The China Route
Li River Karst: Guilin and Yangshuo in 5 Days: Guilin, Yangshuo
Karst mountains and countryside

Li River Karst: Guilin and Yangshuo in 5 Days

Updated · By Carl

5 days Easy 2 cities Spring Relaxed

Trip facts

Duration
5 days
Difficulty
Easy
Pace
Relaxed
Best season
Spring
Budget
Mid-range
Cities on this route
2 cities

Five days cruising the Li River, cycling Yangshuo's karst countryside, and exploring Guilin's limestone peaks.

Overview

Who it is for

This route suits travellers who want natural scenery without strenuous hiking. You spend mornings on slow boats or bicycles, afternoons exploring caves and villages, and evenings wandering riverside streets. Five days is enough to see Guilin's limestone formations and Yangshuo's countryside without rushing, with two full days in each place and a half-day for the Li River cruise.

How the route flows

You base yourself in Guilin for two nights, seeing the city's parks and caves before taking the morning Li River cruise downstream to Yangshuo. The cruise replaces the bus or train between cities and delivers you directly to your next hotel. You then spend two nights in Yangshuo, cycling, rafting, and exploring the karst countryside before returning to Guilin for your departure.

Getting around

Guilin's city buses cost ¥1 to ¥2 and connect the railway station, airport, and main parks. The Li River cruise departs Zhujiang Pier at 9:00 and arrives Yangshuo at 13:00. Within Yangshuo, electric bikes rent for ¥40 per day and reach all cycling loops and river rafting points. A direct bus from Yangshuo back to Guilin Liangjiang Airport takes 90 minutes and costs ¥50, departing every two hours from the West Street bus station.

Route highlights

  • ◆Four-hour Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo passing 83 kilometres of karst peaks.
  • ◆Cycling the Yulong River countryside loop past rice paddies, water buffalo, and Moon Hill.
  • ◆Reed Flute Cave's illuminated limestone formations with a 240-metre walkway through seven chambers.
  • ◆Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River from Yulong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge, 90 minutes downstream.
  • ◆West Street's evening food stalls serving beer fish, guilin rice noodles, and roasted chestnuts.

Day by day

  1. 1
    Day 1 · Guilin

    Arrive in Guilin

    Land at Guilin Liangjiang Airport and take the airport bus to Guilin railway station, 50 minutes, ¥20. Check into a hotel near Zhongshan Road and Jiefang Bridge, then walk to Elephant Trunk Hill on the Li River, entry ¥55, where the limestone formation meets the water. In the evening, stroll the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area along Shanhu Lake, free entry, with lit-up bridges and pagodas. Dinner at Chongshan Rice Noodles near the train station, bowls from ¥12.

    Stay: 2 nights, central Guilin near Zhongshan Road and Jiefang Bridge.
  2. 2
    Day 2 · Guilin

    Reed Flute Cave and city parks

    Take bus 3 from Zhongshan Road to Reed Flute Cave, 30 minutes, ¥2, entry ¥120, to walk the 240-metre path through seven chambers of illuminated stalactites and underground pools. Return to the city for lunch at Guilin Rice Noodles Master on Zhongshan Road, ¥15 per bowl. In the afternoon, climb Fubo Hill for views over the Li River and city, entry ¥15, or walk through Seven Star Park's caves and rock gardens, entry ¥70. Evening at Zhengyang Pedestrian Street for snacks and tea shops.

    Stay: Central Guilin near Zhongshan Road and Jiefang Bridge.
  3. 3
    Day 3 · Yangshuo

    Li River cruise to Yangshuo

    Take a taxi to Zhujiang Pier by 8:30, ¥30, for the 9:00 Li River cruise. The four-hour journey passes 83 kilometres of karst peaks, fishing villages, and bamboo groves, economy class ¥215. Disembark at Yangshuo pier at 13:00 and walk 10 minutes to your hotel on or near West Street. Explore West Street in the afternoon, a 600-metre pedestrian lane with cafes and souvenir stalls. Dinner at Cloud 9 Restaurant on Diecuilu, beer fish from ¥48.

    Travel: Li River cruise, Guilin Zhujiang Pier to Yangshuo, 4 hours, ¥215.
    Stay: 2 nights, Yangshuo on or near West Street.
  4. 4
    Day 4 · Yangshuo

    Cycling the Yulong River countryside

    Rent a bicycle on West Street, ¥20 to ¥40 per day, and ride to Yulong Bridge, 12 kilometres south, following signs through rice paddies and small villages. From Yulong Bridge, take a bamboo raft downstream to Gongnong Bridge, 90 minutes, ¥120 for a two-person raft. Cycle back via Moon Hill, entry ¥15, climbing 800 steps for views over the karst landscape. Return to Yangshuo by late afternoon for a massage at one of the street-side foot spas, ¥60 per hour. Evening street food on West Street, roasted chestnuts ¥10 per bag.

    Stay: Yangshuo on or near West Street.
  5. 5
    Day 5 · Guilin

    Return to Guilin and depart

    Check out and take the direct airport bus from Yangshuo West Street bus station to Guilin Liangjiang Airport, 90 minutes, ¥50, departing every two hours. Alternatively, take a local bus to Guilin railway station, 70 minutes, ¥20, for onward high-speed train connections. If your flight departs after 16:00, stop at Xingping Ancient Town on the way back, a 30-minute detour by bus, to see the karst view printed on the ¥20 note, entry free.

    Travel: Bus from Yangshuo to Guilin airport, 90 minutes, ¥50.

Cities on this route

Guilin
Best in spring 3 to 4 days

Guilin

Explore
Yangshuo
Best in autumn 3 to 4 days

Yangshuo

Explore

Frequently asked questions

Is the Li River cruise worth the full-day commitment?
Yes if you want the classic karst views. The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes four hours and costs ¥215 for economy class. Book through the official Guilin Tourism website or your hotel, as third-party tickets are often fake.
Do I need a guide to cycle around Yangshuo?
No. Bike rental shops on West Street charge ¥20 to ¥40 per day with basic maps. The Yulong River loop is signposted in English and takes three to four hours at a gentle pace.
Which Guilin caves are worth visiting?
Reed Flute Cave is the most accessible with lighting and paved paths, entry ¥120. Crown Cave near Yangshuo offers boat tours through underground lakes for ¥80 but requires a 30-minute bus ride.
Can I do this trip in winter?
Yes, but January and February can be cold and misty, obscuring karst views. April to October offers clearer skies, though July and August bring heat and crowds. March to May is ideal for blooming rapeseed fields.
How do I get from Guilin airport to the city?
Airport bus Line 1 runs every 30 minutes to Guilin railway station, 50 minutes, ¥20. Taxis cost ¥80 to ¥100 to central Guilin hotels near Zhongshan Road.