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Guilin & the Li River: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 5-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
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5
days
160 km
distance
9.7 h
in transit
25
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Terraces flooded and mirror-like for planting; the Li River full and green.
Day 1 Guilin → Yangshuo
- Transit
- 3h28
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 18.7°C–27.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 13.2h
09:00
Explore palace buildings turned into a fascinating museum.
50 min · Guilin · ¥100
open: 07:30-18:00 (March 1st to April 4th & October 8th to December 7th), 07:30-18:30 (May 1st to October 7th), 08:00-18:00 (December 8th to February 28th)
10:00
11:10
14:25
15:40
16:55
Overnight: Yangshuo
e.g. Monkey Jane's Hotel & Rooftop Bar · Fawlty Towers
Day 2 Around Yangshuo
- Transit
- 1h00
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 18.7°C–27.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 13.2h
09:00
Impression Liu Sanjie search
Watch a grand show directed by Zhang Yimou set to famous music.
90 min · Yangshuo · ¥188 face value, travel agents sell at about ¥150 for the cheapest seat
open: Every day but closed in Jan or Feb for maintenance
10:45
11:50
Cormorant Fishing search
Watch traditional fishermen guide cormorants on evening boat trips.
50 min · Yangshuo
12:55
14:40
16:25
Overnight here
e.g. Monkey Jane's Hotel & Rooftop Bar · Fawlty Towers
Day 3 Xingping
- Transit
- 1h49
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 18.7°C–27.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 13.2h
10:05
11:10
Li River Boat Trip search
Enjoy serene waters and gentle currents on a cozy Li River boat.
90 min · Xingping · ¥80 for 2 people
12:55
¥20 Point search
50 min · Xingping
14:00
15:05
Yangdi - Xingping search
Walk peaceful paths beside the Li River through villages and bamboo groves.
90 min · Xingping
16:35
This Old Place Cafe search
Savor traditional Chinese dishes served with attentive, welcoming staff.
60 min · Xingping
Overnight here
e.g. This Old Place Hostel · Xingping Our Inn
Day 4 Longsheng (rice terraces)
- Transit
- 2h49
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 16.3°C–25.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 13.3h
11:25
14:40
Some very long hair search
See Yao women proudly displaying their exceptionally long, ornate hair.
50 min · Longsheng (rice terraces) · Free to look, ¥10 for a photo
15:45
Around Ping'An search
Discover viewpoints with breathtaking panoramas of terraced fields and town.
90 min · Longsheng (rice terraces)
Overnight here
Day 5 Around Longsheng (rice terraces)
- Transit
- 0h36
- Finish
- ~15:05
- Temperature
- 16.3°C–25.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 13.3h
09:00
Unique traditional style of houses search
Admire timber houses with distinctive multi-story designs and ornate details.
50 min · Longsheng (rice terraces)
10:05
Longsheng Hot Spring search
Soak in natural, warm waters in a tranquil mountain setting.
90 min · Longsheng (rice terraces)
11:50
Around Dazhai search
Roam quiet village paths, hike peaks, and visit local cultural venues.
90 min · Longsheng (rice terraces)
13:35
Ping'An to Zhongliu and Dazhai wikiloc.com
Trekked through valleys, past lakes, and along scenic dirt roads.
90 min · Longsheng (rice terraces)
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.