Global Travel - "The World's Most Beautiful Scenery" - A Travel Guide to Guilin, China
Guilin City boasts a history spanning 2,133 years. In 214 BC, following the unification of Lingnan by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, "Guilin Prefecture" was established. The city's landscape represents a comprehensive term for its tourism resources and ranks among China's top ten scenic destinations. The mountains form its skeletal structure, the caves embody its soul, and the rivers constitute its veins. The beauty of Guilin lies not only in the clear reflections of its mountains and waters but also in the millennia-long geological sedimentation of its cave systems. Together, they compose a natural masterpiece celebrated as "the best landscape under heaven," as well as a geological epic inscribed by time. The recommended visiting period is from April to November; travelers are advised to avoid rainy days.
Xingping Ancient Town Cruise: This cruise departs from Xingping Ancient Town and travels downstream to Yangshuo County, offering a quintessential experience of the most picturesque stretch of the Li River in Guilin. Renowned for its karst landforms and ink-wash painting-like river scenery, this route is particularly famous for the landmark featured on the back of the 20-yuan RMB banknote.
Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise: Situated within the urban core of Guilin City, this attraction serves as a signature tourism emblem of the city. The cruise traverses the Li River, Taohua River, and the Four Lakes, where illuminated karst peaks resemble flowing ink paintings. Along the route, passengers pass 23 distinctive bridges, including ancient mortise-and-tenon wooden structures, European-style glass bridges, and the Sun and Moon Twin Towers, reflecting a harmonious integration of cultural influences. The most striking segment features pavilion reflections on the Rong Lake, while the light show at Wenchang Bridge pier offers a dazzling spectacle, evoking a sense of journeying through time.
Ten Miles of Scenery: Located in Yangshuo Ancient Town, Guilin City, this scenic route showcases breathtaking views that integrate characteristic karst geological formations such as peaks, caves, and underground rivers, providing visitors with a rich visual and cultural experience. Notable attractions along the route include Ruyi Peak, Silver Cave, Ancient Sentiment, Shangri-La, Impression Liu Sanjie, Totem Ancient Road, Julong Cave, Butterfly Spring, Big Banyan Tree, and Moon Hill.
Yulong River Bamboo Rafting: Located in Yangshuo Ancient Town, Guilin City, this experience is best enjoyed on the section from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian, widely regarded as the most spectacular stretch. The entire journey lasts approximately 90 minutes and passes through nine dams—offering mild thrills and great enjoyment. Karst peaks extend continuously along both banks, resembling a slowly unfolding panoramic landscape painting. With relatively fewer tourists, this setting allows visitors to enjoy a serene and immersive experience, as if the river were exclusively theirs.
Night Tour of West Street: Located at the heart of Yangshuo Ancient Town in Guilin City, West Street has a history exceeding 1,400 years and stands as the oldest and most vibrant commercial street in Yangshuo. Well-preserved historical structures—including the Ming Dynasty city wall, steles, ancient temples, pavilions, residences of notable figures, and memorial halls—reflect the region’s architectural heritage. The area comprises two main streets, two parks, and six lanes, covering approximately 280,000 square meters. Buildings exhibit the traditional architectural style of northern Guangxi, characterized by small blue tiles, sloping roofs, white plastered walls, and overhanging balconies. More than 20 cultural heritage sites, including ancient pathways, steles, and cliff carvings, are distributed throughout the district.
Jingjiang Prince's Mansion: Located in the urban area of Guilin City, it is the longest-standing and best-preserved princely residence from the Ming Dynasty in China. Within the mansion grounds, Duxiu Peak rises abruptly, characterized by its steep and imposing form, earning it the title "The Pillar of the South Sky." The renowned verse by Song Dynasty poet Wang Zhenggong — "The scenery of Guilin ranks first under heaven" — is inscribed here, adding cultural and historical significance to the site.
Elephant Trunk Hill: Situated in Xiangshan Park in central Guilin City, this landmark is composed of limestone formed approximately 360 million years ago, with an elevation of 200 meters. Its distinctive shape resembles a giant elephant drinking from the river, and it has been selected as the prototype for Guilin’s city emblem. Key attractions include Water Moon Cave—featuring cliff carvings dating back to the Song Dynasty and later periods—Pu Xian Pagoda, a Lamaist-style Buddhist structure from the Ming Dynasty, and Xiangyan Rock. The natural phenomenon known as "Moon in the Water of Elephant Hill" can be observed during specific seasons when the moon's reflection aligns perfectly within the cave’sarch（However, observing from outside the scenic area may suffice, as there is little of interest to explore within the site itself.）
Gudong Waterfall: Located in Lingchuan County, Guilin City, this ecological attraction features a unique interactive experience—waterfall climbing. Visitors are required to wear straw sandals and safety helmets as they ascend along the cascading waterway for approximately 30 minutes, experiencing refreshing mists throughout the climb. Access to the site involves crossing the river via bamboo raft, often accompanied by traditional folk singing duels on the water. The descent includes traversing an aerial wooden bridge situated over 50 meters above ground, enhancing the sense of adventure. In autumn, the mountainside is illuminated by vibrant red maple foliage, significantly enriching the visual appeal.
