Guilin

THE LIVING INK-WASH PAINTING

Price

From $ 980pp excl. flights

Duration

Ideally 5 nights

When

All year

Is this Trip Right For you?

Who is interested in

ethnic culture

Who is interested in

stunning landscapes

Who is interested in

ancient villages

Who is traveling with

family members

Make this itinerary yours

Every Chinaloveforyou journey is bespoke—hand-crafted to reflect your unique interests and travel style. Use the itinerary below as a starting point for inspiration, then let us tailor a signature experience that is entirely yours.

itinerary Ideas

Day 1 Longsheng

HUANGLUO YAO VILLAGE

Step into the “World’s First Hair Village,” home to the Red Yao people, where women are famous for their jet-black hair that can reach up to 2 meters in length.

What to expect:

  • Long Hair Ceremony: Watch a traditional performance where local women unbind their hair and demonstrate how they maintain its health and shine using fermented rice water.
  • Vibrant Culture: See the beautiful hand-embroidered red costumes and unique silver jewelry worn by the local villagers.
  • Rustic Architecture: Explore traditional wooden “stilt houses” (Diaojiaolou) built without a single nail.

LONGJI RICE TERRACES

Marvel at a masterpiece of ancient agricultural engineering where emerald rice paddies are carved into the curves of steep mountains, creating a cascading “Dragon’s Backbone” that stretches as far as the eye can see.

What to expect:

  • Stunning Seasonal Colors: The terraces change with the seasons—mirror-like water in spring, lush green in summer, and shimmering gold during the autumn harvest.
  • Mountain Hiking: Expect some light uphill walking to reach the best viewing platforms; the panoramic views from the top are well worth the effort.
  • Ethnic Heritage: The area is home to the Zhuang and Yao people, whose traditional wooden houses dot the hillsides.

LI RIVER

Embark on a world-famous river journey through a “hundred-mile art gallery,” where mist-shrouded limestone peaks rise dramatically from the calm, jade-colored water.

What to expect:

  • The “20 RMB” View: Keep your eyes open for the Yellow Cloth Reflection—the exact landscape printed on the back of the Chinese 20-Yuan banknote.
  • Karst Landscapes: You will drift past iconic peaks like the Nine-Horse Fresco Hill, where the rock patterns resemble galloping horses.
  • Peaceful Drifting: Whether on a large cruise or a four-person raft, the experience is incredibly serene and offers the quintessential “Guilin look.

SILVER CAVE

Explore a subterranean wonderland at Silver Cave, a massive multi-layered karst cave filled with crystalline stalactites that sparkle like diamonds under professional lighting.

What to expect:

  • Nature’s Sculpture: Marvel at the “Three Treasures”—massive formations that look like a frozen waterfall, a towering pillars, and a shimmering screen.
  • Reflecting Pools: The cave features calm underground pools that create perfect mirror reflections of the ceiling, making the space feel infinitely deep.
  • A Cool Escape: The temperature inside remains a constant, refreshing 22°C year-round, making it a perfect break from the humidity outside.

YULONG RIVER & TEN MILE GALLERY

Experience the “Little Li River” on the Yulong, a quieter tributary known for its manual bamboo rafting, and the Ten Mile Gallery, a scenic road perfect for cycling through the heart of the countryside.

What to expect:

  • Manual Rafting: Unlike the Li River, rafts here are pushed by hand with bamboo poles, offering a much slower and more intimate connection with nature.
  • Rural Charm: See local farmers working in fields, water buffalo grazing by the banks, and ancient stone bridges.
  • Biking/Scootering: The Ten Mile Gallery is a flat, easy road designed for leisure. Renting a bike or e-scooter is the best way to see landmarks like Moon Hill.

ELEPHANT TRUNK HILL

Visit the official symbol of Guilin, a unique natural rock formation at the confluence of two rivers that looks exactly like a giant elephant drinking water.

What to expect:

  • Iconic Photo Op: The highlight is the “Water Moon Cave,” the round hole between the “trunk” and the “body” that creates a beautiful reflection on the water.
  • Riverfront Park: The hill is set within a lovely park perfect for a short walk to see statues and enjoy views of the city skyline.

SOLITARY BEAUTY PEAK & PRINCE CITY

Walk through a “city within a city” at this ancient Ming Dynasty palace complex, centered around a sharp limestone peak that offers the best view of Guilin’s city center.

What to expect:

  • Royal History: Explore the best-preserved Ming Dynasty prince’s palace in China, complete with red walls and traditional gatehouses.
  • Climb for the View: A steep but short staircase leads to the top of Solitary Beauty Peak for a 360-degree view of the karst mountains surrounding the city.
  • Scholarly Culture: Visit the ancient examination halls where you can participate in a mock “Imperial Examination” to see how scholars were chosen in ancient China.

GUDONG WATERFALLS

Get ready for an adventure at China’s only “climbable” waterfall, where you can literally walk up the cascades using carved steps and iron chains.

What to expect:

  • Interactive Fun: This isn’t just for looking! You can put on straw shoes and a helmet to climb directly through the rushing water.
  • Ecological Park: If you don’t want to get wet, there are beautiful forest trails and suspension bridges that offer a bird’s-eye view of the falls.

DAXU ANCIENT TOWN

Travel back 1,000 years in Daxu, a quiet riverside town where cobblestone streets and traditional handicraft shops offer a glimpse into Guilin’s history as a trading hub.

What to expect:

  • Authentic Life: This is not a “tourist trap.” You’ll see elderly residents playing cards, traditional copper-smiths at work, and old herbal medicine shops.
  • Longevity Bridge: Walk across the beautiful arched stone bridge that has stood for centuries, offering great views of the Li River and the mountains beyond.

Best Time to Visit

Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
18
Rainfall (mm)
33
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
16
Rainfall (mm)
62
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
16
Rainfall (mm)
11
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
15
Rainfall (mm)
20
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
22
Rainfall (mm)
115
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
21
Rainfall (mm)
40
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
27
Rainfall (mm)
75
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
26
Rainfall (mm)
100
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
29
Rainfall (mm)
300+
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
28
Rainfall (mm)
67
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
32
Rainfall (mm)
300+
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
32
Rainfall (mm)
300+
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
34
Rainfall (mm)
300+
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
35
Rainfall (mm)
158
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
34
Rainfall (mm)
500+
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
34
Rainfall (mm)
295
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
33
Rainfall (mm)
187
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
33
Rainfall (mm)
140
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
29
Rainfall (mm)
104
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
29
Rainfall (mm)
57
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
24
Rainfall (mm)
44
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
24
Rainfall (mm)
91
Place
Daily max temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Yangshuo
Max Temp (°C)
19
Rainfall (mm)
38
Guilin
Max Temp (°C)
17
Rainfall (mm)
24

where to rest

Guilin Yi Royal Palace

Banyan Tree Yangshuo

The Sugar House Retreat

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