An old Chinese saying calls Guilin the most beautiful place under heaven, and once you see it with your own eyes you'll know it isn't boasting. Limestone peaks shoot straight up out of the plain like strokes from a Chinese brush, the emerald Li River mirrors the summits, and the Longji rice terraces are some of the most beautiful agricultural engineering on earth. Whether you come for a week or three days, Guilin leaves images in your memory for life.
#1 Li River Cruise
The ultimate Guilin experience, with nothing else like it anywhere in the world. The cruise route from Guilin to Yangshuo takes 4-5 hours, passing more than 300 limestone peaks, green paddy fields, fishing villages, and locals who still use black cormorants to catch fish. This scenery is printed on the 20 yuan banknote and has inspired Chinese art for hundreds of years. Even if you've seen the photos, the real thing still leaves you stunned.
- Book the cruise ticket (priced at 200-240 yuan) in advance through the official website; during Golden Week and Chinese holidays tickets sell out very fast.
- Choose a seat on the left side of the boat (facing forward) for the best angle on the Nine Horses peak ahead.
- The boat leaves around 9:00 a.m. from Zhujiang Wharf and reaches Yangshuo around 2 in the afternoon — you'll need a very early start that morning.
#2 Yangshuo
A small town on the Li River, wrapped by limestone peaks in every direction. Yangshuo is where travelers from all over the world come to stay a while, drawn by the relaxed atmosphere. Renting a bike to ride through rice fields, villages, and old bridges is very popular. West Street is packed with restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. After dark there's the Impression Liu Sanjie show, which uses the real Li River as its stage, with more than 600 performers and thousands of spectators watching at once.
- Rent an electric bike (30-50 yuan/day) and ride along the Yulong River route; it's far more beautiful than in town.
- The Impression Liu Sanjie show must be booked in advance, priced at 238-338 yuan, performed nightly around 8:00 p.m.
- Stay overnight in Yangshuo at least 1 night to catch the quiet early-morning mood before the tourists pour in.
#3 Longji Rice Terraces
The most beautiful agricultural engineering in China. The terraces were built by the Zhuang and Yao peoples on these steep mountains more than 650 years ago, climbing from the foot of the hills up to a high point of 885 metres across more than 66 square kilometres. Each season gives a completely different picture: in spring the water glints like a mirror, in summer it's fresh and green, and in autumn it ripens to gold. The villages of Ping'an and Dazhai are the most popular viewpoints.
- To enter Ping'an or Dazhai on foot, wear non-slip shoes; some sections are very steep.
- Entry is 80 yuan plus a cable car at 70 yuan up and down; staying overnight in a village on the summit is well worth it for the sunrise.
- Leave Guilin by 7:00 a.m. to arrive before 9:00 a.m., before the tour groups fill the place.
#4 Reed Flute Cave
A natural limestone cave more than 180 million years old, nicknamed the 'Palace of Natural Art'. It has welcomed visitors for more than 1,200 years, since the Tang dynasty. Inside, 240 metres of passages are filled with oddly shaped stalactites and stalagmites resembling waterfalls, trees, animals, and castles. Carefully placed multicoloured lights turn every rock into a work of art. A chamber in the cave called the 'underground meeting hall' can hold more than 1,000 people at once.
- Tours in English and Chinese leave every 20 minutes, priced at 100 yuan and lasting 1 hour.
- Bring a light jacket, because the cave stays a cool 20 degrees year-round.
- The cave is named for the reeds that grow at its mouth, which can be made into flutes — a traditional symbol of Guilin.
#5 Elephant Trunk Hill
The most distinctive symbol of Guilin. This giant piece of limestone sits right where two rivers meet, shaped exactly like an elephant bending down to drink. The round arch between the trunk and the body is called 'the cave with the moon on the water', because when the full moon reflects on the river you can see the moon through the arch, which is beautiful. On top of the hill there is a Buddha image and a tower built in the Song dynasty.
- Entry to the surrounding park is 75 yuan, which includes the Guilin history museum inside.
- The best photo angle is from the opposite bank of the river, or from a boat on the Tao River in the evening.
- At dusk, 6:30-7:30 p.m., the decorative lights come on and reflect off the water — prettier than during the day.
#6 Xianggong Mountain
A viewpoint that professional photographers around the world call the most beautiful view of the Li River. It's a low summit that takes only 15-20 minutes to climb, but it gives you a 180-degree panorama of the Li River winding through a valley of hundreds of limestone peaks. Early in the morning especially, with mist drifting and the sun rising between the summits, the result is one of the most beautiful natural scenes in Asia. Ideal for photographers and nature lovers.
- Arrive before dawn, at least 1 hour before sunrise, to claim a spot on the summit.
- Entry is 50 yuan, opening at 5:30 a.m. in the tourist season; a flashlight is essential because the climb has no lights.
- Combine the trip with a Li River cruise on the same day to save travel time.
#7 Yulong River
A tributary of the Li River that keeps its pristine character with no motorboats — only traditional bamboo rafts. The water is so clear you can see the pebbles on the bottom as it drifts slowly past old arched stone bridges, lush green rice fields, and rural villages that have barely changed in hundreds of years. A raft trip takes about 2-3 hours, and along the way the rafter shares information and stops at the best spots for photos. It's a quiet experience, the opposite of the busy Li River.
- A Yulong River raft costs 120-180 yuan per person, with 2-3 people per raft.
- Rent a bike and ride along the riverside route, alternating with the raft, to take in more of the countryside.
- The river water is very cold even in summer — bring long sleeves and shoes you don't mind getting wet.
#8 Two Rivers and Four Lakes
A boat route through Guilin by night that links the Li River and the Tao River with four lakes in the city centre into a single loop of water. The route runs more than 7 kilometres and takes 1.5-2 hours. After dark, lights illuminate 15 bridges and Tang-dynasty towers, reflecting on the still water like a Chinese painting at night. Rong Hu lake is ringed by large banyan trees, while Shan Hu lake has beautiful ancient twin pagodas.
- Night cruise tickets are 150-200 yuan, departing from several wharves in the city; the popular one is Nanmen Wharf.
- Between 8:00-9:00 p.m. the musical fountains run and there's a spectacular light show along the lakeshore.
- Walking around Ronghu lake during the day is free, and the view is no less beautiful than at night in good weather.
Where to stay in Guilin for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Guilin — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Li River Resort Yangshuo
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Yangshuo Tea Cozy
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Yangshuo Sugar House
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Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
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Tours, tickets & activities in Guilin
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Guilin — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Guilin is at its most beautiful in the rainy season (April-June), when mist covers the peaks like a Chinese painting, and in autumn (September-November) when the weather is cool and comfortable. Plan at least 4-5 days to cover every highlight, including the Li River cruise day, which takes a full day.