Guilin as Base: Li River, Longji, Yangshuo in

Use the city as your base, with one day on the Li River cruise and one day on the Yulong River, a night in Longji, and the rest of the time exploring the city's hills and rivers.

This seven-day route is for those who don't want to change accommodation between Yangshuo and Longji. Five of the six nights are in the city centre, with just one night in Ping'an Zhuang Village to see the terraces in morning and evening light. The Li River cruise and the Yulong River bamboo rafting are both day trips returning to the city by high-speed train. The city itinerary covers two and a half days. The pace is moderate, suitable for first-time visitors and families or friends who want to see the surroundings too.

In summer, the Li River and Yulong River rise, and boats and bamboo rafts may be suspended. Check notices before you travel.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes at night

Central Guilin（Elephant Trunk Hill、Two Rivers and Four Lakes / Sun & Moon Pagodas）

The airport to the city centre takes about 40 minutes. In the afternoon, walk to Elephant Trunk Hill, and in the evening take the Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise.

Elephant Trunk Hill requires advance real-name reservations.

Stay: Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Zhengyang Road

Day 2 · Royal City and hills north of the city

Central Guilin（Jingjiang Princes' City & Duxiu Peak、Dongxi Alley & Zhengyang Pedestrian Street、Fubo Hill、Diecai Hill (Folded Brocade Hill)）

Explore on foot all day. Visit the Royal City and East and West Lanes, then walk north along the riverside road to Fubo Hill and Diecai Hill, about 2 km.

Stay: Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Zhengyang Road

Day 3 · Li River cruise to Yangshuo

Yangshuo & Li River（Li River、Yangshuo West Street）

Take a bus about 40 minutes to Mopanshan Pier, then cruise about 4 hours to Yangshuo. In the evening, take a high-speed train about 20 minutes back to Guilin.

You can book Li River cruise tickets through the i-You Li River mini program.

Stay: Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Zhengyang Road

Day 4 · North to Longji Ping'an Zhuang Village

Longji Rice Terraces（Ping'an Zhuang Village Terraces）

Hire a car or take a shuttle bus about 2.5 hours to the Longji scenic area. Transfer to the scenic area bus to Ping'an Village, then in the afternoon walk to viewing platforms such as Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon.

You'll need to walk uphill in the village, so leave large luggage at a city hotel.

Stay: Longsheng · Ping'an Zhuang Village

Day 5 · Terrace hike and return to the city

Longji Rice Terraces（Longji Ancient Zhuang Village、Huangluo Yao Village）

Hike about 2 to 3 hours in the morning from Ping'an Village down to Ancient Zhuang Village in Longji, with a stop at Huangluo Yao Village. In the afternoon, hire a car for about 2.5 hours back to Guilin.

Stay: Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Zhengyang Road

Day 6 · Yulong River bamboo rafting and the Ten-Mile Gallery

Yangshuo & Li River（Yulong River、Ten-Mile Gallery）

Take a high-speed train about 20 minutes to Yangshuo Station, then a taxi to the upper Yulong River for bamboo rafting. In the afternoon, cycle the Ten-Mile Gallery, then return to the city by high-speed train in the evening.

Book the bamboo rafting dock and time slot in advance.

Stay: Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Zhengyang Road

Day 7 · Seven Star Park and Reed Flute Cave before departure

Central Guilin（Seven Star Park、Reed Flute Cave）

In the morning, walk across the river to Seven Star Park. In the afternoon, take a taxi about 20 minutes to Reed Flute Cave, then about 50 minutes to the airport.

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