Your 5-Day Guilin & Yangshuo, China Trip: Li River Cruise & Beyond

Arrive at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL). Take a taxi directly to your hotel in the Guilin city center to minimize hassle with luggage and jet lag. The ride will take approximately 40 minutes.

"Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is clean, orderly, and relatively easy to navigate, especially compared to larger and busier airports in China. Passenger flow is generally smooth, and the terminal areas are well-maintained. However, the airport feels somewhat lacking in personality and atmosphere. The interiors are functional but quite plain, with very little character or visual elements that reflect Guilin’s famous natural beauty and cultural identity. Overall, it gets the job done efficiently, but the terminal can feel a bit sterile and boring, especially for a destination known for its stunning landscapes. On the plus side, it is less crowded than many major Chinese airports, making check-in and security processes more manageable and less stressful for travelers."— Avel Manansala

Explore the magnificent Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations illuminated by colorful lights. It's a true natural wonder.

"Reed Flute Cave is a popular attraction located not far from downtown Guilin. From the parking area, visitors need to walk uphill for about 10 minutes to reach the entrance. If walking is difficult, there is a small monorail service available to take you up. Inside the cave, it is quite dark and there are many stairs, so visitors should walk carefully. It’s not recommended to take photos or videos while walking for safety reasons. The cave features a fascinating variety of stalactites and stalagmites in unusual shapes. Some formations resemble animals and objects such as tigers, lions, mushrooms, broccoli, and even a hermit figure. The natural rock formations make the cave both mysterious and impressive."— Oyoyo is Hungry

Visit Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic symbol of Guilin, named for its striking resemblance to an elephant drinking water from the Li River. Enjoy the scenic views and photo opportunities.

"The hill is surrounded by a beautiful park with lots of things to do and see. The climb to the top of the hill is steep so good walking shoes and fitness required. As an Aussie I appreciated being able to buy a barista made flat white at the on-site Cafe."— Dante Giacomin

Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes, admiring the illuminated city skyline and karst scenery, often accompanied by traditional music and dance performances onboard.

"I think it is interconnected with Elephant Trunk Hill because it is nearby to one another. The place is nice, the view is beautiful and it is quite crowded with so many tourists. The entrance is free and there are so many booths and stalls that sell food, drinks and souvenirs. The place is also clean. You can see an elephant shape on the hill and there are also activities like river Cruise and so on here."— Hafizun Mushtafa

Arrive at the Longji Rice Terraces and begin your hike through Ping'an Village, a Zhuang ethnic minority settlement. Marvel at the intricate terraced fields, including the iconic 'Seven Stars Accompany the Moon' viewpoint, offering panoramic vistas of the layered rice paddies.

"Scienic view point over Zhuang Village. The rice terraces are more than 600 years old. You can see more than 12 Mountain ranges."— Wethli Andi

Continue your exploration to the larger and more dramatic Jinkeng Terraces, home to the Yao minority. Hike to the 'Golden Buddha Peak' viewpoint for another breathtaking perspective of the vast, sculpted landscapes.

"Astonishing place. We came herecin August, just before harvest season, and I bet in May/June when the terraces are filled with water it is even better. I suggest to sleep at least one night here to enjoy waking up with this beautiful landscape. Make sure to explore all the surroundings and the three viewibg decks! We also walked down from Tiantouzhai to Dazhai to take the cablecar upwards, but it is not worth it - juat hike around!"— jnistic

Travel from your Guilin hotel to the Zhujiang Pier to board the Li River cruise boat.

"Amazing tour on the Li River. Worth every minute and highly recommended to stop for a few hours at the final destination of Yangshuo to walk through the ancient town."— Jens Michel

Embark on a picturesque 4.5-hour cruise down the Li River, marveling at the iconic karst peaks, verdant bamboo groves, and traditional fishing villages. This scenic journey is the primary way to transfer from Guilin to Yangshuo.

"Amazing staff (extremely friendly and with good English, ready to help you anytime with everything) 🥰); perfect place to stay for a couple of days; delicious food; reasonable price, beautifull location. I highly recommend 🥰"— Pompon2023

Disembark from the cruise in Yangshuo and take a short transfer to your hotel or the central West Street area.

