Guilin sits in the heart of one of the world’s most dramatic karst landscapes, with limestone peaks rising abruptly from flat river plains. The city has been celebrated in Chinese poetry and painting for over a thousand years. Most visitors come for the Li River and the Longji Rice Terraces, but Guilin also offers caves, ancient towns, cycling routes, and excellent hiking. Here are the best things to do in Guilin, organized by category with practical details on tickets, transport, and timing.
Natural Attractions and Scenic Spots in Guilin
Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
The 83-kilometer cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the defining Guilin experience, passing through a gallery of limestone karst peaks immortalized on the back of China’s 20-yuan note. The journey takes about 4 hours on large tourist boats carrying 60-120 passengers. Boats depart from Zhujiang Pier (Mopanshan Pier), about 40 minutes by taxi (CNY 80-100) from downtown Guilin. Tickets cost CNY 300 for standard class or CNY 450 for upper deck with better views. All boats include a simple Chinese lunch. Departures are at 9:00 and 9:30 AM. Book through your hotel, a travel agency, or directly at the pier one day ahead. Bring your passport: you need it to buy tickets. The cruise ends at Yangshuo town, from where you can take a bus back to Guilin (CNY 25, 1.5 hours) or stay overnight. Avoid cruises in July-August when the river can be muddy brown, and during Golden Week (October 1-7) when boats are packed.
Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon’s Backbone)
About 80km northwest of Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces cascade down mountainsides in layers built over 650 years by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities. The main viewing areas are Ping’an Zhuang Village (the most accessible, with a 40-minute walk up from the parking lot) and Dazhai Village (larger, with a cable car). Entry costs CNY 80. The cable car at Dazhai is CNY 55 one-way or CNY 100 return. Minibuses run from Guilin Bus Station to Longji (CNY 50, 2 hours) or you can hire a private car for CNY 400-500 round-trip. Stay overnight in a guesthouse (CNY 150-400) to catch sunrise over the terraces without the day-trip crowds. The best months are late May-June (water-filled terraces reflecting the sky) and late September-October (golden rice ready for harvest). December through February can see frost and occasional light snow. Wear sturdy shoes: the stone paths are uneven and can be slippery when wet.
Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbi Shan)
Guilin’s most famous landmark, this karst formation at the confluence of the Li and Taohua rivers resembles an elephant drinking water through its trunk. It sits within Xiangshan Park, a 5-minute walk from downtown. Entry costs CNY 55. The park opens from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM (April-October) or 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (November-March). Go early in the morning (before 9:00 AM) to avoid tour groups. The best photo angle is from the riverbank at the park’s southern edge. You can also climb to the top of the hill for city views and visit the small Puxian Pagoda. Budget about 1-1.5 hours for the visit. The park gets extremely crowded from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM during peak seasons.
Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan)
A 240-meter-long cave system 5km northwest of downtown, filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations illuminated by multicolored LED lights. The cave has been a tourist attraction for over 1,200 years, with ink inscriptions dating to the Tang Dynasty (792 AD) still visible on the walls. Entry costs CNY 90. Open 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM (April-November) or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (December-March). The guided walk takes about 1 hour through a one-way route. Take bus 3, 14, or 58 from downtown (CNY 2) or a taxi (CNY 25-30). The colored lighting is dramatic but can feel artificial: photographers should bring a tripod and be prepared for low light. The cave stays at a constant 20°C (68°F) year-round, making it a good rainy-day activity. Visit in the morning to avoid the loudspeaker-guided tour groups that arrive from 10:00 AM onward.
Seven Star Park (Qixing Gongyuan)
Guilin’s largest urban park covers 134 hectares on the east bank of the Li River, named after seven karst peaks that resemble the Big Dipper constellation. Entry costs CNY 70. Open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM (summer) or 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM (winter). Highlights include Seven Star Cave (CNY 45 extra, similar to Reed Flute Cave but less crowded), Camel Hill (a rock formation shaped like a camel), and a small zoo with pandas (included in entry). The park also has a stone bridge dating to the Ming Dynasty. Budget 2-3 hours. Reach it via bus 10, 11, 14, or 18 (CNY 2) or a short taxi ride from downtown (CNY 15-20). Early morning is the best time to see locals practicing tai chi and calligraphy with water brushes on the pavement.
Fubo Hill (Fubo Shan)
A solitary karst peak rising 213 meters on the west bank of the Li River, named after a Han Dynasty general. The main attraction is the Returned Pearl Cave at water level, containing over 200 Buddha carvings dating from the Tang and Song dynasties. Entry costs CNY 30. Open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Climb 300 steps to the summit for a panoramic view of the Li River and downtown Guilin, which takes about 20-30 minutes. The hill is a 10-minute walk north of the city center along Binjiang Road. Combine with a walk along the riverfront promenade. Budget about 1 hour. The best light for photos is in the morning when the sun illuminates the river and the hill’s eastern face.
