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Things to do in Guilin

Our most recommended things to do in Guilin

Guilin: Classic Private Full–Day Tour

1. Guilin: Classic Private Full–Day Tour

After hotel pick–up at 9:00 AM, visit Guilin Reed Flute Cave, known as the art palace of nature. See beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, stone flowers with various shapes, and how these all glisten in colorful lights.  After exploring the cave, transfer to Yangshuo and visit the Xianggong Hill. Climb the hill, located on the west bank of the Lijiang River between Huangbu Shoal and Nine-Horse Mural Hill. Your uphill climb is rewarded with a bird's eye view of the Lijiang River winding through countless peaks, ideal for scenery enthusiasts and photographers. Move on to Xingping to savor a delicious lunch, before you take small boat from Xingping to Nine Horses Hill. Head back to Xingping River Pier, and catch the Liusanjie show at Yangshuo. At the end of your tour, transfer to your hotel in Guilin or Yangshuo downtown around 10:30 PM.

Guilin City Full-Day Private Tour

2. Guilin City Full-Day Private Tour

Situated on the west banks of the River Li, Guilin City has become one of China’s most popular cities for its stunning limestone karst rocks and curious caves. On this full-day sightseeing tour you will explore some of the city’s most fascinating natural landmarks, starting at Elephant Trunk Hill on the confluence of the Li River and Peach River. This symbol of Guilin takes its name from its resemblance to an elephant drinking water from the river. The popular site dates back more than 3.6 million years, and towers more than 180 feet (55 meters) above the green waters of the river. Continue to Fubo Hill. Partially submerged in the river, it was named for General Fubo of the Tang Dynasty, and was the site of his Mayuan Temple. Because of its height, the hill is said to tame the waves and stop surging waters, which then form whirlpools. Climb almost 350 steps for a bird's eye view of Guilin. The steps beside the Sword Testing Stone wind their way to the 1,000 Buddha Cave, site of more than 200 Tang Dynasty Buddha statues. Next, go to Reed Flute Cave to see beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and stone flowers of various shapes, all glistening in colored lights. Finally, learn about pearl farming at the small South China Pearl Museum, where you’ll find stalls selling craft jewelry if you want to purchase a unique gift, before the transfer back to your hotel.

From Guilin: Longji Terraces Group Day Tour with Lunch

3. From Guilin: Longji Terraces Group Day Tour with Lunch

Get picked up between 7 am and 8am from your accommodation in downtown Guilin. Set off on a scenic two-hour drive through hilly countryside and marvel at your driver's expertise in navigating the winding roads. Arrive at Longji Terraces Scenic Area and enjoy the one-of-a-kind Long Hair Show performed by Yao Minority women in Huangluo village, which was awarded the “World's Longest Hair Village” by Guinness World Records. Famous for their long and shiny hair, the women of Huangluo cut their hair only once in their lives upon turning 18. Have a quick lunch before moving on to the highlight of the day, the Terraces. Learn how these impressive landscaped hills have been managed by the local Zhuang Minority people for thousands of years. Marvel at the large-scale rice fields with stilted buildings set into the hillsides. Hike to the highest point for stunning views over the terraces and surrounding countryside. Cable cars are available and if the hiking is too much for you (at your own cost). Afterwards, you will be transferred back to Guilin and dropped off at Guilin Train Station. You can stroll around there to explore the city more before making your own way back hotel.

