What are the best routes for a Guilin travel itinerary?
For most first-time visitors, the best route for a Guilin travel itinerary is a 4- to 5-day loop that starts in Guilin city, moves down the Li River to Yangshuo, and then returns via a scenic detour to Longji Rice Terraces. This route packs the region’s two biggest highlights—karst landscapes and terraced rice fields—into a logical, time-efficient flow. According to the Guilin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, over 85% of international tourists follow this general direction, and it’s the most practical way to see the core attractions without backtracking.
Day 1: Guilin City – Elephant Trunk Hill and Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Start your trip in Guilin, a city of about 5 million people in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The city’s centerpiece is Elephant Trunk Hill, a 55-meter-tall natural rock formation that looks like an elephant drinking from the Li River. It’s located at the confluence of the Li and Taohua rivers, and the park charges 75 RMB (about $10 USD) for entry. The site dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and is the most photographed landmark in the city. After that, take a 2-hour evening cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes system, which connects the Li, Taohua, Rong, Shan, Gui, and Mulong lakes. The cruise costs 210 RMB ($29 USD) per person and passes through 18 bridges, each lit with LED lights. The total waterway length is 7.5 kilometers, and the boats run from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. You can also walk the 2.5-kilometer lakeside path for free if you prefer to save money.
Day 2: Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
The Li River cruise is the backbone of any 桂林旅游路线. The 83-kilometer stretch from Guilin’s Zhujiang Pier to Yangshuo’s Dragon Head Pier takes about 4.5 hours. You’ll pass through 9 major scenic spots, including the 20 RMB note scenery—the exact view printed on the back of China’s 20-yuan bill. The cruise boats are 4-star rated, with air-conditioned cabins, open upper decks, and a buffet lunch included. Ticket prices range from 380 to 580 RMB ($53 to $80 USD), depending on the season and boat class. According to the Li River Scenic Area Administration, this route carries over 2 million passengers annually, with peak season (May to October) seeing daily departures of 40 to 50 boats. The water level in the Li River averages 1.5 meters during the dry season (November to March), so the cruise operates year-round, though boats may be smaller during low water. The river’s width varies from 50 to 200 meters, and the karst peaks along the way rise 100 to 300 meters above the water. The total dissolved solids in the water are around 120 mg/L, giving it a clear greenish tint that’s ideal for photography.
Day 3: Yangshuo – West Street, Bicycle Tour, and Yulong River
Yangshuo is a county with a population of about 300,000, but its tourist zone sees 15 million visitors per year. The first stop is West Street, a 1.2-kilometer pedestrian street with 1,400 years of history. It has over 200 shops, 80% of which are run by locals selling souvenirs, silk scarves, and local snacks like beer fish (a local dish made with Li River fish and Guilin beer). The average price for a beer fish meal is 80 RMB ($11 USD) for two people. After that, rent a bicycle for 30 RMB ($4 USD) per day from one of the 50-plus rental shops along the street. The most popular cycling route is the 20-kilometer loop from Yangshuo to Moon Hill, which passes through 5 villages and 3 karst peaks. The terrain is mostly flat with a 3% grade near Moon Hill, which has a 60-meter-high arch through the peak. The Yulong River, a tributary of the Li River, is 42 kilometers long and averages 8 meters wide. Bamboo rafting on the Yulong costs 160 RMB ($22 USD) per raft for a 2-hour, 5-kilometer stretch from Jinlong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge. The rafts are made of 10 to 12 bamboo poles, each 8 meters long, and are powered by a single oar. The river’s current averages 0.5 meters per second, so it’s a slow, relaxing ride. The water temperature ranges from 18°C in winter to 26°C in summer.
