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Guilin Travel Guide

Li River Cruise

Pictures

'East or west, Guilin landscape is best!' Located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China, Guilin is considered to be the pearl of China's thriving tourist industry on account of the natural beauty and historic treasures. Covering an area of about 27,800 square kilometers (10,734 square miles), the city is rather compact when compared with other major travel destinations in the country. The stunning landscape in which the city is situated has a kind of magic that is all its own. The strangely shaped hills or karsts, with the verdant vegetation ranging from bamboos to conifers together with crystal clear waters and wonderful caves make the city such an appealing destination. It is an important cultural city with a history of more than 2,000 years, and has been served as the political, economic and cultural center of Guangxi since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

Attractions

Transportation

It is a well-developed tourist city with convenient transportation facilities. You can enter Guilin by air, train, long-distance bus or ship and get around the city by bus, taxi or bicycle.

Weather

Best Time to Visit Guilin

Maps

Dining

Local food is influenced by the food of Canton, Sichuan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Fujian. In recent years, Sichuan and Cantonese dishes become the most popular. From splendid restaurants to local snacks, tourists from around the world are sure to find that your need is met beyond your expectations. The most popular local snacks include rice noodles (mifen), nun noodles, chestnut glutinous rice dumplings (banli zong), stewed duck with gingko, lotus-leaf duck and stewed duck with ginger.

Shopping

What to Buy: The sanhua alcohol, fermented bean curd and chili sauce are considered to be the city's three treasures, and are top choices among travelers. Products made from sweet-scented osmanthus are also recommended since the name of Guilin literally means forests of osmanthus. Osamnthus tea, sugar and wine will bring you sweet memories of this city.

Where to Buy: Here lists department stores for daily articles and local specialties as well as shops for souvenirs, jewelry, panitings and calligraphy works.

Nightlife

Local nightlife is as attractive as its natural beauty. From modern nightclubs, romantic night cruise to Li River Folk Customs Center, travelers can enjoy or relax themselves thoroughly.

Recommended Ethnic Shows: Impression - Liu Sanjie (Yangshuo), The Beauty of Guishan (Guishan Hotel)...

Popular Nightclubs: Guilin Plaza Hotel Karaoke Bar, Bravo Hotel Reed Flute Cowboy Bar, Bravo Hotel VIP Nightclub...

Travel Tips

Area: 27,809 square kilometers (10,737 square miles)
Population: 4,951,100
Ethnic Minorities: Han and over ten minorities of Zhuang, Yao, Dong, Miao, Hui, Mulao, Maonan

72-hour Visa-free Transit
6-day Visa Exemption
Area Code & Zip Code
Useful Phone Numbers
Banks
Hospitals

Guilin Tours

Our Tour Group by the Li River

3-Day Private Guilin Tour from $409
Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge

4-Day Private Guilin/ Longsheng/ Yangshuo Tour from $549
6-Day Private Trip to Guilin/ Longsheng/ Sanjiang/ Yangshuo from $909

Train Tickets Booking

- Last updated on Jun. 21, 2023 by Catherine He -

Questions & Answers on Guilin Travel

Asked by Goh from MALAYSIA | May. 11, 2023 23:47

Xiang River Battle memorial

how can I travel to the memorial of the Xiang River Battle of the 1930s.
From Wuhan or Changsha or any major city near it,
Thank you.

Answers (1)

Answered by Mia | May. 15, 2023 02:58

It is located in Quanzhou County, Guilin City and you can take a bus from Guilin North Bus Station to Quanzhou County. The bus departs from 6:20 to 17:40 and it is operated with an interval of 10-20 minutes in the morning and about 30 min in the afternoon. The duration is about 2.5 hours and it takes CNY 40 for a bus ticket.

From Quanzhou Bus Terminal to the memorial, you can take Bus Line 206 to reach in 1 hour.

Asked by William from SINGAPORE | Apr. 19, 2023 15:18

Li river cruise

Where do I find details of li river cruise that starts from Guilin downtown n ends in west street of Yangshou?

Answers (1)

Answered by Zoe | Apr. 20, 2023 19:55

I think you are looking for this: travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangxi/guilin/li_river.htm
Hope it helpful~

Asked by Betty from CANADA | Jan. 08, 2020 17:48

Going to Guilin for 3 days by High Speed train from Hong Kong and back.

Are train tickets sufficient proof of onward travel and not need China Visa as a Canadian. Thanks, Betty from Canada

Answers (1)

Answered by Ada from USA | Jan. 09, 2020 18:29

If your itinerary is HK-Guilin-HK, then you need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa.

Asked by an rong from SINGAPORE | Dec. 06, 2019 01:29

Hi all, I am planning to transit at Guilin North upon arrival to Guilin Station.

Guangzhou South (11.34am) -> GL North (14.07pm)
GL North (13.32pm) -> GL (14.43pm)

Will 25 mins be sufficient for me to transit upon arrival at GL North? Thanks for any tips in advance!

Answers (1)

Answered by Gina from CANADA | Dec. 09, 2019 17:48

You need to pick up your train ticket in advance. Then I think you can make it, though the time is a little tight.

Asked by Anna from POLAND | Dec. 05, 2019 19:55

Is there a bus from Guilin to Chengdu and how much does it cost?

Answers (1)

Answered by Kate from NEW ZEALAND | Dec. 09, 2019 00:17

I didn't find the bus between them. You can take bullet train from GL West Railway Station to Chengdu East Railway Station and the second-seat fare is CNY388-CNY412.

Guilin Travel Guide

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