Guilin and Yangshuo Travel Guide

Guilin and Yangshuo, in Guangxi in southern China, are karst country: limestone peaks rising from rice fields along the Li River, the scene printed on the 20-yuan note. Guilin is the transport hub and the base for the caves and rice terraces; Yangshuo, about 65 km south, is where people come to cycle, raft and slow down. Plan three to four days for both.

The river is sold two ways. The full cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about four to four and a half hours: CNY 215 on a 3-star boat from Mopanshan pier, or CNY 360 to 480 on a 4-star boat from Zhujiang pier, both about 30 km from central Guilin. The short Yangdi to Xingping stretch, about 1.5 hours on a four-person raft for roughly CNY 225 to 255 a head, covers the most scenic part, and the 20-yuan view is near Xingping. Carry your physical passport: it is checked at boarding.

In Yangshuo, rent a bike and ride among the paddies, or take a bamboo raft on the quieter Yulong River, about CNY 200 to 320 for a two-person raft. Impression Liu Sanjie, the evening show on the river directed by Zhang Yimou with more than 600 performers, starts at about CNY 198 online. Around Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill is free with a real-name booking, Reed Flute Cave costs CNY 90, and the Longji rice terraces are two to two and a half hours north (CNY 80).

High-speed trains reach Yangshuo from Guilin in 24 to 42 minutes, but Yangshuo station is about 35 km from West Street, an hour by shuttle bus, so the road, about 1.5 hours, is often as quick. Indian passport holders need a visa, and Alipay or WeChat Pay should be set up before you fly.