Tailor-made Tour Package Refundable Quick Response 4,280+ comments
  •  
(2,200+ reviews)
Contact Us Form Email us: info@chinadiscovery.com Call us: +86-28-85223672 / 85227275
1) 30 days visa-free available for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia and other 33 countries. 2) 10 days visa-free transit available for US, UK, Canada and other 51 countries. 3) Best China Tour Packages specially recommended for Singapore travelers.
You are here: Home » China Tours by Destination » Guilin Tours » How to Spend 2 Days in Guilin

Guilin boasting the peculiar karst landscape has won the reputation of “Guilin’s the landscape is the best under heaven.” To discover the best highlights in Guilin, we suggest you plan at least 3 days so that you can visit the essences in Guilin, Li River and Yangshuo County. However, if you have only 2 days in Guilin, here are our recommendations for you to better plan the coming vacation.

Where to Go If You Have 2 Days in Guilin

No matter how long your trip is, the Li River cruise (from Guilin down to Yangshuo) is a must-do. Besides, do spend half to 1 day in Yangshuo countryside to enjoy the lovely rural scenery around Yulong River. If you prefer rural authenticity, have some leisure time at Ten-mile Gallery. But if you want to see the icons of Guilin, the Elephant Trunk Hill shall be on your list.

3 Days in Guilin

Guilin Attractions Map (click to enlarge)

Plan A: 2 Days Yangshuo & Li River Essence Tour - For Nature Lovers

If you are a nature fan or want to catch the best of the best of Guilin, this itinerary idea will be your ideal choice. All the essences of the Li River cruise and the stunning Yangshuo countryside are covered at a great pace.

Day 1: Your Hotel - Li River Cruise - Ten-mile Gallery

In the early morning, transfer from your hotel to the pier to board the 4-hour Li River Cruise down to Yangshuo Town. Along the 84-kilometer cruise, you will be overwhelmed by the dazzling scenery, like a vast endless Chinese painting of the winding river, green limestone Karst mountains, fascinating countryside views, and the beautiful image on the back of the 20 RMB note. The 4-star cruise serves lunch onboard. Besides, you can still prepare some snacks if you like.

After getting off the cruise, take a short break or directly head to Ten-mile Gallery to explore the ideal countryside views and relaxed atmosphere. Be enthralled by the patches of paddy fields nestling under green Karst hills, with farmers cultivating. Record the peculiar hole of Moon Hill at Li Village with your simple shutter with a simple wander. Besides, you can choose to appreciate the evening performance of Impression Liu Sanjie directed by famous director - Zhang Yimou.

Day 2: Yulong River outdoor activity fun

Today you will explore the best landscape of Yangshuo!

Go to Yulong River to immerse yourself in the fascinating countryside view with the rolling hills around and crystal-clear river with the reflection of mountains, bamboos, trees, floras and blue sky, and enjoy this simple moment to see the refreshing color combination of farmland pieces, flowers, plantations and footpath. To appreciate Yulong River scenery and feel the countryside joyous vibes, you can choose to experience the popular outdoor activities, including bamboo rafting (Shuiedi Dock to Gongnong Bridge), biking (Yangshuo - Jiuxian Village - Xiangui Bridge - Shuiedi Dock), hiking, and scootering based on your interests and physical strength. Those activities usually take 1-4 hours respectively. Following Yulong River, you can enjoy a jubilant stroll at West Street to witness how the western culture and Chinese culture perfectly and peacefully coexist here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of drink in the bar, taste some local food, or just experience the relaxing atmosphere, you get it here.

Book 【2 Days Yangshuo & Li River Essence Tour】 now!

PLAN B: 2 Days Guilin & Yangshuo Essence Tour - For Iconic Highlights Seekers

If you are already in Guilin or will arrive in Guilin in the early morning, take such a 2-day itinerary to catch the landmark sites and symbolic sightseeing of the Li River and Yangshuo.

Day 1: Your Hotel - Li River Cruise - Yulong River

In the morning, transfer to embark on the 4-hour Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. After reaching Yangshuo, go to Yulong River to admire the best landscape in this small county and have fun with its popular outdoor activities like bamboo rafting, biking, scootering, hiking, etc. For nighttime, you can choose to have an interesting walk at the famous West Street or enjoy the Impression Liu Sanjie evening performance directed by Yimou Zhang.

Day 2: Elephant Trunk Hill - Reed Flute Cave

Transfer back to Guilin downtown to visit Elephant Trunk Hill for the landmark sightseeing of this city. And head to Reed Flute Cave to marvel at the resplendent karst cave with diverse stalactites and stalagmites wonders.

Contact us to 【customize a similar itinerary】 now!

Let China Discovery Design Your 2-Day Itinerary in Guilin

Haven't found an itinerary that fits your interests? We're here to help! Contact us to customize your own itinerary in Guilin. Our expert team can create a tour package tailored to your specific preferences, travel duration, and budget, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. Whether you're interested in exploring the countryside view of Yangshuo, leisure and classic highlights of Guilin City and Li River, or rice terraces splendor of Longsheng, we can craft the perfect plan for you. You can also explore our top Guilin tour packages for inspiration and ideas to kickstart your vacation.

