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.
Guilin's nightlife is built around the water and the street. The Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise and the lit Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas are the headline evening activity, followed by bars and food on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and the free facade waterfall show at Central Square. A quieter bar scene sits along Binjiang and Donghua roads. Late-night eating happens at night markets that run until 02:00. Large-scale shows (Impression Sanjie Liu, Guilin Qiangu Qing) are staged in Yangshuo, about 1 to 1.5 hours away.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Lit lakes, bridges and the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, with night cruises from several piers
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and East-West Lane
Central pedestrian zone with bars, snack stalls and craft shops, plus the Back Garden Irish Pub
Binjiang and Donghua roads
Quiet riverside and side-street bars such as Unico Bar and Cats & Rabbits
Qixing and Xiangshan night markets
Yuexing Tribe, Shijiayuan and Tiexi markets open 18:00-02:00
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Back Garden Irish Pub
A long-running Irish pub on the ground floor of the Mingcheng Hotel in the middle of Guilin's nightlife street, with indoor and outdoor seating and live music through the week.
Known for: Irish pub with indoor and outdoor seating and frequent live music on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street.
1F, Mingcheng Hotel, No. 4 Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Xiufeng District, Guilin
Cats & Rabbits Bar
A relaxed bar on Donghua Road in the Xiufeng District serving drinks from late morning until 02:00.
Known for: Casual neighborhood bar open from late morning to 02:00.
No. 9 Donghua Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin
Unico Bar
A bar on Binjiang Road along the Li River bank, serving drinks from noon to 02:00.
Known for: Bar near the Li River on Binjiang Road, open from noon to 02:00.
No. 66 Binjiang Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Two Rivers and Four Lakes Night Cruise
The main evening attraction in central Guilin: a boat ride through illuminated lakes and canals, with departures from several piers every 10-30 minutes.
Cover: One-way ¥185 (~$27) adult; return on the Four Lakes ¥175 (~$26) adult; children under 1.2 m free
Hours: Daily evening departures roughly 19:00-21:30 (June-October 18:00-23:00)
Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas (Night Illumination)
The pair of pagodas on Shan Lake is Guilin's best-known night view, reflected in the lake beside Riyue Bay Pier.
Cover: Free to view from the lakeshore; boat and pagoda tickets sold separately
Hours: Evenings; lights on after dark (Riyue Bay Pier operates the night cruise)
Li River Waterfall Show (Central Square)
A free evening show where the hotel facade becomes a lit waterfall, drawing crowds to Central Square around 20:00.
Cover: Free
Hours: Nightly around 20:00
Impression Sanjie Liu (Yangshuo)
The long-running outdoor Li River spectacle in Yangshuo, held on the water rain or shine with raincoats provided; a 60-90 minute drive from Guilin city.
Cover: About ¥310-330 (~$46-49) for a basic seat; higher seat classes cost more
Hours: Evening show, typically 20:00, about 60 minutes (check seasonal schedule)
Guilin Qiangu Qing (Romance Show, Yangshuo)
A theatre production narrating Guilin history, with a 19:30 evening performance; children under 1.2 m enter free but do not get a seat.
Cover: Park and show tickets sold together; current price listed on the official channel
Hours: Park 10:00-21:00; shows about 12:00, 15:30 and 19:30, each 60 minutes
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
A 666-meter pedestrian street in the city center with the Bell Tower, bars, street food and the Shangshui alley.
Cover: Free to walk
Hours: Shops about 10:00-22:00; bars and food stalls run later, many until midnight or 02:00
East-West Lane (Dongxi Xiang)
A pedestrian lane district near Zhengyang Street, lit up in the evening and busy with snack stalls and craft shops.
Cover: Free to walk
Hours: Open 24 hours; most shops 10:00-22:00
Xingjin Tashan Yuefang Entertainment Block
The main concentration of dance clubs in Guilin, in a purpose-built entertainment block outside the center.
Cover: Varies by venue and night; confirm at the door
Hours: Evenings until late
Yuexing Tribe Night Market
A night market at the Jiangdong bridgehead, about 20 minutes from downtown, open from 18:00 to 02:00.
Cover: Free to enter
Hours: Daily 18:00-02:00
Shijiayuan Food Street
A food street about 10 minutes from downtown where local diners eat until 02:00.
Cover: Free to enter
Hours: Daily 18:00-02:00
Tiexi Night Market
A local night market in the Xiangshan District, open from 18:00 to 02:00.
Cover: Free to enter
Hours: Daily 18:00-02:00
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Most venues warm up after midnight — earlier arrivals get easier entry and shorter queues.
Carry ID, even if you look older — bouncers check at most venues.
Plan your ride home before you go out — last transport runs earlier than the clubs close.