pingāan Village is more suitable for a panoramic view, since its scale is smaller than Dazhai Village. āSeven Stars Accompany the MoonāĀ and āNine Dragons and Five TigersāĀ are the two main viewing platforms, which are best for sunrise and sunset views, respectively.
Best Photo Spots in Guilin
Xianggong Mountain:Ā the mountain is in Xingping Ancient Town and is located on the west bank of Li River. Standing on the viewing platform, numerous karst peaks come into our sight. The peaks are arranged orderly and the winding Li River flows through the peaks. We get there at dawn and witness the unparalleled scene of sun rising from afar and the peaks shrouded by morning mist. It is really unforgettable.
Longji Rice Terrace: the beauty of Longji Rice Terraces is the beauty of colors. In April and May, the rice fields have been filled with water, reflecting the surrounding landscapes and forming diverse colors. It is like several pieces of mirrors dropped by the god. When it comes to autumn, it turns into a golden sea. Even we are not professional photographers, it is easy to take beautiful pictures.
Xinping Ancient Town:Ā it is famous for the pattern printed on the paper note of CNY 20 – Yellow Cloth Shoal. It is recommended to take the photo at sunrise and sunset. Try to take a fishing boat as the foreground and the colorful glow as the background, you will get a perfect photo. April – August is the best time to capture this photo. Since September, the sunrise will be blocked by the mountain.
Tickets and Fees for Major Attractions and Activities
Attractions:
Elephant Trunk Hill: free, but need a reservation in advance
Longji Rice Terrace: CNY 80
Reed Flute Cave: CNY 90
Seven Stars Scenic Area: CNY 60
Xianggong Mountain: CNY 60
Activities:
Li River Cruise: CNY 215 – 360
Two Rivers and Four LakesĀ Night Cruise: CNY 210
Yulong River Bamboo Rafting: CNY 200 – 320
Li River Bamboo Rafting: CNY 140 – 270
Li River Cruise vs Bamboo Rafting: Whatās the Difference?
About these two major sightseeing ways, weād like to share our travel experiences with you so that you can make the decision easily.
The Li River cruiseĀ actually offers a more comfortable environment. When standing on the deck, the winding Li River and picturesque mountains unfold before our eyes, offering a broader view. It has two choices: 3-star cruise and 4-star cruise. The former one is more cost-effective and features a double-decker cabin, while the latter one is luxurious with VIP suites, so you will enjoy a private space. Some also include a buffet or semi-buffet dining options. The cruise departs from Mopanshan Port or Zhujiang Port and takes about 4 – 5 hours. Weād like to recommend it for families with elders or kids.
Bamboo rafting is more suitable for young travelers. Sitting on the raft, you will have a close contact with nature. The water flows by your side and is within reach. This unique experience is unparalleled by cruise. Besides, it can take you to explore some corners that can not be reached by cruise. Yangdi Port and Chaobanshan Port are the two main ports. And the journey usually takes about 1 – 2 hours.
To sum up, if you want more comfort or the weather is not ideal, the Li River cruise should be your top option. If you want a more immersive experience and visit on sunny days, go ahead and challenge the bamboo rafting.
Pre-Departure Checklist: Bookings and Requirements
- Book the round-trip train ticket/air ticket.
- Reserve the hotel in advance, especially in peak season and public holidays.
- Almost all theĀ popular attractions and projects require online real-name reservation, such as the Longji Rice Terrace and cruise, so reservation is the most important thing for your Guilin travel.
- Confirm whether you need to apply for a visa or not, please check the latest official information from the China Visa Application Service Center at least 1 to 2 months earlier. >> See also Visa-free Policies to China
- If you plan to visit scenic areas that are far from downtown area or niche attractions, it is better to plan the transportation in advance.
What to Pack for a Guilin Tour?
- Shoes: a pair of comfortable anti-slippery hiking shoes or sports shoes and a pair of sandals.
- Clothes: besides the seasonal clothing, it is advised to prepare one or two extra sets of spare clothing in case you get wet on rainy days or when playing with water.
