Guilin 桂林 — China's Most Scenic City — East or West, Guilin is Best
Guilin (桂林) has been celebrated as China's most beautiful city for over 1,500 years. The saying "桂林山水甲天下" (Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven) was penned in the Song Dynasty, and the city has lived up to that reputation ever since. Dramatic karst peaks rise unexpectedly from flat plains, the Li River winds through landscapes that inspired traditional Chinese ink paintings, and caves hide underground palaces of stalactites and stalagmites.
The karst landscape was formed over 200 million years as a shallow sea receded, leaving limestone that erosion sculpted into thousands of isolated peaks. The result is one of Earth's most distinctive landscapes — needle-thin mountains with sheer cliffs, natural arches, and hidden caves. The Li River (漓江) cuts through this scenery for 83 km, offering the famous cruise to Yangshuo that appears on the ¥20 banknote.
Guilin serves as the gateway to Guangxi's karst region. Most visitors combine 2–3 days in Guilin with 2–3 days in Yangshuo and a day trip to the Longji Rice Terraces. The city has excellent high-speed rail connections (3 hours from Guangzhou, 11 hours from Beijing), making it one of China's most accessible destinations. Beyond the famous sights, Guilin offers surprising depth — Zhuang and Yao ethnic minority villages, ancient stone villages, and hiking routes through karst valleys that few tourists explore.
The 83-km Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of the world's classic boat journeys. The river passes through a landscape of thousands of karst peaks, each with evocative names and legends: Nine Horses Fresco Hill (九马画山), where you try to spot nine horses hidden in the rock face; Reflection of Yellow Cloth (黄布倒影), featured on the ¥20 note; and Crown Cave (冠岩), where the river flows through a massive cavern.
The cruise takes 4–5 hours downstream (Guilin to Yangshuo) or longer upstream. Large tourist boats (¥210–270) depart from Zhujiang Pier at 9:30 AM; smaller bamboo rafts (not actual bamboo — motorized PVC pipes) operate on shorter scenic sections for ¥100–200. The best photos come from the open deck. Most travelers stay in Yangshuo after the cruise rather than returning to Guilin.
Hours: Cruises depart 8:00–13:00 (downstream); rafts 7:00–17:00
Admission: Large boat ¥210–270; small raft ¥100–200
Duration: 4–5 hours (downstream cruise)
Guilin's most iconic landmark, Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbishan) is a karst peak that resembles a giant elephant drinking from the Li River. The "trunk" is a natural arch where the river flows through, creating a classic photo opportunity that has symbolized Guilin for centuries. The hill has been celebrated in poetry since the Tang Dynasty.
The small park includes a pagoda on the hilltop with panoramic views, ancient stone inscriptions, and a small temple. Water Moon Cave (水月洞) at the base contains over 50 Song Dynasty inscriptions. The hill is especially beautiful at sunset when the arch frames the river. The park was made free in 2022, making it an easy stop on any Guilin itinerary. Best combined with a walk along the riverside Binjiang Road.
Hours: 7:00–18:00 (park); 24 hours for exterior views
Admission: Free (2024)
One of China's most spectacular limestone caves, Reed Flute Cave stretches 500 meters through a karst hill 7 km northwest of the city center. The cave was formed over 180 million years and contains extraordinary stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and rock formations that imagination transforms into lions, monkeys, and palaces. Over 70 wall inscriptions date to the Tang Dynasty (792 AD).
Modern LED lighting transforms the cave into an underground fantasy world — the Crystal Palace chamber alone is worth the visit. The path takes 60–90 minutes with a guide (mandatory). The name comes from reeds growing outside that locals used to make flutes. Morning visits are less crowded. Combine with the nearby Peach Blossom River scenic area.
Hours: 8:00–17:30 (summer), 8:00–17:00 (winter)
Admission: ¥90 (2024)
Distance: 7km northwest of city center
Guilin's largest comprehensive park covers 137 hectares on the east bank of the Li River. The park is named for seven karst peaks arranged like the Big Dipper constellation. It combines natural karst scenery, caves, a zoo, ancient temples, and landscaped gardens in one vast complex.
Key attractions include Seven Star Cave (七星岩), a stunning limestone cavern with formations dating back 1 million years; Camel Hill (骆驼峰), a peak resembling a resting camel that's become a photo icon; and the Flower Bridge (花桥), a beautiful ancient stone structure. The Giant Panda House hosts two pandas from Sichuan. The park is huge — allow 3–4 hours to explore fully, or take the electric cart for a quicker tour. Popular with locals for morning exercise.
