Guilin: Guilin and Yangshuo 3-day Trip
- anywherechina020
- Feb 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 16
The Chinese language textbook states, "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven." When you visit Guilin and Yangshuo, you'll understand what it means to "travel within a painting." This article provides you with a detailed guide to exploring the scenery and cuisine of Guilin and Yangshuo.
Guilin: Guilin and Yangshuo 3-day Trip
DAY 1: Guilin (Elephant Trunk Hill - Sun and Moon Pagodas)
You can reach Guilin by high-speed train or plane, and it's recommended to arrive at your hotel before 12 PM. Suggested accommodations include the Shangri-La Hotel Guilin. This hotel is a established five-star hotel conveniently located for accessing various attractions within Guilin. The hotel standard rooms range from 700 to 1200 yuan per night.
Check into the hotel and rest for a bit before heading out for lunch. You can start by going to Shuimo Ci（水磨糍） to buy a water glutinous rice dumpling. It's warm and chewy; the glutinous rice skin itself is quite bland, but the sesame and peanut filling is incredibly fragrant and sweet, giving you a sense of happiness. After enjoying the dumpling, take a short walk to a popular local Guilin rice noodle shop, Renli Rice Noodles（仁利米粉）.
After a filling lunch, take a taxi to Elephant Trunk Hill (free admission). This iconic landmark is a must-see in Guilin. Once you enter the area, there is a hiking trail that leads up the hill. The hike is not strenuous, and you can enjoy taking photos along the way. Plan to spend about 1-2hours exploring the scenic area.
After your visit to Elephant Trunk Hill, leisurely walk to Xinguo Ji Oil Tea（新郭记油茶） for dinner. This place comes highly recommended for its excellent value and generous portions, with everything tasting fantastic!
The oil tea is just 3 yuan per serving, served on a large plate where you can add your own ingredients. It has a strong ginger flavor, perfect for warming you up. The boat-shaped cake is 2.5 yuan per piece and resembles crispy rice cakes with a bit of taro inside.
Don’t miss the rural vinegar blood duck (68 yuan for half a duck), which has a delightful balance of spiciness and sourness—great with rice. The vinegar stir-fried potato shreds (18 yuan) are tangy and served in a huge portion. Finally, you can't leave Guilin without trying the “Liqi 1998” beer, which has a rich wheat aroma.
After dinner, take a taxi to Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas Cultural Park for a stroll. Walking around the outer circle is free of charge. The Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas are known as the world's largest bronze pagodas. At night, the lights transform the pagodas into stunning gold and silver colors, making it a breathtaking spot for nighttime views.
Then take a leisurely walk to East West Street, where the architecture is filled with a charming, ancient atmosphere. While you’re there, be sure to try "suan ye酸嘢," which consists of fruits picked from plates of sour vinegar and sprinkled with sour plum powder. It's a refreshing treat that cleanses the palate beautifully.
DAY 2: Guilin to Yangshuo (Ten-mile Gallery - West Street)
After having breakfast at your hotel, depart from Guilin and take the high-speed train to Yangshuo. The journey takes about half an hour.
Then take a taxi to your hotel. You might consider staying at Yangshuo Huashan Yunshe(阳朔画山云舍). While it is a bit expensive, ranging from 2500 to 3000 yuan per night, the stunning views make it well worth the cost. Enjoy your stay!
After resting at the hotel and enjoying the scenery, if you visit during spring or autumn, when the weather is not too hot, you can rent an electric motorcycle in the afternoon and ride to Ten-mile Gallery. The gallery is truly beautiful, featuring typical karst landscapes along the Yulong River. You'll be surrounded by stunning peaks and idyllic rural scenery, making it feel like you've stepped into a paradise.
During your approximately 3-hour exploration, you'll come across many unique little shops where you can stop to browse. Take a break to enjoy a pastry or sip on a cup of coffee. These charming spots add to the overall experience. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch the "Golden Dragon Parade" in the evening.
After the performance, you can take a taxi to the lively West Street. Here, you'll find numerous street performers and a variety of bars and restaurants. It's a great place to soak in the nightlife and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
DAY 3: Yangshuo (Yulong River)
After having breakfast at the hotel, take a taxi to the Shui'e Di Pier for a bamboo rafting trip on the Yulong River. It's recommended to make a reservation in advance for the bamboo raft. A double raft costs around 200 yuan, and the official rowing time is approximately 50 minutes. Enjoy the serene beauty of the river and its surroundings!
After your bamboo rafting experience, you can take a leisurely stroll along the Yulong River scenic area. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and stop to take in the views. For lunch, consider finding a riverside farmhouse restaurant to enjoy some delicious local cuisine.
After lunch, return to the hotel to check out. Then, head back to Guilin for the next leg of your journey.
Transportation in Yangshuo can be a bit inconvenient. If you need to rent a car or would like a local guide to show you around, please feel free to reach out on ins or leave your requests in the 'Customize Your Trip' section on our website( https://www.anywherechina.com/custom).
We're here to help make your experience enjoyable!
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