- Electronic products: power bank, changeover plug. If you plan to take a camera, we highly recommend you to bring a high-capacity storage card, since the beautiful scenery in Guilin will fill up your camera easily.
- Rain gears: a folding umbrella or disposable raincoat. Rain is frequent in Guilin, so prepare it no matter which season you visit.
- Mosquitoor insect repellent: in summer and mountainous areas, there are more mosquitoes and insects, the repellent is a necessity.
- Waterproof bag: Used to protect your electronic products such as mobile phones and cameras during bamboo rafting.
Essential Transportation Tips
- Airport: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is the main airport and it takes about 40 minutes to get to the city center by airport bus.
- High-speed train station: Guilin Train Station is only 2 km from downtown Guilin, so we recommend it most. Guilin North Station is another major station and it takes about CNY 25 by taxi to downtown. Yangshuo Station is actually in Xingping Town and itĀ takes one hour to drive to Yangshuo West Street.
- Li River cruise: purchase the ticket via the official channel,āę¼ę±å®ē„Øå¤ā WeChat Account, so that you can avoid inflated prices from street touts. To travel from downtown Guilin to the port, you can also buy the tourist direct bus at the above account, which costs CNY 20.
- Transportation in downtown Guilin: the attractions in downtown area are concentrated and the Z-series tourist special lines have covered most major scenic areas. In peak season, it may be crowded, reserving an online hailing car will be a more recommended way.
- Transportationin Yangshuo: to explore the scenic spots in Guilin, renting an ebike or bicycle is definitely the best choice, the traffic jam in Ten-Mile Gallery is beyond your imagination.
- Transportation to Longji Rice Terrace: you can take the bullet train to Longsheng Station (35 min) and then transfer to a tourist bus (30 min) to get there. If you just arrive by air, there are 3 airport buses every day to the scenic area and the travel time is about 2.5 hours. With the opening of the new Longji Tourist Expressway, self-driving from Guilin takes only 1.5 hours.
Where to Stay During a Guilin Tour?
Based on the location of attractions, we divide the city into three main areas: downtown Guilin, Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terrace. OurĀ Guilin travel tips about accommodation will spare you the trouble of dragging the luggage around, allowing you to return to the hotel to rest quickly after one day’s trip.
Downtown Guilin: the hotels near Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area and Zhengyang Pedestrian Street are very convenient for dining and transportation. Most famous attractions can be reached on foot or by short transportation. The hotel options of all grades are available. The night scenery is also charming.
Yangshuo: West Street is the undisputed core living area. An important tip is to choose the hotel that is not right next to the bar street, so that you can enjoy both the bustling nightlife and quiet sleep environment.
Longji Rice Terrace: to experience the authentic local life and appreciate the sunrise, the stilted houses inside the village in the scenic area are preferred by most tourists. And we recommend Tiantou Village. It offers a better view and is not over-commercialized.
Note: book the hotel one month in advance during the peak season. The photos of the homestay may be beautified. Just read more reviews.
Related reading: Stay in Guilin or Yangshuo
What Are the Must-eat Dishes in Guilin?
In downtown Guilin, rice noodles is a must-try breakfast. In fact, most small shops on the street and alleys offer more authentic and delicious flavors, there is no need to queue up in the internet-famous stores.
Good to know: The most classic Guilin travel tip about ordering a bowl of rice noodles is to tell the vendor you want two liang of rice noodles directly! The price is typically around CNY 6.
Glutinous rice ball is a famous street snack. It wraps pickled cowpea, dried radish, and sausages, providing an abundant taste. Oil tea and roasted goose are all worth tasting.
When it comes to Yangshuo, the Beer Fish is the most representative signature dish. Especially on West Street, there is a store almost every few meters. But we do not recommend you to taste the fish there, because the price is somewhat higher and the chain stores can also be found in Yangshuo County. Usually, the group purchase is more cost-effective. Besides, weād like to recommend fermented field snails andĀ braised pork belly with lipu taro.