Hours: 6:00–19:00 (summer), 6:30–18:30 (winter)
Admission: ¥55; Seven Star Cave additional ¥30; electric cart ¥20
The "Dragon's Backbone" rice terraces are one of China's most spectacular agricultural landscapes. Carved into steep mountainsides over 650 years by Zhuang and Yao minority peoples, the terraces rise from 300m to 1,100m elevation, creating a massive staircase that resembles dragon scales from above.
Three main villages offer different experiences: Ping'an (平安) is most developed with wooden guesthouses and restaurants; Dazhai (大寨) has cable car access and larger terraces; Jinkeng (金坑) is quieter with more authentic Red Yao culture. Visit in spring (May–June) for water-filled terraces reflecting the sky; autumn (September–October) for golden rice; or winter for snow on the peaks. The sunrise from viewpoint is legendary. Stay overnight to experience minority culture and avoid day-trip crowds. 2–3 hours drive from Guilin.
Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: ¥80 (Ping'an), ¥100 (Dazhai); cable car ¥60 one-way
Distance: 80km from Guilin (2–3 hours by bus/car)
This historic complex in Guilin's center combines a 14th-century princely palace with the city's most famous karst peak. The Jingjiang Princes' City was the residence of 14 generations of Ming Dynasty princes who ruled Guangxi for over 250 years. The palace grounds now house Guangxi Normal University.
Solitary Beauty Peak (独秀峰) rises 66 meters from the palace grounds, offering the best panoramic view of Guilin. The 306-step climb leads to a viewing platform where all of Guilin's karst peaks are visible. The peak has been celebrated in poetry for 1,500 years — the phrase "Guilin scenery is the finest under heaven" was first written here in 1201. The site also contains the imperial examination hall where scholars competed for government positions.
Hours: 7:30–18:00
Admission: ¥100 (2024) — includes palace and peak
One of Guilin's most distinctive karst peaks, Fubo Hill rises 63 meters beside the Li River, half on land and half in water. The hill is named after a Han Dynasty general who calmed the region. Unlike other peaks, Fubo has been partially carved with caves, grottoes, and over 200 stone Buddha carvings from the Tang Dynasty.
Return Pearl Cave (还珠洞) inside the hill contains Buddhist statues carved into the rock and a massive stone pillar hanging from the ceiling. The Thousand Buddha Cliff has over 200 Buddha images carved during the Tang and Song dynasties. The summit viewpoint offers excellent photos of the city and river. A 1-hour visit combines well with Elephant Trunk Hill, just 1 km south along the river.
Hours: 8:00–17:30
Admission: ¥22 (2024)
Named "Folded Brocade Hill" for its layered rock formations resembling stacked fabric, Diecai Hill offers one of Guilin's classic panoramic views. The hill has been a scenic destination for over 1,000 years, with over 90 stone inscriptions from famous Tang and Song Dynasty poets.
The wind through the Yishou Pavilion at the summit is one of Guilin's "eight scenic wonders." The 40-minute climb passes ancient inscriptions, small temples, and caves before reaching the viewing platform where the entire Guilin basin spreads before you — Li River, karst peaks, and city skyline. Best visited at sunset when the golden light illuminates the layered peaks. Located walking distance from the city center.
Hours: 7:00–18:00 (summer), 7:30–17:30 (winter)
Admission: ¥25 (2024)
At 909 meters, Yao Mountain is the highest peak in the Guilin area and offers the most comprehensive views of the entire karst basin. The mountain is named after a legendary emperor and has been considered sacred since ancient times. The summit reveals the true scale of Guilin's karst landscape — thousands of peaks stretching to the horizon in every direction.
A cable car (¥70 round-trip) whisks visitors to the summit in 15 minutes, or you can hike (2 hours up). The summit has a viewing platform, small temple, and the "Four Wonders" — sunrise, sea of clouds, sunset glow, and purple mist. Spring brings azalea blooms across the mountain slopes. Less touristy than city attractions, this is where locals come for serious views.
Hours: 8:00–18:00 (cable car); mountain open 24h
Admission: ¥40; cable car ¥70 round-trip
Distance: 10km east of city center
Guilin's urban water system connects the Li and Peach Blossom rivers with four inner-city lakes (Shan, Rong, Gui, and Mulong), creating a 17-km ring waterway through the city center. The system was restored and expanded starting in 1998, transforming Guilin's urban landscape into a Venice-like water city.
Night cruises are most popular, when illuminated bridges and pagodas reflect in the calm water. The Sun and Moon Pagodas (日月双塔) at Shan Lake are the iconic sight — two copper pagodas, one gold and one silver, dramatically lit at night. The 1.5-hour cruise passes 19 bridges, each with unique architecture. Alternatively, walk the lakeside paths for free — the evening atmosphere with locals dancing and strolling is a highlight.
Cruise Hours: 19:00–22:00 (multiple departures)
Admission: Night cruise ¥200; walking path free