Guilin is famous for its breathtaking karst mountains and rivers, but its attractions are spread out across the region. If it’s your first visit, figuring out where to go can quickly become overwhelming.
This guide covers the must-see sights in Guilin and Yangshuo, along with practical tips to help you make the most of your trip, avoid common tourist traps, and spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the scenery.
Guilin City
🐘 Elephant Trunk Hill
Guilin’s most iconic landmark, Elephant Trunk Hill is a natural rock formation that looks like an elephant dipping its trunk into the river. If you remember Guilin from school textbooks, this is probably the image you have in mind.
Admission: Free, but advance booking is required. Search for the official WeChat account (Guilin Xiangshan Scenic Area Management Office). Tickets are released daily at 7:00 a.m., with a limit of three visitors per phone number.
Tips to know before you go:
- Use Entrance No. 1. It’s closest to the main viewing area, just a five-minute walk away. Recent visitor reports suggest that during the off-season, booking is usually much easier, and same-day reservations may be possible.
- Avoid relying on Entrance No. 2. Some visitors recommend it as a quicker way in, but others report that it is often exit-only. Don’t risk getting turned away.
- Allow 30–60 minutes. The scenic area is relatively small, so you won’t need to spend half a day here.
- Ignore unofficial tour and cruise sellers near the entrance. Follow your map to the official entrance instead.
🌙 Two Rivers and Four Lakes & the Sun and Moon Pagodas
Located about a five-minute walk from Elephant Trunk Hill, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area is an easy addition to your city itinerary. The Sun and Moon Pagodas are its most recognizable landmarks.
Tips to know before you go:
- Visit after dark. The pagodas and surrounding lakes are illuminated in the evening, creating beautiful reflections on the water. Daytime views are far less impressive. Check the lighting schedule on the day of your visit.
- You don’t need to take a boat. Cruise tickets cost around RMB 90, but walking along the lakeside is a great way to enjoy the night scenery. The lighting is concentrated in certain sections, so there’s no need to walk the entire route.
- Allow time if you want to climb the pagodas. Admission is around RMB 30 per person, and tickets reportedly become valid after a 30-minute wait. Confirm the current rules before purchasing.
- For the classic reflection shot, head to the area around Zhiyin Tai Pier on the eastern shore of Shan Lake.
🚢 Li River Cruise
A Li River cruise is one of the highlights of any trip to Guilin. The journey from Mopanshan Pier in Guilin to Longtoushan Pier in Yangshuo takes approximately 4–4.5 hours, passing some of the region’s most spectacular karst landscapes.
Ticket prices:
- Three-star cruise: around RMB 215 per person.
- Four-star cruise: around RMB 360 per person, including a buffet meal.
Tips to know before you go:
- Book through the official WeChat account, (Li River Ticket Office). Same-day tickets may not be available at the pier, so don’t show up without checking availability and booking arrangements first.
- Budget for transportation to Mopanshan Pier. Some visitors report taxi surcharges of RMB 10–20 or more, especially during peak season. Confirm the fare before setting off.
- Bring your own snacks and water. Three-star cruises generally don’t include meals, while the buffet on four-star cruises may not suit every taste.
- Bring a 2019-series RMB 20 banknote for comparison. The scenery around the famous 20-yuan photo spot resembles the landscape printed on the note. However, the exact viewpoint may differ from the cruise route, so check your itinerary.
- Avoid unofficial “insider tickets” and scalpers. Buy through authorized channels and check official notices about ticket scams.
- Plan your return journey. Buses from Yangshuo to Guilin reportedly cost around RMB 30 per person, making them a more budget-friendly option than a private taxi. Confirm current fares and departure times.
Yangshuo and the Surrounding Countryside
🎋 Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
Often described as a quieter, smaller-scale alternative to the Li River, the Yulong River is known for its peaceful countryside scenery and traditional bamboo rafts. The rafts are manually guided rather than motorized, and passing over small weirs adds a fun touch to the experience.
One popular option is the Shuiedi Pier to Gongnong Bridge section, with a two-person raft costing around RMB 200. This stretch is generally gentle and scenic.
Tips to know before you go:
- Book through the official mini-program. Tickets are reportedly released at 8:00 p.m. on the evening before your trip, but release times and booking rules can change. Verify the latest schedule. Be cautious of unofficial sellers promising discounted tickets.
- Try the ticket counter during the off-season. If online tickets are sold out, ask whether walk-up tickets or shared rafts are available.
- Wear sandals or water shoes. Your feet may get wet. Check the current passenger weight limit before booking; some rafts have a combined limit of around 160 kg.
- Plan your return transportation. Your starting point and finishing point may be different. Arrange a ride back if you need to collect luggage or return to your original location.
- Keep your hands inside the raft. Avoid putting your hands in the river, both for safety and to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
🌾 Longji Rice Terraces
The Longji Rice Terraces are a spectacular landscape of layered fields winding up the mountainsides. They’re especially photogenic when the terraces are filled with water or turn golden during the harvest season.
Admission: Around RMB 80 per person.
Which village should you visit?
- Jinkeng Dazhai: Best known for its expansive panoramic views.
- Ping’an Village: Famous for its classic terraced landscapes and traditional village atmosphere.
