Things to do in  Guilin

The cultural center of Guangxi, Guilin is known for its scenic natural beauty, including limestone karst hills and caves, two winding rivers, and four lakes within the city. Outside the city, the region is known for a lush countryside, rural lifestyle, ancient towns, and the tourist hot spot of Yangshuo.

Guilin is bigger and offers more amenities and better transportation. Many prefer to stay in Guilin and take a Yangshuo day trip. Guilin is closer to Longji Rice Terraces than Yangshuo. However, if exploring the Yangshuo countryside via hiking, biking, or rock climbing is your goal, then stay in Yangshuo.

Three to four days is ideal. You'll spend a day visiting Guilin city highlights, two days to cruise to Yangshuo and explore the countryside or visit an ancient town, and another day at Longji Rice Terraces. Add more days to hike, bike, or rock climb in Yangshuo.

Start early at a Guilin city highlight like Reed Flute Cave. Then cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo, enjoying views of the karst landscape. In Yangshuo, explore West Street or hike, bike, or rock climb in the countryside. Enjoy dinner in Yangshuo and a performance of Impression Sanjie Liu.

The top attraction is Elephant Trunk Hill. Located in the heart of Guilin and considered the city's symbol, the limestone outcropping resembles the trunk of an elephant drinking from the river. The top cave is Reed Flute Cave. The top experience is a cruise down the Li River.

A river cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo is one of the best ways to appreciate the scenery of the region, and it allows you to experience both Guilin and Yangshuo. Along the way, take in bucolic scenes of rice paddies, farmers, water buffaloes, cormorant fishermen, and ancient villages.