Guilin Travel Guide

1. Li River: The essence of Guilin’s landscape, this 83-km river is famous for attractions like “MuralHill” . Cruising by bamboo raft or boat, the river’s clear waters mirror peculiar peaks, resembling a journey through an ink-wash painting. Spring offers misty charm, while autumn brings clear skies and waters. The Yangdi to Xingping section is recommended.

2. Yangshuo West Street: With over 1,400 years of history, this ancient street is now a vibrant hub of Chinese and foreign cultures. By day, enjoy local delicacies like Guilin rice noodles and beer fish; at night, it transforms into a lively bar street with bright lights and music. Ming and Qing architecture lines the street, blending exotic cafés with traditional craft shops, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

3. Elephant Trunk Hill: Guilin’s iconic landmark, named for its resemblance to an elephant drinking water. The hill and its reflection form a perfect circle, with the best photo spot on Love Island across the river. The park includes ancient sites like Puxian Tower and Yunfeng Temple, and the summit offers panoramic views of Guilin city. Visit at dawn or dusk for softer light and fewer crowds to capture the scenic beauty.

4. Longji Terrace: Located in Longsheng Autonomous County, these terraces are a masterpiece of Zhuang people’s generations of farming. The terraces’ graceful curves follow the mountains like a dragon’s spine, with seasonal beauty: mirror-like water in spring, rolling green waves in summer, golden harvests in autumn, and snow-covered vistas in winter.

5. Silver Cave: One of Guilin’s most spectacular karst caves, renowned for formations like “Jade Pool Fairyland” and “Music Stone Screen.” With a constant 20°C temperature, it’s comfortable year-round. Under lighting, calcite crystals sparkle like silver, with a 2-hour tour. Outside, Zhuang cultural performances offer a taste of minority traditions.

6. Yulong River: Known as the “Little Li River” in Yangshuo, it boasts serene pastoral scenery. Opt for a hand-poled bamboo raft drift, passing ancient bridges, villages, and rice fields. Summer offers thrilling dam rushes, while autumn showcases golden rice waves. Dedicated cycling paths make biking a great way to explore the river’s charm.

7. Two Rivers and Four Lakes: Guilin’s urban water system, encompassing the Li River, Peach Blossom River, and four artificial lakes. Night cruises are iconic, with lights outlining bridges and pavilions, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas reflecting on the water. Highlights include “Elephant Trunk Hill and Water Moon” and “Rong Lake Autumn Scenery,” with a 90-minute tour. Free lakeside trails are great for morning jogs or walks. 

8. Shiwai Taoyuan : A themed scenic area inspired by Tao Yuanming’s Peach Blossom Spring. A boat ride through a dark cave opens to a Zhuang village, wind and rain bridge, and rapeseed flower fields. Spring’s peach blossoms are stunning, with folk activities like antiphonal singing and embroidered ball tossing. Its low commercialization offers a tranquil escape.

9. Jingjiang Princes’ Palace: A Ming Dynasty feudal prince’s residence, now part of Guangxi Normal University’s campus. Well-preserved walls and Chengyun Hall reflect royal grandeur, with Duxiu Peak offering elevated city views. Unique features include secret inscriptions and Tai Sui cultural exhibits; the tour takes 2-3 hours. Nearby East-West Alleys are a hub for food and cultural crafts.

10. Gudong Waterfall: A 25-km eco-scenic area from Guilin city, known for its eight-tier waterfall group. Visitors can climb the falls wearing straw sandals, a refreshing summer activity. High forest coverage ensures abundant negative oxygen ions, with stunning red maples in autumn. The summit offers zip-lining and slides, ideal for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, with a 3-hour visit.

1. Guilin Rice Noodles : Guilin’s most iconic traditional snack, renowned for its unique brine. The noodles are smooth and springy, paired with toppings like pot-roasted pork or braised beef, available as soup or dry-mixed versions. （Recommend："Chong Shan MiFen" or "Ming Gui MiFen"）

2. Beer Fish : A Yangshuo specialty, featuring fresh Li River fish braised with beer, tomatoes, and chili peppers. The fish is tender, free of fishy taste, with a rich, beer-infused broth.（Recommend：Xie DaJie PiJiuYu on Yangshuo West Street）

3. Lipu Taro and Pork: A traditional Guilin banquet dish, combining soft, sweet Lipu taro with layered pork belly, steamed to meld the flavors of meat and taro, rich yet not greasy. （Recommend：Chunji Roast Goose）

4. Oil Tea : A traditional Yao ethnic drink, made by pounding and boiling tea leaves, ginger, and garlic, mixed with puffed rice and peanuts. Salty, slightly bitter, it’s known for warding off cold. (Recommend：Millennium Yaozhai）

5. Luosifen: Originating from Liuzhou but popular in Guilin, this dish features a spicy, sour broth made from river snails, paired with pickled bamboo shoots, tofu skin, and other toppings, offering a bold, distinctive flavor. （Recommend：Any store in the city）

6. Water Chestnut Cake : A traditional Guilin dessert made from local water chestnuts (fluorescent tubers), with a refreshing, chewy texture, enjoyable hot or chilled. （Recommend：Vendors on Zhengyang Pedestrian Street）

7. Nun’s Vegetarian Noodles: A vegetarian noodle dish passed down by the nuns of Yinzhen Cave at Guilin’s Crescent Hill. The broth, made from shiitake mushrooms and dried bamboo shoots, is savory and rich despite being meat-free, with chewy noodles.（Recommendend：「隐真岩素面」 near Seven Star Park）

