How to Explore Guilin: Must-Visit Attractions in the City and Beyond
Guilin is a city embraced by stunning landscapes, famous for the saying “Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven.” But beyond its iconic natural beauty, the city itself also offers a variety of charming spots worth exploring. This guide highlights the top attractions in both downtown Guilin and its nearby areas, giving travelers a well-rounded introduction to everything this scenic destination has to offer.
Top Things to Do in Downtown Guilin
Downtown Guilin is home to a rich mix of historical landmarks and scenic parks. Popular must-sees include the Jingjiang Princes' Palace and Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan), both staples on most visitors’ itineraries. For travelers interested in culture and history, check out the stone carvings scattered across city parks or venture to the tombs of the Jingjiang Princes at the foot of Yao Mountain—you might just stumble upon some hidden gems.
City Layout: Where to Find the Main Attractions
The Li River (Lijiang) cuts through the heart of Guilin, dividing the city into two halves. Most of the attractions are concentrated on the west side around the Old Town , especially near Jingjiang Princes ' Palace, which marks the oldest historical center of the city.
Zhongshan Road connects major transport hubs such as Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North Station, and the North/South Bus Stations. Jiefang Road links West Hill (Xishan) and Seven Star Park (Qixing Gongyuan). For scenic walks, head to Binjiang Road , where you can follow the riverside from Fubo Hill in the north to Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbi Shan) in the south—it's the best route for enjoying the city's waterfront views.
Top Attractions in Downtown Guilin
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Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangshan Park)
A beloved city symbol, this hill resembles an elephant drinking from the river. Climb up its back to visit the Puxian Pagoda , built in the Ming dynasty. Don’t miss Shuiyue Cave (Water Moon Cave), nestled between the elephant’s trunk and legs, known for its over 50 ancient stone inscriptions.
Entrance : Free
Hours : Apr–Oct: 6:30–19:00; Nov–Mar: 7:00–18:30
Route : Enter through Xiangshan Square, hike up to the pagoda, enjoy the panoramic view, and descend via the same path. -
Two Rivers and Four Lakes (Liang Jiang Si Hu)
This interconnected waterway system includes the Li River , Peach Blossom River , and four lakes—Shan Lake , Rong Lake , Gui Lake , and Mulong Lake —surrounding downtown Guilin.
Rong Lake and Shan Lake are centrally located and feature elegant classical gardens. Gui Lake stretches north-south and offers a quieter stroll, while Mulong Lake , with its ancient Song Dynasty walls and East Zhen Gate , adds a touch of history.
Entrance : Free
Hours : Open all day
- Sun and Moon Pagodas
Standing in Shan Lake, these iconic twin pagodas are linked by an underwater tunnel. The area is especially beautiful at night, and a night cruise through the Two Rivers and Four Lakes is a classic Guilin experience.
Entrance : 35 RMB
Hours : 8:00–22:00
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Diecai Hill (Folded Brocade Hill)
Famed for its Wind Cave , Diecai Hill is covered with stone carvings and cliffside Buddhist sculptures. A trail leads you to Bright Moon Peak , where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Li River.
TIP : Cliffside carvings—known as moya shike —are an ancient Chinese art form featuring calligraphy, statues, and murals carved into rock faces. They date back to the Northern Dynasties and flourished through Tang, Song, and later periods.
Entrance : 25 RMB
Hours : Apr–Oct: 6:30–19:00; Nov–Mar: 7:00–18:30
Route : Enter from the east gate, walk through the garden, climb to Wind Cave, and continue to the peak.
Transport : Bus No. 2 or 203 to Diecai Hill Station -
Fubo Hill (Wave-Subduing Hill)
This striking hill is half on land, half in the Li River. Visit Returned Pearl Cave at its base, filled with inscriptions and sculptures, and Thousand Buddha Rock , which holds over 300 cliffside statues. The most popular spot is Sword Testing Rock , where the river’s current has created dramatic formations.
Entrance : 22 RMB
Hours : Apr–Oct: 6:30–19:00; Nov–Mar: 7:00–18:30 -
Jingjiang Princes ' Palace (Wangcheng)
A must-see inside the palace is Duxiu Peak , a 350-million-year-old limestone mountain. It features the most famous stone inscription in Guilin—“Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven ,” carved by Song dynasty official Wang Zhenggong. -
West Hill Park (Xishan Park)
A culturally rich park known for its Buddhist stone carvings , especially around Guanyin Peak , a great sunset spot. The Tang dynasty sculpture by Li Shi here is considered one of the finest Buddhist artworks in Guilin.
Entrance : 55 RMB (includes free guide service)
Hours : 7:00–22:30 -
Seven Star Park (Qixing Park)
Famous for Camel Hill , which resembles a resting camel and gained global fame when President Bill Clinton gave a speech here.
Route : Enter through the Huachiao Gate on Ziyou Road, cross the bridge to Seven Star Cave , known for its carvings. Hike to the Tomb of the 800 Heroes , then head south to Camel Hill and finally west to Longyin Cave , home to Guilin’s richest collection of stone carvings—nicknamed the “Beilin Museum of Southern China.”
Transport : Bus No. 11 or 18 to Qixing Park Station -
Nanxi Hill
Shaped like two massive stone screens, Nanxi Hill is part of Guilin’s “Eight Scenic Spots” and famous for its cherry blossoms in April.
Entrance : 25 RMB
Hours : 7:00–22:30 -
Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan)
This 500-meter-long cave is filled with dazzling stalactites, stalagmites, and stone curtains. It’s a natural art gallery of limestone formations. Fun fact: the 1986 TV adaptation of Journey to the West was filmed here.
