Destination Introduction
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, located in China's southern frontier, is a magical land that combines spectacular mountains and waters, ethnic customs, and tropical seaside scenery. The reputation that "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven" has been celebrated for a thousand years. The karst peaks on both banks of the Li River are like a splashed-ink landscape painting, shaded by green bamboo and accompanied by fishing boats singing in the evening. This is the ultimate representation of China's mountain-and-water scenery and the source of inspiration for countless poets and painters. Rafting down the Li River by bamboo raft, with fantastic peaks reflected in the water on both sides, mountains and water enhancing each other's beauty, feels like traveling within a painting. Yangshuo takes pastoral idyll to the extreme—in the fields along the Yulong River, water buffalo stroll leisurely, farmers return home carrying hoes, and layer upon layer of karst peaks gradually recede in the twilight, forming one of the most beautiful rural landscapes in the world. Guangxi is the homeland of the Zhuang people, and more than a dozen ethnic groups including the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong have lived here for generations. The March 3rd Song Festival, Zhuang brocade weaving, bronze drum culture, and Dong grand song—each cultural heritage carries a thousand years of wisdom. The Longji Rice Terraces spiral from the foot of the mountain to the summit; the Zhuang and Yao ancestors carved an awe-inspiring agricultural miracle into the land with their sweat. To the south, the fine sand of Beihai Silver Beach is as white as silver, and the volcanic landforms of Weizhou Island complement the azure sea, revealing another side of Guangxi different from its landscape paintings. In the realm of cuisine, the smooth, tender, fresh, and fragrant Guilin rice noodles awaken the taste buds in the morning, the sour, spicy, fresh, and refreshing Liuzhou snail rice noodles are irresistible, and the crispy, savory Yangshuo beer fish leaves a long aftertaste. Whether you are a scenery hunter in search of peerless mountains and waters or an urban traveler longing for pastoral life, Guangxi will present you with a poetic China in the most simple and moving way.
Guangxi is one of China's most visually striking travel destinations, and its karst mountain-and-water scenery is considered peerless on a global scale. For a first visit, it is recommended to arrange 5-7 days and follow the classic route of Guilin → Yangshuo → Longji Rice Terraces. If time permits, you can extend the trip to Beihai and Weizhou Island to experience the seaside scenery. The best travel season is April to October, among which April-May and September-October have the most pleasant weather, avoiding both the intense heat of midsummer and the peak summer crowds. Li River cruises and Yulong River bamboo rafts need to be booked in advance, especially in peak season. In Yangshuo, it is recommended to stay at least 2 nights to fully experience the town's pastoral charm and nightlife atmosphere.
Guangxi is one of China's most visually striking travel destinations, and its karst mountain-and-water scenery is considered peerless on a global scale. For a first visit, it is recommended to arrange 5-7 days and follow the classic route of Guilin → Yangshuo → Longji Rice Terraces. If time permits, you can extend the trip to Beihai and Weizhou Island to experience the seaside scenery. The best travel season is April to October, among which April-May and September-October have the most pleasant weather, avoiding both the intense heat of midsummer and the peak summer crowds. Li River cruises and Yulong River bamboo rafts need to be booked in advance, especially in peak season. In Yangshuo, it is recommended to stay at least 2 nights to fully experience the town's pastoral charm and nightlife atmosphere.
Travel Highlights
Popular Attractions
Specialty Cuisine
Guilin Rice Noodles
Guilin's most representative food, with a history of more than 300 years. Rice is ground into a slurry, steamed, and made into round noodle strips, paired with braised beef or horse meat, crushed peanuts, chopped scallions, pickled bamboo shoots, and other toppings, then drizzled with a secret braising sauce. The authentic way to eat it is dry-mixed (without soup); after mixing thoroughly, slurp it in one bite. The rice noodles are smooth and springy, and the braising sauce is rich and flavorful.
📍 In downtown Guilin, Chongshan Rice Noodles, Ritouhuo Rice Noodles, and Tonglai Guan (a time-honored brand); rice noodle shops can be found on almost every street
Yangshuo Beer Fish
Yangshuo's most famous specialty dish, made with wild Li River carp or jian-gu fish, first pan-fried until golden on both sides, then simmered with local Guilin beer, green and red peppers, tomatoes, and other ingredients. The fish is crispy outside and tender inside, the wheat aroma of the beer blends into the fish, and the sauce is rich and savory. It is a must-try dish when visiting Yangshuo.
📍 In Yangshuo West Street: Master Beer Fish, Sister Xie Beer Fish, and Mama Chen Beer Fish
Liuzhou Snail Rice Noodles
A famous Guangxi snack that has swept the country and even overseas in recent years, known for its unique "smelly" odor. Round rice noodles are paired with a snail broth base, with added toppings such as pickled bamboo shoots, peanuts, yuba, wood ear mushrooms, and pickled green beans. The broth is simmered for hours with snails and pork bones, offering a sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant taste with rich layers. It smells pungent but tastes delicious, making it addictive after one try.
