Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is home to China's largest ethnic minority, the Zhuang, alongside significant Yao, Miao, and Dong populations. Famous worldwide for the karst peaks of Guilin and Yangshuo along the Li River, the terraced hillsides of Longji, and the thundering cross-border Detian Waterfall, Guangxi also holds a stretch of tropical coastline on the Gulf of Tonkin at Beihai and Weizhou Island. Its subtropical scenery, minority culture, and relative affordability make it one of southern China's most rewarding travel regions.
Luxury hotels
Five-star and palace properties.
Banyan Tree Yangshuo
A riverside luxury resort in Fuli Town near Yangshuo, set among karst peaks with private pool villas built in a Lingnan-influenced architectural style along the Li River.
Alila Yangshuo (Yangshuo Sugar House)
A design-led boutique hotel converted from a 1960s sugar mill on the Li River, combining preserved industrial architecture with a contemporary luxury interior.
Shangri-La Hotel Guilin
A large five-star hotel on the Li River in Guilin with extensive gardens, multiple restaurants, and easy access to Elephant Trunk Hill and the main Li River cruise pier.
Shangri-La Nanning
A premium high-rise hotel in Nanning's Qingxiu District offering panoramic city views, a Horizon Club lounge, and extensive meeting facilities for business travelers.
Na Lotus Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nanning
A Marriott Luxury Collection property on the upper floors of the Logan Century tower in Qingxiu District, notable for its sky lounge and contemporary design.
Shangri-La Beihai
A beachside five-star hotel in Beihai with tropical gardens, a poolside bar, and a waterslide pool, roughly 30 minutes from Silver Beach.
Li-An Lodge
A 16-room timber lodge perched above the Longji Dragon's Backbone rice terraces in Ping'an Village, built with traditional nail-free tongue-and-groove joinery.
Fine dining
Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.
Su Yuan Restaurant (Shangri-La Hotel Guilin)
A refined Chinese restaurant within Shangri-La Hotel Guilin serving Guilin and Cantonese specialties, including Li River fish preparations and Guilin rice noodle interpretations, in private dining rooms suited to business entertaining.
Yangshuo Riverside Beer Fish Restaurants (West Street area)
A cluster of established riverside restaurants near Yangshuo's West Street and the Li River bank serving the region's signature Yangshuo beer fish, simmered with local beer, tomatoes, and chili in a large wok, typically shared among several diners.
Zhuang Ethnic Banquet Dining (Nanning)
Upscale restaurants in Nanning's Qingxiu and Minzu Avenue dining districts presenting Zhuang and Dong ethnic banquet menus, featuring five-color glutinous rice, stuffed river snails, and slow-cooked pork dishes, often with folk-song performances.
Beihai Seafood Street Fine Dining (Zhongshan Road area)
Upmarket seafood restaurants near Beihai's harbor and Zhongshan Road serving fresh Beibu Gulf catch, including mantis shrimp, sea crab, and grouper, prepared Cantonese-style or steamed with local seasonings.
Exclusive experiences
Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Private Li River Cruise, Guilin to Yangshuo
A daytime cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo passing the karst peaks depicted on the 20-yuan banknote, with 4-star vessels offering upper-deck seating, a dining hall, and unobstructed photography positions; private charter boats can be arranged through Yangshuo-based operators for smaller groups.
Yangshuo Sunrise or Sunset Hot Air Balloon Flight
An early-morning or evening hot air balloon flight over the Yangshuo countryside and Yulong River karst formations, operated by licensed general aviation companies such as Sky Walking General Aviation and other locally registered operators, weather-dependent and subject to short-notice cancellation.
Private Guided Cormorant Fishing Night Show, Yangshuo
A private evening excursion on the Li River to observe traditional cormorant fishing performed by local fishermen with bamboo rafts and lanterns, arranged through boutique hotel concierges as an alternative to the large public 'Impression Sanjie Liu' show.
Longji Rice Terraces Private Sunrise Trek
A guided pre-dawn trek from Ping'an Village to the upper viewpoints of the Longji Dragon's Backbone rice terraces with a local Zhuang or Yao guide, timed to reach the ridge before the terraces catch first light.
Yangshuo Countryside Private Cycling and Karst Photography Tour
A private half-day cycling route through the Yulong River villages and rice paddies near Yangshuo with a local guide who times stops at classic karst viewpoints for photography, typically arranged through Yangshuo-based boutique hotels.
Spas & wellness
World-class spa retreats and treatments.
Banyan Tree Spa Yangshuo
A riverside spa within Banyan Tree Yangshuo offering signature Banyan Tree massage techniques alongside treatments incorporating local herbs, set in private pavilions overlooking the resort's karst-framed grounds.
CHI, The Spa (Shangri-La Hotel Guilin)
A full-service spa at Shangri-La Hotel Guilin offering traditional Chinese massage, aromatherapy, and body treatments in a garden setting near the Li River.
Shangri-La Nanning Spa
A spa and wellness center at Shangri-La Nanning with steam rooms, a range of massage therapies, and treatment suites aimed at business travelers seeking recovery between meetings.
Luxury transport
Travel in style.
- Car
- Private chauffeur service from ¥600-1,000 ($90-149)/day; arranged through international hotels in Guilin, Yangshuo, and Nanning. English-speaking drivers are more readily available in Guilin and Nanning than in rural Yangshuo or Longsheng.
- Air
- Guilin Liangjiang International Airport and Nanning Wuxu International Airport both operate domestic and limited international connections; premium and business-class seats are bookable on China Eastern, China Southern, and Hainan Airlines routes into the region.
- Airport
- Hotel-arranged airport transfers are standard practice at Guilin, Nanning, and Beihai international hotels; premium sedan or MPV transfers can be booked in advance through hotel concierge desks.