Guilin Travel Guide

Guilin is a city famous for its beautiful mountains and rivers. Here is a detailed Guilin travel guide to help you better plan your trip. Itinerary Day 1: After arriving in Guilin, head to Elephant Trunk Hill Park to admire the unique scenery. At noon, enjoy local snacks in the city center, such as Guilin rice noodles and luosifen (snail rice noodles). In the afternoon, visit the Lijiang River Scenic Area, where you can take a bamboo raft and experience the tranquility and beauty of the Lijiang River. In the evening, stroll through the night market in the city center and experience the local nightlife. Day 2: Head to Yangshuo and visit West Street. West Street is one of Yangshuo's famous attractions, full of exotic atmosphere, with buildings on both sides mostly in a mix of Chinese and Western styles. At noon, enjoy local snacks on West Street, such as beer fish and mao xue wang (a spicy Sichuan dish). In the afternoon, go rafting on the Yulong River and admire the scenery along the riverbanks. In the evening, watch the large-scale outdoor performance "Impression Sanjie Liu" on West Street and experience the rich ethnic customs. Day 3: Head to the Longji Rice Terraces and admire the beautiful scenery. The Longji Rice Terraces are one of China's famous terraced fields, with lines like flowing clouds and cascading beauty. At noon, enjoy local farm dishes and experience farm life. In the afternoon, visit the Jinkeng Yao Village and learn about the local Yao culture and lifestyle. In the evening, watch a Yao song and dance performance and experience the charm of Yao culture. Day 4: Head to Huangyao Ancient Town and visit the ancient town scenery. At noon, enjoy local snacks in the ancient town, such as Huangyao douchi (fermented black beans) and Huangyao rice noodles. In the afternoon, visit the ancient buildings and ancient culture in the ancient town and learn about the local history and culture. In the evening, stroll through the night market in the ancient town and experience the local nightlife and cultural atmosphere. Day 5: Return to Guilin city center and visit the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas. The Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas are one of Guilin's landmarks. The Sun Pagoda and the Moon Pagoda are located on opposite sides of the lake and are very beautiful when lit up at night. At noon, enjoy local cuisine in the city center, such as Lipu taro pork and Gongcheng oil tea. In the afternoon, you can enjoy free time or go shopping for some special souvenirs. Recommended Attractions Lijiang River Scenic Area: A world-famous tourist destination, known for its magnificent landscape. You can choose to take a bamboo raft or a large boat to enjoy the scenery along the way. Elephant Trunk Hill Park: A landmark attraction in Guilin, named after its resemblance to an elephant's trunk. You can overlook the panoramic view of Guilin city from the park. Yangshuo West Street: A pedestrian street full of exotic atmosphere, with buildings on both sides mostly in a mix of Chinese and Western styles. There are many specialty snacks and souvenir shops here. Longji Rice Terraces: One of China's famous terraced fields, with lines like flowing clouds and cascading beauty. The scenery of the rice terraces varies with the seasons. Huangyao Ancient Town: A historic ancient town with a large number of ancient buildings and ancient culture preserved. The night view here is very beautiful. Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas: One of Guilin's landmarks. The Sun Pagoda and the Moon Pagoda are located on opposite sides of the lake and are very beautiful when lit up at night. Recommended Food Guilin rice noodles: White as jade, smooth and refreshing, it is a representative delicacy of Guilin. Yangshuo beer fish: Fragrant fish with beer, a specialty dish of Yangshuo. Lipu taro pork: Crispy and not greasy, melts in your mouth, a traditional famous dish of Guilin. Gongcheng oil tea: Rich and delicious, Yao-style flavor, a specialty drink of Guilin. Vegetarian noodles: Light and refreshing, the essence of vegetarian food, a specialty snack of Guilin. Guilin river snails: Sour, spicy, and delicious, an appetizer, a specialty snack of Guilin. Guilin Eighteen Stuffings: Delicious stuffing, a wide variety, a specialty of Guilin. Guilin lotus leaf duck: Aromatic and delicious, nutritious and tasty, a specialty of Guilin. Quanzhou vinegar blood duck: Sour, spicy, and delicious, fresh and appetizing, a specialty of Guilin. Guilin water chestnut cake: Smooth, sweet, and refreshing, a traditional dessert, a specialty of Guilin. Transportation Guide Airplane: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is about 30 km away from the city center. You can take the airport bus or a taxi to the city center. Train: Guilin has multiple train stations, including Guilin Station, Guilin North Station, and Guilin West Station. You can choose the appropriate train station according to your itinerary. Bus: Guilin buses can use Alipay or WeChat Pay, which is very convenient. Taxi: The starting price for taxis in Guilin is 9 CNY, and 1.9 CNY per kilometer. Ride-hailing: You can also use ride-hailing apps in Guilin, such as Didi Chuxing. Accommodation Suggestions Guilin city center: You can choose to stay near East and West Alley, close to major attractions, with many snack streets and shopping streets nearby. Yangshuo: You can choose to stay near Yangshuo West Street, convenient for transportation, food, and drinks. Longji Rice Terraces: You can choose to stay in local homestays or hotels to experience farm life. Things to Note The weather in Guilin is changeable, so it is recommended to bring rain gear and appropriate clothing. Pay attention to protecting the environment and cultural relics when visiting scenic spots. Pay attention to food hygiene and personal taste when tasting food, avoid excessive spiciness or greasiness. Pay attention to safety and follow the instructions of the staff when taking a bamboo raft or boat. Pay attention to price and quality when buying souvenirs, avoid being ripped off. I hope you have a pleasant journey in Guilin!