Guilin 3-Day Itinerary 2026
📅 Guilin 3-Day Itinerary
This itinerary covers the essential Guilin experience: the iconic Li River Cruise, cycling through Yangshuo's karst countryside, and the stunning Longji Rice Terraces.
Day 1: Li River Cruise & Yangshuo
Morning (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
🛶 Li River Cruise
- Pickup from hotel ~8:00 AM
- Board the boat at Zhujiang Wharf
- 4-5 hour cruise through karst mountains
- Highlights: Elephant Trunk Hill, Mural Hill, ¥20 banknote scene
- See our Li River Cruise Guide
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
🚶 Explore Yangshuo
- Arrive in Yangshuo, check into hotel
- Walk West Street — restaurants, shops, atmosphere
- Rent a bike for tomorrow (arrange at your hotel or a shop)
Evening (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
🍺 West Street Nightlife
- Dinner at a local restaurant — try Beer Fish (啤酒鱼), Yangshuo's signature dish
- Live music bars on West Street
- Optional: Impression Liu Sanjie outdoor show (¥198-688)
Day 2: Yangshuo Cycling & Yulong River
Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
🚲 Cycling the Countryside
- Rent an e-bike (¥80-150/day)
- Ride the Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊) — a scenic road with karst peaks
- Stop at Big Banyan Tree (大榕树, 1,400 years old)
- Continue to Moon Hill (月亮山) — climb 800 steps for panoramic views
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
🛶 Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
- Lunch in the countryside (village restaurant)
- Bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River (1.5-2 hours, ¥200-320 per raft)
- Peaceful, scenic, and much quieter than the Li River
- Cycle back to Yangshuo through rice paddies
Evening
🍜 Dinner in Yangshuo
- Try local dishes: Li River snails, stuffed tofu, bamboo rice
- Rest early for Day 3
Day 3: Longji Rice Terraces
Full Day (6:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
🌾 Longji Rice Terraces
- Hire a car from Yangshuo (or return to Guilin first) — ~3 hours to Longji
- Visit Ping'an Village — the most accessible terrace area
- Walk to "Seven Stars with Moon" viewpoint
- Lunch at a local guesthouse (try bamboo rice and mountain vegetables)
- Walk to "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" viewpoint
- Return to Guilin by evening
See our Longji Rice Terraces Guide for details.
Alternative Day 3: Stay in Yangshuo
If you prefer more time in Yangshuo:
- Morning: Rock climbing lesson at a local climbing school
- Afternoon: Rent a scooter and explore further afield
- Evening: Cooking class — learn to make Beer Fish and Guilin rice noodles
Budget Breakdown (3 Days)
| Item | Cost (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (2 nights) | ¥300-700 | Yangshuo + optional Longji guesthouse |
| Food (3 days) | ¥200-400 | Mix of street food + restaurants |
| Li River Cruise | ¥216-320 | |
| Bike rental (1 day) | ¥80-150 | E-bike |
| Yulong River rafting | ¥200-320 | Per raft (2 people) |
| Longji entrance | ¥80 | |
| Transport (Guilin↔Yangshuo) | ¥20-40 | Bus |
| Transport to Longji | ¥400-600 | Hired car |
| Moon Hill | ¥15 | |
| Total | ¥1,311-2,125 | ~$185-300 USD |
Tips
- Book Li River Cruise through your hotel — easiest and often cheapest
- Rent an e-bike, not a regular bike — the Yangshuo hills are tiring on a regular bike
- Start cycling early — morning light is best for photos, and it's cooler
- Longji is a long day trip — consider staying overnight if you want sunrise views
- Beer Fish is a must — it's Yangshuo's signature dish and it's delicious
- Bring sunscreen — there's no shade on the river or cycling routes
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Written by Bobby, living in Chengdu since 2023
