Guilin桂林 · Guìlín
Guilin is the classic Chinese landscape dream: karst peaks over the Li River, bamboo rafts and rice noodles, neon caves, lake pagodas, Yangshuo cycling and the Longji terraces. It's best split between the city, the river and the countryside.
The landscape that named Chinese painting.
The peaks around Guilin are the ones you already know: sheer limestone towers rising straight out of paddy and river, the scenery folded into scroll paintings and printed on the back of the ¥20 note. The single defining thing to do is drift down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, four hours of bamboo groves, water buffalo and karst reflections that no photo quite prepares you for.
But Guilin rewards slowing down. Base yourself in Yangshuo or the countryside, cycle the Yulong River back lanes, and give a day or two to the Longji rice terraces, where Zhuang and Yao villages stack the hillsides into silver-and-gold contours. Three days covers the river and Yangshuo; five lets the terraces and the quiet in.
Guilin's mountains and waters are the finest under heaven.桂林山水甲天下
Attributed to the Song official Wang Zhenggong, 1201, and carved on Solitary Beauty Peak — still the region's tagline eight centuries on
Eight places that make the region.
Tap or hover a photo for details.
Li River 漓江
The 83-kilometer cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo threads between limestone peaks and bamboo groves, the single defining experience of the region.Hours Guilin to Yangshuo, ~4–5 h downstream; boats depart mornings (~9:30) · Getting there From Zhujiang or Mopanshan pier, ~40 min from downtown Guilin · Ticket 3-star boats from ~¥215; higher classes more; book ahead
Reed Flute Cave 芦笛岩
A 240-million-year-old limestone cavern lit in neon pinks and greens, its stalactites reflected in a still underground pool.Hours 7:30–18:00 (Apr–Nov), 8:00–17:30 (Dec–Mar); allow 1–2 h · Getting there Northwest Guilin, ~20 min by taxi from downtown · Ticket ~¥90–110
Elephant Trunk Hill 象鼻山
The karst formation shaped like an elephant drinking from the Li River has been Guilin's emblem for over a thousand years.
Longji Rice Terraces 龙脊梯田
Zhuang and Yao villages stack up hillsides sculpted into terraces that flood silver in spring and turn gold before the autumn harvest.Hours Best late Sept–early Oct (golden harvest) and spring flooding · Getting there ~1.5 h (80 km) to Longsheng; Ping'an and Dazhai are the main villages · Ticket Scenic-area entry ~¥80–100; Dazhai cable car ¥60 one-way / ¥110 return
Yangshuo West Street 阳朔西街
A 1,400-year-old cobblestone lane lined with cafes, climbing outfitters, and bars, the social spine of Yangshuo's old town.
Seven Star Park 七星公园
A sprawling downtown park with karst peaks, a limestone cave, and a small zoo, popular with locals doing tai chi at dawn.
Sun and Moon Pagodas 日月双塔
Twin golden and silver pagodas rising from Shan Lake, connected by an underwater tunnel and glowing against the water after dark.
Moon Hill 月亮山
A karst peak near Yangshuo with a natural moon-shaped arch, ringed by sport-climbing routes and a steep stone staircase to the top.
Autumn gold, spring silver, summer rain.
Guilin is loveliest in October and April–May, with September–November the most reliable stretch. The Longji terraces flood to mirrors in spring and turn gold in late September–early October. Beware the heavy rains of April–June — the wettest months by far — which can swell the rivers and dull the light, though mist on the peaks has its own magic.
| Month | Avg temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9.0 | 92.6 |
| February | 11.4 | 118.9 |
| March | 15.2 | 224.9 |
| April | 19.5 | 290.2 |
| May | 23.2 | 357.4 |
| June | 25.7 | 409.7 |
| July | 27.3 | 206.8 |
| August | 27.4 | 139.3 |
| September | 25.6 | 75.7 |
| October | 21.2 | 71.3 |
| November | 15.9 | 119.4 |
| December | 10.4 | 67.4 |
How Guilin lives.
Life here runs on the river and the rice. Mornings start with a bowl of Guilin mifen — rice noodles under fried peanuts and pickles — slurped standing at a corner stall. Beyond the city, the rhythm belongs to the Zhuang and Yao villages of the terraces: planting and flooding in spring, the long green of summer, the harvest gold of autumn, and folk songs and market days in between.
Yangshuo has become the countryside's social hub — a backpacker town grown into a cycling, climbing and café base — but ride 20 minutes down any lane and you're back among water buffalo, bamboo and peaks that go quiet at dusk.
The most photogenic corners.
Xianggong Hill viewpoint 相公山
A short, steep climb rewards you with the most photographed bend of the Li River, best at sunrise when mist clings to the peaks.
Yangshuo West Street 阳朔西街
The cobbled main drag packs neon-lit bars, bubble tea shops, and buskers into a short, camera-ready stretch after dark.
Sun and Moon Pagodas at night
The illuminated twin pagodas reflected in Shan Lake are Guilin's most shared nighttime shot.
Yulong River bamboo rafts
Two-person rafts pole through bamboo tunnels and small weirs, the backdrop for countless couples' photos.
Longji Terraces' Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewpoint
The most dramatic overlook in Dazhai village, where the terraces fan out in concentric curves at sunrise and sunset.
East West Alley 东西巷
A restored Qing-dynasty lane in downtown Guilin with lantern-strung courtyards, craft shops, and costumed photo studios.
River fish and rice noodles.
Guilin Mifen 桂林米粉
Round rice noodles tossed with fried peanuts, pickled beans and stewed beef, then doused in bone broth — the local breakfast, eaten citywide.
Beer Fish 啤酒鱼
Li River carp braised with beer, tomatoes, chilies and pickled vegetables — the signature of Yangshuo's West Street kitchens.
Stuffed Vegetables 酿菜
Yangshuo-style tofu, chilies, eggplant and mushrooms filled with seasoned pork mince and pan-fried.
Zhutong Fan 竹筒饭
Sticky rice steamed inside a length of bamboo with pork and mushrooms, common in the Zhuang villages around Longji.
Youcha 油茶
A savory Yao and Zhuang tea broth pounded with ginger, garlic and fried rice, served with peanuts and crispy puffs.
Lipu Taro Pork 荔浦芋扣肉
Layers of fatty pork belly and Lipu taro steamed with fermented bean curd until both melt together.
In Yangshuo, order beer fish (啤酒鱼) — Li River carp braised with beer, tomato and chili — the dish the whole of West Street is built on.
For foreign travelers.
- Spend at least one night in Yangshuo or the countryside rather than only doing a day cruise.
- River levels and rain can affect rafting, caves and viewpoints, especially in spring and early summer.
- Book Longji transport carefully — the terrace villages are spread out and slow to reach.
- Carry a cash backup for rural vendors even where mobile payment works. See our payments guide.
Terraces, karst and river villages.
South China Karst
The World Heritage karst that surrounds Yangshuo and stretches into Guizhou and Yunnan — the geology behind the whole view.
Plan the trip → 1–2 daysLongji Rice Terraces
Zhuang and Yao villages stacked into hillsides that flood silver in spring and turn gold before the autumn harvest.
Plan the trip → 2–3 daysGuizhou's Miao & Dong villages
Push north into Guizhou for the wooden drum-tower villages and terraced valleys of the Miao and Dong.
Plan the trip →