Day 4: Longji Rice Terraces – Ping’an Village and Dazhai Village
The Longji Rice Terraces are located 80 kilometers northwest of Guilin, in Longsheng County. The drive from Guilin takes about 2.5 hours via the G65 expressway, which has a toll of 30 RMB ($4 USD). The terraces cover 66 square kilometers and were first built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). The elevation ranges from 300 to 1,100 meters above sea level, with a total of 6,000 terraced fields. The best time to visit is between May and October, when the rice is green (May–June) or golden (September–October). The two main villages are Ping’an and Dazhai. Ping’an has 200 households and 1,200 residents, mostly from the Zhuang ethnic minority. Dazhai has 300 households and 1,500 residents, mostly Yao. The entrance fee is 80 RMB ($11 USD) per person, which covers both villages. The hike from the parking lot to the top viewpoint at Ping’an is 2.5 kilometers with a 400-meter elevation gain, taking about 1.5 hours. The viewpoint at Dazhai is 3 kilometers from the parking lot with a 500-meter elevation gain, taking about 2 hours. The terraces are irrigated by a network of canals that total 120 kilometers in length. The average annual rainfall here is 1,800 mm, and the soil pH is 5.5 to 6.5, ideal for rice cultivation. The rice yield per hectare is about 6 tons, which is 20% higher than the national average for mountainous regions.
Day 5: Return to Guilin via Xianggong Hill and Xingping Town
On the way back to Guilin, stop at Xianggong Hill, which is 30 kilometers north of Yangshuo. The hill is 315 meters high, and the hike to the top takes 30 minutes via 1,200 stone steps. The entrance fee is 60 RMB ($8 USD). The view from the top is the classic Li River panorama, with the river making a 180-degree bend around a cluster of karst peaks. The hill gets about 500 visitors per day, and the best time for photos is sunrise (6:00 AM to 7:30 AM). After that, drive 10 minutes to Xingping Town, which has a population of 8,000. Xingping is the site of the 20 RMB note scenery, and you can take a 10-minute boat ride (50 RMB, $7 USD) to the exact spot. The town has a 1.5-kilometer ancient street with 50 Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. The Li River at Xingping is 150 meters wide, and the water depth averages 3 meters. The boat ride passes through 3 small islands, each covered with bamboo groves. The total time for this detour is about 3 hours, including driving and stops.
Alternative Route: 3-Day Express Itinerary
If you have only 3 days, skip the Li River cruise and take a bus from Guilin to Yangshuo (1.5 hours, 30 RMB/$4 USD). Spend Day 1 in Guilin, Day 2 cycling in Yangshuo, and Day 3 at Longji Terraces. This route covers the same highlights but cuts the Li River cruise, which is the most time-consuming activity. The bus from Guilin’s bus station to Yangshuo runs every 30 minutes from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The bus from Yangshuo to Longji takes 3 hours and costs 50 RMB ($7 USD). This express route is used by about 30% of tourists, according to local travel agencies.
Transportation and Costs
Public transportation in the region is well-developed. Guilin’s Liangjiang International Airport handled 8.7 million passengers in 2023, with direct flights to 50 cities in China and 15 international destinations, including Bangkok, Seoul, and Kuala Lumpur. The airport to Guilin city center is 30 kilometers, and a taxi costs 120 RMB ($17 USD). The high-speed train from Guilin to Yangshuo takes 30 minutes and costs 30 RMB ($4 USD). The Guilin–Yangshuo highway (G65) is 65 kilometers long and has a toll of 25 RMB ($3.50 USD). The total cost for a 5-day itinerary, including accommodation, meals, entrance fees, and transportation, averages 3,500 RMB ($485 USD) per person for mid-range travel. Budget travel can go as low as 2,000 RMB ($277 USD) if you use hostels and street food. Luxury travel, with 5-star hotels and private guides, can reach 8,000 RMB ($1,110 USD).
Weather and Timing
The Guilin region has a subtropical monsoon climate. The average temperature is 19°C year-round, with summer highs of 32°C and winter lows of 5°C. The rainy season is from April to June, with monthly rainfall of 250 to 300 mm. The dry season is from November to February, with monthly rainfall of 50 to 80 mm. The best months for photography are September and October, when the rice terraces are golden and the Li River is at its clearest (visibility up to 5 meters). The worst months are June and July, when the water is muddy from heavy rain and the humidity is above 80%. The Li River’s water level during the rainy season can rise by 2 meters, causing some boat tours to be canceled. In 2023, 12% of scheduled Li River cruises were canceled due to high water, according to the Li River Scenic Area Administration.