Best Things to Do in Guilin, China

Guilin sits in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, surrounded by the distinctive karst (limestone) peaks that have been a subject of Chinese landscape painting for over a thousand years. The things to do in Guilin start with the Li River cruise: a 4-hour boat journey downstream to Yangshuo, passing through a landscape of sheer-sided limestone towers reflected in the emerald river — the scenery depicted on the 20 yuan banknote, China’s most circulated bill, was photographed here. Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan), 5 km from the city center, is a 240m-long limestone cavern with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites illuminated in colored lights. Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbi Shan), where a limestone formation resembles an elephant drinking from the river, is the city’s most photographed landmark. Yangshuo, the town at the end of the Li River cruise, is a popular base for cycling through karst countryside and for rock climbing (one of the best sport climbing areas in China). The Longji Rice Terraces, 85 km north of Guilin, are spectacular stepped terraces built by the Zhuang and Yao peoples over 700 years, best photographed in May-June (water-filled and green) and September-October (golden harvest).

Best time to visit

April through October is the best time for the Li River cruise (water level is highest, boats run most reliably). March-May is the most beautiful — mist rises from the river in the mornings, wildflowers bloom, and the terraces at Longji are being flooded for rice planting. September-October is the harvest season for the Longji terraces — the golden colors are exceptional. Winter (November-February) is cold (5-15°C), less crowded, and the river level can drop enough that some boat services are cancelled.

Getting around

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport has connections from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. High-speed rail connects Guilin to Guangzhou (2.5 hours) and Guiyang. The Li River cruise boats depart from the Zhujiang Wharf (different from the city center; most hotels arrange transfer) and arrive at Yangshuo Xingping or Yangshuo town. Buses connect Guilin and Yangshuo (1.5 hours); returning from Yangshuo to Guilin by bus allows the same scenery by road. Bicycles rent easily in Yangshuo for the surrounding countryside.

What to eat

Guilin rice noodles (mi fen) are the city’s culinary signature: thin rice noodles in a pork bone or beef stock broth, topped with condiments including pickled bamboo shoots, peanuts, fried soybeans, and chili oil. Every local eats them for breakfast; the best noodle shops have queues by 7am. For the wider Guangxi cuisine, bamboo shoots, river fish, and Zhuang ethnic foods feature prominently. Yangshuo has an international restaurant scene for visitors tired of rice noodles.