Where to stay in Guilin — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Guilin has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world — strangely shaped limestone peaks rising along the Li River. A Chinese saying calls Guilin's mountains and waters the finest under heaven. Cruising downriver to Yangshuo, past the Longji rice terraces, is an experience you won't forget.
Why stay in Guilin
Li River cruise
An 83km cruise past the limestone peaks to Yangshuo — legendary scenery.
Longji rice terraces
The dragon's-backbone rice terraces of the Zhuang and Yao peoples.
Limestone peaks
Elephant Trunk Hill and other striking peaks rising in the city and along the river.
Cycling around Yangshuo
Ride through rice fields and villages amid the limestone peaks.
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Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
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Local dishes to try in Guilin
- 1🍜
Guilin rice noodles
Rice noodles tossed in fragrant spiced broth, topped with peanuts and crispy pork.
📍 Citywide - 2🐟
Yangshuo beer fish
River fish cooked in beer with chilli and tomato — rich and bold.
📍 Yangshuo - 3🐌
Spicy river snails
Freshwater snails stir-fried with chilli and basil — suck out the savoury meat.
📍 Citywide - 4🍚
Bamboo-tube rice
Sticky rice baked in a bamboo tube by the local peoples, scented with bamboo.
📍 Longsheng - 5🦆
Duck with fermented tofu
Duck stewed with fermented tofu in a local recipe — tender and well-rounded.
📍 Citywide
- 1🚤
Li River
Cruise past rows of limestone peaks from Guilin to Yangshuo — the view that's on the 20-yuan note.
📍 Cruise route - 2🌾
Longji Rice Terraces
The dragon's-backbone rice terraces on the mountains of the Zhuang and Yao peoples.
📍 Longsheng district - 3🐘
Elephant Trunk Hill
A rock shaped like an elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River — Guilin's symbol.
📍 In town - 4🦇
Reed Flute Cave
A cave of stalactites and stalagmites lit in colourful lights like a fantasy world.
📍 In town - 5🏞️
Yangshuo
A small town at the end of the cruise, with West Street and gorgeous peak views all around.
📍 Yangshuo district - 6🌅
Xianggong Hill
A viewpoint for sunrise over the bend of the Li River and the limestone peaks.
📍 Yangshuo district
Things to do in Guilin
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Guilin — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Guilin hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.5Upper-midLi River Resort Yangshuo
#5 karst-mountain views · 20-yuan banknote spot
★ 9.5Upper-mid
★ 9.4Luxuryโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในGuilin
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
#4 riverside boutique · the best view in Yangshuo
Yangshuo Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel
#8 Chinese-garden boutique · on the Yulong River
This Old Place International Youth Hostel Xingping
#9 Guesthouse · heart of Xingping market
Sheraton Guilin Hotel
#6 chain hotel · riverside Li River in the city centre
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
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🚆 Getting around Guilin
River cruise boats
Tour boats from Zhujiang pier cruise down to Yangshuo, taking about 4 hours.
Bus to Longji
Buses from the coach station to the Longji rice terraces, about 2 hours.
High-speed rail
Guilin North station connects easily to Guangzhou and Nanning.
Yangshuo bicycles
Rent a bike to ride through the rice fields and peaks around Yangshuo.
Where to go next near Guilin
BeijingChina's capital, blending ancient palaces, the Great Wall, and a modern metropolis all in one place.
See this city's guide →
ShanghaiA world-class commercial metropolis where futuristic skyscrapers stand face to face with colonial buildings across the river.
See this city's guide →
Xi'anA former ancient capital at the start of the Silk Road, home to the Terracotta Army.
See this city's guide →
ChengduSichuan's capital, famous for giant pandas, fiery hotpot, and laid-back days in the teahouses.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Guilin
Which Li River cruise route is best?+
The classic route from Zhujiang pier (Mopanshan) to Yangshuo takes about 4 hours, passing the limestone scenery that appears on the 20-yuan note — a highlight not to miss.
When are the Longji rice terraces most beautiful?+
May–June, when they're flooded and reflecting the sky, and Sep–Oct, when the rice turns golden — the two finest seasons. It's about a 2-hour drive from Guilin.
Should you stay in Guilin or Yangshuo?+
Guilin is more convenient for transport and the Reed Flute Cave, while Yangshuo has prettier peak scenery and the lively West Street. Many people stay a night in each.
Ready to book your Guilin stay?
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