Tips to know before you go:
- Allow a full day. The drive from central Guilin takes around two hours each way, so the round trip alone can take about four to five hours, depending on traffic and your starting point. A half-day tour will feel rushed.
- Buy legitimate admission tickets. Avoid touts offering to take you into the scenic area for RMB 100 without proper tickets.
- Consider staying overnight in the mountains. Guesthouses in Jinkeng Dazhai or Ping’an offer views of the terraces, and some have excellent sunrise and sunset vantage points. Accommodation at the foot of the mountains won’t provide the same experience.
- Consider taking the cable car one way. Riding up and walking down can be a good way to combine convenience with scenic hiking, depending on the route and your fitness level.
- Shop for souvenirs elsewhere. Silver jewelry and local products inside tourist areas can be overpriced, and authenticity may be difficult to verify. Compare prices before buying.
🛵 Ten-Mile Gallery
Ten-Mile Gallery is a scenic country road near Yangshuo, surrounded by karst peaks, farmland and traditional villages. It’s popular for cycling and electric scooter rides, with attractions such as Moon Hill and the Big Banyan Tree along the way.
Tips to know before you go:
- Keep your expectations realistic. The main attraction is the countryside scenery rather than a single destination. You can cover the central stretch relatively quickly, but stopping at viewpoints and attractions makes the ride more enjoyable.
- Compare rental prices online. Group-buying platforms may offer better deals than walk-in rentals. Check the battery level and rental terms before paying.
- Choose a regular two-wheel scooter. Avoid unfamiliar three-wheel vehicles if you’re not experienced with them.
- Check the actual battery charge. Don’t rely solely on a rental shop’s claim that a scooter can travel 60 km. The main sightseeing route, including photo stops, may cover roughly 20–30 km, depending on your detours.
- Wear a helmet and use sun protection. Follow local traffic rules and check whether your chosen vehicle is permitted on the roads you plan to use.
🪨 Silver Cave
Silver Cave is a classic karst cave near Yangshuo, filled with stalactites and stalagmites illuminated by colorful lighting. The cave stays relatively cool year-round, and much of the walking route is fairly gentle.
Admission: Around RMB 65 per person.
Time needed: Approximately 1.5 hours.
Tips to know before you go:
- Expect to pass through a shopping area on the way out. If you’re not interested in souvenirs, keep walking. Many products can be found online for less.
- Plan your return transportation. Silver Cave is roughly a 40-minute drive from Yangshuo town, depending on traffic. Arrange your ride back before you leave, especially if you’re traveling by taxi or ride-hailing service.
🍻 West Street, Yangshuo
West Street is one of Yangshuo’s best-known streets, with souvenir shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. It’s relatively relaxed during the day but becomes lively after dark.
Tips to know before you go:
- Think twice before staying nearby if you’re a light sleeper. Music and nightlife can continue late into the night.
- Be cautious of aggressive bar promoters. Some venues use street promoters to encourage visitors to come inside. Check prices and reviews before committing.
- Watch out for overpriced beer fish. This local specialty can be expensive in tourist-heavy areas, especially when fish is priced by weight. Compare set menus and confirm the total price before ordering. A meal for two to four people at a reasonably priced restaurant may cost under RMB 150, but prices vary considerably.
- Don’t automatically follow restaurant recommendations from touts or unsolicited guides. Check recent reviews and menus independently.
- Look beyond the main tourist streets for local food. Restaurants and farm-style eateries in nearby villages can offer better value and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Mountain Viewpoints and Sunrise Spots
⛰️ Xianggong Hill & Qianli Jiangshan Tu
Xianggong Hill is a popular viewpoint overlooking a dramatic bend in the Li River. Its elevated panoramic views make it especially attractive to photographers and sunrise chasers.
Qianli Jiangshan Tu is another scenic viewpoint known for its striking mountain-and-river panoramas.
Tips to know before you go:
- Arrange transportation in advance. These viewpoints are relatively remote, and ride-hailing services may be difficult to find. Book a private driver or arrange a return ride before setting off.
- Drive carefully if visiting Qianli Jiangshan Tu. Some access roads are narrow, with steep drops and limited room for passing. Inexperienced mountain drivers should consider hiring a local driver instead.
- Allow extra time around sunset. Traffic can build up as visitors arrive or leave, and the sun may disappear behind the surrounding mountains before the official sunset time.
- Don’t linger after dark. Some access routes have little or no street lighting. Plan your descent carefully and prioritize safety.
- Consider Damianshan if you prefer somewhere quieter. Admission has been reported at around RMB 20, and some visitors consider it a worthwhile alternative to Xianggong Hill. Check current access conditions, ticket prices and transport options before visiting.
Final Tips for Planning Your Guilin Trip
If it’s your first time in Guilin, prioritize Elephant Trunk Hill, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes at night, a Li River cruise, Yulong River bamboo rafting, and the countryside around Yangshuo.
Add the Longji Rice Terraces if you have an extra day, and choose your mountain viewpoints based on your photography interests and transportation arrangements.
The biggest time-savers are simple: book popular attractions through official channels, arrange transportation to remote locations in advance, check prices before paying, and leave enough time to enjoy the scenery without rushing from one stop to the next.