Guilin
River bends, limestone peaks, and a route that gets better once you leave the city centre.
What this city feels like
Guilin is the right starting point for the Li River and Yangshuo, but it works best as a moving trip rather than one hotel base. Give the city one evening, then let the river landscape set the pace as you travel south.
Best for
Travelers who want karst landscapes, gentle cycling, river time, and a quieter counterpoint to China’s largest cities.
A good first stay
3–4 days
Start with these sights
Elephant Trunk Hill
Guilin’s landmark limestone hill beside the Li River, best paired with a short city walk rather than treated as a full day.
Go in the morning, before the countryside transfer day.
Li River and Xingping
The classic karst-river stretch and a useful midway stop between Guilin and Yangshuo.
Start early and confirm the day’s boat or raft conditions.
Yulong River
A quieter Yangshuo-side river landscape of rice fields, low hills, and hand-poled rafting.
Book the raft before planning the rest of the day.
Plan the city in more detail
Make the first day easier
Where to stay
Stay centrally in Guilin for the first night, then move to Yangshuo town for the countryside portion of the trip.
Getting around
Use high-speed rail for the Guilin–Yangshuo connection when it fits your route, but remember that Yangshuo Railway Station is near Xingping rather than Yangshuo town.