Guilin

Highlights

• Li River cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo)
• Yangshuo karst valleys and countryside
• Reed Flute Cave
• Elephant Trunk Hill
• Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng county)
• Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic waterway

Getting Around

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) connects to most major Chinese cities and has direct seasonal routes to Southeast Asian destinations. High-speed trains serve Guilin from Guangzhou in about 2.5 hours, from Shenzhen in 3 hours, and from Guiyang (gateway to Guizhou) in 2 hours. The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes approximately 4.5 hours by official cruise boat; fast speedboats make the reverse trip upstream in under an hour.

Food

Guilin rice noodles (guilin mifen) are the city's most famous culinary export — thin rice vermicelli served in a deeply flavoured pork-bone broth topped with pickled beans, peanuts, and your choice of braised meats. In Yangshuo, beer fish cooked in local Liquan beer with tomatoes and chilies is a riverside staple. The night markets around Zhengyang Pedestrian Street offer grilled bamboo skewers, stinky tofu, and freshwater snail dishes that locals queue for.

Stay

Most visitors base themselves in Yangshuo rather than Guilin city, as the village setting amid karst peaks is far more atmospheric. The West Street area in Yangshuo has backpacker hostels, guesthouses, and boutique hotels within walking distance of the river landing. In Guilin city, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area is the pleasantest location, with lake views and easy access to the railway station for onward travel.

Budget