Just got back from Guilin, and I really don’t recommend going in January or February because it’s just too much fun.
Guilin, a representative of China’s landscape scenery, is world-famous for its "karst topography" and the "Li River Gallery," earning the reputation of "Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven." Below is a carefully compiled comprehensive travel guide for Guilin.
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1. Best Travel Time
· Peak Season (April to October):
· April-May: Spring rain season, misty Li River resembling an ink painting, terraces begin to be flooded.
· June-August: Summer with abundant water, ideal for Li River rafting and Yulong River bamboo rafting, but it’s hot and the summer vacation peak season.
· September-October: Crisp autumn air, pleasant climate, best time for hiking and photography.
· Off-Season (November to March):
· Winter has fewer tourists, tranquil landscapes, occasional frost. Li River water is clear but a bit cold, some bamboo rafts may be suspended. Folk activities around Chinese New Year.
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2. Core Attractions and Area Distribution
Guilin’s attractions mainly cluster around "One River (Li River), Two Rivers (Yulong River, Taohua River), Three Mountains (Elephant Trunk Hill, etc.), and One Area (Yangshuo)."
1. Guilin City
· Elephant Trunk Hill: The emblem of Guilin city, a must-visit spot, recommended to go early to avoid crowds.
· Two Rivers and Four Lakes: Classic night tour with dazzling lights blending with water, bridges, and pagoda reflections.
· Jingjiang Princes’ City / Duxiu Peak: "Experience the city’s history through the prince’s city," feel the cultural heritage, climb Duxiu Peak for a panoramic city view.
· Dongxi Alley / Zhengyang Pedestrian Street: Commercial and historic cultural districts, great for tasting snacks and buying souvenirs.
2. Li River Scenic Area
· Li River Essence Tour (Yangdi to Xingping): Take a boat or bamboo raft to admire Nine Horses Fresco Hill and Huangbu Reflection (featured on the 20 RMB note).
· Xingping Ancient Town: Quaint town, climb Laozhai Mountain for a view of the first bend of the Li River.
· Yangshuo:
· West Street: Bustling commercial street with vibrant nightlife and bars.
· Yulong River Bamboo Rafting: Man-made bamboo rafts, peaceful countryside, recommended section "Jinlong Bridge to Old County."
· Ten-Mile Gallery: Best cycling route with sights like Moon Hill and Big Banyan Tree.
· Guilin Impression / Impression Liu Sanjie: Large-scale live performances showcasing cultural charm.
· Peach Blossom Source: Built inspired by Tao Yuanming’s idyllic poetry, boat rides through caves with beautiful scenery.
3. Longji Terraces (Longsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County)
· Jinkeng Dazhai (Red Yao): Largest scale, cable car available, great for sunrise viewing (Xishan Shaole).
· Ping’an Village (Zhuang ethnic group): Early developed, classic views like "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers."
· Ancient Zhuang Village: More primitive with rich cultural heritage.
· Best Viewing Periods: April-June flooding period (mirror-like terraces); July-September green rice fields; late September to mid-October golden harvest season (golden terraces); occasional snow in winter.
4. Other Highlights
· Silver Cave: "Visit Silver Cave, never lack money in life," one of Guilin’s most beautiful karst caves.
· Xianggong Mountain: Photographer’s paradise, overlooks the big bend of the Li River, stunning sunrise and sea of clouds.
· Mao’er Mountain: The peak of South China, ideal for hiking, camping, and stargazing.
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3. Classic Itinerary Routes
3-Day Highlights Tour
· Day 1: Guilin City → Elephant Trunk Hill → Jingjiang Princes’ City → Dongxi Alley → Night tour of Two Rivers and Four Lakes.
· Day 2: Li River Bamboo Rafting (Yangdi to Xingping) → Xingping Ancient Town (20 RMB background) → Yangshuo West Street → Impression Liu Sanjie.
· Day 3: Cycling Yulong River / Ten-Mile Gallery → Silver Cave → Return trip.
5-Day In-Depth Tour
· Day 1: Guilin City (Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes).
