Trip Overview
When: July 2020 (summer season, warm and humid)
Duration: 6 days
Travelers: Group of 47 friends
Budget: ~1,600 RMB (~$225 USD) per person
Transportation: Tour bus from Hunan to Guilin
Why Guilin (桂林)?
Guilin is one of China's most iconic destinations—and for good reason. The unique karst landscape, with its towering limestone peaks rising dramatically from the Li River, looks like it was plucked straight from a traditional Chinese painting. The famous saying "Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven" (桂林山水甲天下) has drawn travelers here for centuries. Even the 20 RMB note features Guilin's landscape, making it instantly recognizable to Chinese visitors.
For foreigners, Guilin offers a window into China's natural beauty and ethnic diversity. The region is home to Zhuang, Yao, and Dong minorities, adding cultural depth to the jaw-dropping scenery.
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: Most visitors fly into Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (桂林两江国际机场). Alternatively, high-speed trains connect Guilin to major cities like Guangzhou, Nanning, and Changsha. If coming from Hunan like our group, the bus ride takes about 7 hours.
Best Time to Visit: April to November offers pleasant weather. Autumn (September-October) is ideal—less rain, comfortable temperatures, and the famous "silver sand" beaches emerge. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.
Money Matters: Most hotels, restaurants, and attractions accept mobile payment (WeChat Pay, Alipay). Carry 200-300 RMB cash for small vendors and tips. ATMs are widely available.
Language: English is limited outside major hotels. Learn a few key phrases: "xiexie" (谢谢 - thank you), "duoshao qian" (多少钱 - how much), "zai nar" (在哪里 - where is). Download an offline Chinese dictionary or translation app.
Day 1: Arrival at Guilin (桂林) & Zizhou Island (訾洲岛)
We departed from Shaoshan (韶山), Hunan at 6:30 AM sharp—a grueling 7-hour bus ride through rolling hills. But the moment we crossed into Guangxi (广西) province, the landscape transformed. Those iconic karst peaks began appearing on the horizon, and excitement rippled through the bus.
Our first stop: Zizhou Island (訾洲岛), a small island on the eastern bank of the Li River right in downtown Guilin. It's one of the best spots to photograph the Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山)—Guilin's signature landmark that looks exactly like an elephant dipping its trunk into the river.
Foreigner tip: The best photos of Elephant Trunk Hill are actually from Zizhou Island, not from the hill itself. Arrive at sunset for the golden hour glow on the limestone.
The island was rebuilt in 2011 and features ten new scenic spots including "Misty Rain over Zizhou" (訾洲烟雨) and "Autumn Foliage at Zizhou" (訾洲红叶). A network of walking trails winds through bamboo groves and past ancient trees—a welcome stretch after the long bus ride.
Day 2: Sun and Moon Pagodas (日月双塔) & Grape Mountain (葡萄山)
Next morning, we visited the Sun and Moon Pagodas (日月双塔), two stunning towers in the center of Guilin's Shan Lake (杉湖). The Sun Pagoda (日塔) is clad in bronze and glows golden at night; the Moon Pagoda (月塔) is covered in colorful glazed tiles and shimmers silver. A 10-meter underwater tunnel connects them.
Pro hack: The pagodas are most photogenic at night when illuminated. Take a evening stroll around the lake for the full effect. Entry to the park is free; climbing the pagodas costs extra.
In the afternoon, we headed to Yangshuo (阳朔) and visited Grape Mountain (葡萄山). This area features typical karst peak forest scenery combined with Yao and Dong ethnic minority culture. The name comes from the wild grapes that grow abundantly on the hillsides.
Reality check: Grape Mountain is less touristy than Yangshuo's main attractions. You'll see local farmers working in the fields and traditional village life—genuine rural China.
Day 3: Jinshui Cave (金水岩) & Moon Hill (月亮山)
Jinshui Cave (金水岩) is one of Yangshuo's most impressive karst caves—a 5-kilometer underground river system running through three mountains. The cave is divided into three sections: the Paradise Area (旱洞天堂区), the Mud Bath Area (泥巴浴区), and the Underground River Hot Spring Area (地下河温泉区).