8. Stuffed Snails: Large river snails stuffed with minced pork and spices, steamed, and eaten by slurping the meat and broth together, incredibly flavorful. (Recommend: Laogennongjia Restaurant in Yangshuo)

9. Gongcheng Oil Tea : Distinct from Yao oil tea, the Gongcheng version includes fried rice, hemp seeds, and more, resulting in a thicker broth, often paired with zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). （Recommend：Xin Gui Ji You Cha）

10. Osmanthus Cake: A traditional Guilin dessert made from sticky rice flour and osmanthus honey, steamed to a soft, fragrant texture, reflecting the city’s emblematic flower. （Recommended: “Osmanthus Workshop” at Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area）

1. Guilin Sanhua Liquor

The premier of Guilin’s “Three Treasures,” brewed with premium rice and Li River water, this liquor is known for its clarity and three distinct aromas: floral, honeyed, and spirited. Packaged in ceramic bottles with local charm, it’s ideal for gifting or collecting.

• Address：“Guilin Sanhua Liquor Factory Direct Store” in Xiangshan District, Guilin City

2. Guilin Chili Sauce

Made from local Chaotian peppers, this sauce is vibrant red, spicy, and fresh. Crafted through traditional fermentation without preservatives, it’s perfect for noodles or stir-fries.

• Address:Qixing District

3. Lipu Taro Pastry

Crafted from select Lipu taro, this pastry has a crispy shell and a soft, sweet filling. Individually packaged for convenience, it’s a quintessential Guilin tea snack.

• Address: “Yuxiangyuan Specialty Store” in Lipu City

4. Yangshuo Painted Fan

A hand-painted traditional craft, featuring Guilin landscape poetry or Li River scenery on the fan surface, blending artistry and practicality.

• Address: “Yixuan Gallery” on Yangshuo West Street

5. Longji Chili Peppers

Small millet peppers from Longji Terraced Fields, grown under ample sunlight, delivering intense spice with a fruity aroma. Vacuum-packed to preserve flavor, ideal for spice lovers.

• Address: “Terrace Mountain Goods Shop” in Longsheng County

6. Guilin Fermented Tofu

Fermented using century-old techniques, this tofu is smooth, savory, and slightly sweet. Available in original, spicy, and other flavors, it pairs well with porridge or in dishes.

• Address: “Sifangjing Fermented Tofu Workshop” in Xiufeng District

7. Zhuang Embroidered Ball

Hand-stitched colorful balls with auspicious patterns, a Zhuang token of love and festival symbol, rich in ethnic character.

• Address: “Huangluo Yao Village Craft Workshop” in Longsheng

8. Monk Fruit (Luo Han Guo)

A Guilin specialty with medicinal and culinary uses, this natural sweetener is ideal for tea or herbal remedies. Small, individual packets make it convenient for brewing.

• Address: “Monk Fruit Farm Direct Store” in Yongfu County

9. Li River Stone Painting

Artworks created by arranging natural Li River colored stones, often depicting landscapes or fishing scenes with a vivid, three-dimensional effect, framed in elegant wood.

• Address: “Strange Stone Gallery” at Qixing Park

10. Osmanthus Honey

Made from Guilin’s emblematic golden osmanthus flowers, this honey is golden, fragrant, and floral. Suitable for brewing drinks or as a dessert topping, it’s elegantly packaged in glass jars.

• Address: “Guixiangfang Counter” at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport

Spring (March to May):

Temperatures range from about 10-22°C, cooler in March (8-15°C) and warming up by May (18-25°C). Frequent spring rains (monthly rainfall around 150-200mm) create a misty Li River and cloud-wrapped mountains, resembling a fairyland. Peach blossoms and azaleas bloom vibrantly in April.

• Suggestions: The best season for photography, with recommended activities including a Li River boat tour, hiking along the Yulong River, and visiting Longji Terraced Fields. Wear a waterproof jacket and lightweight hiking shoes, and bring a camera waterproof bag.

Summer (June to August):

Temperatures range from about 25-35°C, with hot and humid conditions in July and August (3-5°C cooler in the mountains). June brings frequent rainy season showers (monthly rainfall over 300mm), with afternoon thunderstorms common. Post-rain waterfalls are abundant, and Silver Cave offers a cool retreat.

• Suggestions: Visit Elephant Trunk Hill in the early morning to beat the heat and explore karst caves in the afternoon. Wear quick-dry clothing, a sunhat, and bring mosquito repellent and a portable fan. Participate in the Zhuang “Sixth of June” clothes-airing festival to experience local customs.

Autumn (September to November):

Temperatures range from about 15-28°C, with lingering heat in September (above 25°C) and cooler nights by November (below 12°C). Crisp and clear weather (monthly rainfall 80-120mm) showcases golden rice waves at Longji Terraced Fields in October and yellowing ginkgo trees in the city by November.

• Suggestions: Cycle through Yangshuo’s countryside and climb Diecai Hill to admire red foliage. Wear a light sweater with a windproof jacket, adding a scarf for early mornings and evenings in the mountains. Enjoy seasonal osmanthus products and join harvest festival activities.

Winter (December to February):

Temperatures range from about 5-15°C, with January being the coldest (occasionally dropping to 0°C in the mountains). Dry and cold with minimal rain (monthly rainfall under 50mm), occasional light frost appears, and the Li River’s emerald waters enhance the serene atmosphere with fewer boat passengers.

• Suggestions: Take a Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise to enjoy the lights and soak in Longsheng Hot Springs to ward off the chill. Wear a down vest with thermal undergarments and non-slip shoe covers. Gather around a stove to savor oil tea and cured meat hotpot, immersing in minority ethnic New Year traditions.