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Guilin

China travel guide

What to see in Guilin

Karst mountains that look painted and the Li River, China’s classic postcard.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 6 must-see places
  • Best time: from March to June and from November to January
  • Typical food: Guilin rice noodles
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

Guilin highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Li River

    A cruise between limestone mountains to Yangshuo.

  2. Yangshuo

    A town among the mountains, for cycling through the rice fields.

  3. Yulong River

    A bamboo-raft trip, calmer than the Li.

  4. Longji rice terraces

    The “Dragon’s Backbone”, in the nearby mountains.

  5. Elephant Trunk Hill

    The rock shaped like an elephant drinking, the symbol of the city.

  6. Reed Flute Cave

    A cave of stalactites lit in colours.

Day trips from Guilin

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Guilin

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Guilin are from March to June and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with warnings
  9. Sep with warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February

    Lunar New Year (approximate dates)

    Millions of people travel at this time: trains and flights are full and expensive, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

    What to do: Book transport weeks in advance and expect closures for the first three days.

  • from July to September

    Typhoon season

    In July, August and September typhoons can pass through: transport and outdoor attractions close for a day or two.

    What to do: Leave a flexible day and check the local weather warnings.

  • October

    Golden Week

    From 1 to 7 October the whole of China travels: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the trains are packed.

    What to do: If you can, move your trip by a week; if not, book tickets in advance and visit first thing in the morning.

Typical food of Guilin

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Guilin from your kitchen).

Guilin rice noodles
Photo: Popo le Chien · CC0

Guilin rice noodles

Guilin’s breakfast: round rice noodles with a braised-meat sauce, fried peanuts, pickled beans and chilli, with a little broth.

  • Serves 4
  • 2 h

Ingredients

  • 400 g round rice noodles
  • 500 g beef or pork for braising
  • Soy sauce, rice wine, star anise, cinnamon and liquorice (or fennel)
  • 100 g peanuts
  • Pickled green beans or chopped gherkins
  • Spring onion, coriander and chilli oil

How to make it at home

  1. Braise the meat with the spices, soy sauce and wine, covered with water, for 1½ hours. Slice it thinly and keep the broth.
  2. Fry the peanuts in oil until golden.
  3. Cook the noodles and drain them.
  4. Put the noodles in bowls with a few spoonfuls of the meat broth.
  5. Top with the meat, peanuts, pickles, spring onion and chilli, and mix as you eat.

The trick: Everyone builds their own bowl with the toppings.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a busy local spot with a queue. The dishes you can’t miss are in the China guide.

Frequently asked questions about Guilin

What to see in Guilin?

Li River, Yangshuo, Yulong River, Longji rice terraces, Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave.

What to see in Guilin in one day?

Don’t miss Li River, Yangshuo, Yulong River, Longji rice terraces, Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Guilin?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Guilin are from March to June and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

What day trips can you take from Guilin?

Li River cruise.

What is the typical food of Guilin?

Guilin rice noodles. Guilin’s breakfast: round rice noodles with a braised-meat sauce, fried peanuts, pickled beans and chilli, with a little broth.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.