Best Time to Visit Guilin
Month-by-month conditions — crowds, weather, and festivals.
Golden Week Warning — National Day (Oct 1–7)
This destination experiences extreme crowds during National Day Golden Week. Hotels, transport, and major attractions sell out weeks or months in advance. If travelling in early October, book everything before you arrive in China.
Monthly Conditions
| Month | Crowds | Temp (°C) | Rain days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3/10 | 5–12°C | 7 | Cool and quiet. Karst peaks rise through morning mist — dramatic off-season scenery. |
| Feb | 4/10 | 6–14°C | 9 | Spring Festival brings domestic visitors. Misty river scenery is atmospheric. |
| Mar | 5/10 | 10–19°C | 14 | Rainy season begins. Lush green valleys but wet conditions on the Li River cruise. |
| Apr | 7/10 | 15–24°C | 14 | Beautiful spring scenery. Li River cruise bookings fill fast. |
| May | 7/10 | 19–28°C | 15 | Warm and scenic. Heavy rain can cause Li River cruise diversions. |
| Jun | 6/10 | 23–31°C | 15 | Hot and rainy. Terraced rice fields of Longsheng at their greenest. |
| Jul | 6/10 | 25–33°C | 13 | Peak summer heat. Yangshuo caves offer cool respite. |
| Aug | 7/10 | 24–33°C | 13 | Summer holidays. Li River cruises and Yangshuo very popular. |
| Sep | 6/10 | 20–29°C | 10 | Cooling down. Rice terraces begin golden harvest in late September. |
| Oct | 10/10 | 14–23°C | 8 | Golden Week (Oct 1–7) plus golden rice terraces creates the busiest week of the year. Pre-book everything. |
| Nov | 4/10 | 9–18°C | 6 | Terraced fields glow gold before harvest. Excellent shoulder-season value. |
| Dec | 3/10 | 6–13°C | 5 | Cool and quiet. Karst scenery takes on a stark winter beauty. |
Festivals & Events
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
2027-01-29 · 15 days
Dragon and lion dances in Guilin city centre; traditional Zhuang ethnic minority celebrations in villages.
⚠National Day Golden Week
2026-10-01 · 7 days
Li River cruise tickets and Longsheng guesthouse rooms must be booked months in advance. This is the peak crowd period by far.
Longsheng Red Yao Culture Festival
2026-09-25 · 3 days
Red Yao women display their famous long hair in traditional ceremonies in the terraced villages.