Guilin travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Guilin, Guangxi, China. Famous for the Li River, karst peaks and the Longji Rice Terraces.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Guilin.
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1
Elephant Trunk Hill
The limestone hill shaped like an elephant drinking from the Li River and the emblem of Guilin, with Water-Moon Cave forming the arch between trunk and body.
Tip: Reserve the free entry through the WeChat or Alipay mini-program before arriving. · Visit early in the morning for calm water and the clearest reflection in the arch. · Photograph the whole elephant from the opposite riverbank or from a boat rather than from beside the hill. · Skip the inner park if time is short; the best views are free from the riverbank. · Avoid Golden Week and midday tour-group hours. · Return after dark to see the hill lit up.
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2
Reed Flute Cave
A cavern about 240 metres long lit in multicoloured light, with stalactites, stone pillars and a crystal-palace chamber, visited by tourists for over 1,200 years.
Tip: Book online the evening before to save time and about 8 yuan. · Arrive when the cave opens, before tour groups. · Wear shoes with grip because the walkway is damp. · Bring a light jacket in summer and a translation app for commentary. · Hold the camera steady or use night mode, as the lighting is dim and coloured. · Children under 1.2 metres are free; carry ID for reduced prices.
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3
Seven Star Park
The largest park in Guilin, named for seven hills laid out like the Big Dipper, with Seven Star Cave, Camel Hill, the Flower Bridge and a small zoo.
Tip: Visit early in the morning to see local park life and avoid tour groups. · Choose the standard ticket unless the zoo is a priority. · Carry ID for the student and senior discounts. · Allow two to three hours and wear comfortable shoes. · Go at sunset for the lit cave and cooler weather. · Avoid weekends and public holidays if possible.
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4
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
The loop of the Li and Taohua rivers with Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake and Mulong Lake, once part of the city moat, now a lakeside promenade with bridges and the lit Sun and Moon Pagodas.
Tip: Walk the promenades for free and pay only for the night cruise if wanted. · Book the cruise on Trip.com in advance for weekends and holidays. · Visit at dusk to catch both the daylight and the lighting. · Wear comfortable shoes for a two-to-three-hour circuit. · Stay for the light show at the pagodas. · Carry mosquito repellent in summer.
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5
Sun and Moon Pagodas
The golden Sun Pagoda (41 m, nine storeys) and the bronze Moon Pagoda (35 m, seven storeys) rising from Shan Lake, joined by an underwater passage and glowing at night.
Tip: Arrive before sunset to see the towers in daylight and then lit. · Photograph the pair from the lakeside path for the best reflections. · Confirm ticket prices and combined night cruise packages locally. · Expect queues on weekend evenings and public holidays. · Combine the visit with Zhengyang pedestrian street, a short walk away. · Children under 1.2 metres enter free.
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6
Fubo Hill
A hill jutting into the Li River with the Returned Pearl Cave, Thousand-Buddha Cave, Tang and Song dynasty rock carvings and a sword-testing stone.
Tip: Combine with Jingjiang Princes City, a ten-minute walk away. · Visit in late afternoon for good light on the river. · Wear shoes with grip, as stone steps can be slippery after rain. · Look closely at the cave walls for small Buddha carvings. · Confirm the ticket price on Trip.com or at the gate. · Children under 1.2 metres enter free.
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7
Jingjiang Princes City and Solitary Beauty Peak
A Ming dynasty princely palace compound (begun 1372) containing Solitary Beauty Peak, a hill of about 152 metres that offers 360-degree views over Guilin after a 306-step climb.
Tip: Climb the peak on a clear morning for the best views. · Avoid the steps in rain, as they become slippery. · Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for the 306 steps. · Confirm the ticket price on Trip.com before arriving. · Pair the visit with Fubo Hill nearby. · Students should carry ID for reduced prices.
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8
Longji Rice Terraces (Ping'an)
Terraces carved into the hills by Zhuang and Yao farmers over 700 years and known as the Dragon's Backbone; Ping'an is the closest viewpoint area, with the Seven Stars Chasing the Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewing platforms.
Tip: Stay overnight in the village to see sunrise and sunset over the terraces. · Visit late April to May for flooded paddies or late September to mid October for gold. · Wear sturdy shoes for the stone steps and carry water. · Negotiate porter fees before handing over luggage. · Leave Guilin early to arrive before tour groups. · Pack a light rain jacket, as mist and showers are common.
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9
Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo)
A roughly 4-5 hour cruise through karst peaks, passing Nine Horses Fresco Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal and Xingping, framing the scene on the back of the old 20-yuan note.
Tip: Board early to claim a seat on the open upper deck. · Book through Trip.com or the hotel and confirm the pier. · Choose a 4-star boat for more comfort and fewer passengers. · Bring a hat, sunscreen and a rain jacket. · Plan the return from Yangshuo by bus or Didi in advance. · Visit in spring or autumn for the clearest views.
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10
Impression Sanjie Liu
An open-air night show directed by Zhang Yimou on the Li River with a cast of hundreds, bamboo rafts and karst peaks as a stage, built around the folk legend of the singer Liu Sanjie.
