Guilin, with its marvelous limestone scenery, is absolutely not to be missed. The Li River, winding its way among crags and hills, creates a timeless beauty that seems to belong to a landscape painting. The Reed Flute Cave is amazingly impressive with lighting showing on stalactite and stalagmite. Biking in the idyll and tranquil countryside in Yangshuo and immerse as a part of Chinese painting-like scenery, is a paradise where carefree backpackers and others could relax and enjoy the magnificent surroundings.
As for the above recommendations, Guilin has a lot more to see and do, with its exotic culture and traditions, including nature parks, minority inhabit villages, and interesting outdoor activities as we list below.
1. Two Rivers and Four Lakes
- Hours of Operation: 24/7
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Time Required: 2-4 hours
Near the center of Guilin is the picturesque scenic area called Two Rivers and Four Lakes. This is a must-see for visitors to the city of Guilin. The best time to visit Two Rivers and Four Lakes is around dusk- so you can see the sunset and the city lights turn on around the waterways. At the confluence of the Li and the Taohua rivers are the four lakes, each with its own specialty:
- Shan and Rong Lakes – linked by a bridge and popular for their fir and banyan trees.
- Gui Lake – a moat for the city of Guilin in ancient times. Now the flowers growing along its peaceful waters make for a relaxing walk.
- Mulong Lake – highlights Guilin’s ancient side- showcasing traditional buildings and architecture
2. Reed Flute Cave
- Hours of Operation: April to November: 07:30-18:00; December to March: 08:00-17:30
- Entrance Fee: 90 CNY for adults; 45 CNY for Children (1.2-1.4 meters tall); Free for Children under 1.2 meters
- Time Required: 2-3 hours
Reed Flute Cave is an enormous limestone Karst cave, named for surprisingly enough- the green reeds that grow outside it. The touring section of this cave lasts for about 500 meters, while the widest section inside is 93 meters, and the maximum height inside the cave is 18 meters. The cave is estimated to be 700,000 years old and includes sights such as the Crystal Palace and poetic inscriptions carved during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
3. Longji Rice Terraces
- Hours of Operation: the ticket office opens from 08:00 to 17:00.
- Entrance Fee: 95 CNY (lasts for 2 days)
- Time Required: 1-2 days
Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Rice Terraces are the most famous rice terraces in China. Their construction began in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and continued into the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
The area is actually very large, encompassing several villages, terraces, and many sights. Besides the beautiful terraces, much of the accommodations are traditional bamboo housing, nestled right on the side of a mountain and offering beautiful vistas of the epic scenery. There are 10s of kilometers of almost completely empty hiking trails to explore and landmarks like 7 Stars Around the Moon, and 9 Dragons and 5 Tigers.
Additionally, the minority Zhuang and Yao people who live in the terraces each have a very unique traditional culture. The Red Yao women are in the Guinness Book of World Records for their long hair, which the women only cut once in their lives.
4. Elephant Trunk Hill
- Hours of Operation: 06:00-18:30
- Entrance Fee: 5 CNY; Free for children under 1.2 meters
- Time Required: 1-1.5 hours
Elephant Trunk Hill has been a landmark and tourist draw since the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The hill is located at the junction of the Taohua and Li Rivers and resembles an enormous elephant drinking from the water. The elephant is the same as the one from the God elephant legend, who was the mount of the emperor of heaven.
Attractions at Elephant Trunk Hill include Water Moon Cave, Yunfeng Temple, and Puxian Pagoda. Visitors can also see the Legend of Elephant hill night show.
5. Daxu Ancient Town
- Hours of Operation: 24/7, usually active between 10:00 and 20:00
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Time Required: Half day to a full day (including travel)
20 kilometers southwest of Guilin, along the banks of the Li River, sits Daxu. At over 2000 years old, Daxu Ancient Town is a window into history. Its cobbled bluestone roads, preserved Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) buildings, docks, tombs, and traditional market offer a lot for those who wish to get off the beaten track.