Guilin Travel Guide

The scenery of Guilin has been called the finest under heaven. We offer most updated useful travel informations of Guilin. 

Situated in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin City is South China's shining pearl, with verdant mountains, elegant waters , magnificent crags and fantastic caverns.

Top Attractions in Guilin

Li River Cruise
Li River is by far the main reason to visit Guilin. Double-decker and triple-decker river boats which weigh anchor from a pier at Zhujiang, about 40 minutes from Guilin by bus, and meander through the sleepy countryside are relaxing way to enjoy the superlative river scenery and life along its banks. In contrast to the burgeoning cities of the north, it is quiet here; the rural scenery is magnificent. You will enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank.

Video of Guilin, Li River and Yangshuo

Longsheng Rice Terraces
The best time for a good photo of Longsheng Rice Terracesis in early June, when the paddies are pumping with water, the villages are transferring young rice plants from the seed bed to large areas of rice terraces.

Longsheng rice terraces tour

Crown Cave
Located in Caoping Village, and on the eastern bank of Li River.  It has a deep underground river.  Boat ride is available to explore part of the underground river.

Crown Cave and Gudong Waterfall tour

Reed Flute Cave
The cave is about ten minutes drive (half hour bike ride) from downtown, the cave is one of the largest known examples of what each tropical karst cone conceals within it.

Reed Flute Cave tour

Yangshuo
After about 4.5 hours cruise, the one-thousand-year-old town - Yangshuo, the disembarking point, comes into sight. It is well-worth browsing around this quaint town and its environs. Explore the old town by biking and trekking. Highly recommend you to stay for 1-2 nights. Many outdoor activities are available: Cormorant Fishing, leisure rafting on Yulong River, Biking around rice paddies, Li River trekking.

Li River Trekking tour in Yangshuo

Impression Sanjie Liu
Impression Sanjie Liu is a outdoor show in the evening, a major production with a cast of 500 singers, dancers, bamboo boats and cormorants bids. However, the stand out performer is definitely the background scenery. The lighting of the karst peaks is truly amazing and was our highlight. Ticket rate: RMB 188 per person. More details of Impression Sanjie Liu.

Life show of Impression Liu Sanjie

Biking and Rock climbing in Yangshuo
The area around Guilin is very distinctive karst topography. It is an area of unfathomable beauty with about 70,000 limestone mountains towering above the flat countryside. Heavy rains have left many perfect surfaces for rock climbing.

Yangshuo has as many as 300 climbing routes of various difficulty levels. For experienced climbers, finding partners won't be a problem. Just go to any climbing site and there are sure to be fellow travelers waiting. For beginners and climbers without equipment, there are several climbing clubs in town that offer equipment rental, one or multi-day trips, and climbing guides.

Biking tour in Yangshuo

Elephant Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill stands majestically in the downtown area of Guilin city, at the junction of the Li River & the Peach Blossom River.   It is the symble of Guilin, many local products use it as their trade mark.

Elephant Hill

Gudong Waterfall
Gudong Forest Scenic Area is 25 km away from Guilin city. The ancient forest area around the waterall covers about 1000 acres and features primitive forest. Six different sizes of waterfall are scattered on the slope of mountains.

Crown Cave and Gudong Waterfall tour

Cormorant Fishing
Cormorant is a kind of large and conspicuous waterbird, the cormorant has an almost primitive appearance with its long neck making it appear almost reptilian. It is often seen standing with its wings held out to dry.