Guilin
Guilin is known for its karst hills and the Li River, so a trip here is mostly about scenery, slow boat rides and quiet days in the countryside.
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Guilin is a city in Guangxi, in southern China, set among steep limestone hills. The Li River is its best-known sight: boats pass rounded karst peaks on the way south to Yangshuo. Most trips here are built around the river, so plan the boat day first.
Choose Guilin if scenery matters more to you than city life. The city has local food, markets and easy access to the river. Yangshuo, a smaller town downriver, is where you go for bike rides, rural walks and riverside evenings. Guilin itself is compact, so a day in the city fits easily between river trips. Two to three days covers the river and Yangshuo at an easy pace. Check the forecast before the river day, since rain can cloud the view. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; summer is hot, humid and often rainy.
Guilin in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany small shops, taxis and street vendors take mobile payment, and some foreign cards fail at small counters. Link your card in one of the two apps and carry some cash as backup.Money and costs
- Book the Li River boat for the Guilin to Yangshuo legThe boat trip takes about four hours past the karst hills and is the scenic option of the route. If you have only one day for both towns, take a bus to Yangshuo instead.Tours and tickets
- Carry your passport for hotel check-inHotels register foreign guests with their passport, and police can ask for ID at any time. Keep a photo of the passport page on your phone and the original in your bag.
- Get the 12306 app for trainsChina's official railway app, 12306, sells tickets for high-speed trains from Guilin's stations. Book with your passport details and check the departure station on the ticket.Getting around
- Avoid Golden Week for the riverThe National Day holiday in early October fills the Li River boats, buses and trains with domestic travelers. Book a few days ahead for those dates or pick another month.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; most others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, misty
- FebruarySpring Festival crowds
- MarchMisty, damp
- AprilRainy season
- MayRainy, humid
- JuneHot, rainy
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, storms
- SeptemberClearing, warm
- OctoberGolden Week crowds
- NovemberDry, clear
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Guilin
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 63%
Guilin
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°16°63%Tuesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Wed28°18°94%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Thu23°16°98%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Fri21°17°67%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sat26°17°85%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Sun23°15°82%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Mon18°14°43%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 01:29 AM local time · 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
- Yangshuoabout 1 hour by bus or 4 hours by boatA riverside town with cycling routes and limestone hills, a good add-on for a second night.Read the guide
- Longji rice terracesabout 2 hours by roadTerraced hillsides of rice fields, best on a long day with an early start.
- Reed Flute Caveabout 20 to 40 min by taxiA lit limestone cave inside the city, an easy half day.
Before you go to Guilin
Rules for Guilin, checked
- Many nationalities need a visa for China, while others enter visa-free for short stays. Check the current rules on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.Source
- Google services, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are blocked on the mainland internet. Download offline maps and set up a mobile payment app before you arrive.
- Drug offences carry severe penalties in China, and trafficking can be punished by death. Check any prescription medicine against China's customs rules before you fly.Source
- Dial 110 for police, 119 for fire and 120 for an ambulance anywhere in China.
Plan around Guilin
Regions, entry rules, trains and money for a China trip
Read the guideGuangxiKarst hills, rivers and towns across the wider region
Read the guideYangshuoThe river town south of Guilin, reached by bus or boat
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to carry at hotel check-in
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, buses and boats between Guilin and Yangshuo
Read the guideWhere to stayCompare Guilin and Yangshuo bases before you book
Read the guideGuilin FAQ
Is Guilin worth visiting?
Yes, for the karst hills, the Li River and a compact city that works well on a three-day trip. Yangshuo nearby adds a riverside town for cycling and evening walks.
How many days do you need in Guilin?
Two to three days covers the city, the Li River and a day in Yangshuo. Add a day for the Longji rice terraces if you have time.
How do you get from Guilin to Yangshuo?
By bus in about an hour, or by Li River boat in about four hours. The boat is the scenic option and the bus the quick one.
Can I use Google Maps in Guilin?
No, Google Maps is blocked in mainland China. Use Amap or Baidu Maps, and download offline maps before you arrive.
When is the best time to visit Guilin?
September to November, when the weather is usually dry and clear. Summer is hot and rainy, and early October is Golden Week, when crowds are heaviest.