20 Things to Know Before Visiting Guilin | Guilin Travel Tips

Guilin is located in the southwest of China, Guangxi Province, about 460km to Hong Kong and 390km to Guangzhou (East longitude 109°45''-104°40'', north latitude 24°18''-25°41''). It has 5 districts (Xiufeng, Xiangshan, Qixing, Diecai, Yanshan) and 12 counties, namely, Lingchuan, Xingan, Quanzhou, Lingui, Yangshuo, Pingle, Lipu, Longsheng, Yongfu, Gongcheng, Ziyuan and Guanyang, covering 27 809 square kilometer. >>Learn More about Guilin Maps

Known as one of the top scenic cities in China, Guilin serves millions of tourists every year. Owning 3 major high speed bullet train stations (Guilin Railway Station, Guilin West Railway Station, Guilin North Railway Station), one internationalized airport (Guilin Liangjiang International Airport), and the expecting city metro to be bulit by 2022, Guilin is easily accessible from many other cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xian, Chengdu, etc, and other countries/regions, like Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, either by train or by air. >>Learn More about Guilin Transportation

Guilin City is situated at the northeast part of Guangxi in Southern China, while Yangshuo County lies at the southeast part. Those two famous tourist sites are only about 65 kilometers away. Usually, it takes only about 1.5 hours to get to Yangshuo from Guilin by car. However, besides transferring by car, travelers can also get to Yangshuo/Guilin by the Li River Cruise, long-distance bus, high speed train, etc., and the Li River cruise is the most popular and enjoyable transportation choice. >>Learn More about Guilin Yangshuo Transfer

Longsheng (Longji Rice Terraces) is one of the hottest scenic areas in Guilin. Longji Area cannot be reached by train and flight, thus you need to arrive at Guilin first and then travel from Guilin to get there. Longji Rice Terraces is consisted of three main Terraced Fields. At present, Jinkeng Dazhai is the only scenic Terraced Field which can reached by the direct bus from Guilin. To get to the other two rice terraces areas, you may need transfer at Longsheng County. >>Leran More about Guilin Longsheng Transfer

Yangshuo and Longsheng (Longji Rice Terraces) are two hot tourist destinations in Guilin. Yangshuo is located about 80km (50 miles)'s driving distance southeast of Guilin. Longji Rice Terraces is located in Longsheng County, about 80km north of Guilin. The driving distance between Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terraces is about 145km, which takes about 4/5 hours to transfer between Yangshuo and Longji. Since Guilin is conveniently located at the middle of Yangshuo and Longsheng, travelers can also transfer at Guilin to shorten the long driving. >>Learn More about Yangshuo Longsheng Transfer

Located in the low latitude, Guilin is overall mild and humid all year round with four distinctive seasons : a long frost-free period, abundant sunshine, a long summer and a short winter. The average temperature for the year is about 19°C / 66°F. July and August are the hottest months with an average temperature of about 28°C, and January and February are the coldest. The average temperature is about 9°C / 48°F. The lowest temperature barely falls below 0 °C / 32°F. The annual average precipitation days are 166 days, and the longest continuous precipitation days are 30 days. The annual average rainfall is 1887.6 mm, and the annual average relative humidity is 76%. >> Learn More about Guilin Weather & Seasons

Spring and Autumn can be the most recommended seasons travelling Guilin with both warm sunshine and gentle breeze; while travel in Summer and Winter, you may meet with rainy days or chilly wind. In terms of weather and seasonal condition, the best time to visit is from April to October. However, try to avoid Chinese holidays such as the Chinese National Day (the beginning of October), the Labor’s Day (the beginning of May), and the Spring Festival (usually in Janurary), and it is necessary to check out the weather forecast when planning your Guilin tour. >>Learn More about Guilin Temperature

