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.
- Public
- Nanning has a growing metro system serving the city center and outskirts. Buses are comprehensive but can be challenging without Chinese language skills. Long-distance buses and high-speed rail are reliable and comfortable.
- Taxi
- DiDi is the preferred option — safer, metered, and with ride history. Street taxis are available but confirm the meter is running before departure.
- Rental
- Car rental requires a temporary Chinese license obtained locally. Bicycle and electric scooter rental is common and popular in Yangshuo.
- Walking
- Yangshuo's West Street and Guilin's riverside promenades are very walkable. Nanning's city center is walkable in sections, but distances between attractions can be large. Comfortable shoes are useful for Longji's terrace paths.
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 4/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 3/5
- Walking
- 3/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $13-19, 40 min to Guilin or Nanning center
- Taxi Info
- Taxis from Guilin and Nanning airports use a fixed meter; queue at designated taxi zones outside Arrivals.
- Shuttle
- $2-3, shared airport shuttle bus
- Shuttle Info
- Shuttle buses run from Arrivals at both Guilin and Nanning airports roughly every 20-30 minutes to the city center
- Bus
- $2-3, airport shuttle bus
- Bus Info
- Airport shuttle buses are the standard budget option, running from early morning until the last flight of the day
- Private
- $12-18, pre-booked DiDi or hotel transfer
- Private Info
- Book DiDi in advance via the app; hotel transfers are available from most mid-range and upscale properties
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Nanning and Guilin city buses cost ¥1-2 ($0.15-0.30) per ride; mobile payment required. Reliable but route navigation requires Chinese
Alternatives
Nanning Metro, DiDi ride-hailing across all Guangxi cities, bicycle rental in Yangshuo
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- ¥8 ($1.19) base fare + ¥2/km in Nanning and Guilin
- Apps
- DiDi Chuxing
- App Names
- DiDi Chuxing (滴滴出行)
- Typical Fare
- $2-6 for an average city ride in Nanning or Guilin
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses from Guilin and Nanning bus stations from ¥40 ($6) to Yangshuo (1.5h) to ¥120 ($18) to Beihai (5h)
Shared
Shared minivans on popular tourist routes: Guilin-Longji ¥40 ($6), Yangshuo-Xingping ¥20 ($3)
Flights
Domestic flights Nanning-Beihai from ¥300 ($45, 45 min); Guilin-Guangzhou from ¥350 ($52, 1h)
Private
Private car hire with driver from ¥400 ($60)/day for city, ¥700-1000 ($105-149)/day for intercity
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Guangxi is served by two main air gateways, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport and Nanning Wuxu International Airport, plus a dense high-speed rail network linking Nanning, Guilin, Liuzhou, and the border city of Pingxiang. Buses and shared minivans fill the gaps to smaller destinations like Yangshuo, Longji, and Detian Waterfall, and DiDi ride-hailing is essential for local transit.
Airports
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Nanning Wuxu International Airport
Liuzhou Bailian Airport
Beihai Fucheng Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
DiDi Chuxing (滴滴出行)
China's dominant ride-hailing app — essential for taxis, private cars, and carpooling across Guangxi's cities
12306 (China Railway)
Official app for buying train tickets; international cards accepted on the website for foreigners
Amap (高德地图)
China's best navigation app with public transit routing, bus lines, and metro maps — more accurate than Google Maps for China
WeChat (微信)
Essential super-app for payments, translation, finding addresses, and booking tours and transport
Ctrip (携程)
Best app for booking domestic flights, trains, hotels, and scenic area tickets in English
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download DiDi (Chinese Uber) before arriving — register with your international phone number
Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay for metro, buses, and many taxis before traveling
Book train tickets on the China Railway app (12306) or at stations; popular Guilin-Yangshuo routes sell out on holidays
The Guilin-Yangshuo bus or Li River cruise both work well — the cruise is scenic but the bus is faster and cheaper
Nanning-Guilin high-speed trains run frequently and are more comfortable than buses for the roughly 3-hour journey
In Yangshuo, electric scooters and bicycles are a common and cheap way to reach the Yulong River and countryside villages
Carry cash (¥300-500, ~$45-75) as backup; rural areas near Longji and Detian may not accept mobile payment
Luggage storage is available at Guilin and Nanning train stations and main bus stations (¥10-20/day, ~$1.49-2.99)