Classic Guilin, Longji & Yangshuo Tour

From Guilin city center to the Jinkeng Terraces, then to Xingping and Yangshuo, experiencing karst landscapes and ethnic minority rice terraces.

The classic route for first-time visitors to Guilin: spend just one day in the city, stay overnight in Longji to catch the sunrise, and focus your time on the Li River and Yulong River in Xingping and Yangshuo. The pace is moderate, with driving concentrated on Days 2 and 3. This itinerary prioritizes the Jinkeng Terraces over Ping'an and skips shopping stops and multiple shows in Yangshuo, making it ideal for couples and friends visiting for the first time.

The terraces are most beautiful in May when flooded, and from late September to October when the rice turns golden.

Day by day

Day 1 · First Look at Guilin's Karst Landscapes

Central Guilin（Reed Flute Cave、Jingjiang Princes' City & Duxiu Peak、Dongxi Alley & Zhengyang Pedestrian Street、Two Rivers and Four Lakes / Sun & Moon Pagodas）

Travel from the airport to the city center (approx. 1 hour), then explore on foot or via short taxi rides as most attractions are downtown.

The Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise is best experienced after dark; the Sun and Moon Pagodas look most stunning when illuminated.

Stay: Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Zhengyang Road

Day 2 · Head North to Jinkeng Rice Terraces

Longji Rice Terraces（Dazhai Jinkeng Red Yao Terraces、Tiantouzhai & Thousand-Layer Ladder Viewpoint、Golden Buddha Peak Viewpoint）

Take a chartered car or shuttle bus to Longsheng, transfer to the scenic area shuttle (approx. 2.5 hours total), and walk up the mountain within the village.

Pack as light as possible; you can hire local porters for the uphill walk or take the cable car.

Stay: Tiantouzhai

Day 3 · Terrace Sunrise & Transfer to Xingping

Longji Rice Terraces（Xishan Shaoyue Viewpoint） → Yangshuo & Li River（Xingping Ancient Town）

After walking down the mountain, take a chartered car via Guilin to Xingping (approx. 3.5 hours); this day is mainly dedicated to travel.

Stay: Xingping Ancient Town

Day 4 · Xingping Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

Yangshuo & Li River（Xianggong Hill、Li River、Huangbu Shoal Reflection、Yangshuo West Street）

Rise early and drive to Xianggong Mountain, take a bamboo raft along the Xingping section of the Li River, and drive about 30 minutes to Yangshuo in the afternoon.

Real-name registration is required for bamboo rafts; book in advance during peak season. High water levels after rain may cause suspensions.

Stay: West Street and Surroundings

Day 5 · Yulong River & Ten-Mile Gallery

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

Take a bamboo raft on the Yulong River in the morning, cycle through the Ten-Mile Gallery, and take a taxi to Yangshuo Railway Station in the afternoon (approx. 30 minutes).

Yulong River bamboo rafts have age restrictions for children; please verify in advance if traveling with family.