There are Top numerous attractions in Guilin and nearby counties, including Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and Fubo Hill in Guilin City; The Yulong River, Ten-Mile Gallery, Xianggong Mountain, West Street, Xingping Ancient Town, Silver Cave, the big Banyan Tree and Moon Hill in Yangshuo; Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng; Lingqu canal in Xingan; Huashan Rock Art in Zuojiang, Chongzuo; Wind and Rain Bridge in Chengyang, Liuzhou. >>Learn More about Guilin Attractions

Besides enjoying the stunning scenery in Guilin, you have a lot to do, including both indoor and outdoor activities: Hiking along Li River, Yulong River or Longji Rice Terraces; Having a leisure time enjoying the nightlife at West Street or watching Impression Sanjie Liu in Yangshuo; Biking or taking sightseeing busin Yangshuo countryside where you can see the big banyan tree and moon hill within the Ten-mile Gallery; Taking awesome photos at Xianggong mountain; Trying the Bamboo rafting along Li River or Yulong River; Getting to know Chinese culture by having Chinese Food Cooking Class, Calligraphy Class and Taichi Class. There are always more in Guilin for you to explore! >> Learn More about Guilin Featured-Activities

The waterway distance of Li River is about 83km. To visit Li River, you can take a cruise ship along Li River. Considering about your travelling security and comfort. We recommend you the later one. Usually, it takes about 4.5 hours to finish one ride. The serving piers for the 3-star cruise ship are Boarding/Disembark pier: Guilin Mopanshan Dock and Longtoushan Dock, while the piers for 4-star cruise ship are Zhujiang Dock in Guilin and Shuidongmen Dock. Please note there is no direct bus commuting between Guilin city center and the Piers. For those independent travelers, you can only get to the pier by taxi, which may cost you about 100 RMB. If you book the cruise ticket from a travel agency or hotel agent, they will charge you ￥35/person as car fees and guide service fees. Usually the tourist bus will pick you up at your hotel. >> Learn More about Li River Cruise

The best time for photography in Guilin is from March to October, during the early morning or late afternoon. It’s the time you can witness the essence of landscapes in Guilin, with golden rape flowers blooming along the biking route; yellow-tinted rice terraces fields lying on Longsheng; wavy Karst mountains and their reflections; rosy sunrise and marvelous sunset upon Li River; shimmering fishing lights in the mist of dawn. The top recommended photography locations are: Nine Horses Fresco Hill; Ten-Mile Gallery, Xianggong Mountain, Yellow Cloth Shoal (20 RMB note scene), Li River, Laozhai Hill, Zhuobi Peak, and Shutong Hill.>>Learn More about Guilin Photography Tour

The following is the entrance fee information of different Guilin attractions for your reference: 3-Star Li River Cruise - 215 RMB; 4-Star Li River Cruise - 360~480 RMB; Elephant Trunk Hill - 55 RMB; Reed Flute Cave - 100 RMB; Big Banyan Tree - 20 RMB; Moon Hill - 15 RMB; Longsheng Rice Terraces - 100 RMB, the ticket for cable car - 70 RMB (One Way) & 120 RMB (Round Trip); Huashan Rock Art - 82 RMB; Lingqu Canal - 55 RMB. Since the ticket price is always changing from time to time, please do not hesitate to contact us to get the updated information.

Packing list thoughts for your reference: 1) Batteries and Phone; 2) Chargers, power packs and international adaptors; 3) Medicine: cold medicine, pain killer, etc; 4) Mosquito repellent (a must in summer); 5) Change of clothes; windproof/waterproof clothes; 6)Western sizes are very hard to find in Guilin; 7) Mini wash kit in a small zip-lock bag; 8)Fluids under 100ml; 9) Suncream; 10) Umbrella & Raincoat 11) Antibacterial hand gel and tissues; 12) Glasses & Contacts; 13) Cameras and Lens; 14) Footwear: Hiking shoes.

