Description
Day 1: Arrival in Guilin · First Encounter with Landscape and City Charm
Itinerary Overview
- Time: Full day (flexibly adjusted according to flight/train arrival time)
- Theme: Arrival and rest + Free city exploration (optional)
- Accommodation: Guilin Downtown Hotel (Fixed arrangement, specific hotel subject to the tour notice)
- Catering: Self-arranged all day (Recommended local food below)
Detailed Schedule
Before 14:00 Arrival Pick-up
- Service: The tour guide will hold a pick-up sign at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport T2 Terminal Exit/Guilin Railway Station/Guilin North Railway Station Exit, assist with luggage, and take a car to the downtown hotel (approx. 40 minutes drive, about 30 km from airport to downtown).
- Tips: The airport bus to downtown is 20 yuan/person (operating hours 8:00-22:00). If the flight arrives earlier than 9:00, it is recommended to inform the guide in advance to coordinate pick-up.
14:30-17:30 Hotel Check-in + Free Rest
- Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Guilin downtown (such as Guilin Hotel, hotels near Lijiang Waterfall Hotel, subject to the contract), including twin breakfast.
- Tips: Hotels usually check in after 14:00. If the room is not ready, you can store your luggage and travel light.
After 17:30 Free Activity Recommendations (Optional)
▍Recommendation 1: Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area (Landmark Check-in)
- Location: No. 1 Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin (Intersection of Li River and Taohua River)
- Time: Recommended 17:30-19:00 (Best lighting around sunset, avoid midday sun)
- Details:
- Historical Background: Named because the mountain shape resembles a giant elephant drinking water. It is a typical representative of Guilin Karst landforms and became a national 5A scenic spot in 2017.
- Landscape Highlights: Water Moon Cave (approx. 10 meters in diameter) between the trunk and body, where you can take photos of the reflection “A bright moon at the bottom of the water, a bright moon floating on the water”; Puxian Pagoda at the top (Ming Dynasty building, 13.6 meters high, shaped like a vase), climb to the top to overlook the Li River and Guilin city view.
- Tickets: 55 yuan/person (Includes Water Moon Cave, Puxian Pagoda, half price for those over 60, half price with student ID).
- Transportation: Take bus 2/16/23 to “Xiangshan Park Station” and walk for 5 minutes.
▍Recommendation 2: East-West Alley (Ming and Qing Ancient Alley + Intangible Heritage Experience)
- Location: No. 18 Jiefang East Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin (Next to Zhengyang Gate of Jingjiang Princes’ City)
- Time: Recommended 18:00-20:00 (Evening lights on, the ancient alley has more charm)
- Details:
- Historical Background: Built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty as a commercial street supporting the Guilin Confucian Temple. There are more than 200 existing buildings from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, which are typical representatives of North Guilin residential “blue bricks, gray tiles, and wooden slope roofs”.
- Experience Highlights:
- Intangible Heritage Handmade: “Guilin Round Fan Inheritance Base” (near the former residence of Ma Qitai) in the alley offers round fan painting experiences (material fee 30-50 yuan/fan, 1 hour with teacher guidance);
- Food: Fresh shrimp rice rolls (8 yuan/portion) at “Haitian Rice Rolls” at the alley entrance; Brown sugar water chestnut cake (5 yuan/piece, freshly steamed and soft) at “Laozihao Water Chestnut Cake” in the middle section.
- Transportation: Taxi from Elephant Trunk Hill is about 10 yuan (3 km), or take bus 10 to “Jiefang Bridge Station”.
▍Recommendation 3: Two Rivers and Four Lakes Night Cruise (City Night View Essence)
- Location: No. 1 Shanhu North Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin (Gather at Wenchang Bridge Pier/Jiefang Bridge Pier)
- Time: Recommended 19:30-21:00 (Night lights fully on, cruise ships depart every 30 minutes)
- Details:
- Landscape Highlights: Connects Li River, Taohua River, Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake. Passes Sun and Moon Twin Towers (Sun Tower covered in gold foil, Moon Tower in brilliant glaze), Glass Bridge (transparent bridge reflecting lake view), and Gunanmen (Song Dynasty city wall ruins).
- Cruise Tickets: Luxury air-conditioned boat 210 yuan/person (including commentary, 1.5 hours), ordinary boat 180 yuan/person (no air-conditioning); Buy tickets at the pier or through the “Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes” official account (recommended 1 day in advance during peak season).
Catering Recommendations (Self-arranged)
- Lunch: Laodongjiang Rice Noodles (Main Branch, No. 236 Jiefang East Road, Xiufeng District) – representative of Guilin rice noodles, signature braised meat powder (crispy pork + pickled beans + brine, 10 yuan/bowl), average 15 yuan.
- Dinner: Chunji Roasted Goose (Zhongshan Branch, No. 2 Zhongshan Middle Road, Xiangshan District) – Cantonese-style roast meat, signature roasted goose (crispy skin and tender meat, 88 yuan/portion), average 70 yuan.
