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Guilin & Guangxi
Guilin · Guangxi, China

Guilin Tours - Li River, Yangshuo & Karst Mountains

Cruise the Li River through karst peaks, bike Yangshuo's rice paddies, and trek the Longji Rice Terraces — all on a private Guilin China tour with a local guide.

Why Visit Guilin

Guilin Travel at a Glance

Guilin's landscape has defined the Chinese imagination for over a thousand years — the same karst peaks that appear on the 20-yuan note, the same Li River that inspired classical poets, and the same rice terraces carved into mountainsides by Zhuang and Yao farmers over 700 years ago. A Guilin China tour centers on the 83-kilometer Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, widely considered one of the world's most scenic river journeys, where limestone pinnacles rise from emerald water past water buffalo, bamboo rafts, and fishing villages. Beyond the river, Yangshuo offers countryside cycling through rice paddies and karst caves, the Longji Rice Terraces deliver vertigo-inducing mountain scenery 2 hours north of the city, and the Reed Flute Cave reveals a kaleidoscope of stalactites and stalagmites just 5 kilometers from downtown Guilin. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, direct flights from Beijing and Shanghai, and high-speed rail from Guangzhou in under 3 hours, Guilin remains one of China's most accessible and rewarding natural destinations — and a signature chapter on any multi-city China tour package.

Map Focus

Guilin, China

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City basics

5 facts
Best Time to VisitMarch–May and Sept–Nov offer mild weather and clear skies. The Li River peaks in summer rainfall.
Getting ThereFlights to Guilin Liangjiang Airport. High-speed rail from Guangzhou (2.5h) and Kunming (5h).
Top AttractionsLi River cruise, Longji Rice Terraces at sunrise, cormorant fishing, and Reed Flute Cave (1,200 years old).
FoodGuilin rice noodles (桂林米粉) in pork-bone broth, Yangshuo beer fish, and stuffed river snails.
Ethnic CultureZhuang, Yao, and Miao villages in Longsheng — the Dragon's Backbone terraces were carved 700 years ago.

More planning guides

Each topic opens a short planning layer first, then links into detailed editorial or product-led guidance.

Private Guided Tours

Guilin Private Guided Tours - Li River, Yangshuo & Rice Terraces

Every Guilin private tour includes your own local expert guide, a dedicated vehicle, and instant confirmation. From the iconic Li River cruise to Yangshuo countryside cycling and Longji Rice Terrace treks — all routes adjustable on the spot.

2-Day Guilin Photography Tour & Local Experience: Capture Rivers, Villages and Hidden Gems
Private Tours
2 days / 1 nightFamily Tours
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCALInstant Confirmation

2-Day Guilin Photography Tour & Local Experience: Capture Rivers, Villages and Hidden Gems

Elephant Trunk Hill → Crown Cave → East Li Ancient Village → Daxu Ancient Town → Yulong River Bamboo Rafting → Fuli Bridge → Silver Cave

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Admire the city’s legendary mountains and rivers, from the famous Elephant Trunk Hill to hidden karst wonders underground.

Experience the rhythms of rural Guilin through village encounters, traditional customs, and authentic local flavors.

Immersive Local ExperienceCultural ImmersionPicture-Perfect
From $117.00

Preset private route

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A Two-Day Guilin Private Tour from Longji Rice Terraces to Yangshuo’s Karst Country
Private Tours
2 days / 1 nightCulture Tours
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCALInstant Confirmation

A Two-Day Guilin Private Tour from Longji Rice Terraces to Yangshuo’s Karst Country

Longji Rice Terraces → Ping'an Village → Huangluo Red Yao Village → Li River Scenic Cruise → Yangshuo West Street → Ten-Mile Gallery Countryside Breeze Ride

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

See two of Guilin’s signature landscapes—layered rice terraces and towering karst peaks.

Discover Red Yao traditions, distinctive dress, and fascinating long-hair heritage.