Yangshuo Water Caves & Moon Hill Full-Day Private Tour

4. Yangshuo Water Caves & Moon Hill Full-Day Private Tour

On this full-day tour, you will join a private guide as you travel from Yangshuo Town to the cave system, where you will get the chance to explore by boat. The tour then continues with a visit to the miraculous Moon Hill arch in the surrounding mountains. Longmen Water Cave in Longmen Village, 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Moon Hill, is one of the most recent attractions to open to tourists in the Guilin area. The caves are the largest natural cave systems in Yangshuo, running for approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) through 3 mountains. Yangshuo has literally hundreds of caves buried below the surface of its mountain range, but the water caves are perhaps the most exciting. Used as a refuge by local villagers during Japanese attacks during World War 2, you will get to explore the narrow maze of passages and caves that provided the villagers with shelter. Passing through 8 rocky green peaks, today the inside resembles a fairy-tale land that is beautiful, breathtaking, and mysterious. Gaze in awe at the stalactites dripping like molten wax from the ceiling, and then refresh yourself as you come across a 330-foot (100-meter) high waterfall pouring into the underground pool. Make strange music by running your fingers along the stalagmite “piano” and listen to the echoing applause of your audience of curious stalagmites and stalactites. Go for a splash in the blue waters of the crystal dragon pool, and slide down the wet clay into a natural mud bath. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter, the caves are a true wonder of nature. Pause for lunch, before moving on to Moon Hill, to observe the intriguing natural arch carved through the karst mountain formation. A popular tourist attraction, Moon Hill offers lovely views of the Yangshuo countryside and you will have time to explore before returning to Yangshuo Town in the mid-afternoon.

Yangshuo: Full-Day Private Countryside Hiking Tour

5. Yangshuo: Full-Day Private Countryside Hiking Tour

On this full-day tour, admire unique mountains, fabulous rivers and quiet countryside on a hike from Yangdi Town to Xingping Town. Start at the Dragon Bridge and continue on the path that heads down the Yulong River to the Dragon Village and Fenglou Village. Walk along the riverside and pass by local villages, paddy fields and bamboo groves. Pass through the Yu Long Valley, surrounded by amazing limestone Karst formations, ancient villages and a catch-your-own fish farm. Visit Moon Hill and Yangshuo. Take photos of water buffalo and ducks to capture your special day.

From Guilin: Full-Day Li River Cruise & Yangshuo

6. From Guilin: Full-Day Li River Cruise & Yangshuo

This excursion starts with a pick-up from your Guilin downtown hotel. Then, drive to the dock to board one of the best cruises on the Li River. Your guide will escort you and give you an introduction to all the different sights along the way. Sitting on the cruise ship, you will enjoy picturesque scenery along Li River. You will spend around 4-hours cruising along the Li River and lunch will be provided on the cruise ship. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, the tour guide will escort you for a stroll along West Street, the oldest street in Yangshuo with a history of more than 1400 years but now the most modern and fashionable street with a unique mix of cultures. Visiting West Street, you will be surrounded by an array of traditional folk art and amazing international influences. Afterwards, drive back to Guilin and be transferred back to your hotel in Guilin to conclude the tour.

2-Day Guilin Trip

7. 2-Day Guilin Trip

Day 1 At 07:45, your English-speaking tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby in Guilin and transfer you to Zhujiang Pier for the Li River Cruise. Li River valley is around 47 miles (75 kilometers) away from the city of Guilin and the drive takes about 4 hours. You will join a small group for the Li River cruise and a enjoy delicious lunch on board. After soaking up the spectacular landscape of the Li River valley, you will disembark at Yangshuo and have the opportunity to stroll over the West Street, a 1,470-year-old street with Chinese-style architectures. If you wish to experience more in the area, there are optional Yangshuo local tours, such as bamboo rafting on the Yulong River or a tour to the Silver Cave, available at an additional expense. You will be dropped off at your hotel in Yangshuo which is not covered by this tour. Day 2 You will be collected from your Yangshuo hotel lobby at 08:00 and taken on a 2 hour drive back to Guilin. You will then visit the biggest and most beautiful park in Guilin: the Seven Star Park located at the eastern bank of Li River. Afterwards, you will continue on to the Reed Flute Cave which is over a quarter of mile (600 meters) long and takes about 50 minutes to explore. The cave is the most visited karst cave in Guilin and as you travel through it, you will see fantastic stalagmites, stalactites, stone curtains, stone pillars, and stone flowers. There are also 80 stone inscriptions in the cave covering many years of glorious history of China. Lunch will be provided at a local Chinese restaurant. After lunch, explore the Elephant Trunk, one of the most impressive attractions in Guilin, a huge elephant shaped formation mimicking an elephant drinking water by the river. At the end of the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel in Guilin.

