Guilin, known for its breathtaking limestone karst mountains, picturesque rivers, and rich cultural heritage, offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and local traditions. This 4-day itinerary takes you through the must-visit sights of Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longsheng, from the iconic Li River and ancient towns to the stunning Longji Rice Terraces. Experience serene bamboo rafting, explore historic streets, and immerse yourself in authentic local cuisine, all while discovering the unique charm of southern China’s landscapes and culture.
Day 1: Explore Guilin
Itinerary Overview: Seven Star Scenic Area (七星景区) – Dongxi Lane (东西巷) – Elephant Trunk Hill (象山景区) – Two Rivers and Four Lakes (两江四湖)
Stop 1: Seven Star Scenic Area (七星景区)
Transportation: Take a bus to Seven Star Park (七星公园).
Highlight: This is no ordinary park. In 1998, U.S. President Bill Clinton delivered an environmental speech at the foot of Camel Hill (骆驼峰).
Itinerary: Enter through the West Gate to see Flower Bridge (花桥). Walk north to Qixia Temple (栖霞寺). Follow the mountain trail to reach the entrance of Seven Star Cave (七星岩). If you decide to hike to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Guilin. Descend via an alternate mountain path.
Stop 2: Dongxi Lane (东西巷)
Transportation: A 10-minute walk from Seven Star Scenic Area.
Highlight: This is the only remaining historical block from Guilin’s Ming and Qing dynasties, including streets like Zhengyang East Lane (正阳街东巷), Jiangnan Lane (江南巷), and Lanjing Lane (兰井巷).
Notable landmarks: Traditional residences at No. 2, No. 16, and No. 20 of East Lane, dating back to the Republican era.
Food: A culinary hub offering local delicacies like rice noodles (米粉), stinky tofu (臭豆腐), and water chestnut cake (马蹄糕). A great place to settle lunch.
Stop 3: Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area (象山景区)
Transportation: A 10-minute walk south from Dongxi Lane.
Highlight: Take a must-have photo with Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山). Explore landmarks like Water Moon Cave (水月洞), Love Island (爱情岛), Puxian Pagoda (普贤塔), and the famous Sanhua Liquor Cellar (三花酒窖), known for Guilin Sanhua Liquor. Although you cannot enter the cellar, the aroma of stored liquor is unmistakable.
Tips for Couples: Visit Love Island (爱情岛), a romantic riverside retreat on the northern side of the scenic area, popular since the 1970s.
Dining Recommendations
Head to Zhengyang Pedestrian Street (正阳步行街) for lunch and dinner. This is Guilin’s ultimate hub for food, drinks, and entertainment.
Recommended restaurants: Wangcheng Restaurant (王城饭店), Er Xiao Lamb Restaurant (二小羊肉馆), Weixiang Restaurant (味香馆), Chenji Guilin Rice Noodles (陈记桂林米粉), and Zhengyang Soup City (正阳汤城).
Must-try dishes: Clear broth lamb (清汤羊肉), Braised Li River fish (黄焖漓江鱼), Horse meat hotpot (马肉火锅), and Spicy crab (香辣蟹).
Day 2: Head to Yangshuo
Itinerary Overview: Li River (漓江) – Xingping Ancient Town (兴坪古镇) – West Street (西街) – Guilin Eternal Love Scenic Area (桂林千古情景区)
Stop 1: Li River (漓江)
Duration: 2 hours
Transportation: Take a bus from Guilin Bus Station to Yangdi Wharf (杨堤码头) and board a bamboo raft for the essence section of the Li River.
Highlights: The Li River is renowned for its picturesque karst landscapes, earning the phrase “Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven” (桂林山水甲天下). Along the way, you’ll see iconic sites like Yangdi Misty Rain (杨堤烟雨), Rolling Stone Wonderland (滚石仙境), Nine Horse Fresco Hill (九马画山), Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山), and the scenic beauty of Xingping (兴坪佳境).
Stop 2: Xingping Ancient Town (兴坪古镇)
Duration: 1–2 hours
Transportation: Disembark from the bamboo raft at Nine Horse Fresco Hill (九马画山) and take an electric cart to Xingping Ancient Town.
Highlights: Located on the banks of the Li River in northern Yangshuo, this charming town offers a tranquil escape with postcard-worthy views. Don’t miss the famous 20 RMB note photo spot, and prepare a 20-yuan bill for a memorable photo. After exploring, take a bus from Xingping Bus Station to Yangshuo Bus Station.
Stop 3: West Street (西街)
Duration: 1–2 hours
Transportation: From Yangshuo Bus Station, take a short bus ride to West Street.
Highlights: With a history of over 1,400 years, this ancient street retains architectural styles from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also a food paradise. Local specialties include oil tea (油茶), glutinous rice dumplings (汤圆), steamed chicken cups (炖鸡盅), sweet wine eggs (甜酒蛋), bean tea (豆子茶), Yangshuo Baba (阳朔粑粑), and lotus seed soup (莲子羹). The street also boasts Western restaurants and English signage, earning it the nickname “Foreigners’ Street.”
Stop 4: Performance and Scenic Area
Option A: Guilin Eternal Love Scenic Area (桂林千古情景区)
Duration: 2 hours
Transportation: Take a taxi from West Street to Guilin Eternal Love Scenic Area (costs around 10 RMB).
Highlights: The park features the Yangshuo Ancient Village and attractions like Secret Area No. 3 (3号秘境) and Bay No. 4 (4号海湾). Don’t miss the grand Guilin Eternal Love show, which vividly portrays Guilin’s history and culture through four acts: Guilin Legends (桂林传说), Millennial Lingqu Canal (千古灵渠), Li River Love Songs (漓江恋歌), and Finding Liu Sanjie (寻找刘三姐).