Guilin Travel Photos

Our Delighted Customers in Guilin

Most Important Guilin Travel Notes

1. Guilin 240-Hour Visa Free Transit

Guilin has implemented 240-Hour Visa-free Transit. So, citizens of the 50+ countries who hold an ordinary passport with at least 3 months of validity and an onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours can transit in designated areas of 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China’s Mainland for up to 240 hours without a visa.

2. How to get to Guilin

Guilin as one of the top tourist destinations in China is well linked with other gateway cities and tourist places with flights (Guilin Liangjiang International Airport), bullet trains, distance buses, etc. So far, you can get to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport by flight from Hong Kong (1.5 hours), Beijing (3 hours), Shanghai (3 hours), Xian (2 hours), Chengdu (1 hour & 40 minutes), Chongqing (1.5 hours), etc. Besides, there are fast high speed trains from Hong Kong (3 hours & 20 minutes), Guangzhou (2.5 hours), Chongqing (5 hours), Chengdu (7-7.5 hours), Guiyang (2-3 hours), Kunming (4.5 hours), Shenzhen (3.5 hours), Changsha (3.5 hours), Wuhan (5 hours), etc.

3. Accommodation in Guilin, Longji and Yangshuo

Both Guilin and Yangshuo offer various hotels and hostels of different standards and levels. As an international tourist hot spot, almost all accommodation provides great facilities and equipment for your comfortable stay in Guilin and Yangshuo. While at Longji Rice Terraces, you can stay at a local guest house or a better hotel. Though it is not as good as in the downtown area, necessary items are provided, such as hot water, air conditioner, TV, private washroom, free Wi-Fi, etc. Some types of rooms there even have private viewing balcony that facing the marvelous rice terraces. Since the houses are mainly made of wood, please be careful with the use of fire.

4. Best Time to Visit Guilin

Guilin situated in southern China is a hot destination to explore its special Karst landscape view. It is suitable to visit all year round due to its evergreen plants and its warm temperature. April to October is the best time to appreciate the sightseeing of Guilin and Yangshuo. Spring (April-June) is best to enjoy the cozy weather and the vigorous scene of multiple flowers and the crops cultivated by local farmers. Autumn is also very good to enjoy the clear river view and clear sky. However, as it often rains, particularly during April to July, when you can see the misty beauty of the hills and water, you are advised to prepare your rain gears. From late-April to mid-October is the best time to visit Longji Rice Terraces. From late April to mid-June is when to enjoy the mirror-like watery fields and labor life. From mid-June to mid-September, you can see the magnificent view of green rice plants filling the terraces. While, from mid-September to mid-October, it is fall harvest time and the entire rice terraces area becomes a golden world.

5. Warm Tips for Visiting Yulong River

For biking: we suggest you wear comfortable and quick-drying clothes and trainers to enjoy a better biking experience and protect yourself from catching a cold after sweating. During summer, it may be a little hot for biking for a long time, so you can tell how much time you want to bike along the Yulong River to your guide. Also, it is highly recommended to prepare your hat, sunglasses, and sun cream for UV protection.

For bamboo rafting: it is a classic activity to enjoy the fun and beauty of Yulong River. However, one raft can only hold 2 people, and children more than 1 meter high are required to take the raft together with adults. Besides, as the raft is slippery, it is better to sit on your chair for sightseeing and avoid standing or walking in case of falling into the river. Furthermore, it would arouse some waves when passing weirs, so remember to lift your feet and protect your belongings, especially mobiles and cameras.

6. Tailor Your Activities

In Yangshuo - to explore the natural scenery and fun of Yangshuo, you will have many kinds of activities and ways to choose. We can take you to enjoy bamboo rafting at Yulong River, biking at any region in Yangshuo, hiking along Yulong River or other places, cultural experience of Chinese cooking, Taichi, and calligraphy classes, photographing, and so forth.

In Longji Rice Terraces - if time and energy allow, you can hike from Ping'an Rice Terrace to Jinkeng Rice Terrace, which is a popular wild hiking route among hikers, and takes about 4-4.5 hours to finish. Jinkeng Rice Terraces, as a part of Longji Rice Terraces like Ping'an, has the largest amount of Rice Terraces. It is a Yao minority inhabited area. Many of the gorgeous photos about Longji Rice Terraces published on the website were shot here.

Please feel free to tell us about your ideal activities, route, time, period, etc., to tailor your special activity experience.

7. To Customize Your Guilin Tour

We have rich experience in providing Guilin tour packages and customization service for global visitors. Our professional travel expert will help to design your Guilin tour sincerely if you are interested in extending your tour for more in-depth experiences, such as hiking, photography, family holiday, food tour, etc. Just feel free to let us know your idea.

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests

Why Book with China Discovery
Contact