Guilin & Yangshuo 桂林・阳朔
Karst peaks along the Li River
Good forNature
Suggested stay3–4 days
Best timeApril–October for green scenery; September–October for steadier weather
A region of limestone karst hills along the Li River in Guangxi. Most visitors cruise or raft the river from Guilin to Yangshuo, then stay in Yangshuo for cycling and countryside. Guilin city is the transport hub.
Highlights
- Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (about 4 hours)
- Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River near Yangshuo
- Cycling between villages in the Yangshuo countryside
- Longji (Longsheng) rice terraces, about 2 hours from Guilin
- Reed Flute Cave in Guilin
- Xianggong Hill viewpoint over the river
Food to try
- Guilin rice noodles
- Beer fish (Yangshuo)
- Stuffed snails (tianluo niang)
- Oil tea (youcha)
Getting there
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL). About 2–2.5 hours by high-speed train from Guangzhou; about 3 hours from Shenzhen. Yangshuo is about 1–1.5 hours by road from Guilin, and Yangshuo station has high-speed services.
Train times are typical; check current timetables on 12306 or Trip.com.
When to go
Best: April–October for green scenery; September–October for steadier weather. Avoid or plan for: Heavy rain and possible river closures in May–June; Golden Week and Chinese New Year crowds on the Li River.
Good to know
- Book Li River cruise tickets ahead in peak season; they are real-name, so you need your passport.
- Many visitors base themselves in Yangshuo rather than Guilin city.
- Rafting and cruises can be suspended after heavy rain.
Visa notes
- Visa-free entry: citizens of 79 countries can visit China for up to 30 days or more without a visa. Check your passport →
- 240-hour transit: Guilin & Yangshuo is inside the area you may visit on China's 240-hour visa-free transit (for 57 nationalities, flying on to a third country).