Guilin offers accommodation across every budget tier, from luxury riverside resorts to basic guesthouses. The city’s lodging is split between Guilin proper (urban, convenient for transport and city attractions) and the Yangshuo countryside (rural, better for outdoor activities and scenery). Most travelers split their stay: 1-2 nights in Guilin for the city sights, then 2-3 nights in Yangshuo or the rice terraces for the countryside. Here is where to stay in Guilin by area, with specific hotel recommendations at each budget level.
Where to Stay in Guilin: City Center Hotels
The city center around Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and the Li River waterfront is the most convenient base. You are within walking distance of Elephant Trunk Hill, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise docks, and dozens of restaurants. This is the best area for a first visit when you want to tick off Guilin’s urban sights before heading to the countryside.
Suggested Hotels in Guilin City Center
Shangri-La Hotel Guilin
Guilin’s premier luxury hotel sits on the east bank of the Li River with an 11,000-square-meter riverside garden, outdoor pool, and views of karst peaks from river-facing rooms. The hotel has four restaurants including Shang Palace for Cantonese and Guilin cuisine, a full-service spa, and a children’s play area. Rooms start at 42 square meters with marble bathrooms and river or garden views. Best for couples and families seeking five-star comfort with Guilin’s signature scenery. Check rates and availability
Wing Hotel Guilin – Central Square
A solid mid-range choice directly on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, putting you steps from the main shopping and dining strip. Rooms are compact but well-maintained with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms. The location is hard to beat for accessing the city center on foot. Front desk staff can arrange Li River cruise tickets and rice terrace transfers. Best for travelers who prioritize location over spacious rooms and want to be in the center of the action. Check rates and availability
Guilin Central Hostel
The most popular backpacker base in central Guilin, offering dorm beds and private rooms a 5-minute walk from the Li River promenade. Facilities include a rooftop terrace with karst views, a ground-floor bar serving cheap beer (CNY 10-15), a communal kitchen, and bike rental (CNY 30/day). The staff speak basic English and can book all major tours. Dorm beds start around CNY 40-60, private rooms CNY 120-180. Best for solo travelers and backpackers who want a social atmosphere and tour-booking convenience on a tight budget. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Guilin: Yangshuo and Countryside
Yangshuo is where most travelers spend the bulk of their time. The town itself is compact and walkable. The surrounding countryside, particularly the Yulong River Valley, offers some of the most scenic accommodation in China with karst peaks visible from your hotel window. If outdoor activities (cycling, hiking, bamboo rafting) are your priority, base yourself here rather than in Guilin city.
Suggested Hotels in Yangshuo
Banyan Tree Yangshuo
Set in a restored village among karst peaks and rice paddies about 10km from Yangshuo town, the Banyan Tree offers villa-style accommodations with private pools, a world-class spa, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the limestone mountains. The property has two restaurants, a fitness center, and bicycles for guest use. This is the top luxury option in the Guilin region. Best for honeymooners and travelers celebrating a special occasion who want dramatic scenery with five-star service. Check rates and availability
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A well-regarded mid-range eco-retreat on the banks of the Yulong River, about 6km from Yangshuo town. Rooms are simple but comfortable with river views and balconies. The retreat provides free bicycle use, arranges bamboo rafting directly from their riverbank, and has an on-site restaurant serving Chinese and Western dishes (meal prices CNY 40-80). The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are known for helpful English-language service. Best for couples and independent travelers wanting a peaceful riverside base with easy access to outdoor activities. Check rates and availability
Yangshuo Sudder Street Guesthouse
A popular budget guesthouse on a quiet lane just off West Street, giving you easy access to Yangshuo’s restaurants and nightlife while being insulated from the loudest street noise. Rooms range from basic dorm beds (CNY 50-70) to private doubles with air conditioning (CNY 150-250). The rooftop terrace has karst views and is a gathering spot for travelers. Bike rental is CNY 20/day. The staff organize group hikes and bamboo raft trips. Best for backpackers and budget travelers who want to be near West Street without sleeping directly above the bars. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Guilin: Longji Rice Terraces
Staying overnight at the rice terraces is worth the effort. You get sunrise and sunset over the terraces without the day-trip crowds, and the guesthouses, while basic, offer an experience the day-trippers miss. The two main villages for overnight stays are Ping’an (Zhuang minority, more developed, easier access) and Dazhai (Yao minority, larger terraces, cable car access). Both villages sit within the terraces themselves. Most guesthouses are family-run wooden buildings. Rooms are simple: clean bed, private or shared bathroom, sometimes a balcony with terrace views. Heating is limited: in winter (December-February), electric blankets are standard. Prices range from CNY 100-200 for basic rooms to CNY 300-500 for the better guesthouses with terrace-view balconies. Book directly with the guesthouse or through a Chinese booking platform like Trip.com. Most guesthouses serve home-cooked meals (CNY 30-60 per person) using local ingredients including bamboo rice cooked in bamboo tubes over open fires.
Suggested Hotels in Longji Rice Terraces
Liqing Guesthouse (Dazhai)
One of the better guesthouses in Dazhai village, positioned high on the hillside with panoramic views across the rice terraces from its wooden balconies. Rooms are simple but have private bathrooms and electric blankets. The family who runs it cooks excellent home-style meals. The cable car station is a 15-minute uphill walk. Best for photographers and couples wanting the classic rice terrace sunrise experience from a comfortable guesthouse. Check rates and availability
Ping’an Village Guesthouse
A reliable mid-range option in Ping’an village, more accessible than Dazhai with a shorter walk from the parking area. Rooms have private bathrooms and some have terraces overlooking the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewing area. The guesthouse can arrange luggage porters (CNY 30-50) to carry bags from the parking lot since vehicles cannot enter the village. Best for travelers who want rice terrace accommodation with easier access and less uphill walking. Check rates and availability
Dazhai Tiantou Lodge
A budget-friendly lodge at the upper edge of Dazhai village with dorm beds from CNY 50 and private rooms from CNY 120. The wooden building has a communal terrace with sweeping terrace views and a simple restaurant. Shared bathrooms with hot water. The lodge is a 25-minute uphill walk from the Dazhai parking area, so pack light. Best for backpackers and budget travelers willing to trade comfort for an unbeatable location among the terraces. Check rates and availability
Where to Stay in Guilin: Practical Tips
- Split your stay: The most common approach is 1-2 nights in Guilin city for urban attractions, 2 nights in Yangshuo for countryside activities, and 1 night at the rice terraces for sunrise.
- Book ahead for peak seasons: October (especially Golden Week), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5) require booking 3-4 weeks in advance. The best Yangshuo countryside retreats fill up fastest.
- Rice terrace logistics: You cannot drive to most guesthouses in the terraces. Expect to walk 15-40 minutes uphill from the parking area with your luggage. Porters are available for CNY 30-50. Pack light and in a backpack, not a rolling suitcase.
- Winter heating: Many guesthouses in the rice terraces and Yangshuo countryside have limited heating. From December to February, confirm your room has adequate heating or electric blankets before booking.
- English service: Staff at international hotels and established Yangshuo guesthouses speak functional English. At Chinese chain hotels, train station area budget hotels, and rice terrace guesthouses, expect little to no English. Have your hotel name and address written in Chinese characters.