Entrance : 90 RMB
Hours : 7:30–18:00
Transport : Bus No. 3 or 213 from downtown Guilin
Getting Around Guilin City
1. Free Tourist Buses
Guilin offers a free sightseeing bus service , running daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with departures every 30 minutes.
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Route 1 : Stops at Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Diecai Hill, and Yushan Park.
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Route 2 : Stops at Seven Star Park, Fubo Hill, and Reed Flute Cave.
This is a convenient option for visitors looking to cover key attractions without spending a dime.
2. Explore Guilin by Bike
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Distance : 8 km
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Time : About 2 hours
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Recommended Route :
Wenchang Bridge → Sun and Moon Pagodas → Jiefang Bridge → Xiāoyáo Tower (逍遥楼) → Fubo Hill → Diecai Hill → Former Eighth Route Army Office → Gui Lake (桂湖)
This scenic route takes you along the riverside promenade, starting from Wenchang Bridge. Stop by Sun and Moon Pagodas on Shan Lake , then head toward Jiefang Bridge for a panoramic view of Elephant Trunk Hill , Fubo Hill , Xiaoyao Tower , and the Li River.
Climb up Xiaoyao Tower for a great view, then ride along Binjiang Road to Fubo Hill and Diecai Hill —both offering fantastic vistas and classic Guilin landscapes.
Along the way, you’ll pass by plenty of local snack stalls. Don’t miss trying youcha (oil tea) , bái cíbā (白糍粑, glutinous rice cakes) , chuán shàng gāo (船上糕, boat cake) , fried rice noodles , and crispy river fish —perfect for a quick lunch.
Wrap up your ride with a stop at the Former Eighth Route Army Office , and continue to the tranquil Gui Lake. From there, head toward Gunanmen (Old South Gate) and Yang Bridge (阳桥) for more charming riverside scenes.
What to See Around Guilin
Beyond the downtown area, Guilin’s outskirts and nearby towns offer plenty of fascinating spots worth a day trip. Each destination has its own charm, and if you have time to spare, it's definitely worth staying longer to explore beyond the city center.
Suburban Attractions Near Guilin City
1. Guilin Museum
One of the top museums in Guangxi, the Guilin Museum is a must-visit for history lovers. On the second floor, the “Spring Waters of the Li River” exhibition hall traces Guilin’s history from prehistoric times to the modern era, highlighting the unique culture of the Lingnan region.
Behind the museum is the newly built Guilin Library , and next door is the Guilin Grand Theatre. To check showtimes and buy tickets, follow the official WeChat account “桂林大剧院”.
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Admission : Free
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Opening Hours : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays)
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Getting There : Take Bus 91 to Jinrong Dasha (金融大厦) stop
2. Jingjiang Royal Tombs (靖江王陵, Jìngjiāng Wánglíng)
This is the royal cemetery complex for Ming Dynasty princes from the Jingjiang line. The walking route spans about 6 km and takes around 3 hours to explore. Notable tombs include those of Prince Zhuangjian , Prince Kangxi , Prince Daoxi , Prince Huaishun , Prince Zhaohe , Prince Wenyu , and Prince Ansu.
Sunset on a clear day makes the site especially breathtaking, and it's a great way to dive deeper into the region's royal history.
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Admission : ¥28 (tickets must be purchased on-site; no online sales)
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Opening Hours : 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Getting There : Take Bus 24 from downtown Guilin to Jingjiang Wangling (靖江王陵) stop
Day Trips to Nearby Towns and Natural Sites
1. Jiangtouzhou Village (江头洲)
A well-preserved Han Chinese village in northern Guangxi, Jiangtouzhou is known as the “Village of Honest Officials.” It’s home to the descendants of Zhou Dunyi, the famed philosopher who wrote “On the Love of the Lotus.” Key landmarks include the Lotus Ancestral Hall (爱莲家祠) and Lotus Pond (爱莲池).
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Admission : ¥20
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Getting There : Take Bus 301 from Guilin to Tanxia Lukou (潭下路口) , then transfer to Bus 309 across the street.
2. Gudong Waterfall & Daxu Ancient Town Day Trip
Suggested Itinerary :
Guilin → Gudong Waterfall → Daxu Ancient Town → Back to Guilin
- Gudong Waterfall is the only multi-tiered waterfall in China formed by underground springs. It's a lush eco-park where visitors can climb the waterfalls using iron chains, and enjoy fun activities like zip-lining, suspension bridges , and slides —perfect for families.
In November and December, while the water may be too cold for climbing, the red maple leaves offer stunning autumn scenery.
- **Admission** : ¥55
- Daxu Ancient Town is a historic river-port village with stone-paved alleys, traditional wooden houses, and photo-worthy old streets lined with exhibitions and shops.
3. Haiyang Village Ginkgo Photography Tour
Suggested Itinerary : Guilin → Datongmuwan Village → Daxu Ancient Town → Guilin
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Estimated Cost : ¥80
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Highlights : Haiyang Village is known as the “Top Ginkgo Village in China.” In Datongmuwan Village , you'll find historical features like a Qing Dynasty well and a Republic-era private school , framed by golden ginkgo leaves in fall.
Don’t miss the “King Ginkgo Tree” , so massive it takes four people to embrace it. You can also explore Xiaotongmuwan Village , where fallen leaves create a golden carpet across the ground.
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Getting There : Wait at Yushan Bridge (虞山桥) or Wulidian Station (五里店) in Guilin for the bus heading from Lingchuan Bus Station to Haiyang Village
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Bus Fare : ¥12