Diecai Hill (Diecai Shan)
Located north of the city center, this karst peak is known for its folded rock strata that look like piles of brocade (hence the name, meaning Folded Brocade Hill). Entry costs CNY 35. The summit offers one of the best panoramic views of Guilin city and the surrounding karst peaks, reached by a 20-minute climb up stone steps. There is a small Wind Cave halfway up, naturally air-conditioned by airflow through fissures in the rock. The hill is less crowded than Elephant Trunk Hill and offers better city views. Open 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM (summer) or 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM (winter). Budget 1-1.5 hours. Morning visits offer the clearest views before haze builds up during the day.
Activities and Experiences in Guilin
Yangshuo Countryside Cycling
One of the best ways to experience the karst landscape is by bicycle through the countryside around Yangshuo. Rent a standard bike for CNY 20-30 per day or an electric scooter for CNY 60-80 from any of the rental shops on West Street or Diecui Road. The classic route is the 15km loop through the Yulong River valley, passing through small villages, bamboo groves, and rice paddies with constant karst views. The route is mostly flat on paved roads. Another popular route goes to Moon Hill (8km south of Yangshuo), a karst peak with a natural arch. You can climb to the arch via 800 steps (CNY 15 entry). Start early (before 8:00 AM) to avoid heat and crowds. Bring water and sunscreen. Helmets are usually provided but you may need to ask for one. The cycling season runs year-round but is best in October-November and March-April.
Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong River
A quieter, more intimate alternative to the big Li River cruise boats. Bamboo rafts (now made of PVC pipes painted to look like bamboo, seating 2 people plus the boatman) drift along the Yulong River, a tributary of the Li near Yangshuo. The most popular section is from Jinlong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge, taking about 1.5 hours and passing through gentle rapids and under ancient stone bridges. Tickets cost CNY 160-255 per raft depending on the section. Rafts operate from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM (summer) or 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (winter). You will get splashed on the small weirs, so wear sandals and protect electronics in waterproof bags. Arrange through your hotel in Yangshuo or at the river docks. Morning departures are less crowded and offer better light for photos.
Li River Hiking: Yangdi to Xingping
The 18km hike from Yangdi village to Xingping ancient town follows the Li River through its most scenic stretch, the same karst panorama seen from the cruise boats but at ground level. The route takes 5-6 hours on a mix of riverside paths, gravel tracks, and village roads. You will need to take three small ferry crossings (CNY 10-20 each, paid in cash to the boatman). The hiking path is generally well-marked but having offline maps (Maps.me works well in China) is recommended. Start from Yangdi, which you reach by bus from Guilin Bus Station (CNY 20, 1.5 hours). The hike ends at Xingping, from where buses return to Yangshuo (CNY 10, 40 minutes). Carry at least 2 liters of water and snacks: there are small shops in villages along the way but limited options. Best hiked from October to April. Avoid June-August due to heat and overgrown paths. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for mud after rain.
Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Night Cruise
A 90-minute boat tour through Guilin’s interconnected urban waterways: the Li River, Taohua River, and four lakes (Rong, Shan, Gui, and Mulong). The route passes under 19 bridges and past illuminated pagodas, including the twin Sun and Moon Pagodas on Shan Lake, which are lit in gold and silver at night. Boats depart from several piers including Jimu Pier and Elephant Trunk Hill Pier. Tickets cost CNY 210 for the full cruise. Departures run from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. The light displays are most impressive from April to November when the evening weather is comfortable. In winter, bring a warm coat as the open-top boats offer no shelter. The Sun and Moon Pagodas can also be visited during the day and climbed (CNY 42 for both, open 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
Cultural and Historical Sites in Guilin
Jingjiang Prince City and Solitary Beauty Peak
Located in the center of Guilin, this 14th-century Ming Dynasty palace complex served as the residence of the Jingjiang princes for over 250 years. The compound covers 20 hectares surrounded by a well-preserved city wall. The centerpiece is Solitary Beauty Peak (Duxiu Feng), a 216-meter limestone pinnacle rising from the palace grounds that you can climb via 306 steps for a 360-degree view of the city. Entry costs CNY 130, which includes a guided tour (mandatory, in Chinese with English audio guides available). Open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and includes the palace buildings, the examination hall, the peak climb, and the Confucian temple. The complex now houses Guangxi Normal University, so you will see students on campus. Visit in the morning when the light is best for photos from the peak. Budget 2 hours.
Xingping Ancient Town
Located 27km north of Yangshuo, Xingping is a 1,300-year-old riverside town on the Li River. Its old street (about 1km long) is lined with Ming and Qing dynasty buildings now housing small restaurants, craft shops, and guesthouses. This is where the famous scene on the 20-yuan banknote was photographed. Walk to the riverbank viewpoint (follow signs for 20 RMB Viewpoint) for the iconic shot of the karst peaks reflected in the water, best in early morning or late afternoon. The town is reached by bus from Yangshuo (CNY 10, 40 minutes) or as the endpoint of the Yangdi-Xingping hike. Xianggong Hill, a 20-minute drive or 1-hour walk from Xingping, offers the best elevated panoramic view of the Li River bend below. Entry to Xianggong Hill costs CNY 60. Go at sunrise for the classic photo.
