Short answer: Spend one day in Guilin city and two days in Yangshuo. Take the Li River cruise or a bamboo raft from Guilin to Yangshuo, cycle the countryside lanes around Yangshuo, and watch the karst hills at sunrise or sunset. This is China’s classic landscape trip, and it rewards a slow pace.
Guilin and Yangshuo are in Guangxi, in southern China. Guilin is the transport hub; Yangshuo, about an hour and a half south, is the smaller, prettier base for the countryside. The landscape — limestone karst hills rising out of rivers and rice fields — is the attraction, not a list of museums. This guide is for first-timers travelling independently by train or flight to Guilin, then onward to Yangshuo. For train booking, see How to Book China Train Tickets.
1. How many days and where to stay
A good first trip is three days: one night in Guilin, two nights in Yangshuo. Stay in central Guilin for the first night, near the Li River or the city centre, then move to Yangshuo town or the nearby countryside. Check that each hotel accepts foreign guests, as explained in China Hotel Check-In Guide.
2. Li River: cruise or raft?
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Li River cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo) | First-timers, comfort, photography from the deck | A half-day trip; book ahead in peak season; the cruise ends in Yangshuo town |
| Bamboo raft (shorter sections) | A quieter, closer-to-the-water experience | Shorter routes only, weather-dependent, and less comfortable in rain or strong sun |
| Bus Guilin to Yangshuo | Saving time or money, or a bad-weather day | You miss the river, but you gain a day for cycling |
If you only do one river trip, do the cruise. If the weather is poor, do not force it: mist can be beautiful, but heavy rain and low cloud hide the hills entirely, and a cycling day is a better use of the time.
3. Yangshuo countryside by bike
Rent a bike in Yangshuo town and ride the flat lanes through rice fields and villages. The classic routes are well signed, mostly flat, and suitable for casual riders. Tips:
- Rent in the morning, check brakes and tyres, and carry water, sun protection and your hotel address in Chinese.
- Do not ride on busy main roads when a lane alternative exists.
- Stop in villages for lunch rather than planning a long ride without food.
- Return the bike before dark unless you know the route well.
Other Yangshuo activities — the Li River at sunset, the West Street area in the evening, and a countryside show if you enjoy large outdoor performances — fit around the cycling, not instead of it.
4. Guilin city in one day
Guilin city itself is pleasant but not the main event. In one day, walk the central lakes area, see the Reed Flute Cave if you like caves, and eat locally. Do not try to fit Guilin city, the cruise and Yangshuo into a single day: the travel time alone makes it rushed.
5. Practical notes
- When to go: Spring and autumn are usually best for light and comfortable cycling. Summer is hot, humid and rainy; winter is cooler and quieter. See the packing advice in China Packing Checklist.
- Money and payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay work in town; small village stalls may prefer cash, so carry small bills. See Money in China.
- Language: Yangshuo town is used to foreign visitors, but village lanes are not. Save addresses in Chinese and use a translation app. See Translation Apps for China.
Cruise and raft prices, timetables and routes vary by season and operator. Check the operator or your hotel on the day, and treat any single price in a guide as an example, not a current fare.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guilin or Yangshuo the better base?
Yangshuo, for most first-timers. Guilin is the hub for arrival, but Yangshuo is closer to the countryside, cycling and the best light.
Do I need to book the Li River cruise in advance?
In peak season, yes. In quiet season, your hotel can usually arrange it a day ahead, but do not leave a peak-season cruise to the morning of travel.
Can I cycle in Yangshuo if I am not a confident cyclist?
Yes, on the flat countryside lanes. Choose a short route, rent a comfortable bike, and avoid main roads.