Longji Rice Terraces: Situated in Longsheng County, Guilin City, the Longji Rice Terraces form part of the Yuècheng Ridge within the Nanling Mountain range in southern China. The region features expansive mountain ranges with layered peaks rising dramatically across the landscape. Elevations range from 800 to 1,500 meters, with terraced fields constructed at varying altitudes—from a low of 380 meters to a high of 1,180 meters—resulting in a vertical drop of 800 meters. The terraces represent both an agricultural marvel and a cultural heritage site. October is recommended as the optimal visiting period due to harvest-season aesthetics.
Guilin Tianhu Ecological Tourist Resort: Located in Quanzhou County, Guilin City, Guangxi, the resort spans approximately 70 square kilometers and centers around a cluster of 13 highland lakes. It showcases four distinctive ecological landscapes: highland lakes at an altitude of 1,600 meters, ten thousand mu of primeval forest, highland meadows, and winter scenes featuring rime ice and snow. The resort offers seasonal tourism experiences: viewing rhododendrons in spring, summer heat escape in cool highlands, stargazing in autumn, and winter activities involving ice and snow.
The Lingqu Canal: Located in Xing'an County, Guilin City, Guangxi, the Lingqu Canal was commissioned in 219 BC by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who tasked Shi Lu, supervisor of the imperial construction office, with excavating an artificial waterway at the divergence point of the Xiang and Li Rivers. Completed in 214 BC, the canal played a pivotal role in integrating the Lingnan region and the northern Indochinese Peninsula into the Qin Dynasty’s territory. By the Han Dynasty, it had become the earliest inland link connecting the Maritime Silk Road with China’s interior, serving as a crucial transportation and cultural corridor.
Bajiaozhai: Located in Ziyuan County, Guilin City, Bajiaozhai’s main peak reaches an altitude of 814 meters. The site derives its name from the eight upward-curving corners visible on the summit. Covering more than 40 square kilometers, its Danxia landform exhibits exceptional development in terms of scale, complexity, and aesthetic quality—rarely matched globally. It has been recognized as one of the "Seven Most Beautiful Danxia Landforms in China."
Cat Mountain: Located in Gaocai Village, Huajiang Town, Xing'an County, Guilin City, Cat Mountain is the highest peak in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the tallest mountain in South China. As the source of the Li River in Guilin, it is celebrated as the "Roof of South China" and the "Highest Peak in South China," holding significant geographical and ecological importance.
DAY 1
Scenic Attractions in Guilin City: Guided walking tour. All sites are in close proximity, with Reed Flute Cave approximately a 20-minute drive away. The evening cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes offers a particularly scenic experience.
Itinerary: Elephant Trunk Hill → Sun and Moon Twin Towers → East and West Alleys → Xiaoyao Tower → Jingjiang Prince's Mansion → Reed Flute Cave → Evening Cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes. Overnight stay in Guilin City.
DAY 2
Yangshuo County and Xingping Ancient Town Attractions:
Lijiang River Cruise: Xingping Ancient Town → Ten Miles Gallery → Yulong River Bamboo Rafting → Night Tour of West Street
Take a bus to Mopanshan Pier and board a Lijiang River cruise directly to Yangshuo County. The journey unfolds through a picturesque landscape of mountains and rivers, with notable stops including the 20-yuan RMB Note Viewing Platform, Nine Horses Painting Hill, A World of Its Own, and Xianggong Mountain, culminating in arrival at Yangshuo County. The highlight of the day is the Yulong River bamboo rafting experience, offering an immersive journey through serene green waters akin to traveling within a traditional ink painting. After disembarking, visitors may rent bicycles to explore the Ten Miles Gallery, selecting points of interest based on personal schedule and preference.
DAY 3
Scenic Attractions in Lingchuan County:
Dawu Ancient Town → Dongli Ancient Village → Gudong Waterfall → Ginkgo Trees in Haiyang Township → lawn. A self-driving tour is recommended to ensure flexibility and convenience in accessing these sites, which are dispersed across the county.
DAY 4
Independent Exploration of County-Level Scenic Sites:
Visitors may select additional attractions located within the county towns based on personal interests. Self-driving tours or organized group tours are strongly recommended to facilitate efficient travel and broader access to remote locations.
Transportation Overview:
Guilin City is well-connected via air and rail networks, with an international airport and high-speed railway services providing convenient access from major domestic cities. The city center is compact, and major urban attractions are within walking distance. A dedicated bus terminal at the airport offers direct shuttle services to the city center, while the high-speed rail station is situated within the urban area, ensuring seamless connectivity.
Inter-county tourist destinations, however, are generally less accessible by public transportation due to limited routes and infrequent schedules. Travelers are therefore advised to rent a car or join guided tours for greater mobility and time efficiency.
For scenic river travel between Guilin and Yangshuo, a three-star-rated cruise ship is recommended, offering a balanced combination of comfort, service quality, and value.
Within Yangshuo County, transportation options include taxis, ride-hailing services, bicycle rentals, and pedestrian access, all of which support flexible and eco-friendly exploration of local attractions.