China's most famous landscape — limestone karst towers rising from rivers and rice paddies. Budget 2–3 days.
The essentials
- Li River — take the 4-star cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (4.5 hours through the postcard scenery), or the motorized bamboo raft from Xingping past the exact view on the ¥20 note
- Yangshuo West Street — touristy but fun; the surrounding countryside is the real draw
- Ten-Mile Gallery — rent a bike or e-scooter (¥30–50/day) and pedal past Moon Hill, caves, and rice fields
- Yulong River — quieter than the Li; the hand-poled bamboo rafts here are the romantic choice
Longji Rice Terraces
The "Dragon's Backbone" terraces are 2.5 hours north of Guilin. Best in May–June (mirrored water) and late September (golden harvest). Stay overnight in Ping'an village for sunrise.
3-day plan
- Day 1: Li River cruise to Yangshuo → West Street evening
- Day 2: Ten-Mile Gallery by bike → Yulong River raft → Impression Sanjie Liu light show (staged on the river)
- Day 3: Longji terraces day trip or Xianggong Hill sunrise → back to Guilin
Practical
- Base yourself in Yangshuo, not Guilin city — the scenery is out there
- Guilin is 3 hours from Guangzhou by high-speed rail
- Humid year-round; March–May mist makes the karst mystical but brings rain gear