Tip: Book through Trip.com or the official WeChat account in advance. · Choose central seats for the full panorama. · Bring a jacket in cooler months and use the supplied raincoat when needed. · Carry ID, which is checked at the gate. · Arrange return transport before the show, as taxis queue afterwards. · Avoid flash photography.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Natural_landmarks
Elephant Trunk Hill
The limestone hill shaped like an elephant drinking from the Li River and the emblem of Guilin, with Water-Moon Cave forming the arch between trunk and body.
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
The loop of the Li and Taohua rivers with Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake and Mulong Lake, once part of the city moat, now a lakeside promenade with bridges and the lit Sun and Moon Pagodas.
Yao Mountain
The highest hill in the Guilin area at about 909 metres, reached by cable car, chairlift or the Xiangshan alpine slide, with a summit view over the city.
Caves_and_parks
Reed Flute Cave
A cavern about 240 metres long lit in multicoloured light, with stalactites, stone pillars and a crystal-palace chamber, visited by tourists for over 1,200 years.
Seven Star Park
The largest park in Guilin, named for seven hills laid out like the Big Dipper, with Seven Star Cave, Camel Hill, the Flower Bridge and a small zoo.
Fubo Hill
A hill jutting into the Li River with the Returned Pearl Cave, Thousand-Buddha Cave, Tang and Song dynasty rock carvings and a sword-testing stone.
Historic_sites
Sun and Moon Pagodas
The golden Sun Pagoda (41 m, nine storeys) and the bronze Moon Pagoda (35 m, seven storeys) rising from Shan Lake, joined by an underwater passage and glowing at night.
Jingjiang Princes City and Solitary Beauty Peak
A Ming dynasty princely palace compound (begun 1372) containing Solitary Beauty Peak, a hill of about 152 metres that offers 360-degree views over Guilin after a 306-step climb.
Ancient South Gate and Banyan Lake
The only surviving gate of the Ming dynasty city wall of Guilin, set beside a banyan tree said to be over 1,700 years old on the bank of Rong Lake.
Rivers_and_countryside
Longji Rice Terraces (Ping'an)
Terraces carved into the hills by Zhuang and Yao farmers over 700 years and known as the Dragon's Backbone; Ping'an is the closest viewpoint area, with the Seven Stars Chasing the Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewing platforms.
Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo)
A roughly 4-5 hour cruise through karst peaks, passing Nine Horses Fresco Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal and Xingping, framing the scene on the back of the old 20-yuan note.
Xingping Ancient Town and Yellow Cloth Shoal
A riverside town of Ming and Qing buildings, the pier for the 20-yuan-note viewpoint on Laozhai Hill, and a bamboo-raft stop for the Yellow Cloth Shoal.
Shopping_and_entertainment
Impression Sanjie Liu
An open-air night show directed by Zhang Yimou on the Li River with a cast of hundreds, bamboo rafts and karst peaks as a stage, built around the folk legend of the singer Liu Sanjie.
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
The commercial and food heart of Guilin, with rice-noodle shops, souvenir stalls, bars and the Zhongshan Road gateway to the lakes, busy until late.
Yangshuo West Street
A pedestrian lane of cafes, bars, handicraft shops and bike-rental stalls in Yangshuo, the base for cycling, Moon Hill and the Yulong River.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most Guilin sites open daily around 7:00-8:00 AM and close between 5:30 and 6:00 PM; lakeside areas and the Ancient South Gate are open around the clock and are best after dusk, while the Impression Sanjie Liu show starts at about 8:00 PM.
- Fees
- Free sites include the Ancient South Gate, Zhengyang street and Elephant Trunk Hill park access; paid sites run ¥25-110 (~$4-16) (Fubo Hill to the Longji cable car); Li River cruise boats cost ¥215 (~$32) to ¥360 (~$53).
- Best Times
- March-May and September-November bring the clearest peaks; the Longji terraces are flooded in late April-May and golden in late September-mid October; avoid the October 1-7 Golden Week crowds.
- Booking
- Book Li River cruise tickets, Impression Sanjie Liu seats and Reed Flute Cave slots in advance on Trip.com, Fliggy or the official WeChat mini-programs; carry a passport because most ticketed sites use real-name entry. Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay (international cards can be linked), and use Amap/Gaode or Didi to reach sites.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Carry the passport for every ticketed site; most Guilin attractions check ID at the gate
Combine Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas in one evening walk; they are within about 2 km of each other
Book the Li River cruise a day ahead, and plan the return from Yangshuo by intercity bus or Didi because cruises are one-way
Allow a full day for Longji; mist makes a morning start worthwhile and the last buses leave Ping'an by about 4:30 PM
Prices quoted are approximate at 1 USD = 6.75 CNY; confirm on Trip.com or the site's WeChat account before travelling
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed to see Guilin?
Three days cover the city sights, a Li River cruise to Yangshuo, and either Longji or Yangshuo cycling; two days is enough for the headline sights only.
Is the Li River cruise worth the price?
Most visitors rate it as the signature Guilin experience; the 3-star boats (about ¥215, ~$32) and 4-star boats (about ¥360, ~$53) take the same route, so the choice is mainly about comfort and pier location.
What is the best time to see the Longji Rice Terraces?
Late April-May for flooded mirror terraces, June-July for green growth and late September to mid-October for golden harvest colour.
Which Guilin attractions are free?
The Ancient South Gate, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Yangshuo West Street, Xingping Ancient Town and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes promenades are free to walk.