Trip highlights
- 1Li River cruise
- 2Karst mountain scenery
- 3Yangshuo countryside cycling
- 4Reed Flute Cave
- 5Elephant Trunk Hill
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Elephant Trunk Hill
Wednesday, October 20
Est. spend
$80
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
A shuttle bus or taxi connects the airport to central Guilin in about 40 minutes.
Have your hotel address written in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers — English is limited outside hotels and major attractions.
☀️ Afternoon
Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill Park, Guilin
Guilin's most iconic natural landmark, a karst limestone formation resembling an elephant drinking from the Li River, especially photogenic from the riverside park surrounding it.
Late afternoon light reflects beautifully off the river beneath the hill's natural stone arch.
🌙 Evening
Dinner along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Guilin
A scenic illuminated waterway loop through central Guilin, with restaurants overlooking pagodas and lantern-lit bridges.
🍽️ Meals
Airport breakfast
Chinese · $6
Local lunch near Elephant Trunk Hill
Chinese (Guilin) · $8
Riverside dinner
Chinese (Guilin) · $15
Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Thursday, October 21
Est. spend
$130
per person
🌅 Morning
Li River cruise departure
Zhujiang Pier, Guilin
A scenic boat cruise down the Li River from Zhujiang Pier, gliding past the karst mountain scenery that has inspired Chinese landscape painting for centuries.
Sit on the upper open deck for unobstructed views and photos of the passing peaks.
☀️ Afternoon
Li River cruise to Yangshuo
Li River, between Guilin and Yangshuo
The roughly 4-hour cruise passes the iconic Nine Horses Fresco Hill and the scene depicted on the 20 yuan banknote, ending at Yangshuo's pier.
Lunch is typically included on board — pack a few extra snacks if you have specific dietary preferences.
🌙 Evening
Yangshuo West Street and beer fish dinner
West Street, Yangshuo
Yangshuo's lively pedestrian street filled with cafés and shops, followed by a dinner of the region's famous beer fish, cooked with local Li River fish and Yangshuo beer.
Beer fish (pijiu yu) is a signature Yangshuo dish — most restaurants along West Street serve their own version.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Chinese · $6
Cruise included lunch
Chinese · $0 · Included in cruise ticket
Yangshuo beer fish dinner
Chinese (Guilin/Yangshuo) · $20
Yangshuo Countryside Cycling
Friday, October 22
Est. spend
$100
per person
🌅 Morning
Cycling through Yangshuo's countryside
Yulong River countryside, Yangshuo
Rented bikes wind through rice paddies, small villages, and dramatic karst backdrops along the Yulong River, considerably quieter than the main Li River route.
The Yulong River loop is flatter and more beginner-friendly than routes further from town — ask your guesthouse for a recommended map.
☀️ Afternoon
Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River
Yulong River, Yangshuo
A relaxed bamboo raft float down a quieter stretch of river, passing under the historic Yulong Bridge with karst peaks rising on either side.
Bring a dry bag for phones and cameras — light splashing is common, especially near the bridge.
🌙 Evening
Yangshuo cooking class or night market dinner
Yangshuo town centre
An evening either learning to cook regional Guangxi dishes or browsing Yangshuo's night market stalls for skewers and local snacks.
🍽️ Meals
Guesthouse breakfast
Chinese · $6
Countryside village lunch
Chinese (Guangxi) · $10
Cooking class or night market dinner
Chinese (Guangxi) · $25
Reed Flute Cave & Departure
Saturday, October 23
Est. spend
$75
per person
🌅 Morning
Transfer back to Guilin and Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave, Guilin
After returning to Guilin, visit Reed Flute Cave, a vast limestone cavern famous for colourfully lit stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations, used as a natural air-raid shelter historically.
The cave can get crowded with domestic tour groups — going right at opening helps avoid the worst congestion.
☀️ Afternoon
Final souvenir shopping at Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Guilin
A last stop for local tea, osmanthus cake, and Guangxi handicrafts before departure.
🌙 Evening
Transfer to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Allow about 1.5 hours for the airport transfer plus check-in time.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Chinese · $6
Zhengyang Street lunch
Chinese (Guilin) · $10
Airport food
Chinese/International · $12
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
March–May and September–November offer the clearest skies and comfortable temperatures (18-26°C) for river cruising and cycling. Summer brings heavy rain and flood risk; winter can be damp and chilly.
🛂 Visas
Many nationalities can use China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy for the Guangxi region in some cases, but a standard Chinese tourist visa arranged in advance is recommended for most travel plans.
💱 Currency
Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (CNY). Mobile payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay) dominate transactions even in smaller Yangshuo guesthouses — set up the tourist version before arrival.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 110
ambulance: 120
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Book Li River cruise tickets a day or two in advance during peak season — capacity is limited and popular departure times sell out.
- Yangshuo's countryside is best explored slowly by bike or bamboo raft rather than rushed — it rewards an unhurried pace.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay's tourist payment feature before the trip, as cash and foreign cards are accepted less widely than expected.
- Weather along the Li River can change quickly — pack a light rain jacket regardless of season.
- A VPN may be necessary for accessing certain foreign apps and websites — set one up before arrival.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Guilin, China without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
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