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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Guilin Three Treasures gift sets (sanhua liquor, fermented tofu, chili sauce)
Where: Jinshunchang Specialty Store, East-West Alley and next to the Zhengyang Bell Tower
Osmanthus cakes, honey, candles and ice cream
Where: Osmanthus Fragrance (Laozihao) on West Jiefang Road, Osmanthus Commune on Zhengyang Street, Wa Yao Wholesale Market
Zhuang embroidered purses and pearl hairpins
Where: Jinyuanhe Handicrafts, Little Hong Kong Underground Market, East-West Lane
Minority silverwork, lacquerware tea sets, ceramic bowls
Where: Wa Yao Wholesale Market
Landscape paintings, postcards, books and heritage crafts
Where: Guilin Detian Plaza, Blade Bookstore, Lijinfang Cultural Shop
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
Guilin's central shopping street, with ethnic handicrafts, clothing and snacks; the Shangshui food alley lies beside it.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00 (street open all day)
East-West Lane (Dongxi Xiang)
A lane district of craft boutiques, embroidery workshops and snack stalls near Zhengyang Street.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Open 24 hours; shops 10:00-22:00
Little Hong Kong Underground Market
An underground bargain market with small stalls; bargaining is expected.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
Wa Yao Wholesale Market
A wholesale market for crafts and household goods, with prices quoted per piece and open to negotiation.
Where: Xiangshan District
Hours: Daily 09:00-19:00
Lequn Market
A neighborhood food market for fresh snacks and seasonal produce.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 06:00-20:00
Heishan Morning Market
A morning wet market busiest before 10:00.
Where: Xiangshan District
Hours: Daily 05:00-11:00
Guilin Detian Plaza
A plaza with galleries and wholesale stalls selling art.
Where: Xiangshan District
Hours: Daily 09:00-18:00
Jinyuanhe Handicrafts
A handicraft shop on West Lane selling Zhuang embroidered purses and accessories.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Lijinfang Cultural Shop
A heritage crafts shop on Binjiang Road with artisans demonstrating techniques.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Osmanthus Commune (Gui Hua Gong She)
An osmanthus-themed shop on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street for ice cream and osmanthus gifts.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
Jinshunchang Specialty Store (East-West Alley)
A local-specialty chain shop selling the Guilin Three Treasures gift sets and osmanthus cakes.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 09:00-23:00
Blade Bookstore
An independent bookstore on Binjiang Road with local design accessories.
Where: Xiufeng District
Hours: Daily 11:00-22:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and East-West Lane
Best for: Handicrafts, specialty food and snacks in the city center
Binjiang Road
Best for: Design shops and independent bookstores
Huancheng Road markets (Wa Yao, Heishan, Detian)
Best for: Wholesale crafts and local produce
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Guilin MixC
Guilin's upscale mall with international brands and a wide choice of restaurants.
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Guilin High-Tech Wanda Plaza
A Wanda mall with brand shops and an outdoor night market.
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargain at Little Hong Kong, Wa Yao and street stalls; start around half the quoted price
Fixed prices apply at MixC, Wanda Plaza and chain specialty shops
Wholesale markets quote per piece; ask about the price for a single item before buying
Pay by Alipay or WeChat Pay where posted; keep small notes for market stalls
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cultural relics above a certain age require an export permit from the relevant cultural relics authority; ivory and unverified antiquities are restricted.
Tax Refund: Overseas visitors can claim a departure tax refund at stores displaying the Tax Refund logo for purchases over ¥500 (~$74 USD) on a single receipt; refunds are processed at the departure airport, so confirm the refund counter at the exit airport.
Duty Free: Standard Chinese customs allowances apply for arriving and departing travelers; check current limits for alcohol, tobacco and cash.
Shipping: International shipping is available through courier counters in larger malls and shops; sanhua liquor and other liquids are subject to airline carry-on limits.