Inside, stalactites and stalagmites create fantastical formations. Local legend claims this is where "Journey to the West" (西游记) filmed its Water Curtain Cave. There's even a hot spring and mud bath if you want to get messy.
In the afternoon, we visited Moon Hill (月亮山)—a naturally-formed arch through a karst peak. As you drive past on the famous Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊) scenic route, the hole appears to morph from a crescent moon to a full moon depending on your viewing angle.
Senior alert: You can climb to the Moon Cave via an 800-step path, but it's steep. The less ambitious can view the phenomenon from the road below or from one of the many restaurants with view terraces.
Day 4: Li River Cruise (船游漓江)
The Li River (漓江) is Guilin's crown jewel—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the subject of countless ink paintings. The 83-kilometer stretch from Guilin to Yangshuo passes through the most spectacular karst landscape on Earth.
Foreigner tip: The classic cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (about 4 hours) is the iconic experience, but our tour took a different route through Pingle (平乐) with the "Ancient Merchant Route" (古商道). Either way, you'll see why Chinese poets wrote verses praising this scenery for centuries.
The water is impossibly clear, reflecting the emerald peaks like a mirror. Small water buffalo graze on riverbanks while fishermen in bamboo rafts pole past—the same scenes that have inspired artists for a millennium.
What to bring: Sunscreen, hat, and rain gear (weather changes fast). A telephoto lens helps capture distant peaks. Bring snacks—the cruise doesn't include meals.
Day 5: Yangshuo Park (阳朔公园) & West Street (阳朔西街)
Yangshuo Park (阳朔公园) is a local favorite—a tranquil oasis in the town center with three独立 peaks: Duxiu Mountain (独秀山), Xilang Mountain (西郎山), and Zhongling Mountain (钟灵山). We skipped the summit climb (too tired!) but enjoyed the lakes and pavilions.
Then came West Street (阳朔西街)—the heart of Yangshuo's tourism. This 800-meter stone-paved street dates back 1,400 years and today pulses with backpacker energy. It's a fascinating blend of Chinese culture and international flare: traditional courtyard houses now house hostels, cafes, and bars.
Must-try food: Beer Fish (啤酒鱼) is Yangshuo's signature dish—fresh carp braised in beer and local spices. Also sample Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉), one of China's four famous noodle dishes.
Reality check: West Street gets extremely crowded in evenings (especially weekends). For a quieter experience, visit in early morning or off-season.
Day 6: Youzi Bay (佑子湾) & Nanxi Park (南溪山公园)
Our final day included a visit to Youzi Bay (佑子湾)—a Dong village (侗寨) showcasing traditional minority architecture: wooden houses, distinctive drum towers (鼓楼), and moon-shaped gates. It's technically a shopping stop (silver jewelry is the main product), but the cultural presentation was interesting.
We finished at Nanxi Park (南溪山公园), Guilin's southern gem. The park features two peaks with snow-white limestone—particularly striking after rain when clouds clear and sunlight makes the white rock glow.
The White Dragon Cave (白龙洞) is the star attraction—one of Guilin's largest and most spectacular caves. Inside, you'll find formations illuminated with colored lights and a former Republic-era mint (造币厂) carved into the rock.
Pro hack: Visit Nanxi Park after rain when the "White Rock Glow" (南溪新霁)—one of Guilin's Eight Views—lives up to its name.
Final Thoughts
Guilin delivers on every level—spectacular scenery, rich minority culture, delicious food, and activities for every interest. Whether you're cruising the Li River, cycling through rice paddies, or bar-hopping on West Street, this destination feels like stepping into a Chinese landscape painting.
Worth it? Absolutely. Guilin is one of those places that lives up to the hype—and then some. Just bring comfortable walking shoes, an open mind, and your camera.