Guangxi
Guangxi is known for limestone peaks, river scenery and rice terraces, and suits slow trips of several days around Guilin and Yangshuo.
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Guangxi is an autonomous region in southern China, on the border with Vietnam. Its capital is Nanning, but most visitors head to the northeast, where Guilin and Yangshuo sit beside the Li River. Steep limestone peaks rise from farmland and water here. The region is also known for Guilin rice noodles and for the Longji rice terraces in the hills near Guilin.
The region suits travelers who want scenery, slow boat rides, bike trips between villages and a relaxed pace. Plan at least three to four days to cover Guilin, a Li River cruise and Yangshuo, and add time for the rice terraces or a longer stay in the countryside. Autumn, from September to November, has milder temperatures and drier weather than the wet spring months. Summer is hot and humid. Book the Li River cruise ahead in busy periods.
Guangxi in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany small shops and bike counters in Yangshuo take only Alipay, WeChat Pay or cash. Link a foreign card to one of the apps before you leave, and carry some yuan for the countryside.Money and costs
- Download offline maps before you leave GuilinGoogle Maps and WhatsApp do not work on the mainland without a VPN. Save offline maps in Amap (Gaode) or Maps.me, and keep your hotel's address written in Chinese.Phones and eSIM
- Book trains on 12306 with your passport detailsThe 12306 site and app are the official rail booking channel, and the name on the ticket must match your passport. Guilin has more than one station, so check which one your train uses.Getting around
- Book the Li River cruise to YangshuoThe boat from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about 4 hours through the karst hills. Xingping, on the stretch near Yangshuo, is the scene on the back of the 20 yuan note.Tours and tickets
- Rent a bike in Yangshuo for the river loopsThe roads around the Yulong River are flat and quiet, and bike rental shops line West Street. Test the brakes and lights before you leave the shop.Yangshuo
Neighborhoods
Guilin
- Best for: First nights, the cruise
- Price band: $$
- Taxis to the Li River quay
- Many hotels and shops
- Train stations are a taxi ride away
Skip if you want a quiet river village.
Yangshuo
- Best for: Nightlife, short stays
- Price band: $$
- Bars, cafés and bike rental shops
- Walk to the river bank
- Busy into the evening
Skip if you want quiet nights.
Things to do in Guangxi
See all attractions in Guangxi
Need to know
- Currency
- Renminbi (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, grey
- FebruaryDamp, cool
- MarchMisty, wet
- AprilWet, misty
- MayWarm, rainy
- JuneHot, rainy
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, typhoon risk
- SeptemberWarm, drier
- OctoberClear, mild
- NovemberDry, cooler
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Guangxi
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 11%
Guangxi
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°20°11%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Wed30°24°81%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Thu30°23°82%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Fri29°22°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat30°22°65%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sun29°19°89%Sunday: Rain. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Mon22°16°84%Monday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 12:48 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Longji rice terracesabout 2 to 3 hours by bus from GuilinTerraced hillsides above the Longsheng villages, reached on a longer day out.
- Xingpingabout 30 to 60 min by road from YangshuoThe scenic stretch of the Li River that appears on the 20 yuan note.Read the guide
- Reed Flute Caveabout 20 to 30 min by taxi from central GuilinA lit limestone cave with rock formations, a short ride from central Guilin.Read the guide
Before you go to Guangxi
Rules for Guangxi, checked
- Check visa-free rules for your passport on the National Immigration Administration site before you fly.Source
- Hotels register foreign guests with the police, so bring your passport to check in.
- Drone flights need registration and are restricted over many scenic areas, so ask before you fly one.
Plan around Guangxi
Karst hills, the Li River and the two bases for the trip
Read the guideYangshuo travel guideBike loops, the river and West Street
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains to Guilin, then buses and taxis to Yangshuo
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, Alipay and WeChat Pay, and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayGuilin city center and Yangshuo guesthouses
Read the guideGuangxi FAQ
Is Guilin worth visiting?
Yes, for the karst hills, the Li River and as the starting point for Yangshuo. A day or two in the city is enough before the cruise.
How many days do you need in Guilin and Yangshuo?
Three to four days covers the Li River cruise, a bike ride around Yangshuo and a day in Guilin. Add a day for the Longji rice terraces if you want a longer trip.
How do you get from Guilin to Yangshuo?
By bus or taxi, about 1 to 1.5 hours by road. The Li River cruise also runs between the two and takes about 4 hours.
Is the Li River cruise worth it?
Yes, for the karst views along the river. It takes about 4 hours, so book ahead in busy periods.
Can I use Google Maps in Yangshuo?
No, not without a VPN. Use Amap, Baidu Maps or offline maps, and show your hotel's address in Chinese.
Is Yangshuo possible as a day trip from Guilin?
It is possible but tight, because the trip takes about 1 to 1.5 hours each way. Two nights give time for the cruise and a bike ride.