Immersive Local ExperienceCultural ImmersionCruise
From $137.00

Preset private route

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Chase Karst Peaks, Follow the Li River | 2-Day Guilin Yangshuo Tour
Private Tours
2 days / 1 nightClassic Tours
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCALInstant Confirmation

Chase Karst Peaks, Follow the Li River | 2-Day Guilin Yangshuo Tour

Elephant Trunk Hill → Shangri-La Scenic Area → Ten-Mile Gallery Countryside Breeze Ride → Fuli Ancient Town → Xingping Ancient Town → Lunch → Li River Bamboo Rafting

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Move from Guilin’s iconic Elephant Trunk Hill into Yangshuo’s karst peaks, green fields, and village roads.

Feel the countryside breeze on an electric scooter as the Ten-Mile Gallery unfolds around you.

Natural WondersEasy walkingCultural Immersion
From $95.00

Preset private route

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Guilin Hot Air Balloon & Iconic City Sights Private Day Tour
Private Tours
1 dayFamily Tours
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCALInstant Confirmation

Guilin Hot Air Balloon & Iconic City Sights Private Day Tour

Guihai Qinglan → Elephant Trunk Hill → Sun and Moon Twin Towers → East-West Alley → Xiaoyao Tower

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Take a hot air balloon ride over Guihai Qinglan’s meadows and karst peaks.

See Elephant Trunk Hill beside the Li River and capture the city’s iconic landscape.

Photo stopsDreamlike SceneryUnforgettable Landscapes
From $62.00

Preset private route

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Guilin & Yangshuo Outdoor Day Tour: Cave Exploration, Bamboo Rafting & Countryside Ride
Private Tours
1 dayAdventure
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCALInstant Confirmation

Guilin & Yangshuo Outdoor Day Tour: Cave Exploration, Bamboo Rafting & Countryside Ride

Yulong River Bamboo Rafting → Ten-Mile Gallery Countryside Breeze Ride → Longmen Water Cave Underground Adventure

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Glide along the Yulong River, surrounded by tranquil waters, rice fields, villages, and iconic karst peaks.

Ride an electric scooter through the Ten-Mile Gallery, following winding roads past bamboo groves and peaceful villages.

Family friendlyOutdoor AdventureNature scenery
From $116.00

Preset private route

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Jelly-Like Li River Waters, Laid-back Drift & Photography on a Guilin Day Tour
Private Tours
1 dayAdventure
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCALInstant Confirmation

Jelly-Like Li River Waters, Laid-back Drift & Photography on a Guilin Day Tour

Li River Source Grand Canyon → Mao’er Mountain Wownang Drift Resort

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Play in emerald “jelly-like” waters, wade through cool streams, chase waterfalls, and capture vivid photos.

Lie back, let the current carry you, and enjoy a carefree float through crystal-clear mountain streams.

Dreamlike SceneryOutdoor AdventureFamily friendly
From $64.00

Preset private route

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Tailor-made Travel

Tailor-Made Guilin China Tour Packages: Custom Routes & Multi-City Itineraries

Work one-on-one with a Guilin travel advisor to design a trip around your pace — from a 3-day Li River escape to a multi-city China tour package linking Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin, and Shanghai. All trips include WhatsApp support.

6 Days Guilin Private Tour: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces
Tailor-made Travel
6 days / 5 nightsClassic Tours
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL

6 Days Guilin Private Tour: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces

Guilin → Li River Cruise → Yangshuo → Fuli Ancient Town → Longji Rice Terraces

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

From iconic city landmarks to winding rivers, countryside lanes and mountain villages, experience the many faces of Guilin in one trip.

Cruise through dramatic karst peaks, breeze along the Ten-Mile Gallery, then trade the road for a bamboo raft and let the scenery drift by.

CruiseBike TourNatural Wonders
Price on request

Advisor-designed quote

Tour Details
7-Day Guangxi Tour: Guilin, Yangshuo, Nanning, Jingxi & Detian Transnational Waterfall
Tailor-made Travel
7 days / 6 nightsAdventure
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL

7-Day Guangxi Tour: Guilin, Yangshuo, Nanning, Jingxi & Detian Transnational Waterfall

Guilin → Yangshuo → Nanning → Jingxi → Chongzuo

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Glide along emerald waters beneath towering karst peaks, where quiet rivers, drifting clouds and countryside views create a slower side of Guangxi.

