CN · Guangxi · 25.28°N 110.30°E

guilin

Those ink-painting karst peaks: cruise the Li River, then slurp Guilin rice noodles.

Best time
September to November is clear and comfortable. April to August is green but rainy, with occasional flooding. Winter is cool, and the river can run low.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
There are direct flights from KL to Guilin (about 4 hours). Otherwise fly to Guangzhou or Shenzhen and take the high-speed train, about 2.5–3 hours. Yangshuo is about 1–1.5 hours from Guilin by road.
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CN · Guangxiguilin25.28°N 110.30°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Those ink-painting karst peaks: cruise the Li River, then slurp Guilin rice noodles.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGuilinCN, Guangxi
KLguilin
≈ 2,629 km from KL, as the crow flies
View of Guilin from Elephant Trunk Hill

Photo: Shujianyang · CC0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A city in Guangxi surrounded by the limestone karst peaks you've seen in Chinese paintings. The Li River winds south through them to Yangshuo, the small town most people use as a base. Rice terraces, caves and bamboo rafting fill the rest of the trip.

Makan

  1. Guilin rice noodlesRound rice noodles with braised meat, peanuts and pickles. Breakfast for most locals.Map ↗
  2. Beer fishYangshuo's signature: river fish stewed with beer, tomatoes and chillies.Map ↗
  3. Osmanthus treatsGuilin is named after the sweet osmanthus, which flavours its cakes, tea and wine.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Li River cruiseThe classic boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo past karst peaks, including the view on the 20-yuan note near Xingping.Map ↗
  2. Yangshuo countrysideCycle through the rice fields and peaks, or float down the Yulong River on a bamboo raft.Map ↗
  3. Reed Flute CaveA big limestone cave with colourfully lit rock formations, in the city.Map ↗
  4. Elephant Trunk HillThe city's symbol, a hill shaped like an elephant drinking from the river.Map ↗
  5. Longji Rice TerracesTerraces carved up the mountainsides about two hours north, with Zhuang and Yao villages.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Stay in Yangshuo or the villages around it for the scenery. Guilin city is mostly for getting in and out.
  • Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go. Small stalls rarely take cards.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.