Longji Rice Terraces: Full-Day Private Tour from Guilin

8. Longji Rice Terraces: Full-Day Private Tour from Guilin

On this full-day tour you’ll head out from either Guilin or Yangshuo to northeastern Guangxi province to the Longji rice terraces. This area, located around 80 kilometers from Guilin, was first developed in the late 13th century. Centuries of meticulous care by the Zhuang and Yao people have produced these beautfiul terraces that draw visitors from around the world. Longsheng county is home to a variety of ethnic minorities, such as the Miao, Dong, and Zhuang people. It is characterized by rustic folk customs and folklore, as well as colorful costumes. You’ll be met in the morning at your hotel and taken on a drive to the Longji rice terraces. First you’ll visit Ping’an village, and then continue on to the rice terraces. At the end of the afternoon you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.

Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside Tour

9. Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside Tour

Begin your day early in the morning as we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Zhujiang Pier. From there, embark on your Li River cruise trip from Guilin to Yangshuo on our comfortable boat. Relax on the boat and take in the majestic scenery of the Li River. Glide along the water, with the hills and the rugged nature around you on all sides. Enjoy the picturesque landscape, dip your toes into the crystal clear water, see the buffalos swimming or eating water weed in the river, and the fisherman drawing the nets. Along the banks of the river, admire beautiful peaks, bamboo and rice fields, and quiet rural villages. Upon arrival in Yangshuo town, take a short rest before we get starting on our countryside cycling tour. Cycling around the Yangshuo countryside is one activity that is simply not to be missed during your time in Yangshuo. It's the best way for you to relax and enjoy the fantastic views without spending a whole day hiking and walking along the footpaths. This is a perfect tour for any travellers eager to explore as much of this beautiful region as possible! Itinerary: 08:20: Pick up from the hotel in Guilin to the Zhujiang pier 09:30-14:00: On the boat and enjoy the beautiful landscape of Li river 14:30-15:00: Arrive in Yangshuo town and short rest in West street. 15:00-17:30: Yangshuo Countryside Cycling - enjoy the Yangshuo scenery 18:00: Back to your hotel from Yangshuo or stay in Yangshuo

Guilin: Private Full-Day Li River Cruise and Liusanjie Show

10. Guilin: Private Full-Day Li River Cruise and Liusanjie Show

Join the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo - the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous karst peaks will give you a surprise at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffaloes patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies and school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery, life on the river will be a taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis. The show 'The Impression Liu Sanjie' can be regarded as one highlight of Yangshuo. It is a night show which you’ve never seen and a virtual scenery performance. The largest difference from the other shows will be the water and hill scenery theater. It uses the waters of the Li River as the stage and 12 hills as background. With the vast sky, it consists of the largest virtual scenery theatre in the world. As it is an outdoor theater and the scenes of the show are combined with natural sightseeing, tourists will find the show different from season to season and day to day depending on the changeable weather conditions. Your day will begin with a pick-up at 08:20 in the morning from your hotel in Guilin. From here, you will travel to Zhujiang pier, where you will board a boat. The cruise will last approximately 5-hours (from 09:00 - 14:00). During this time, you will enjoy the stunning scenery of the Li River. Finally, to finish the day, enjoy a wander through Yangshuo town and a roam down the famous West Street. During 18:30, your guide will meet you at the West Street and take you to the show theatre. The show will last for 70 minutes. Your day will end at approximately 21:00, when you will be dropped back off at your hotel around 22:30. If you are staying at Yangshuo, then return back to your hotel at around 21:20.

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What people are saying about Guilin

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 117 reviews

Our tour guide Andy was very attentive and helpful, his English was excellent. The tour was perfectly organised, including assistance with fulfilling all the additional Covid19-related regulations The tour on the Li River is wonderful, Andy provided many interesting facts about the sights on the way, which we would have stayed unaware of as all information on the boat was only provided in Chinese. Altogether, a very enjoyable trip!

The tour was amazing. Mr. Shandy took us to every destination by car. It truly was a private tour (2 people) and our guide was very flexible with the programme. He gave us many insights into Chinese society and spoke English very well! I highly recommend this tour.

The limestone cave, the view from the summit, the boat cruise and the romance theater were all wonderful. I am glad that you could change the schedule flexibly according to the wit of the guide.

A magnificent day, worthy of a dream. The sites visited were heavenly! The guide fantastic and personalized the outing for us!

Nice tour that covered the most interesting sights The cost was much higher with tickets.