Feel the roar of Detian Falls as water tumbles through misty cliffs and forested valleys, where the borderlands seem beautifully far from the ordinary.

Outdoor AdventurePicture-PerfectNatural Wonders
Price on request

Advisor-designed quote

Tour Details
9-Day Guangxi Adventure: Guilin Peaks, Yangshuo Rivers & Weizhou Island
Tailor-made Travel
9 days / 8 nightsAdventure
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL

9-Day Guangxi Adventure: Guilin Peaks, Yangshuo Rivers & Weizhou Island

Guilin → Longsheng → Yangshuo → Beihai

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Glide for 4 hours along the Li River as mist drifts over emerald water and limestone peaks rise like brushstrokes.

Gaze across Longji’s timeless rice terraces and minority villages, where Zhuang and Yao traditions unfold in the mountains.

CruiseBike TourBeach Scene
Price on request

Advisor-designed quote

Tour Details
14-Day Best of China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
Tailor-made Travel
14 days / 13 nightsClassic Tours
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL

14-Day Best of China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Shanghai → Guilin → Yangshuo → Chongqing → Yangtze River Cruise → Xi'an → Beijing

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Balance Shanghai's skyline, Guilin's karst scenery, the Yangtze cruise and northern China classics.

Flights, trains, cruise boarding, luggage timing and hotel changes are coordinated by the advisor team.

Tailor-made TravelPrivate guide planningManual quotation
Price on request

Advisor-designed quote

Tour Details
15-Day Ultimate China Experience Private Local Tour of Scenic & Cultural Wonders
Tailor-made Travel
15 days / 14 nightsHeritage & Culture
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL

15-Day Ultimate China Experience Private Local Tour of Scenic & Cultural Wonders

Shanghai → Huangshan → Hangzhou → Guilin → Longji → Yangshuo → Xi'an → Beijing

THE LOCAL DIFFERENCE

Walk a quiet, well-preserved stretch of the Great Wall with your private guide, far from the tour groups, and take in sweeping views of the mountain ridges.

Cruise the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo on a private boat, watching limestone peaks rise from misty water like a living ink painting unfolding before you.

Private guide planningManual quotationFlexible hotels and pace
Price on request

Advisor-designed quote

Tour Details

Top Things to Do on a Guilin Tour

01

Li River cruise

Li River cruise anchors the Guilin experience for travelers planning karst rivers, rice terraces, countryside cycling, and family-friendly soft adventure.

02

Yangshuo countryside

Yangshuo countryside anchors the Guilin experience for travelers planning karst rivers, rice terraces, countryside cycling, and family-friendly soft adventure.

03

Longji Rice Terraces

Longji Rice Terraces anchors the Guilin experience for travelers planning karst rivers, rice terraces, countryside cycling, and family-friendly soft adventure.

04

Reed Flute Cave

Reed Flute Cave anchors the Guilin experience for travelers planning karst rivers, rice terraces, countryside cycling, and family-friendly soft adventure.

05

Cormorant fishing

Cormorant fishing anchors the Guilin experience for travelers planning karst rivers, rice terraces, countryside cycling, and family-friendly soft adventure.

06

Guilin neighborhoods

Guilin neighborhoods anchors the Guilin experience for travelers planning karst rivers, rice terraces, countryside cycling, and family-friendly soft adventure.

Traveler Companion

Guilin planning FAQs

Practical answers for planning Guilin, grouped by the fixed customer-approved FAQ categories.

What evening entertainment is available in Guilin?

Impression Liu Sanjie — an outdoor light show on the Li River directed by Zhang Yimou — is Yangshuo's highlight. Night cruises on Two Rivers & Four Lakes and cormorant fishing shows are also popular.

Is the Impression Liu Sanjie show worth seeing?

Yes. The outdoor stage uses the Li River and karst mountains as a backdrop, with hundreds of performers singing folk songs. Book in advance during peak season — shows sell out quickly.

Wider Horizons

Beyond Guilin

Common next chapters for travelers extending Guilin into a broader route.

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