Elephant Trunk Hill 象鼻山
See Guilin’s landmark arch beside the water in the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area.
View attraction detailsGuilin Travel Guide
Limestone peaks rise around the Li River, while caves, city lakes and local noodles make Guilin an easy place to explore slowly.
Before you go
When to go and how long to stay
Allow three days if you also want Yangshuo. Use one day for the city and keep a separate, weather-flexible day for the Li River. Confirm where a cruise ends before booking your evening lodging.
Entry documents
Check your passport’s eligibility with China’s National Immigration Administration before booking. A tourist visa, ordinary visa-free entry and visa-free transit are different options. Transit eligibility depends on your passport, approved ports, permitted area and confirmed travel onward to a third country or region. Save your first hotel’s address in Chinese and keep your onward itinerary handy for the arrival form.
Getting to the city
Guilin Liangjiang Airport (KWL) is outside the city. Check whether an airport coach serves a stop near your lodging, or use the taxi rank. For Yangshuo, compare a direct transfer with a change in Guilin.
Guilin, Guilin North, Guilin West and Yangshuo stations are in different locations. Yangshuo Railway Station is near Xingping, so allow a road transfer if you’re staying in Yangshuo town.
Getting around
Walk between central riverside sights and use a bus or taxi for Reed Flute Cave. Reserve transport to the right cruise pier in advance. Plan the return from Yangshuo separately if it is not included.
Payments and mobile data
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link an eligible international card before flying. Keep some small RMB notes and a backup card, and save your hotel and station names offline. Check whether your phone supports roaming or a travel eSIM. When booking intercity rail through 12306, enter your passport name exactly and bring the same original document to the station.
Where to stay
Stay near the central lakes or Elephant Trunk Hill for evening walks. Consider a night in Yangshuo instead of rushing back to Guilin after a river day.
Things to do in Guilin
What to eat in Guilin
Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉
Rice noodles with a savory topping, herbs and a distinctive local sauce.
Photo: Flickr user gigijin · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗
Beer fish 啤酒鱼
Fish cooked with beer, peppers and aromatics; a Yangshuo favorite.
Photo: Filipe Fortes · CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗A day in Guilin
Try Guilin rice noodles for breakfast, visit Elephant Trunk Hill, then save time for a Li River journey.