If you plan to enjoy a meal in Longji Rice Terrace, the native chicken is unmissable. To avoid monotonousness, āone chicken, two servingsāĀ is a wise choice, which makes one dry dish and one soup dish with a chicken. Here is an essential tip: all the free-range chickens have relatively tough meat, so ask the chef to stew for a longer time. Other famous local dishes include stir-fried bamboo shoots with cured meat and bamboo tube rice.
What and Where to Buy in Guilin
The Guilin Three Treasures are the souvenirs every traveler can buy: Sanhua Wine, Chilli Paste and fermented bean curd.
Momordica grosvenori is the secret weapon of the local milk tea shop. When soaked in water, it’s sweeter than honey.
Lipu taro offers a vacuum package. After going back home, you only need to bake in an air fryer at 180Ā° for 10 minutes.
If you visit there in September – October, the osmanthus wine and osmanthus cake are must-buy.
Besides foods, the Zhuang brocade, silver jewelries, and bamboo products are also popular local handicrafts. They are delicate and practical.
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and East and West AlleyĀ are the gathering places for the specialty stores. Suncome and Huarong Store are both time-honored chain stores.
Guilin travel tips about souvenirs:
- When choosing the Sanhua Wine, it must be bottled in glass. Plastic bottles are mostly blended ones!
- The bulk chilisauce in the market isĀ usuallyĀ 30% cheaper than that in scenic spots.
Safety Tips for Different Travelers
For different travelers, we conclude the following travel tips in Guilin based on our experiences. Hope these tips can help you.
Solo travelers: in the crowded area, take care of your belongings. At night, do not explore the secluded alleys alone. Be vigilant against unlicensed taxis or cars at airport and train stations. When taking part in water activities like bamboo rafting, strictly abide by safety regulations and wear life jackets properly.
Families with kids: The bamboo rafting on Li River and Yulong River offers a more immersive experience. But please look after the children and ensure they wear the life jacket throughout the journey. The idyllic scenery in Yangshuo makes it a popular place for family cycling. When renting a bike, it is essential to check your gear and wear the helmet throughout the ride.
Elders: comfort is the priority for most elders. Just arrange 1 – 2 scenic spots every day and choose those with complete facilities. And book the hotel in downtown area where theĀ medical and transportation facilities are mature. Do not forget to bring daily medicines and first-aid medicines.
How Many Days Needed and Whatās the General Budget for a Guilin Tour?
3 – 7 days are the classic choices. The 3-day Guilin tourĀ is an essence tour, focusing on the most classic landscapes. The city landmarks, Li River cruise and bamboo rafting are included. Tourists with a tight schedule are suitable for it. The per capita budget is around CNY 3,500 (price may vary based on your group size and activities).
The 5-day in-depth itinerary is chosen by most tourists. Besides the above experiences, Longji Rice Terrace and karst cave or the performance Impression Liu Sanjie can be included to enjoy a nature and culture tour. This arrangement costs around CNY 5000 per person. Families and photographers will prefer it.
For a 7-day tour, extend the trip to niche attractions like Maoer Mountain, Tianhu Lake, etc. Diverse landscapes are enjoyed, the general cost will also increase based on what you want to experience and your travel style.
What to Avoid ā More Essential Tips from Local Guides
- Prepare the disposable raincoats and slippers in advance if you plan to take the bamboo rafting. The water will splash into the raft, but it is relatively expensiveto rent on site.
- It is recommended torent ethnic costumes and take photos by yourself, since the photographers in the scenic area charge haphazardly.
- When selecting souvenirs in the scenic areas, like West Street, purchase from reputable stores and bargain boldly, by 30% to 50%.
- Beware of “free tour guides”, they are very likely to take you to the shopping stores.Reserve a licensed tour guide from a reliable travel agency, like Chinaxiantour or a famous online travel platform.
Travel with China Xian Tour for a Smooth Guilin Trip
Hope the above Guilin travel tips are helpful to you. If you want a completely carefree tour, China Xian TourĀ can also recommend our popular itineraries to you, which are all expertly crafted, and basically include the tickets, transportation, hotels and some meals. In addition, we can also customize a Guilin tour for you. In this way, our consultant will plan a trip based on your preferences and give you some reasonable suggestions to make the tour smoother. So do not hesitate to contact us.