Day 2: Li River Gallery · Yangshuo Countryside · Xingping Night Charm
Itinerary Overview
- Time: 07:30-21:30 (Including whole-process transfers)
- Theme: Li River Cruise (Guilin → Yangshuo) + Yangshuo Countryside Cycling + Yulong River Bamboo Rafting + West Street Night Tour + Xingping Fishermen’s Fire
- Accommodation: Boutique Guesthouse in Xingping Town (Fixed arrangement, near Li River, such as “Lishe” or “Yunlu”)
- Catering: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Li River Cruise Western Light Meal); Dinner self-arranged (Recommended Xingping Ancient Town food)
Detailed Schedule
07:30-08:30 Breakfast
- Service: Hotel buffet breakfast (including Guilin rice noodles, steamed buns, porridge, fruit, etc.).
08:30-09:30 Drive to Mopanshan Pier
- Transportation: Air-conditioned tourist bus (including driver), approx. 1 hour drive (Guilin Downtown → Mopanshan Pier, about 35 km).
- Tips: The pier parking lot is large. After getting off, follow the guide to the waiting hall (check-in 30 minutes in advance).
09:30-13:30 【Li River Cruise】 (Guilin → Yangshuo Section, 83 km of Essence)
- Service: Includes 4-star Li River Cruise ticket (Default arrangement; if upgrade to 5-star is needed, please inform 3 days in advance, price difference approx. 150 yuan/person).
- Details:
- Route Highlights: Pass through “Nine Horse Mural Hill” (rock wall looks like a group of stallions; legend says “see all 9 to be a Zhuangyuan”), “Yellow Cloth Reflection” (the background of the 20 yuan bill, the river is like a mirror reflecting green mountains), and “Xingping Scenery” (dense Karst peaks, Xu Beihong once praised “Yangshuo scenery is the best in Guilin”).
- Lunch: Western light meal provided on the ship (Grilled chicken breast + pasta + salad + fruit, free upgrade). If hot Chinese food is needed (such as Guilin rice noodles), please inform the guide 1 day in advance (additional 20 yuan/person).
- Tips: The deck level offers the best view; bring a sun hat + sunglasses. Phone charging is available via on-board USB ports (equipped on some ship types).
13:30-14:00 Yangshuo Pier Pick-up + Rest
- Service: Driver waits at Yangshuo Longtoushan Pier, take a car to the Yangshuo countryside entrance (20 minutes drive).
14:00-15:30 【Yangshuo Countryside Exploration】 (Choice of Transportation)
- Experience Options (Choose one of three, basic transportation included):
- ① Cycling (Recommended): Rent a mountain bike (20 yuan/bike/day, 200 yuan deposit), route “Jima Pier → Gongnong Bridge → Jiuxian Village” (approx. 12 km total, pastoral scenery + Yulong River tributary), passing through rice fields, bamboo forests, and century-old camphor trees (over 300 years old).
- ② Walking: Along the Yulong River trail (flat and easy), focus on checking in at “Camel Crossing the River” (mountain shaped like a lying camel) and “Moon Hill” (natural round hole in the mountain that looks like different phases of the moon from different angles).
- ③ Scooter Riding (Self-paid): Rent an electric scooter (50 yuan/scooter/day, driver’s license required), suitable for tourists in a hurry. Be sure to wear a helmet (random checks by local traffic police).
15:30-17:00 【Yulong River Bamboo Rafting】 (Jinlong Bridge → Jiuxian Section, Classic Essence)
- Service: Includes double bamboo raft ticket (each raft limited to 2 people, with a pole master), duration approx. 50 minutes.
- Details:
- Landscape Highlights: Manually poled through “Nine Dams” (like a water slide with splashes), phoenix bamboo swaying on both banks, occasional egrets flying low; pass by “Xiangui Bridge” (the oldest single-arch stone bridge in Guangxi, built in the Song Dynasty).
- Tips: Wear sandals to prevent splashing, put phone in a waterproof bag (10 yuan at the pier); rafts cannot be overloaded, children must be accompanied by adults.
17:00-18:30 Proceed to Yangshuo West Street + Free Exploration
- Transportation: Approx. 20 minutes drive (Yulong River → West Street).
- Experience: West Street (“Foreigner Street”) is 517 meters long, with a mix of Ming/Qing buildings and modern bars. Recommendations:
- Food: “Master Fu Beer Fish” (West Street Entrance branch, signature catfish beer fish, 98 yuan/jin, average 80 yuan);
- Souvenirs: Osmanthus honey at “Osmanthus Commune” (38 yuan/bottle, samples available).
18:30-19:30 Dinner (Self-arranged)
- Recommendation: “Xiao Nan Guo” in West Street (local dishes, stuffed snails 25 yuan/portion, Lipu taro braised pork 48 yuan/portion, average 60 yuan).
19:30-20:30 Drive to Xingping Ancient Town
- Transportation: Approx. 40 minutes drive (Yangshuo → Xingping, 27 km, many mountain curves, bring motion sickness medicine if needed).
