China
Guilin and Yangshuo are the landscape that China draws when it draws a landscape: a plain studded with thousands of green limestone peaks, a clear river winding between them, and rice terraces, caves and bamboo-lined streams in every direction.
This guide books the region properly — the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, a bamboo raft down the quiet Yulong River, the Longji rice terraces above Longsheng, Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill in the city, a Xianggong Hill sunrise, a countryside bike ride, the Impression Liu Sanjie night show and a market-to-table cooking class. Five hotels run from a garden resort and big riverside five-stars to a quiet inn on the Yulong River and a low-cost base a short walk from West Street, and two guides cover how many days to allow, what to book ahead and where to stay.
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
The classic Guilin experience: a half-day float down the Li River between thousands of green karst peaks, ending in Yangshuo. The best of the scenery comes in the final stretch around Yangdi and Xingping, so a day trip that adds the road back or onward is the easy way to do it.
Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
A drifting ride on a bamboo raft down the quiet Yulong River, past arched stone bridges, water buffalo and karst peaks. It is quieter and more intimate than the big Li River boats and easy to pair with Xianggong Hill in a single day.
Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng)
The Dragon's Backbone: sweeping hillside terraces carved into the mountains above Longsheng, with Zhuang and Yao villages along the ridges. A long day trip from Guilin, and the best months for green or golden terraces are late spring and early autumn.
Reed Flute Cave
Guilin's best-known cave, a limestone cavern lit in colour to bring out stalactites, stalagmites and mirror-like pools. Easy to reach from the city and usually combined with a half-day of Guilin sights.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
The classic Guilin experience: a half-day float down the Li River between thousands of green karst peaks, ending in Yangshuo. The best of the scenery comes in the final stretch around Yangdi and Xingping, so a day trip that adds the road back or onward is the easy way to do it.
A drifting ride on a bamboo raft down the quiet Yulong River, past arched stone bridges, water buffalo and karst peaks. It is quieter and more intimate than the big Li River boats and easy to pair with Xianggong Hill in a single day.
The Dragon's Backbone: sweeping hillside terraces carved into the mountains above Longsheng, with Zhuang and Yao villages along the ridges. A long day trip from Guilin, and the best months for green or golden terraces are late spring and early autumn.
Guilin's best-known cave, a limestone cavern lit in colour to bring out stalactites, stalagmites and mirror-like pools. Easy to reach from the city and usually combined with a half-day of Guilin sights.
Guilin's emblem, a limestone hill shaped like an elephant drinking from the river where the Li and Peach Blossom rivers meet. A low-cost park with riverside paths, Water Moon Cave and a lovely moonrise, just a short walk from the city centre.
FreeYangshuo's pedestrian heart, a short lantern-lit lane of cafes, bars, souvenir shops and street food with karst peaks rising behind the rooftops. Free to wander, lively after dark and an easy base for everything else in the area.
The classic Li River sunrise: a short climb up a karst hill near Xingping to a viewing platform above the river's first bend. Spectacular on a clear dawn, but it needs a very early start and a bit of luck with the weather.
Yangshuo's flat farm lanes between karst hills are made for bikes. A guided day ride links villages, rice and vegetable fields and quiet river stretches, with plenty of stops for photographs, and it is easy enough for most fitness levels.
A huge open-air night show staged on the Li River with the karst hills as its backdrop, featuring hundreds of performers, lights and folk songs. Spectacular rather than subtle, and a signature evening out in Yangshuo.
A four-hour hands-on class that starts at a local market and ends with a table of Guangxi dishes you cooked yourself. A relaxed, tasty way to meet the local food culture, popular with couples and small groups.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Dongling Road, Yangshuo
A garden resort of villas and suites on Dongling Road a few minutes from the Li River, with a spa, a pool, a tasting-menu restaurant and plenty of space. The splurge for travellers who want to slow down in Yangshuo rather than rush through it.
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$$$Riverside, Guilin
Guilin's big riverside five-star, with 439 rooms, indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, a spa and health club, and several restaurants. A comfortable, full-service base for the city sights and the Li River cruise.
Check rates →Xiufeng, Guilin city centre
A waterfront five-star beside the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area, a short walk from Elephant Trunk Hill and Shan Lake, with a rooftop terrace, three restaurants and rates that are often moderate for the class.
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$$Yulong River, Gaotian
A country hotel on the Yulong River with river-view rooms, free bicycles, a spa and hiking trails on the doorstep. The peaceful mid-range choice for travellers who came to Yangshuo for the countryside rather than the nightlife.
Check rates →Near West Street, Yangshuo
A small, low-cost inn on Bilian Lane, a short walk from West Street and next door to Yangshuo Park, with mountain-view rooms and help with tours and tickets. The budget pick for travellers who want to be on foot.
Check rates →The practical primer for a first visit to Guilin and Yangshuo: how many days you need, which tickets to arrange ahead, how the two towns fit together and when the scenery is at its best.
A guide to choosing between Guilin city, Yangshuo town and the Yulong River countryside, with five hotels from budget to splurge and who each one suits.
