Plane
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is a regional tourism hub. Airport shuttle buses connect to major city locations, with a fare of approximately 20 Yuan.
桂林Guilin240-hour visa-free transitGuilin's scenery is the finest under heaven
Guilin City, abbreviated as "Gui," is a world-renowned scenic tourist city and one of China's first national historical and cultural cities, enjoying the reputation that "Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven." Situated in the northeastern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, this city's unparalleled karst topography creates a unique landscape of "clean mountains, elegant waters, fantastic caves, and beautiful rocks."
Guilin is located in the southwestern part of the Nanling Mountain Range and has a subtropical monsoon climate. With its mild weather, abundant rainfall, and suitability for tourism year-round, the city's core charm originates from the Li River. This winding river, like a green ribbon, connects numerous spectacular peaks and curious stones such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Diecai Hill, and Fubo Hill, forming a flowing landscape painting. Cruising the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, with ever-changing scenery along the way, is a classic way to experience Guilin's beauty.
Beyond its natural beauty, Guilin boasts a rich history spanning over 2,000 years. The Lingqu Canal, built in 214 BC by Qin Shi Huang to unify Lingnan, is one of the world's oldest artificial canals and still functions today, bearing witness to the wisdom of ancient hydraulic engineering. The city also features cultural relics like the Jingjiang Princes' City and Mansion, showcasing its profound historical and cultural heritage.
Guilin's culture is equally diverse, being home to various ethnic minorities such as the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong, whose vibrant customs add unique charm to the city. The magnificent Longji Terraces are not only a masterpiece of agricultural civilization but also an excellent example of harmony between humans and nature.
As one of China's most important tourist cities, Guilin's tourism industry is its pillar. In recent years, Guilin has also been actively promoting the development of emerging industries such as electronic information, ecological food, and biomedicine, striving to transform its ecological advantages into developmental strengths and create an international tourist destination that integrates natural beauty, historical charm, and modern vitality.
Guilin Attractions
What is there to do in Guilin China?
National AAAAA level
漓江
Li River
Take a boat tour of the "Baili Gallery", appreciate the essence of Guilin's landscape, and feel the poetry of "boats on the blue waves, people swim in the painting".
Tickets: Depending on the route and ship type, it costs about 200-400 yuan
Suitable season: spring and autumn
Recommended duration: 4-5 hours
National AAAA level
龙脊梯田
Longji Rice Terraces
Admire the world-class terraced landscape and feel the crystallization of the millennium farming wisdom of the Zhuang and Yao people.
Tickets: 80 yuan
Suitable season: spring and autumn
Recommended duration: One to two days
National AAAA level
遇龙河
Yulong River
Take an artificial bamboo raft and enjoy the idyllic and tranquil scenery of the "Little Lijiang River".
Tickets: charged according to the rafting section, about 200-300 yuan/raft
Suitable season: Summer and autumn
Recommended duration: 2-3 hours
National AAAAA level
两江四湖·象山景区
Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area
Take a night boat tour of the city around the city of Guilin and enjoy the urban landscape picture against the backdrop of lights.
Tickets: The night cruise is about 200 yuan, and the day is free to walk around the lake
Suitable season: Year round
Recommended duration: 1.5-2 hours
National AAAA level
芦笛岩
Reed Flute Cave
Explore the magnificent cave, known as the "State Guest Cave," and admire the colorful stone stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars under the lights.
Tickets: 90 yuan
Suitable season: Year round
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
National AAAAA level
象鼻山
Elephant Trunk Hill
Look at the city emblem of Guilin City, which resembles a giant elephant drawing water from the river, which is a symbol of Guilin's landscape.
Tickets: Free (Reservation required)
Suitable season: Year round
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
阳朔西街
Yangshuo West Street
Stroll through the exotic ancient streets and feel the unique charm of the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.
Tickets: It's free
Suitable season: Year round
Recommended duration: 2-3 hours
National AAAAA level
独秀峰·王城景区
Solitary Beauty Peak and Jingjiang Prince's Mansion Scenic Area
Visit the Jingjiang Palace in the Ming Dynasty, climb to the top of the "One Pillar of the Southern Sky" Duxiu Peak, and find the source of "Guilin's mountains and rivers are the best in the world".
Tickets: 100 yuan
Suitable season: Year round
Recommended duration: 2-3 hours
Best time to visit Guilin
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The best time to visit Guilin is from April to October each year.
During this period, Guilin experiences mild weather and abundant rainfall, ensuring the river has sufficient water volume, making it ideal for cruising the Li River.
Especially spring from April to May and autumn from September to October, the weather is most comfortable, avoiding the summer heat and concentrated rainy season, making it the golden season for enjoying Guilin's landscapes and outdoor activities.
