Guilin is China’s most painted landscape — a forest of limestone karst peaks around the Li River — and the little town of Yangshuo downstream is the base for its caves, rice terraces and bamboo rafting.
Best time to visit
April–October; September–October is clear and dry, spring is misty and green. The rainy weeks can slow the Li cruise but heighten the clouds on the peaks. Avoid the 1–7 October crowds.
How many days
- 3 days — Guilin sights, Li cruise to Xingping, Yangshuo.
- 4 days — add Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) terraces and a Yulong raft.
Getting there & around
Guilin has two airports and a high-speed-rail station — Guangzhou ~2.5h, Shenzhen ~3.5h. The Li River cruise links Guilin to Yangshuo; buses and boats shuttle between towns, and Yangshuo is best on a scooter or bike.
Top things to do
- Li River cruise to Xingping — the 20-yuan-note karst scenery.
- Longji rice terraces (Longsheng), especially in water or golden season.
- Yangshuo’s West Street, Ten-Mile Gallery and Moon Hill.
- Yulong River bamboo raft and the Xingping riverbank at dusk.
- Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin.
A 4-day Guilin & Yangshuo itinerary
- Day 1 — Guilin: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave.
- Day 2 — Li River cruise to Xingping, transfer to Yangshuo.
- Day 3 — Yulong raft, Ten-Mile Gallery, Moon Hill.
- Day 4 — Longji terraces day trip.
What to eat
Guilin rice noodles, Yangshuo beer fish (啤酒鱼), stuffed river snails and river prawns.
FAQ
- How many days do you need in Guilin and Yangshuo? — Three to four days is the sweet spot — a day around Guilin, the classic Li River cruise to Xingping, and two days cycling and rafting from Yangshuo, plus the Longji terraces.
- Should you stay in Guilin or Yangshuo? — Base most nights in Yangshuo for the karst, rice-field scenery and riverside villages; use Guilin mainly as the arrival hub and for the terraces.
- When is the best time to visit? — April–October; September–October gives clear water and golden rice. The rainy spring (April–May) is misty and photogenic on the Li River — avoid National Day crowds.
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