Guilin Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Yangshuo as well as a couple
Set amid mist-covered limestone mountains and a river winding through an idyllic rural landscape, this city has inspired painters, poets and dreamers for centuries.

“East or West,” the Chinese saying goes, “Guilin’s scenery is the best.” And truly, the landscape in and around Guilin is breathtaking. Rivers, lakes and rice fields meet at the base of sheer karst cliffs and mist-shrouded peaks. These scenes have inspired and charmed visitors for centuries.

The area’s stunning landscape is the consequence of its unique situation and geology. Guilin’s otherworldly hills formed underwater, millions of years ago, and were eventually revealed through erosion. Now they stand dramatically above the rivers and lakes that nourish the city.

Head to the Seven Star Park and discover the many hills, caves, bridges and relics that continue to inspire artists, photographers and poets. Explore Reed Flute Cave to see incredible limestone stalactites and stalagmites lit up in vibrant colours. Pay your respects to Elephant Trunk Hill, which is named for its resemblance to a large elephant bathing. Fubo (Wave-Subduing) Hill is also worth a visit due to its remarkable combination of natural features and cultural history. It’s also where you can see the giant pot that is said to be able to cook rice for a thousand people.

Marvel at the dramatic terraced rice paddy fields around nearby Longsheng. Take a cruise down the picturesque Li River, which is lined with bamboo groves and ancient villages. Feel the soft breeze on the river that once led President Nixon to call Guilin the world’s most beautiful city. Four memorable hours on the water will bring you to the town Yangshuo, home to popular West Street. This 1,400-year-old street is lined with an incredible array of restaurants, craft shops, calligraphy emporiums and kung fu academies.

Guilin is famous for the its distinctive sweet-and-spicy cuisine, which combines elements of Hunanese and Cantonese cooking. Local specialties include Guilin rice noodles and, of course, fish.

Guilin is best navigated with a tourist map. Buses and taxis are available in town, as is bicycle rental. The city is well connected by air, bus and train to the rest of China.

Where to stay in Guilin

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Xiufeng

Unique features of Xiufeng include the river views and shopping. Make a stop by Liu Sanjie Landscape Garden of Guilin or Guilin Museum while you're exploring the area.

Xiufeng
Guilin showing interior views

Guilin City Centre

4/5(8 area reviews)

Be sure to enjoy the river views and gardens while you're in Guilin City Centre, and make a trip to Guangxi Guilin National Forest Park if you have time to see some sights in the nearby area.

Guilin City Centre
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Ten Mile Gallery

4/5(1 area review)

Ten Mile Gallery is noteworthy for its mountain views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Moon Hill and Yulong River Scenic Area.

Ten Mile Gallery
Seven-Star Park showing a bridge and a lake or waterhole

Qixing

You'll enjoy the mountain views and museums in Qixing. You might want to make time for a stop at Wanda Plaza or Seven-Star Park.

Qixing
Elephant Trunk Hill featuring a ferry

Xiangshan

Unique features of Xiangshan include the gardens and river views. Make a stop by Guangxi Guilin National Forest Park or 1001 Paradise while you're exploring the area.

Xiangshan
Guilin which includes caves

Diecai

Unique features of Diecai include the river views and bars. Make a stop by Reed Flute Cave or Mulong Lake while you're exploring the area.

Diecai
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
5 out of 5
15 Bin Jiang Road, Guilin, Guangxi
The price is AU$149 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$149
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Guilin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Guilin Arts Museum and Shan Lake are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (369 reviews)
"Excellent location, kind staff, clean, comfortable bed, good leisure facilities."

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2024

Sheraton Guilin Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
No 30 Yiren Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi
The price is AU$81 per night from 7 Nov to 8 Nov
AU$81
includes taxes & fees
7 Nov - 8 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Guilin. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (75 reviews)
"Clean and will stay again"

Reviewed on 31 Oct. 2024

Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center, an IHG Hotel
Secret Courtyard Resort Hotel
Secret Courtyard Resort Hotel
4.5 out of 5
No. 32 Lujia Cun, Taohua Jiang Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin
The price is AU$63 per night from 27 Nov to 28 Nov
AU$63
includes taxes & fees
27 Nov - 28 Nov
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Guilin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (151 reviews)
"If you are looking for amenities such as swimming pool, spa, and gym, then this hotel may not work for you. This hotel is situated in a quiet neighborhood across from the busy center city, which is just a quick 15-20 minutes ride. Front staff is very helpful."

Reviewed on 19 Oct. 2024

Secret Courtyard Resort Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rockabond Family Inn
Rockabond Family Inn
3.5 out of 5
No 74 Pan Tao Road, Guilin, Guangxi
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Guilin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Yangshuo Park and Yangshuo ...
Rockabond Family Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Guilin

3.6
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
" "5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 60%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 40%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Frank

Learn how to use chopsticks. Toilets in restaurants and public areas are squat toilets.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

The Li River Cruise is the only thing that's good about this place. I might stay at Shangrila next time if I ever have to come back here. I will also take my own recording of information about the Li River as guide and instructions are all in Chinese

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We only had 2 full days in Guilin, would've like to have more time to explore

3/5 - Okay

Eve

Scenery was nice but too touristy.

Cities near Guilin