Classic Guilin & Yangshuo Travel Routes

To truly experience the classic beauty of Guilin—where people feel like they’re walking in a painting—you need time to immerse yourself in its vibrant landscapes. Here are some suggested itineraries to suit different lengths of stay.

Only Have 2 Days? Guilin & Yangshuo in a Weekend

If you're on a tight schedule and only have a weekend, you can still enjoy the best of Guilin and Yangshuo. Spend one day exploring the city’s cultural highlights, and the next cruising down the Li River.

Day 1: Elephant Trunk Hill → Jingjiang Princes’ City → East-West Alley (Dongxi Xiang) → Xiaoyao Tower → Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Day 2: Li River Cruise → Xingping Ancient Town → Ten-Mile Gallery

4 Days 3 Nights: The Classic Guilin-Yangshuo Loop

This itinerary combines urban exploration, stunning rice terraces, scenic river cruises, and iconic attractions in and around Yangshuo.

Day 1: Elephant Trunk Hill → Jingjiang Princes’ City → East-West Alley → Xiaoyao Tower → Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Day 2: Longji Rice Terraces
Day 3: Li River Cruise → Xingping → Ten-Mile Gallery → West Street, Yangshuo
Day 4: Silver Cave → Yulong River → Shangri-La Park

Day 1: Discover Downtown Guilin

Why This Route:
Start with a soft landing in the heart of Guilin. Explore the city’s most iconic landmarks and enjoy some local cuisine.

Suggested Schedule:

Morning: Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山, Xiàngbí Shān)
Afternoon: Jingjiang Princes’ City & East-West Alley
Evening: Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise

Pro Tip:
For the best view of Elephant Trunk Hill, head to Zizhou Island (訾洲岛, Zǐzhōu Dǎo). The hill looks most impressive from a distance across the water.

Day 2: Explore Longji Rice Terraces

Why Visit:
The Longji (龙脊, Lóngjǐ) Rice Terraces are vast and majestic. The terraced fields snake up the mountains like ribbons, forming a breathtaking scene known as “the crown of rice terraces in the world.”

Schedule:

Full Day: Jinkeng Dazhai Terraces
Evening: Rest well at your accommodation—round trip travel takes time.

Cost Reference:

Entrance: ¥80
Shuttle Bus: ¥40
Ethnic Performance: ¥80
Cable Car: ¥100 (round trip) / ¥55 (one-way)

Day 3: Li River Cruise & Xingping Highlights

Route: Li River → Nine-Horse Fresco Hill → Xingping Town → Ten-Mile Gallery → West Street, Yangshuo

Why This Route:
Get that iconic ¥20 RMB view and marvel at the karst landscape of the Li River. Try spotting the horses on Nine-Horse Fresco Hill (九马画山, Jiǔmǎ Huàshān) —even former U.S. President Clinton only found eight!

Day 4: Slow Down in Yangshuo

Route: Silver Cave → Yulong River → Shangri-La Park

Why This Route:
On your final day, relax with some laid-back sightseeing—visit a magical cave, float down a peaceful river, and explore a fairy-tale world.

Morning: Silver Cave (银子岩, Yínzi Yán)
Afternoon: Bamboo rafting on Yulong River (遇龙河, Yùlóng Hé)

Yulong River Rafting Guide

Yulong River rafting is serene and scenic, done on hand-rowed bamboo rafts—unlike the motor-powered plastic rafts on the Li River.

Key Differences:

Feature	Yulong River	Li River
Raft Material	Real Bamboo	Plastic Tubes
Power	Manual (Hand-rowed)	Motorized
Vibe	Peaceful, immersive	Noisy, faster pace
Capacity	2 people	4 people
Best For	Slow, scenic float	Quick sightseeing

Tips:

Bring waterproof covers for electronics—splashes are likely.
Ponchos and shoe covers sold at docks aren’t essential.
If biking to the pier, ask the staff to send your bike to the endpoint for ¥10.

Have a Full Week? Try This 6-Day Guilin to Coastal Escape

With more time, go beyond Yangshuo! Both Detian Waterfall and Beihai-Weizhou Island make excellent add-ons. Beihai is especially ideal for independent travelers due to easier transport links.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1: Guilin City Tour
Day 2: Longji Rice Terraces
Day 3: Li River Cruise → Xingping → Yangshuo
Day 4: Silver Cave → Yulong River → Shangri-La Park
Day 5: Beihai Old Town
Day 6: Ferry to Weizhou Island

Note:
Weizhou Island ferry tickets are highly weather-dependent. Book early and stay updated on weather conditions.

Group Tour Scams to Watch Out For

If you’re bringing parents or visiting for the first time, joining a group tour can be convenient—but beware of common traps.

🪤 Scam 1: “Cultural Villages” That Are Just Shops

Some so-called scenic villages are actually shopping centers in disguise. Common examples:

Duoye Ethnic Village
Longtan Village
Yongli Jewelry
Guilin Stone Museum

How to Avoid:
Double-check the tour itinerary and research each stop. If a “village” appears suspiciously commercial, skip it.

🪤 Scam 2: High-Commission Souvenirs

Guides may push you to buy local silverware, jade, or snacks—not forcibly, but persistently.

Pro Tip:
Don’t argue. Buy something small if needed, but don’t go overboard.

🪤 Scam 3: Overpriced Optional Activities

Horseback riding, archery, and off-roading may be pushed aggressively by the guide, who earns a cut.

How to Handle:
Ask about extra fees before booking the tour. Choose tours that are upfront about costs.

🪤 Scam 4: Hidden Fees & DIY Transport

Cheap tours may cut corners by skipping cable cars or boats—requiring long walks or extra payments.

Solution:
Confirm if the tour includes all transportation (cable car, sightseeing bus, etc.) before booking.

🪤 Scam 5: “Too Many Free Attractions”

Some tours cram the day with free spots to create the illusion of value, while skipping key highlights.

Fix:
Do your own research. Choose tours with quality over quantity.