Is One Day in Guilin Enough?
Yes one day is enough in Guilin if you focus on the city highlights. You could fit in a day trip to Yangshuo with a tour and this could be a great option if you don’t have time to go there as well. You can see the main sights of the town, enough the food. This itinerary is perfect for very short stop over trips, China Itineraries and short China trips!
Tip – it is important to note that Guilin is a city in the Guangxi region of China. Yangshuo county is an area in the same region. Many people refer to Guilin but mean Yangshuo. They are two different places and are about 30 minutes apart by train. Yangshuo is one of our favourite places in China!
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One Day in Guilin Itinerary Overview
- Morning → City Highlights
- Afternoon → Markets
- Evening → Lake views and dinner
One Day in Guilin Itinerary: City Highlights and Lake Views
This one day in Guilin Itinerary is best for budget travellers and those with connections in and out of Guilin city.
Reed Flute Cave
Head straight out to Reed Flute Cave by Didi as it is 5km from the city you can do this first and then stay in the city for the rest of the day. There is an entry fee and you can pre-purchase your tickets to save time. Spend a couple of hours here and then head to the next stop by Didi.
Elephant Trunk Hill
Next stop is Elephant Trunk Hill to see the famous elephant shaped rock. It is really popular so there will always be a crowd, walk the whole thing, you can walk at the actual rock site and then cross the water to take in the view from the other side. The gardens and surrounds are also nice to check out here. The street along the outside of the area has foot carts and snacking here is good. We grabbed warm chestnuts, fresh pomegranate juice and a glutenous rice cake with osamanthus!
Seven Star Park
Seven Star Park is gorgeous and a perfect place to relax and enjoy some beautiful surrounds. We wandered through here in the evening but would have loved to come through during the day to take it in with the light.
Zhengyang Road Pedestrian Street
This pedestrian street is great for street food! Wander along the shops and find your favourite treat and people watch.
The Sun Pagoda And The Moon Pagoda
A must see stop on your itinerary. The Sun and Moon Pagoda are a famous symbol in Guilin. They are pretty in the day time and you can visit at night to see them light up. You can also buy a ticket to go inside.
If you want to see everything and not have to worry about getting around then this day tour takes you to all the spots and can include a boat tour at night.
Alternative: One Day Guilin Itinerary Li River Cruise
If you only have one day in Guilin and no time to visit Yangshuo then you can spend the day doing a Li River Cruise Guilin to Yangshuo. This tour also returns you to Guilin by bus. You will see karst landscape, featuring the famous 20 Yuan RMB viewpoint and mystical Nine Horses Fresco Hill. Make sure to select the early boat and silver cave option to get the return bus. If you are wondering if Yangshuo is worth it, yes it really is beautiful!
Alternatively if you want to combine the city highlights with Yangshuo in a day trip this tour will take you from Guilin, to the Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Cave before driving you to Yangshuo to show you the views and then take you back to Guilin. It sounds like a busy day and a boat cruise is not included but it may be a useful option.
Alternative Guilin One Day Itinerary: Rice Terraces
Another place that people love to take a day trip to from Guilin is the Longi Rice Terraces. I really want to go here but it is not the best time in November. The best time is early June or early October to see the fields at their best.
Guilin vs Yangshuo: Where Should You Stay?
If you are arriving and leaving from Guilin within a day or two I would stay in Guilin and do day trips from here. It is a main transport hub and it will be easier to orgnaise.
If you have a couple more days then I would stay in Yangshuo. It is so beautiful, has a cool vibe and I think a better experience.
How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo
There are a few ways you can get from Guilin to Yangshuo. A Li River Cruise is the most popular and one that I will definitely come back to do. We actually did this in reverse and the boats don’t go back to Guilin with people on them anyway ( I asked everyone and everywhere!) so we missed out. It looks beautiful though and I hope we get the chance soon. From my research the 3 star cruises give you the best comfort/lunch combination.
You can take a bus or a train from Guilin to Yangshuo, I love the trains in China and this one is a 30 minute trip but it does drop you a bit out of central Yangshuo at a town called Xingping. From there you take a Didi or you can stay the night and check the town out.
Finally the more expensive option is to take a Didi from Guilin to Yangshuo. It will be the fastest and most direct way to do it but will cost more. We actually took a Didi from the Yangshuo countryside to our hotel in Guilin and it wasn’t too expensive when you consider the cost of getting to the train in Xingping, the train tickets and then getting to your hotel in Guilin.
Is the Li River Cruise Worth It?
Although we didn’t get to do it I strongly believe it is as it gives you stunning views of the river, landscape and the best view of the 20CNY note viewpoint. It is giving you an experience as well as transport. The only caveat is that you have enough time to do it and you like boat cruises. If you are not someone who likes boats or you are in a rush I would skip it.
Best Time to Visit Guilin
The best time to visit Guilin is between April–October for the lush scenery and to avoid heavy rain periods. We actually went in November before we visited the Yunnan Province in China and had perfect weather, although the skies were a little great but we still recommend that also.
What to Pack for Guilin
Versatile layers are a must as the temperature can change throughout the day, I would bring a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes. I would always bring sunscreen as much of the sight seeing is out doors.
One Day in Guilin FAQ
Can you do Guilin and Yangshuo in one day?
Yes you can but you will just get a taste of both, take a tour where you can get a couple of the Guilin highlights and Yangshuo viewpoints. If you want to do the Li River cruise this tour has the option to return you to Guilin.
Is Yangshuo better than Guilin?
If you prefer scenery and the overall experience then I would prioritise Yangshuo. If you need to stay near main transport options then Guilin. Yangshuo reminded me a little of our time in Lijiang, another of our favourite places in China.
How long is the Li River cruise?
In general they are around 4–5 hours.
Is Guilin worth visiting?
Guilin is worth visiting if you have the time or need to use it as a transport hub. I would skip it if you have more time and could spend it in Yangshuo.
Do you need to book the Li River cruise in advance?
Yes, especially in peak season. The cruises are pretty popular and can book out early.
Guilin is an interesting city and located so close by to Yangshuo with some of the most beautiful scenery in China. If you are looking to experience a lighter side of China you will love it here.
Plan your trip:
👉 Read next: Yangshuo – why you need to visit the prettiest place in China
👉 Plan your trip: 2-Week China Itinerary or our 4-Week China Itinerary
👉 Don’t miss: Furong Town – China’s Magical Town on a Waterfall
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