Guilin in 3 days
Three days is the relaxed version: a day in Guilin city, a day on the Li River and in Yangshuo, then a full day at the Longji Rice Terraces. The terraces sit about 90 km north and need a long day, so plan the earliest start for Day 3. If you prefer, swap Day 3 for a deeper Yangshuo day (below).
Day 3 — Longji is the longest transfer: buses take 3–4 hours each way via Longsheng, so leave Guilin by 07:00. The terrace ticket is about $14–21 and includes the shuttle to the villages. Prefer to stay in Yangshuo? Skip Longji and use Day 3 for Xingping, Xianggong Mountain and Moon Hill instead — both plans are below. Pre-book the Li River cruise and the Elephant Trunk Hill slot.
Day 1 — Guilin city on foot
The emblem hill, a lit cave, a green park and the night-lit lakes.
- 09:00 Elephant Trunk Hill 1 hr — free with the timed slot; cross the river for the full-elephant photo.
- 10:30 Reed Flute Cave 1.5 hr — the cool, lit show-cave north of town. About $12.70.
- 13:00 Lunch A rice-noodle shop or beer fish in the centre.
- 14:30 Seven Star Park 2 hr — karst crags, a cave and a small zoo. About $7–10.
- 17:30 Sun and Moon Pagodas + night cruise Walk the lit lake, then the 1-hr boat loop; about $25–30.
Day 2 — Li River to Yangshuo
The classic cruise, a bamboo raft, and West Street after dark.
- 08:00 Li River cruise (Guilin → Yangshuo) 4 hr — 3-star (~$30) or 4-star (~$51); bus collects you in the city, drops you in Yangshuo.
- 13:00 Lunch in Yangshuo Beer fish is the local speciality; West Street has cafes too.
- 14:30 Yulong River bamboo raft 2 hr — a quieter tributary drift; about $25–35, booked on site or via your hotel.
- 19:00 Yangshuo West Street 2 hr — dinner and the lantern-lit pedestrian spine. Free to wander.
- 20:30 Impression Liu Sanjie (optional) 70-min open-air river show; about $40–70. Book a seat earlier in the day.
Day 3 — Option A: Longji Rice Terraces
An early start, a long transfer, and China's mountain masterpiece.
- 07:00 Bus from Guilin to Longsheng Change to the local shuttle into the hills; budget 3–4 hr total each way.
- 11:00 Longji Rice Terraces 3–4 hr — Ping'an for the classic Two Dragons view, or Jinkeng for the cable car. Ticket about $14–21.
- 16:00 Shuttle and bus back to Guilin Return by evening; a long but rewarding day. Overnight in a village if you want sunrise instead.
Option B — a deeper Yangshuo day (skip Longji)
- 06:30 Xianggong Mountain 1.5 hr — the famous sunrise panorama over the Li River bend. About $7–10.
- 09:30 Xingping Ancient Town 2 hr — the 20-yuan-note riverside bend; wander the old lanes.
- 13:00 Moon Hill 1.5 hr — climb through the natural "moon" arch. About $7–10.
- 16:00 Silver Cave (optional) 1.5 hr — a vast, cool cave south of town. About $11–15.
Day-trip practicalities
- Longji is far. The 3–4 hour transfer makes Day 3 long; an overnight in a village trades the bus for sunrise and golden rice.
- Real-name, passport. The Li River cruise and paid sights check ID; book the cruise a day ahead and carry your passport.
- Go on a clear day. Longji, Xianggong and the river are all outdoor — mist hides the peaks, so watch the forecast.
- Pack light for Day 3. A day pack is easier than luggage; your Guilin hotel will hold the big bag.
Shorter stay? Collapse this into the 1-day routes or the 2-day plan. Back to the Guilin hub.
Itinerary last reviewed: 2026-10-18.