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Guilin History & Culture
Lingqu Canal Construction
To unify the Lingnan region, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the Lingqu Canal, connecting the Xiang River and the Li River, making Guilin an important waterway hub linking the Central Plains with Lingnan.
Sun Yat-sen's Residence
To prepare for the Northern Expedition, Dr. Sun Yat-sen established his headquarters in Guilin, leaving a significant mark on the city's role in modern Chinese revolutionary history.
Historical and Cultural City
Due to its unique landscape and profound historical heritage, Guilin was listed by the Chinese State Council as one of the first National Historical and Cultural Cities.
Guilin World Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guilin
2014-06Enter
South China Karst (Guilin Karst)
Listed on the World Heritage List as part of the second phase of "South China Karst," it is a typical representative of the most perfectly developed and largest-scale tropical karst landscape in the world, showcasing an important stage of Earth's evolution.
Guilin Intangible Cultural Heritage
Explore Guilin's rich intangible cultural heritage and learn about traditional crafts and cultural essence
Guiju Opera
2006-05Included
One of the local opera genres in Guangxi, performed in Guilin dialect, with beautiful vocal melodies and strong local characteristics, it is an important vehicle for studying Guilin's local culture.
Zhuang Brocade Weaving Technique
2006-05Included
A traditional handicraft weaving technique of the Zhuang ethnic group, featuring exquisite patterns and brilliant colors, often used for making clothing, quilt covers, etc., it is a crystallization of the Zhuang people's wisdom and art.
Guilin Transportation Guide
Transportation you must know when visiting Guilin
High-speed Rail/Train
Guilin has three main railway stations: Guilin Station (South Station), Guilin North Station, and Guilin West Station (High-speed Rail Main Station).
By high-speed rail, it takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach Guangzhou, making transportation very convenient.
Bus
Guilin city bus routes are extensive, with most fares being 2 Yuan.
Additionally, special lines like the Tourism Sightseeing Line 1 are available, making it convenient for tourists to visit major attractions.
Taxi
Guilin taxi daytime starting fare is 9 Yuan (within 2 kilometers), and nighttime (23:00-06:00 the next day) is 11 Yuan.
The unit fare for continued rental is 1.9 Yuan/kilometer, plus a fuel surcharge.
Shared Bicycle
Shared bicycle services are widely available in the city, providing a convenient way to visit downtown attractions for short trips.
The average cost is approximately 1.5 Yuan/30 minutes.
Ferry
Cruising the Li River is a core experience of Guilin tourism and the best way to admire the landscape.
The main cruise terminals are Zhujiang Pier and Mopanshan Pier, and ticket prices vary significantly depending on the boat type and route.
Guilin Foods
What to eat in Guilin, you need to know
桂林米粉Guìlín mǐfěn
Guilin Rice Noodles
Guilin's most famous and popular traditional snack; known for its unique flavor and preparation methods; categorized into lu cai fen (marinated) and tang cai fen (soup-based) varieties.
Main ingredients：Round rice noodles or flat rice noodles, served with special marinade, fried soybeans or peanuts, pickled long beans, chopped green onions, and other condiments.
啤酒鱼Píjiǔ yú
Beer Fish
Yangshuo's signature dish, popular throughout the Guilin region; the fish is tender, with the fresh aroma of beer and a slightly spicy taste; rich in flavor, color, aroma, and taste.
Main ingredients：Fresh Li River carp or "maogu" fish, braised with local Guilin beer, tomatoes, chili, spices, etc.
荔浦芋扣肉Lìpǔ yù kòu ròu
Lipu Taro Looped Meat
A famous traditional banquet dish in Guilin; uses local specialty Lipu taro; a perfect combination of taro and pork belly, rich but not greasy, fragrant and glutinous.
Main ingredients：Sliced pork belly with skin and Lipu taro, fried and then steamed with seasonings.
油茶Yóuchá
Oil Tea
A traditional beverage of the Yao and Dong ethnic groups in northern Guilin (e.g., Gongcheng); known for its invigorating, warming, and dampness-dispelling properties; unique flavor, an important part of experiencing local culinary culture.
Main ingredients：Tea leaves, ginger, garlic, etc., are pounded and boiled into a tea soup, served with puffed rice, peanuts, chopped green onions, etc.
田螺酿Tiánluó niàng
Stuffed Li River Snails
A local specialty dish from Guilin; snail meat is mixed with pork, mint, etc., to form a filling, which is then stuffed back into the snail shells and cooked; delicious and rich in layers.
Main ingredients：Li River snails, pork, mint leaves, spices, etc.