Guilin in 5 days

Karst peaks and the Li River: China's most painted landscape, with rice terraces and bamboo rafts. Best time to visit: April-May & September-October. Average daily budget: $40 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Central Guilin (Two Rivers, Four Lakes), The scenic lake district in the city centre, lit up beautifully at night.

Morning: Longji rice terraces. Hike between stilted villages above terraced paddies, best at sunrise or at harvest.

Afternoon: Explore Central Guilin (Two Rivers, Four Lakes), The scenic lake district in the city centre, lit up beautifully at night.

Evening: Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Four hours past the karst peaks that appear on the 20-yuan banknote.

Eat: Guilin rice noodles (mifen), the local breakfast with pickled beans and peanuts

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Elephant Trunk Hill area, Around the city's signature karst arch on the Li River.

Morning: Xianggong Hill sunrise. The famous viewpoint over the Li River's great bend, a photographer's rite of passage.

Afternoon: Explore Elephant Trunk Hill area, Around the city's signature karst arch on the Li River.

Evening: Yulong River bamboo raft. Drift the quieter tributary on a two-person raft through the countryside.

Eat: Beer fish (pijiu yu), Yangshuo's signature Li River fish braised in beer

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Yangshuo West Street, The traveller town an hour south: cafés, bars and karst views from every rooftop.

Morning: Cycling the Yulong River backroads past water buffalo and 600-year-old Fuli Bridge.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Yangshuo West Street, The traveller town an hour south: cafés, bars and karst views from every rooftop.

Evening: Daxu ancient town, a sleepy Ming-era river port barely touched by tourism.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Stuffed tofu and snail dishes from Guangxi home cooking

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Yulong River valley, Yangshuo's quiet countryside of bamboo rafts, cycling lanes and ancient bridges.

Morning: Reed Flute Cave's illuminated underground chambers in Guilin city.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Yulong River valley, Yangshuo's quiet countryside of bamboo rafts, cycling lanes and ancient bridges.

Evening: The cormorant fishermen on the Li River at dusk, still working with trained birds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Oil tea (you cha), the savoury pounded tea of the Yao and Dong villages

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Longji (Longsheng) terraces, Zhuang and Yao villages like Ping'an and Dazhai amid 700-year-old rice terraces.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Longji (Longsheng) terraces, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Longji (Longsheng) terraces, Zhuang and Yao villages like Ping'an and Dazhai amid 700-year-old rice terraces.

Evening: Dinner at Guilin rice noodles (mifen), the local breakfast with pickled beans and peanuts, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Longji (Longsheng) terraces.

Eat: Guilin rice noodles (mifen), the local breakfast with pickled beans and peanuts

Hidden gems

Cycling the Yulong River backroads past water buffalo and 600-year-old Fuli Bridge.
Daxu ancient town, a sleepy Ming-era river port barely touched by tourism.
Reed Flute Cave's illuminated underground chambers in Guilin city.
The cormorant fishermen on the Li River at dusk, still working with trained birds.

Getting around

Guilin Liangjiang Airport is 28 km from the city, about 45 minutes by taxi or airport bus. High-speed trains link Guilin to Guangzhou in 2.5 to 3 hours and to Yangshuo station (near Xingping) in 25 minutes. In Yangshuo, rent bikes or e-scooters for the countryside; for the Longji terraces, take the direct tourist buses from Guilin or Yangshuo, around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Safety

Guilin and Yangshuo are very safe with low crime; the main issues are tourist-marked prices and pushy touts around West Street. Agree taxi and raft prices in advance or use the DiDi app. Karst trails can be slippery after rain, river levels affect rafting in the wet season, and summer heat and humidity are serious, so carry water on hikes.

Guilin in 3 days | Guilin in 7 days | Full Guilin guide