What are the best things to do in Guilin?
Top picks in Guilin include Li River cruise to Yangshuo, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Longji Rice Terraces day trip. See the full list and itinerary on this Guilin travel guide.
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Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
Why visit Guilin
Travel guide for Guilin, China — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Guilin is a stop in China, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Li River cruise to Yangshuo, Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 50–130 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Guilin
1
Li River cruise to Yangshuo
2
Reed Flute Cave
3
Elephant Trunk Hill
4
Longji Rice Terraces day trip
5
Seven Star Park
6
Two Rivers Four Lakes night cruise
7
Yao Mountain
8
Daxu Ancient Town
Plan your trip
Guilin itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Central Square
- Visit Sun and Moon Pagodas
- Visit Eighth Route Army Guilin Office Museum
- Eat at Wada Bar @ Wada Hostel
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Guilin Art Museum
- Visit Guilin Guanshitang Chicken-Blood Stone Museum
- Visit Guilin Museum
- Eat at Hao Heng Shi Jia
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Guilin Shangri-la park
- Eat at Islam Restaurant
Budget
Guilin trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 50–130
per person / day
Luxury
USD 150–245+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Guilin, China. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Guilin
Estimated total (USD)
$2,145
≈ $1,073 per person · $306 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $90/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Guilin mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 50–130 · luxury 150–245+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Wada Bar @ Wada Hostel
Hao Heng Shi Jia
Islam Restaurant
Jufulin
Rosemary Cafe
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Fu Yuan Hotel
Ming Cheng Hotel
Soluxe Qixia Hotel
Guilin Bravo Hotel
Nightlife
- UBC Cafe
- Kaya café & bar
- West Bank Café
- 100 C
- Red Lips -- On the Road -- Usual Place -- Go In
- Logo
Museums & culture
- Eighth Route Army Guilin Office Museum
- Guilin Art Museum
- Guilin Guanshitang Chicken-Blood Stone Museum
- Guilin Museum
In pictures
Guilin gallery
Photos: xiquinhosilva, S5A-0043, Chensiyuan, chensiyuan — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Guilin travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Guilin?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Guilin?
Plan at least 3 days in Guilin for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Guilin?
Popular stays in Guilin include Fu Yuan Hotel, Ming Cheng Hotel, Soluxe Qixia Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Guilin cost?
On the ground in Guilin (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 50–130, and luxury about 150–245+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Guilin, China. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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