Recommended showtime: 3:30 PM (duration: 1 hour).
Option B: Impression Liu Sanjie (印象刘三姐)
Duration: 2 hours
Transportation: Take a taxi from West Street to the Impression Liu Sanjie venue (costs around 10 RMB).
Highlights: Directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou, this large-scale water performance takes place on a 2-square-kilometer section of the Li River, with 12 karst peaks as its natural backdrop. The cast includes over 600 local fishermen and ethnic minority performers, offering an authentic glimpse into life along the Li River.
Dining Options
West Street offers a variety of famous restaurants:
Chun Kee Roast Goose (椿记烧鹅): Known for its crispy skin and tender meat, made from local geese.
Xie Sister Beer Fish (谢大姐啤酒鱼) and Master Chef Gold Award Beer Fish (大师傅金奖啤酒鱼): Both serve some of the best beer fish in Yangshuo—don’t confuse them with imitators!
Day 3: Continue Exploring Yangshuo
Itinerary Overview: Yulong River Rafting (遇龙河漂流) – Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊) – Silver Cave (银子岩)
Stop 1: Yulong River Rafting (遇龙河漂流)
Duration: 2–3 hours
Transportation: Take a minibus from Yangshuo Bus Station to Jinbao, and get off at Jinlong Bridge to reach the pier.
Highlights: Drifting along the serene Yulong River on a bamboo raft offers stunning views of the karst mountains and lush greenery. The rafting route features six docks; the recommended journey is from Jinlong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge, which serves as the endpoint. Once you disembark, you will be at the entrance to the Ten-Mile Gallery.
Stop 2: Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊)
Duration: 1–3 hours
Transportation: Disembark at the Ten-Mile Gallery.
Highlights:
Explore this scenic stretch by walking or cycling. You’ll pass unique karst formations, vibrant forests, and blooming flowers. A must-visit is Zhuangyuan Road, an ancient imperial examination route featuring historical stone carvings. Other key attractions include Butterfly Spring, Big Banyan Tree, Moon Hill, and Julongtan.
Tips: Rent bikes from your Yangshuo hotel: standard bikes cost 15 RMB, mountain bikes 20 RMB, and electric bikes 30–50 RMB.
Stop 3: Silver Cave (银子岩)
Duration: 1–2 hours
Transportation: Take a shuttle bus from the Ten-Mile Gallery to Silver Cave (approximately 20 minutes).
Highlights: Silver Cave, named for the way its stalactites reflect light like silver, is a must-see karst cave. The 2-kilometer tour route showcases dazzling formations and features highlights such as:
“Three Wonders”: Music Stone Screen, Fairyland in Yaochi, and Snow Mountain Waterfall.
“Three Treasures”: Buddha Discussing Scriptures, Sky-Supporting Pillar, and Mixed Yuan Pearl Umbrella.
Dining Suggestions
Before Setting Out:
Guilin Rice Noodles with Old Fried Dough Sticks (老油条甲天下桂林米粉): Enjoy a bowl of Guilin rice noodles topped with your choice of peanuts, boiled seaweed, pickled radish, or sour beans for a warm and hearty breakfast.
Steamed Lipu Taro with Pork (荔浦芋头蒸扣肉): A flavorful, filling dish to fuel your day.
After Returning from Silver Cave:
Fanli Hotel – Ming Thai Rooftop Restaurant (梵丽酒店·明·泰国露台餐厅): Known for its authentic Thai cuisine, this restaurant is the tallest building in Yangshuo, offering a 180-degree panoramic view of West Street.
Tips: Reserve balcony seating at least three days in advance to secure the best view.
Day 4: Head to Longsheng
Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田)
Transportation: Take a direct bus from Yangshuo to Longji Jinkeng Dazhai. Jinkeng Dazhai, a part of the Golden Pit area, is renowned for its spectacular views and is the most scenic spot in the terraces.
Viewing Platforms:
No. 1 Viewing Platform – West Hill Music (西山韶乐): Offers a panoramic view of terraced fields.
No. 2 Viewing Platform – Thousand-Layer Ladder (千层天梯): Famous for its endless layers of terraces.
No. 3 Viewing Platform – Golden Buddha Peak (金佛顶): Accessible via a scenic cable car ride, providing breathtaking views from the summit.
Cultural Experience: Explore the villages scattered among the terraces, home to the Yao and Zhuang ethnic groups. Their traditional wooden houses and unique cultural practices add charm to the landscape.
Tips:
Visit during the Qingming Festival (April) or Grain Rain Festival for the “Plowing Festival,” where villagers perform traditional farming activities on the terraces.
When hiking between villages and viewing platforms, follow the stone paths, and don’t hesitate to ask locals for directions if unsure.
Check if performances in the villages require an admission fee.
Dining Recommendations
Lunch Options in the Villages:
- Liqing Restaurant (丽晴饭店) in Ping’an Village: Offers local specialties like bamboo-tube rice, spring water chicken, and cured bacon with dried bamboo shoots.
- Jinkeng Hostel (金坑大寨青旅) in Dazhai: A convenient option for authentic local cuisine.
Afternoon Tea: Yuepin Cafe (悦品舍甜品咖啡) in Ping’an Village: Located within a 5-minute walk from the No. 1 Ping’an Zhuang Terraces Viewing Platform. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a dessert while soaking in the scenic beauty.
Dinner: Return to Guilin city for dinner to explore its diverse dining options and relax after a day of adventure.