20:30-21:30 【Li River Fishermen’s Fire Experience】 (Optional Activity)
- Location: Shallow beach near Xingping Ancient Town Li River Pier
- Time: Only visible at night (Best 20:30-21:30, during the fishermen’s net-gathering period)
- Details: Fishermen drive bamboo rafts to cast nets, cormorants stand at the bow to catch fish, and fishing lanterns flicker like stars in the river (not a performance, purely natural labor scene).
- Tips: No fee required, please keep quiet and do not disturb; use a telephoto lens for photos (set phone to night mode).
Accommodation Note
- Location: Xingping Town Guesthouse (Fixed arrangement, such as “Lishe”: first row by the Li River, balcony with river view; “Yunlu”: inside the ancient town, 5-minute walk to the old street).
- Facilities: Private bathroom, air conditioning, WiFi, some room types with viewing terraces.
Day 3: Xingping Ancient Town · Panoramic Landscape · Return Trip
Itinerary Overview
- Time: 07:30-14:00 (Including drop-off)
- Theme: Xingping Ancient Town Stroll + 20 Yuan Background Check-in + Xianggong Mountain Panorama
- Accommodation: None (Return on the same day)
- Catering: Breakfast (Guesthouse), Lunch (Ancient Town Farmhouse Meal); Dinner self-arranged (During return or at home)
Detailed Schedule
07:30-08:30 Breakfast
- Service: Guesthouse provides Guilin rice noodles or porridge set (including eggs, side dishes).
08:30-10:00 【Xingping Ancient Town】 (1700-year-old Li River Commercial Port)
- Location: Rongtan Street, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin
- Details:
- Historical Background: Xiping County was established in the first year of Ganlu of the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period (265). It was a hub for the Hunan-Guangxi trade route during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Existing ancient street (about 1 km long), ancient bridge (Tengjiao’an stone arch bridge, Ming Dynasty), and ancient opera stage (Qing Dynasty, carved beams and painted pillars).
- Experience: Stroll on the bluestone roads, watch elderly people weaving bamboo baskets (“Bamboo Workshop” in the middle of the old street offers basic weaving learning, material fee 20 yuan), and taste “Songhua Candy” (old shop at the town entrance, 10 yuan/box, fried glutinous rice wrapped in peanut pieces).
10:00-11:00 【20 Yuan RMB Background Shooting Site】
- Location: “Yellow Cloth Reflection” viewing platform, 200 meters north of Xingping Pier
- Details:
- Landscape: Completely matches the pattern on the back of the RMB. The river surface is wide, and the seven peaks are arranged like the “Big Dipper”. It is recommended to use a 20 yuan bill for comparative shooting (shooting with the sun is clearer).
- Tips: The viewing platform is free. The ink-wash painting feel is strongest during early morning mist or after rain when it clears up.
11:00-13:00 【Xianggong Mountain】 (Panorama of the First Bend of Li River)
- Location: Hebaoshan Village, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin (approx. 8 km from the ancient town, 20 minutes drive)
- Details:
- Climbing: Approx. 40 minutes on foot via steps (elevation 392 meters, steep slope, bring sports shoes), or take a local villager’s motorcycle (one-way 20 yuan/person, choose carefully).
- Landscape Highlights: The summit platform offers a 360° bird’s-eye view of the large bend of the Li River (“First Bend of Li River”). The peak forests are clustered, and at sunrise/sunset, golden light spills over the river (best shooting time: sunrise 6:30-7:00, sunset 18:00-18:30).
- Tickets: 60 yuan/person (including viewing platform maintenance fee).
13:00-14:00 Lunch (Included)
- Service: Farmhouse restaurant at the foot of Xianggong Mountain (such as “Shanli Renjia”). Recommended dishes: Bamboo tube rice (25 yuan/tube, glutinous rice + cured meat), dried Li River small fish (38 yuan/portion), average 50 yuan.
After 14:00 Drop-off for Return
- Service: The guide will drop you off at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (1.5 hours drive) / Guilin Railway Station (1 hour drive) / Guilin North Railway Station (1.2 hours drive). It is recommended to buy flights after 16:00 / train tickets after 15:00.
Yangshuo — Practical Information
Tickets & Booking
- Silver Cave (Lipu city, on the Yangshuo border): Adult CNY 65 per person; children aged 6/under 1.2 m, seniors over 65, disabled persons and active-duty military personnel free; no booking required[src]
Transport & Schedules
- Yangshuo station (high-speed rail station) → Yangshuo county town | Dedicated coach/taxi: Yangshuo high-speed rail station is in Xingping town, about 20–30 km from the county town, requiring a transfer by dedicated coach (about CNY 5, about 40 min) or taxi (about CNY 60)[src]
Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby
- Yangshuo West Street | Room tip: Lively with convenient food and shopping, but loud bar noise | Nearby add-ons: West Street night market, the Li River bank[src]
- Xingping Ancient Town | Room tip: Quiet, close to the CNY 20 banknote backdrop spot | Nearby add-ons: Xingping Ancient Town, Laozhai Mountain, the CNY 20 backdrop spot[src]
