Guilin + Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions
「🗺️Guilin 3-Day Tour | A Combination of Scenic Mountains and Waters with Historical Culture・A Guide Suitable for Everyone」
It is said that "Guilin's landscape is the best under heaven." The natural scenery and historical culture here are perfect whether you want to take your parents to experience the culture, accompany friends to check in at beautiful spots, or bring children closer to nature. It ensures the whole family can have a great time.
🗓️Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Elephant Trunk Hill → Zhengyang Road Pedestrian Street + East and West Alleys → Xiaoyao Building → Two Rivers and Four Lakes + Sun and Moon Twin Towers
Day 2: Yulong River Bamboo Rafting → Ten-Mile Gallery → Fuli Bridge
Day 3: Xingping Ancient Town → Lijiang River Essence Section Cruise → Nine Horses Painting Hill
Daily Detailed Schedule
🏞️Day 1: City Landmarks and Night Stroll
📍Elephant Trunk Hill (4A)
- Key Highlights: Guilin’s city landmark, named for its resemblance to an elephant drinking water with its trunk. The scenery is unique, and every shot looks like a masterpiece.
- 🕙Opening Hours: 7:00-18:30, recommended to visit around 9 AM for good lighting. 💰Cost: Free
- 📸Photo Spots: Beside the Water Moon Cave between the elephant’s trunk and body (with a panoramic view of Elephant Trunk Hill), Love Island (captures Elephant Trunk Hill and Lijiang River together)
- 🍖Local Food: Nearby Chongshan Rice Noodles, must-try Guilin rice noodles; for elders and kids, the mild three-flavor noodles are recommended, about 15-20 RMB per person.
- 💡Tips: The scenic area can be crowded; keep an eye on children and secure your belongings.
📍Zhengyang Road Pedestrian Street, East and West Alleys
- Key Highlights: Zhengyang Road Pedestrian Street is lively and bustling with various specialty shops. East and West Alleys are historic streets from the Ming and Qing dynasties, full of ancient charm, where you can taste various Guilin snacks and experience the local atmosphere.
- 🕙Opening Hours: Open all day
- 📸Photo Spots: Under the archway in East and West Alleys, ancient walls and doors inside the alleys
- 🍖Local Food: East and West Alleys offer seafood rice rolls, beer fish at Agan Restaurant, and various sour fruit snacks, about 30-50 RMB per person.
- 💡Tips: Watch your elders and children carefully while shopping to avoid getting lost.
📍Xiaoyao Building
- Key Highlights: Climb the building to overlook the Lijiang River and surrounding cityscape; enjoy beautiful sunset glow in the evening.
- 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-22:00
- 📸Photo Spots: Observation deck of Xiaoyao Building
- 💰Cost: Free
📍Two Rivers and Four Lakes + Sun and Moon Twin Towers
- Key Highlights: Night boat tour to enjoy the dazzling lights of the Sun and Moon Twin Towers reflected on the water, surrounded by pavilions, towers, and bridges, creating a magnificent night view.
- 🕙Opening Hours: 19:30-22:00
- 💰Cost: Boat tickets range from 100-200 RMB depending on type
- 📸Photo Spots: On the boat (with Sun and Moon Twin Towers as background), waterfront platforms
- 💡Tips: Wear life jackets on the boat; ensure safety when boarding and disembarking, especially for elders and children.
🏞️Day 2: Yangshuo’s Poetic Mountain and Water Journey
📍Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
- Key Highlights: Drift on a double bamboo raft along the clear Yulong River, flanked by continuous green hills, experiencing the poetic scene of "a small bamboo raft floating on the river."
- 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00, recommended to go early to avoid crowds
- 💰Cost: Around 120-300 RMB depending on river section; children under 1.2 meters are not recommended to ride, 1.2-1.4 meters get discounts
- 📸Photo Spots: On the bamboo raft (with green hills on both sides), near Yulong Bridge
- 💡Tips: Book bamboo rafts through official channels in advance, avoid scalpers. Bring sun protection and wear life jackets.
📍Ten-Mile Gallery
- Key Highlights: Cycle through the Ten-Mile Gallery with picturesque scenery, including Gongnong Bridge, Chaoyang Dam viewing platforms, and various unique peaks.