· Day 2: Longji Terraces day trip (overnight stay recommended for sunrise).
· Day 3: Li River essence section → Xingping → Yangshuo, stay in Yangshuo.
· Day 4: Yulong River rafting → Cycling Ten-Mile Gallery → Xianggong Mountain sunset.
· Day 5: Peach Blossom Source → Return or travel to other areas.
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4. Transportation Guide
· Major Transport:
· Airplane: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, with shuttle buses directly to the city and Yangshuo.
· High-speed Rail / Bullet Train: Guilin Station (near city center), Guilin North Station, Guilin West Station; Yangshuo Station (near Xingping) convenient for Li River tours.
· Self-driving: Attractions are scattered, flexible driving but parking in Yangshuo is difficult during peak season.
· Internal Transport:
· Guilin to Yangshuo: Cruise (about 4 hours), bus (about 1.5 hours), high-speed train (about 30 minutes).
· Guilin to Longji: Dedicated bus (about 2-3 hours), winding mountain roads.
· Within Yangshuo: Rent electric scooters (30-50 RMB/day), bicycles are popular.
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5. Food Recommendations
· Guilin Rice Noodles: Locals eat "Lu Cai Fen," dry mixed with soup, recommended old shops like "Lao Dongjiang."
· Yangshuo Beer Fish: Fresh fish from Li River cooked in beer, found everywhere, choose well-reviewed restaurants.
· Lipu Taro with Pork: Combination of taro and braised pork, fragrant and not greasy.
· Youcha (Oil Tea): Specialty of Gongcheng and Longsheng, slightly bitter at first taste, served with fried rice and snacks.
· Others: Snail stuffed with meat, Li River shrimp, pine flower sugar, osmanthus cake.
· Food Streets: Guilin Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Cultural Palace Food Street; Yangshuo West Street, Pantao Road.
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6. Accommodation Suggestions
· Guilin City: Near Central Square or Two Rivers and Four Lakes, convenient for transport and food.
· Yangshuo:
· Around West Street: Lively with rich nightlife.
· Yulong River / Ten-Mile Gallery: Characteristic guesthouses with mountain and water views, quiet and cozy.
· Longji Terraces: Stay in villages (Jinkeng or Ping’an), convenient for sightseeing, many wooden stilt houses, experience ethnic customs.
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7. Practical Tips and Pitfall Avoidance
1. Bamboo Rafting and Ticket Purchase:
· Buy tickets for Li River and Yulong River rafting through official channels with clear pricing. Li River uses motorized bamboo rafts (4 people per raft), Yulong River uses manual rafts (2 people per raft).
· Children under 1 meter tall, seniors over 70, and pregnant women are not allowed on bamboo rafts.
2. Best Photography Spots:
· Li River: Xianggong Mountain, Laozhai Mountain, Huangbu Reflection.
· Terraces: Jinfo Peak (Jinkeng), Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon viewing platform (Ping’an).
3. Avoid Pitfalls:
· Be cautious of street "wild guides" and "low-price day tours."
· Vendors inside scenic spots who offer to take photos usually charge fees.
· When ordering beer fish, clarify the price and measurement unit (by weight or by fish).
4. Clothing and Gear:
· Comfortable, non-slip shoes (essential for hiking, cycling, climbing).
· Mosquito and sun protection in summer; warm clothing in winter as mountain temperatures are lower.
5. Respect Local Culture:
· Longji Terraces are inhabited by ethnic minorities; please respect the customs of the Yao and Zhuang peoples.
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8. Nearby Extended Tours
· To the North: Ziyuan Bajiaozhai (Danxia landform), Mao’er Mountain.
· To the South: Hezhou Huangyao Ancient Town (about 2 hours by car).
· Classic Combined Tours: Guilin → Yangshuo → Lipu (Silver Cave, Fengyu Cave) → Liuzhou (snail noodles, industrial tourism).
A trip to Guilin is an experience blending landscape and poetry. It’s recommended to slow down, daydream by the Li River, stroll on the terraces, to truly appreciate the meaning of "the best scenery under heaven." Wishing you a pleasant journey!