📍 Downtown Liuzhou (the authentic place of origin); many branches also exist in downtown Guilin
Lipu Taro Pork Belly
A classic banquet dish of Guangxi, using large taro produced in Lipu, Guilin, and pork belly as the main ingredients. The pork belly is first fried until crispy, then arranged alternately with taro slices, seasoned with fermented bean curd sauce, minced garlic, and other seasonings, and steamed for 2-3 hours. After steaming, it is inverted onto a plate. The taro is starchy and melts in the mouth, while the pork belly is fatty but not greasy; the two blend perfectly, making it a traditional delicacy complete in color, aroma, and taste.
📍 In downtown Guilin, Guilin cuisine restaurants such as Chunji Roast Goose, Xiao Nanguo, and Macau Restaurant
Accommodation Recommendations
Downtown Guilin
A transportation hub close to downtown attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and Reed Flute Cave, with complete commercial facilities, making it a convenient base for exploring Guilin.
Yangshuo West Street / Ten-Mile Gallery
The first choice for backpackers and vacationers. The area around West Street is lively and convenient, while boutique homestays along the Ten-Mile Gallery are quieter, with karst peaks visible as soon as you open the window.
Xingping Ancient Town
A small Li River town far from the crowds. Staying in a riverside homestay lets you face the landscape featured on the 20-yuan banknote, watch fishermen cast nets in the early morning, and experience the purest Guilin scenery.
Longji Rice Terraces
Stay in a stilted wooden homestay on the terraces, and opening the window reveals layered rice terraces, sea of clouds, and sunrise, offering an authentic mountain-living experience of the Zhuang and Yao people.
Transportation Guide
How to Get There
💡 Guilin Liangjiang Airport has direct flights from major domestic cities and some international routes. The high-speed rail network is convenient: Guangzhou South to Guilin North takes about 2.5 hours, and Nanning to Guilin takes about 2 hours. Yangshuo High-Speed Railway Station is about 20 kilometers from Yangshuo county town, with shuttle bus connections
Local Transportation
🚇 Metro: There is no metro in Guilin or Yangshuo; Nanning has a metro (Lines 1-5)
🚌 Bus: Downtown Guilin buses cover major attractions, and Yangshuo has tourist shuttle buses connecting various attractions
🚕 Taxi: Guilin's starting fare is 7 yuan; using ride-hailing is recommended. For attractions around Yangshuo, renting an electric bike or chartering a car is recommended
💡 Renting an electric bicycle in Yangshuo is the most popular way to explore, about 40-60 yuan per day. From Guilin to Yangshuo, you can take high-speed rail (20 minutes) or a bus (70 minutes). Between attractions, chartering or sharing a car is recommended for flexibility and convenience
Budget Reference
Budget Travel
200-350 yuan/day
Accommodation: hostel 40-80 yuan, guesthouse 80-150 yuan
Dining: 50-100 yuan
Transportation: 30-70 yuan
Comfort Travel
450-800 yuan/day
Accommodation: boutique homestay/hotel 250-500 yuan
Dining: 120-200 yuan
Transportation: 80-150 yuan
Luxury Travel
1,200 yuan or more/day
Accommodation: high-end resort hotel/riverside villa 600 yuan+
Dining: 250 yuan+
Transportation: chartered car 300-500 yuan
Practical Information
Payment Methods
WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted in cities such as Guilin, Yangshuo, and Beihai and at major scenic areas. It is recommended to carry a small amount of cash for some small shops on Longji Rice Terraces and remote areas
Language
Mandarin is commonly used, and locals also speak Guiliu dialect (Southwestern Mandarin). Major scenic areas have English signs. Because Yangshuo West Street has many foreign tourists, many shopkeepers can speak simple English
Safety
Public security is good, and the tourism environment in Guilin and Yangshuo is mature. Pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention. During the rainy season (May-August), occasional heavy rainstorms require attention to weather forecasts; wear a life jacket when rafting
Communications
4G/5G coverage is good in Guilin and Yangshuo. Signal is weaker on Longji Rice Terraces, and signal is unstable in some areas of Weizhou Island. It is recommended to download offline maps in advance
Population
50.13 million
Area
237,600 km²
Elevation
150 m
Time Zone
UTC+8
Coordinates
25.3°N, 110.3°E
Founded
214 BC
Recommended Routes
Guilin & Yangshuo Classic 5 Days (Essence of Mountains and Rivers)
Covers the most classic mountain and river landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, suitable for first-time visitors, offering a relaxed and comfortable experience of Guilin's scenery as the finest under heaven
In-Depth Guangxi 7 Days (Mountains and Rivers + Terraces + Ethnic Culture)
Builds on the classic landscapes with the addition of Longji Rice Terraces and ethnic minority cultural experiences, offering a deeper understanding of Guangxi's natural and cultural beauty
Guangxi Panorama 10 Days (Mountains and Rivers + Coast + Waterfalls)
From Guilin's landscapes to the Beihai coast, from Longji Rice Terraces to Detian Waterfall, see all of Guangxi in one trip
Landscape Photography 4 Days (Special Route for Photography Enthusiasts)
A premium short route designed specifically for photography enthusiasts, capturing the most classic photography spots and optimal lighting periods of Guilin's landscapes
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Planning Your Guangxi Trip
Our travel consultants will tailor an itinerary for you, making your Guangxi trip worry-free.
