How to Spend 4 Days in Guilin - Guilin 4 Days Itinerary Plans 2025/2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.