- 📸Photo Spots: Gongnong Bridge (with bridge and landscape background), Moon Hill (roadside spot with full view of Moon Hill)
- 🏨Accommodation: Yangshuo Moon Bay Hotel, rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering beautiful views, free shuttle service, close to West Street, 300-500 RMB/night.
- 💡Tips: When renting electric bikes, clarify the charging method, pay attention to traffic safety, and ensure children’s safety seats are securely installed.
📍Fuli Bridge
- Key Highlights: A lesser-known ancient bridge; in the early morning mist, the bridge and its reflection in the water create a stunning fairyland scene.
- 🕙Opening Hours: Open all day
- 📸Photo Spots: On the bridge (with bridge and water reflection background), riverbank beside the bridge (panoramic view of bridge and surrounding landscape)
🏞️Day 3: Exploring the Essence of the Lijiang River
📍Xingping Ancient Town
- Key Highlights: A thousand-year-old ancient town with well-preserved streets and alleys, where you can taste Lijiang fish, mugwort rice cakes, and other local snacks, and experience the simple folk customs.
- 🕙Opening Hours: Open all day
- 📸Photo Spots: Ancient town gate tower, the background of the 20 RMB banknote
- 🍖Local Food: Old Place Beer Fish, a specialty dish, plus stir-fried vegetables suitable for elders and children, about 40-60 RMB per person.
📍Lijiang River Essence Section Cruise
- Key Highlights: Check in at the same beautiful scenery as the 20 RMB banknote background; the cruise sails on the Lijiang River, enjoying the unique peaks and stones on both banks, including Nine Horses Painting Hill.
- 🕙Opening Hours: 8:30-16:00
- 💰Cost: Around 100-300 RMB depending on boat type; discounts for elders and children
- 📸Photo Spots: On the deck of the boat (for the 20 RMB banknote background), bow of the boat (portrait photos with Lijiang River scenery)
- 💡Tips: Follow staff instructions after boarding, pay attention to safety, and keep personal belongings secure.
📍Nine Horses Painting Hill
- Key Highlights: Natural rock patterns resembling nine horses in various poses, requiring imagination to find and identify.
- 📸Photo Spots: On the boat (with Nine Horses Painting Hill as background)
✨Guilin Survival Guide
1️⃣Transportation
- For long-distance travel, prioritize high-speed trains to Guilin Station or Guilin North Station; taxis and buses are convenient after arrival.
- City attractions in Guilin are close; walking or taxis are sufficient. In Yangshuo, renting electric bikes is recommended for easy stops along Ten-Mile Gallery.
- When taking Lijiang River cruises or other water transport, pay attention to safety and follow staff instructions.
2️⃣Clothing
- Spring (March-May): Wear a light jacket and shirt, comfortable for activities; bring an umbrella as rain is possible.
- Summer (June-August): Hot weather; wear short sleeves and shorts, take sun protection and insect repellent; bring a light jacket for air-conditioned places.
- Autumn (September-November): Moderate temperature; wear long-sleeve shirts or T-shirts with long pants; mornings and evenings can be cool, bring a light jacket.
- Winter (December-February): Cold; wear thick jackets, sweaters, and warm clothing.
3️⃣Taboos
- Respect local ethnic minority customs; be mindful of your behavior in minority communities.
- Do not damage the environment in scenic areas; avoid spitting or littering.
4️⃣Accommodation
- In Guilin city, recommended to stay near East and West Alleys, Central Square, or Jiatiankia Square for convenient travel, dining, and night views.
- In Yangshuo, lively areas near West Street are popular; for quieter stays, choose guesthouses across the river or near Shenshan Road, offering good value and tranquility.
🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Guilin Chili Sauce: Spicy and flavorful, great for noodles and cooking, available in various spice levels, 20-30 RMB per bottle.
② Guilin Fermented Tofu: Smooth texture with strong bean aroma, perfect as a side dish, 15-20 RMB per bottle.
③ Osmanthus Cake: Sweet and soft with a rich osmanthus fragrance, 10-20 RMB per portion.
Closing Interaction
The beauty of Guilin is intoxicating. If you come to Guilin, would you rather first experience the thrilling bamboo rafting or explore the ancient Xingping Ancient Town?