xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A symbol of Guilin, this limestone hill gets its name from its shape, which resembles an elephant drinking from the Li River. The natural arch at its base is one of the city’s most photographed sights.
Asia / China · TRAVEL GUIDE
GuilinGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region · China
DISCOVER · PLAN · GO
Farm · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
One destination.
A thousand ways to live it.
Guilin captivates visitors with its karst peaks, the waters of the Li River, and some of the most famous natural scenery in China. From spectacular caves and city parks to historic landmarks, it offers plenty of ways to explore the city and its enchanting landscapes.
6 places to see1 / 3 / 7-day itinerariesInteractive map
THE PLACES THAT TELL GUILIN
Worth seeing, worth remembering.
Fremantle99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A vast karst cave famous for stalactites and stalagmites in striking shapes, illuminated by colorful lights. Its underground chambers also preserve ancient inscriptions.
Guilin’s largest park brings together karst hills, trails, caves, and gardens. It’s a pleasant green escape, with scenic viewpoints and historic places to visit.
The former princely residence of the Ming dynasty, this historic complex preserves walls, pavilions, and gardens at the foot of Solitary Beauty Peak. From the summit, you can enjoy sweeping views over the city’s rooftops and hills.
Overlooking the Li River, this hill combines city views, caves, and rock carvings. A staircase leads to scenic lookout points and its ancient Buddhist sculptures.
This network of waterways and lakes runs through the center of Guilin, weaving past bridges, pagodas, and gardens. A walk along the banks or a boat ride offers a chance to admire the cityscape, especially atmospheric in the evening.
CHOOSE YOUR PACE
How much time
do you have to get lost?
From a first stroll to a week of discoveries. A starting point to make your own.
A quick tour of the city’s most iconic natural and historical sights at its vibrant heart.
- 1Elephant Trunk Hill
- 2Reed Flute Cave
- 3Solitary Beauty Peak
- 4Sun and Moon Pagodas
The classic experience combining a Li River cruise with the iconic Longji terraced rice fields.
- 1Elephant Trunk Hill
- 2Reed Flute Cave
- 3Li River Cruise
- 4Xingping Ancient Town
- 5West Street in Yangshuo
- 6Yulong River Rafting
- 7Impression Sanjie Liu Show
- 8Longji Rice Terraces (Ping'an)
A deep dive into local culture, among ancient villages, karst peaks, and spectacular rural scenery.
- 1Elephant Trunk Hill
- 2Reed Flute Cave
- 3Seven Star Park
- 4Sun and Moon Pagodas
- 5Li River Cruise
- 6Xingping Ancient Town
- 7Laozhai Hill (20 RMB View)
- 8West Street in Yangshuo
- 9Biking in the Yangshuo Valley
- 10Rafting on the Yulong River
- 11Moon Hill
- 12Impression Sanjie Liu Show
- 13Daxu Ancient Town
- 14Longji Rice Terraces (Ping'an Village)
- 15Dazhai Village (Jinkeng Terraces)
GET YOUR BEARINGS, THEN EXPLORE
The city takes shape.
Stop after stop.
BEFORE YOU GO
A well-planned trip.
Getting around
In downtown Guilin, it’s easy to get around by bus, taxi, or ride-hailing apps like DiDi; for taxis, showing the address written in Chinese can be helpful. Guilin Railway Station and Guilin North Railway Station serve connections to other cities, but they are in different parts of town: check which one is listed on your ticket. For Li River cruises to Yangshuo, the boarding point is usually outside the city center and is reached by an arranged transfer or by taxi. In Yangshuo, bicycles and electric scooters are convenient for exploring the surroundings, while respecting local traffic.
When to go
Spring and autumn are generally the most pleasant times, with mild temperatures and scenic landscapes along the Li River. From April to June, rain can be frequent and water levels may affect boat trips. Summer is hot, humid, and crowded, while winter is cooler and sometimes misty. Before you travel, check the forecast and cruise conditions.
Where to eat
To sample local cuisine, look for restaurants and stalls frequented by residents, especially in the streets of the center and in the markets. Local specialties include Guilin mìfěn, rice noodles often served with meat, peanuts, and seasonings, and the beer fish typical of the Yangshuo area. In simpler places, it can be useful to specify the ingredients you prefer or ask for a non-spicy dish. Street stalls are a great choice for a snack, but choose those with a steady flow of customers.
Quick tips
- 01Save the addresses of your hotels and attractions in Chinese characters on your phone, so you can show them to taxi drivers and other drivers.
- 02Download offline maps and check in advance how to pay: mobile payments are very widespread, but options for visitors can vary.
- 03Book trains and cruises in advance during holiday periods and check the station and boarding point carefully.
- 04Bring a light raincoat and comfortable shoes: sudden showers and damp stretches are common, especially in spring and summer.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Wake up in the right place.
Where to stay · Guilin
1 night · max 14 nights
Observed average price · EUR/night
1 night · 1 room · 2 adults · no children
Data still limited · Sample: up to 13 distinct hotels, 9 real searches in the last 48 hours, for this query. Not the official average of the destination and not guaranteed to be representative.
Arrival date
Lowest price among the hotels found
among 13 hotels with a LiteAPI price for this search, not the absolute lowest of the destination
Junshe Boutique Guest House-Complementary pick up servie for a 3-night stay in a deluxe room
No.19, West Chaoyang Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$19
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Prices are real for the searched dates and may change. Click a point on the chart to change arrival keeping the length of stay.
Real prices for your dates
Aroma Tea House Formula Museum Hotel Guilin
No.9 South Ronghu Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$74
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Secret Courtyard Resort Hotel
No. 32 Lujia Cun, Taohua Jiang Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$39
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center by IHG
No 30 Yiren Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$46
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Lijiang Waterfall Hotel Guilin
No.1 North Shanhu Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$72
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Shangri-La Guilin
111 Huan Cheng Bei Er Lu, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$117
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Guilin Bonjour Boutique Hotel- Free pick up service over 3 nights
43 Lujiacun Village, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$55
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
15 Bin Jiang Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$101
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Wing Hotel Guilin - Central Square
No.34,Yiren Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$45
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Riverside Wing Hotel Guilin
17 Binjiang Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$47
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
The Beyond Villa Guilin Boutique Hotel
No. 58 Lujia Village, Taohuajiang Road, Guilin
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$51
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Your next story starts here.