Li River 漓江
See changing limestone hills along a specific river journey.
- Plan around
- Substantial cruise or riverside outing
- Combine with
- The actual landing and next stay
All destinations
South China
Guilin & Yangshuo travel guide
Explore Guilin’s waterways, Li River scenery and the countryside around Yangshuo. Stay in Guilin for city sights and in Yangshuo for smaller river valleys, villages and rural walks.
Include Guilin & Yangshuo in my trip ↗
What to see in Guilin & Yangshuo
Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.
Yulong River countryside 遇龙河田园
A smaller valley setting for a countryside-focused day.
- Plan around
- Half-day or longer
- Combine with
- A Yangshuo stay
Longji rice terraces 龙脊梯田
A separate terraced mountain landscape.
- Plan around
- Separate excursion or overnight
- Combine with
- A route that allows the mountain transfer
More places to consider in Guilin & Yangshuo
Xingping 兴坪
A village and river-view setting within the Li River landscape.
· Half-day
Central Guilin waterways 桂林两江四湖
An urban river-and-lake experience, distinct from the Li River cruise.
· An evening or shorter outing
Elephant Trunk Hill 象鼻山
A recognizable central Guilin landmark.
· A short city block
Watch before you go
Guilin & Yangshuo on film
Watch a few places and experiences you can include in your own visit.
1:19Guilin & Yangshuo
Guilin and Yangshuo
Karst peaks, river landscapes and evening scenes, with English captions.
Read the Guilin & Yangshuo guide ↗
3:34Guilin & Yangshuo
Guilin: rivers and local life
A longer look at river outings, rice noodles and life around Guilin and Yangshuo.
Read the Guilin & Yangshuo guide ↗At the local table
What to eat in Guilin & Yangshuo
Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.
Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉
Rice noodles with toppings and seasonings.
Yangshuo beer fish 阳朔啤酒鱼
A shared fish dish cooked with beer.
Pork and taro 芋头扣肉
A substantial pork-and-taro dish for sharing.
Bamboo rice 竹筒饭
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes.
Stuffed river snails 酿田螺
Snail shells served with a prepared filling.
For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.
Where to stay
Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Central Guilin | Arrival, city waterways and urban dining | Farther from Yangshuo countryside experiences |
| Yangshuo town | Restaurants and access to countryside outings | Busy visitor streets |
| Yangshuo rural accommodation | A landscape-oriented stay | Transport and meals need more deliberate planning |
Getting there & around
Guilin, Guilin North, Guilin West and Yangshuo stations are different gateways. Yangshuo Railway Station is not central Yangshuo town. For a cruise, arrange the departure pier, luggage and the transfer from the actual landing; the name “Li River” alone does not specify those details.
Choose your time, then make it yours
How many days do you have?
Start with a day in Guilin & Yangshuo or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
A day in the destination
A countryside day from Yangshuo
This one-day idea starts from Yangshuo; travel from Guilin requires additional transfer time.
Make this my own 1-day trip ↗- Day 1
A focused day around Yangshuo
Starting from Yangshuo, explore a selected Yulong River area, stop in a village and pause for lunch. Keep the afternoon for another short walk or an unhurried return.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
A short stay
Guilin to Yangshuo in three days
A short scenic connection, assuming arrival in Guilin before the first sightseeing day.
Make this my own 3-day trip ↗- Day 1
Guilin’s city and waterways
Choose one city landmark and a relaxed riverside walk, pausing over lunch. Save the later afternoon for your hotel or a selected urban waterways outing.
- Day 2
Li River scenery toward Yangshuo
Choose the Li River outing and transfer arrangement that fits your group. Continue to a Yangshuo base, keeping the evening simple after a full landscape and travel day.
- Day 3
The Yulong River countryside
Explore one Yulong River section by a suitable walk, vehicle outing or permitted boat activity. Pair it with a village stop and lunch, leaving the afternoon unhurried.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Guilin, Longji and Yangshuo
A regional week with an overnight in the terraces and a Yangshuo countryside base.
Make this my own 7-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Guilin
Settle in, then enjoy a short riverfront walk and a bowl of Guilin rice noodles. Keep the evening light after your arrival journey.
- Day 2
Travel to the Longji terraces
Leave Guilin for one Longji terrace area, then settle into your accommodation. Choose a short village walk and a nearby viewpoint rather than crossing several terrace districts.
- Day 3
A full morning among the terraces
Walk a selected terrace route around weather and your comfort with steps. Take time for a village meal before returning to Guilin for an easy evening.
- Day 4
Li River scenery toward Yangshuo
Choose the Li River outing and transfer arrangement that fits your group. Continue to a Yangshuo base, keeping the evening simple after a full landscape and travel day.
- Day 5
The Yulong River countryside
Explore one Yulong River section by a suitable walk, vehicle outing or permitted boat activity. Pair it with a village stop and lunch, leaving the afternoon unhurried.
- Day 6
Xingping and the Li River
Give Xingping and a selected nearby river-view section a dedicated day. Keep walking choices modest and avoid adding another countryside circuit before returning to your Yangshuo hotel.
- Day 7
Transfer for your onward journey
Travel to the airport or station that matches your booking, allowing for the journey from Yangshuo. Keep sightseeing optional and close to the departure route.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
A slower Guilin region journey
Extra time allows a city day, terrace stay and several relaxed days around Yangshuo.
Make this my own 10-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Guilin
Settle in, then enjoy a short riverfront walk and a bowl of Guilin rice noodles. Keep the evening light after your arrival journey.
- Day 2
Guilin’s city and waterways
Choose one city landmark and a relaxed riverside walk, pausing over lunch. Save the later afternoon for your hotel or a selected urban waterways outing.
- Day 3
Travel to the Longji terraces
Leave Guilin for one Longji terrace area, then settle into your accommodation. Choose a short village walk and a nearby viewpoint rather than crossing several terrace districts.
- Day 4
A full morning among the terraces
Walk a selected terrace route around weather and your comfort with steps. Take time for a village meal before returning to Guilin for an easy evening.
- Day 5
Li River scenery toward Yangshuo
Choose the Li River outing and transfer arrangement that fits your group. Continue to a Yangshuo base, keeping the evening simple after a full landscape and travel day.
- Day 6
The Yulong River countryside
Explore one Yulong River section by a suitable walk, vehicle outing or permitted boat activity. Pair it with a village stop and lunch, leaving the afternoon unhurried.
- Day 7
Xingping and the Li River
Give Xingping and a selected nearby river-view section a dedicated day. Keep walking choices modest and avoid adding another countryside circuit before returning to your Yangshuo hotel.
- Day 8
Food and a quieter Yangshuo day
Use the morning for a local food experience or a short market visit, shaped around your preferences. Keep the afternoon free for a café, photographs or resting.
- Day 9
An open countryside day
Revisit a favorite village or take a short countryside walk near your base. This flexible day gives room for weather changes, a longer lunch and family downtime.
- Day 10
Transfer for your onward journey
Travel to the airport or station that matches your booking, allowing for the journey from Yangshuo. Keep sightseeing optional and close to the departure route.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
Make Guilin & Yangshuo part of your private journey.
Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.
Discuss my Guilin & Yangshuo plans ↗