"This is an incredibly bustling pedestrian street filled with a wide variety of unique shops and street food stalls. There’s something for everyone here, from local snacks to specialty stores, making it a vibrant spot to explore and enjoy. Perfect for a lively evening stroll or a quick bite!"— Perri

Experience a serene and relaxing bamboo raft ride down the Yulong River, offering stunning views of the karst landscape and a peaceful escape into nature.

"Great experience here to stroll around the river and enjoy the limestone rocks view. Unfortunately the raft we were on was made from plastic instead of bamboo."— KF Yap

Witness the spectacular outdoor 'Impression Liu Sanjie' show, directed by Zhang Yimou, featuring over 600 performers on the waters of the Li River with the karst mountains as a natural backdrop. A breathtaking live entertainment experience.

"Absolutely brilliant show! We were booked on a bus trip to see Impressions of Sanjie Liu and have to say it was very well organised. On arrival there looked to be other attractions, but we didn't have the time to explore. At the ticket gates, there was a quick bag search and the opportunity to use the free mosquito repellent - not sure what it was though! Seating was tiered with good views of the lake/river 'stage', the actual seats were hard and not too comfy - bring a cushion or something to sit on if you can. The show was very different to anything else we have seen and on an incredible scale! The illuminated karsts backdrop is surreal. Considering the show was all on water and too many performers to count, we could not believe what was unfolding in front of our very eyes! Fantastic 2 hour outdoor show in the middle of the golden week holidays - even with a numb bum! Smartphone photograph's don't give it the justice it deserves."— Dunders

Engage in an exhilarating rock climbing experience on the iconic karst formations of Moon Hill, a world-renowned climbing destination. This activity fulfills the adventure interest with thrilling views and physical challenge.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Yangshuo's famous Xijie Pedestrian Street. Explore its unique shops, grab a local snack, and soak in the lively atmosphere as the town transitions into evening.

"This is an incredibly bustling pedestrian street filled with a wide variety of unique shops and street food stalls. There’s something for everyone here, from local snacks to specialty stores, making it a vibrant spot to explore and enjoy. Perfect for a lively evening stroll or a quick bite!"— Perri

Engage in a hands-on culinary class to learn and prepare authentic local dishes, offering a deep dive into Yangshuo's vibrant food culture and use of fresh, local ingredients.

"I had a great in the school. I got a much deeper understanding of taichi in two weeks than ever before. It is not just about thaichi lessons but also about the fresh food, good company, and tea time with master Kim and colleagues. Besides taichi school, what I enjoyed most was riding along the Yulong river and trying to find the cafe spot with the best views 😋"— Xavier Arteaga

Take a leisurely walk through the serene landscapes of Yangshuo Park, enjoying its ponds, gardens, and the natural beauty of the surrounding karst peaks.

"Well known for its c karst mountains, the moon moutain, the coin cave ,Li river and many other Beautiful places.We have tasted delicious halal and non halal foods as well."— Tongkhay Yang

Ascend TV Tower Hill to reach the sightseeing platform, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Yangshuo town and the iconic karst mountains stretching into the distance.

"Wow, very nice place! It's amazing - it leaves you speechless. The place is amazing, with mountains and the river creating a beautiful view."— aliaa almetwally

Transfer from Yangshuo to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) for your international flight home. Allow ample time for the journey and airport procedures.

"Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is clean, orderly, and relatively easy to navigate, especially compared to larger and busier airports in China. Passenger flow is generally smooth, and the terminal areas are well-maintained. However, the airport feels somewhat lacking in personality and atmosphere. The interiors are functional but quite plain, with very little character or visual elements that reflect Guilin’s famous natural beauty and cultural identity. Overall, it gets the job done efficiently, but the terminal can feel a bit sterile and boring, especially for a destination known for its stunning landscapes. On the plus side, it is less crowded than many major Chinese airports, making check-in and security processes more manageable and less stressful for travelers."— Avel Manansala