Yangshuo (Guilin)
阳朔VERIFIED 2026.09.29
The karst mountains on every Chinese painting.
Not a city, a landscape: rice paddies under sugar-loaf peaks, the Li River, bamboo rafts, and a bike-and-climb scene. Base in Yangshuo town 3–4 nights; Guilin is just the rail/airport gateway.
Arriving
Fly to Guilin (KWL), then 1.5h bus/car to Yangshuo; or bullet train to Yangshuo station.
Getting around
No metro — rent an e-bike or bicycle. That IS the attraction.
Sleep here
Yangshuo town (West Walk nightlife) or riverside villages (Yulong river area) for calm.
The five that matter
- 01Bicycle loop through the karsts
- 02Yulong River bamboo raft
- 03Li River cruise or Xingping sunrise
- 04Cooking class in a village
- 05Moon Hill climb
Day trips
Longji rice terraces (2.5h — worth an overnight); Xingping old town.
Skip it
West Street bars if you're over 25; rafting in pouring rain (river closes).