The Li River's karst peaks — the landscape on the ¥20 note
No photo prepares you for the first sight of the karst towers rolling to the horizon. Guilin is the gateway city; Yangshuo, two hours downriver, is the base for cycling, bamboo rafts and climbing. Everything here is about the water and the hills — budget your days accordingly.
Tickets below are the official standard adult prices at the time of checking. Real-name booking means your passport is the ticket — book under your exact passport name and carry the booklet itself. Prices checked Nov 1, 2026 — operators change them without notice, always confirm on the official site before paying.
The 4–5 h cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the classic; the 1.5 h motorised bamboo raft section at Yangdi–Xingping is the tighter, more dramatic alternative.
Tip — Book official tickets through the pier counters, hotel desks or reputable platforms; morning light on the water is best.
The exact bend of the river photographed on the back of the ¥20 banknote — climb the hill behind town for the full panorama.
Tip — Pair with the Yangdi–Xingping raft for a half-day that beats the long cruise.
West Street is touristy but the surrounding villages and Yulong River are the real draw: bike paths between paddy fields and peaks.
Tip — Cycle the Yulong River loop early; the bridges and villages are empty before 09:00.
Two hours north: staircases of rice terraces wrapped around a mountain for 600 years, with Zhuang and Yao villages.
Tip — Green mirrors May–July, gold harvest late Sep–mid Oct; the Ping'an village side is the easiest logistics.
A floodlit limestone cavern of columns and pools five minutes from the city — a rainy-day classic.
Tip — Sells itself short on the outside; the lit interior is genuinely spectacular.
An evening circuit of Guilin's lakes and the Li River through the city, with pagodas lit up.
Tip — Do it the night before or after the river day; the Sun and Moon twin pagodas are the centrepiece.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Apr – Oct | Green peaks and full rivers; summer is lush and hot. |
| May – Jun | Highest water — most dramatic falls and mist, but pack rain gear. |
| Sep – Oct | Clear skies, harvest gold in the terraces. |
| Nov – Mar | Grey and low water; quieter and cheaper, still photogenic. |
Guilin Liangjiang (KWL) airport has wide domestic and some international links. High-speed rail from Guilin to Yangshuo is 30 min; to Hong Kong West Kowloon ~3.5 h.
Every city guide follows the same structure — jump between cities freely, or start from the full destinations overview.