Day 1: Get a Feel for the City – Begin Your Guilin Travel
Upon your arrival in Guilin, China, you can choose to visit either the Jingjiang Princes' Palace – China's other Forbidden City -- or one of Guilin’s most iconic landmarks, the Elephant Trunk Hill Guilin China, as your first local destination.
Jingjiang Princes' Palace sits in the center of Guilin and has a longer history than Beijing's Forbidden City. It was built in the 14th century for Zhu Shouqian, the grandnephew of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During its 257-year history, it was home to 14 kings from 12 generations. Today, the site is occupied by Guangxi Normal University but remains open to the public as a popular tourist attraction combining aspects of Guilin's natural beauty, history, traditional architecture, and local culture.
Elephant Trunk Hill, on the other hand, is located on the western bank of the Li River. It has been a famous tourism destination since the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The hill looks like a giant elephant dipping its trunk into the river. There are not only many spectacular natural scenes around the hill but also ancient constructions such as Puxian Pagoda, Yunfeng Temple, and Sarira Dagoba.
At night, take a lakeside walk and enjoy the night scenery of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes, the round-the-city water system composed of the Li River, Peach Blossom River, Ronghu Lake, Shanhu Lake, Guihu Lake, and Wooden Dragon Lake.
Day 2: Drift Down the River, from Guilin to Yangshuo
In the morning, head toward the Yangdi Wharf for a Li River bamboo rafting cruise. Enjoy the two-hour journey down the most beautiful section of the Li River from Yangdi to Jiuma Hill, and then take an electric tourist bus to Xingping.
The Li River begins in the Mao’er Mountains and winds its way for many miles through natural scenic beauty and thick bamboo forests with amazing, strange rocky formations.
Beautiful Xingping, the largest town along the Li River, is surrounded by enthralling scenery. Both Mural Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal belong to this scenic area.
In the afternoon, head to the Silver Cave Scenic Area in Lipu County. It is the biggest cave in Guilin and a 4-star national scenic spot. Being of typical Karst landform, the Silver Cave runs through 12 peaks and collects diverse stalactites formed in different geologic ages.
You can spend the night in Yangshuo to get ready for the next day's tour. There are many excellent Yangshuo hotels for you to choose from.
Day 3: Guilin's Landscape Tops Any Other, and Yangshuo's Landscape Tops Guilin's
Your Yangshuo morning starts at the Yulong River with bamboo rafting. Unlike the petrol engine boats on the Li River, the bamboo rafts of the Yulong River are poled by boatmen. For that reason, they only carry two people each.
Sitting on the reclining chair on the raft, you can enjoy an all-around view of the natural, rural life down the river. Around Yulong River, there are many fancy spots such as Aishan Men and Swallow Lake. Aishan Men is a small, peaceful village with many inns, far away from modern society. Both spots are easily accessed by raft.
Swallow Lake is a man-made lake built to resemble the "Outer Heaven" that the poet Tao Yuanming wrote about.
In the afternoon, be ready to catch your flight or train to your next destination. (Note: make your arrangements for the late afternoon or early evening. The Hong Kong to Guilin train is a convenient option for many travelers.)
Food and Accommodation Recommendations
Guilin food is noted for its natural, fresh, and healthy ingredients. Many Guilin ingredients are from forests (e.g., ginkgo nuts), mountains (e.g., bamboo shoots), or even paddy fields (e.g., water chestnuts, taro, or lotus roots), not from factories or greenhouses. Wild plants and animals rarely eaten in the West can be found in Guilin Cuisine.
Guilin rice noodles are one of the most famous and popular local staples. You can probably find a Guilin rice noodle shop within 100 meters of anywhere in the town or city area.
Yangshuo Beer Fish is Yangshuo's most famous dish. It is made from freshly caught Li River carp. The fish is fried in a wok along with beer, hot and green peppers, garlic, onions, celery, tomatoes, soy sauce, and sugar. Yangshuo's famous West Street has many restaurants serving this delicious dish. Tao's Authentic Beer Fish and The Older Sister of Peng's Beer Fish come highly recommended.
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is the busiest commercial area and the most enjoyable snack street in Guilin. The age-old street is clustered with restaurants and eateries in traditional Chinese architectural styles, and the dazzling variety of local delicacies such as rice noodles, grilled squid, roast fish, matigao cakes, and sizzling stuffed bean curd adds even more vibrancy.
Bar and Hotel Recommendations
Guilin's hottest nightlife spots can be found along Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, where a host of bars line the road. One of these is Music Life Club, also known as Lounge Bar. Also located on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Guilin Back Garden Irish Pub offers travelers a classic Irish pub experience. Situated in downtown Guilin near the Sheraton Hotel, 100 Degree Bar is a popular nighttime hangout favored by locals. For accommodation, a wide variety of Guilin hotels are available in the city center and near scenic spots, catering to different budgets and preferences.