Regarded as a famous scenic city, Guilin has become the 9th 72-hour visa-free city in China since Jan 1st, 2013, which made itself an open door for visitors overseas to have the short trip in Guilin. Passengers can be exempted from visa if they transit from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport to a third country (region) within 72 hours on the basis of their valid international travel documents, the online tickets or related certificates in a third country/region with confirmed flight dates and seats for departure within 72 hours. >>Learn More about Guilin 72-Hour Visa Free Transit Exemption

Located in the minority inhabited areas, Guilin has a lot unique local cuisines, and the people there is good at using pepper and vinegar, so some of the featured-dishes are usually spicy and sour. Among them, the most representative is the Guilin rice noodles which are known by nearly every household in China. For the winding Li River also nourishes numerous fish, there are fresh and yummy fish dishes, such as Steamed Li River Fish, Yangshuo Beer Fish, and Stuffed Li River Snails. Other dishes like Lipu Taro and Pork Loaf, Stir-Fried Beef With Bamboo Shoots, Gingko stewed with Old Duck, Chicken and Gecko Stew, Lotus Leaf Braised Duck are also recommended. Besides the main dishes, sweet Osmanthus cake and Oil Tea (You Cha) are the popular desserts serving the foodies wherever they are from!

Wandering at Guilin, you may encounter a lot stores selling various kinds of handicrafts, local specialties, trinkets, and snacks. The main shopping places are located near Zhongshan Rd (中山路) in Guilin and West Street (西街) in Yangshuo. Besides the two streets, you can also go to The Walking Street — Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Xichenglu Pedestrian Street (西城路步行街), Night Market — Xicheng Pedestrian Street. If you love art, Guilin Landscape Paintings, Painted Fans, and Zhuang Embroidery might be good choices. For the name of Guilin literally means "Forest of Osmanthus", you are also recommended to buy Osmanthus tea and sugar made from Guilin's fragrant Osmanthus flowers.

As a hot tourist city, Guilin is ready to offer you various great hotels with well-appointed rooms and superior service. According to the different destination in the itinerary in Guilin, there are many optional hotels in Guilin City, Yangshuo and Longsheng Terraced Fields Area. For the high-quality service, suitable location and reasonable price, these recommended hotels include the luxury Shangri-La Hotel in Guilin, the comfortable Yangshuo Village Retreat and the cozy Longji Star-Wish Resort and some other hotels from luxury class to economy class for your reference. >>Learn More about Guilin Accommodation

If you would like to write a postcard to your friends/family from Guilin. The followings are the zip codes in Guilin for you reference: 5 main districts in Guilin city (Xiufeng, Xiangshan, Qixing, Diecai, Yanshan) - 541000; Yangshuo - 541900; Longsheng - 541700; Lingchuan - 541200; Xingan - 541300; Quanzhou - 541500; Lingui - 541100; Pingle - 542400; Lipu - 546600; Yongfu - 541800; Gongcheng - 542500; Ziyuan - 541400; Guanyang - 541600

A combined tour of idyllic Guilin with the picturesque Yangshuo county and Longsheng county nearby is the most popular choice for tourists. You can either visit the attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave in Guilin City, and try the Li River Cruise there to Yangshuo where you can get to experience the bamboo rafting and biking tour, enjoying the stunning karst landscape such as the Moon Hill and taking pictures at Xianggong Mountains/Ten-Mile Gallery. If you are excited to explore more, Longji Rice Terraces is an amazing trekking spot. You will get to experience the tranquility of the heavenly fairyland in Guilin. Since Guilin has become the 72-hour visa-free city in China, it's even more convenient to get there. Based on your itinerary, budget and schedule, you could plan a Guilin & Yangshuo tour for about 2 days and a trekking tour at Longsheng about 1 day or longer to get a brief or full exploration in Guilin. To connect all the scenic spots you are interested in, please don't hesitate to contact us for professional advice.

As the high speed bullet train has started to operate from Hong Kong to Guilin, numerous travellers landed there choose to take a combined Hong Kong Guilin Tour. For travellers in other cities and overseas, we are also offering transferring and tailor-made service for every customers. The followings are the top-recommended travelling route and the most popular Guilin tours for your references.