Top 10 Things to Do in Guilin: from Daytime to Nighttime

Thanks to its fairy-tale karst pinnacles and stunning countryside landscapes, it’s no surprise that Guilin is one of the most popular destinations in China. From hiking up Xianggong Hill in the morning to enjoying a live show at night, the small city offers abundant options that can easily fill your trip. Based on these local activities, we have listed 10 top things to do in Guilin during one day. Check out our list and plan a detailed trip in Guilin.

1. In Early Morning, Watch a Sunrise from Xianggong Hill

Do you love mornings? It's the start of a new day in Yangshuo, a small town featuring the most stunning karst landscape in Guilin. The best way to witness its glorious scenery is to hike to the top of Xianggong Hill to see the amazing panoramic view. In order to catch a view of the sunrise, local people and many tourists get up early and wait there. It's possibly the most peaceful and quiet moment of each day.

• Location: near Nine Horses Fresco Hill, the western side of the Li River, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County
• Admission: 60 yuan (8.8 USD) per person
• Opening time: it depends when sunrise is due to occur
• Time of the sunrise: from 6am to 7:30am — don't forget to check the exact time in advance

2. In the Morning, Climb the Longji Rice Terraces

The Longji Rice Terraces, which are 77 kilometers away from Guilin's city center, are a local agricultural wonder that you can't miss. Leave aside a whole day to visit this area — you should try to get there in the morning. Depending on which village you want to explore (Ping'an, Jinkeng, or Guzhuangzhai), your hiking experience will be different but will last for at least half a day. Hiking in the morning helps you escape from the hot weather, especially during summer (it's about 35°C during the daytime). You'll have more time to take photos or discover the minority cultures.

• Location: the Longji Rice Terraces, Longsheng County; it's about 2 hours’ drive from downtown Guilin
• Admission: 100 yuan (about 15 USD) per person
• Opening time: all day
• Best season: From April to June, the Longji Rice Terraces will be filled with water. This is when it is regarded as the most beautiful time to visit.

3. At Noon, Taste Guilin Rice Noodles

As the most popular staple food in Guilin, you can find rice noodle restaurants everywhere. The dishes include soft and fresh noodles accompanied with special ingredients, such as beans, beef, peanuts, and pickled cowpeas. You may not be sure whether you will enjoy the special taste, but don't worry, just try a little. If you don't like it, you can also find other options for lunch.

• Price: about 5 yuan (about 0.8 USD)

4. In the Afternoon, Try to Draw on a Chinese Fan

Fuli is a quaint ancient town located in the eastern region of Yangshuo County. With a history of 1,000 years, you can see the authentic look of this town and, more importantly, it still continues with a precious traditional art — Fuli fans. Beautiful landscapes are painted on fans and these 1-meter handcrafted fans have become very popular with travelers. Compared with buying a fan, drawing on your own fan is more interesting. If you have any questions, the shop owner will help you.

• Price: This depends on the painting materials you choose and the process you are using, but will be about 50 to 300 yuan.

5. Explore the Village of Long-Haired Women in Longsheng County

Can you believe that there is a village where most of the local women's hair is over 1.4 meters in length? Go ahead to Longsheng County and explore this special village. You can meet many Yao women during your hike on the Longji Rice Terraces. Their hair is gathered up on their heads, resembling big, black hats. Huangluo Yao Village is where most of them live so go there to see more long-haired women.

• Location: Huangluo Yao Village, Heping Town, Longsheng County
• Admission: 100 yuan (about 15 USD) per person
• Opening time: all day

6. Discover the Colorful Reed Flute Cave

Reed Flute Cave is the most standout karst landform in Guilin. After having lunch, escape from the heat of the afternoon as you go into this big cave and discover what’s inside.  Reed Flute Cave is about 6 kilometers away from Guilin's city center. The total visiting duration is about 2 hours. Choose a free afternoon and enjoy seeing the stalactites and stalagmites dotted with colorful lights.

• Location: 1 Ludi Road, Xiufeng District
• Admission: 110 yuan (about 16 USD) per person
• Opening times:
• 7:30am to 6pm from April 1^st to November 30^th;
• 8am to 5:30pm from December 1^st to March 31^st

7. Take a Bamboo Raft Trip on the Li River

The Li River is a star attraction in Guilin that you mustn't miss. A bamboo raft is one of the most popular forms of transportation on the river. In the past, fishermen used to ride on bamboo rafts to catch fish. Today, it's a romantic way to discover the Li River. Taking a bamboo raft to travel across the Li River and see different shaped hills passing by is interesting. Give play to your imagination and you can find a vivid world: some mountains look like animals while some like the moon.

• Location: Yangdi Pier, Yangshuo County
• Admission price:
• 1 person: 200 yuan
• 2 people: 130 yuan per person
• 3 people: 107 yuan per person
• 4 people: 95 yuan per person
• Opening times: 9am to noon and from 1pm to 6:30pm

8. At Dusk, Cycle in the Countryside and See the Sun Setting

At dusk, the warm sunshine makes the trees, rivers, sky, flowers, and local fields even lovelier. Enjoy watching a sunset over the surrounding landscapes. Cycle through the countryside to a quiet village. Enjoy this precious and peaceful time to relax. All the noise and bustle will disappear, so just enjoy this moment.

• Cost: 20 yuan for a bike and 50 yuan for a scooter

9. Have a Nighttime Stroll Alongside the Downtown Rivers

Two rivers and four lakes converge in Guilin, including the Li River, the Peach Blossom River, Chinese Fir Lake, Banyan Lake, Osmanthus Lake, and Wooden Dragon Lake. Nighttime in Guilin is charming and having an evening stroll after dinner is enjoyable. Local people like to exercise before they go to sleep, such as dancing together, having a stroll, or doing tai chi. You can find many special local activities to try with the benefit of the cool breeze.

• Recommended: Wander alongside a river or lake.

10. Watch a Live Show at Night — Impression Liu Sanjie

Impression Liu Sanjie is a large live show. You may be surprised to find out that there are no professional actors or stage — the local villagers perform the classic story on their own using the natural landscape as their backdrop. The show was directed by a famous Chinese director, Zhang Yimou, who also directed the opening ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It's a special way to understand the local culture and it’s a feast for your eyes.

• Location: 1 Tianyuan Road, Yangshuo County
• Show time: 8pm to 10pm
• Admission price:
• VIP B1: 268 yuan
• VIP B2: 368 yuan
• Vice President VIP A2: 628 yuan
• President VIP A1: 828 yuan

Related Tours