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Guilin and the Li River for first-time visitors

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Guilin in five lines

Suits: karst scenery, the Li River, cycling around Yangshuo.

Days needed: 3-4, split between Guilin and Yangshuo.

Getting in: Liangjiang Airport 两江 Liǎngjiāng (KWL), ~28 km from town; fast trains stop at Guilin North and West.

The cruise: 4-5 hours; Zhujiang Pier. Passport rule: Physical passport required.

Visa: 240-hour transit via KWL; the stay area is not confirmed yet.

Getting in: airports and stations

From each airport and main station to the centre (Zhengyang Street, Guilin)
FromHowPriceTimeChecked
Liangjiang Airport (KWL) 桂林两江国际机场Airport shuttle bus, Line 1¥20 (Line 1) / ¥25 (Line 2)40-45 min (Line 1)
Taxi or Didi to Guilin Railway Station¥100-110 (to Guilin Railway Station)
Guilin North Station 桂林北站Routes not checked yet

240-hour visa-free transit via Guilin

Transit ports in Guilin
Yes (KWL)
Where you may stay
Not confirmed yet

Sources conflict on whether a Guilin entry allows the rest of Guangxi or only Guilin; we show it as not confirmed. National rules: 240-hour transit.

Guilin overview

Guilin, in Guangxi, is the karst-and-river landscape on so many posters (Karst hills, Li River). The city itself is compact; the reason to come is the river and the limestone peaks downstream, and many visitors spend more nights in Yangshuo 阳朔 Yángshuò than in Guilin.

The Li River 漓江 Líjiāng cruise is the centre of most trips: 4-5 hours; Zhujiang Pier. Prices run 3-star ¥215; 4-star ~¥360. The rule that catches people out: Physical passport required. Water levels matter too: Jan-Mar low water, when routes can be shortened.

From Liangjiang Airport the shuttle bus is ¥20 (Line 1) / ¥25 (Line 2), taking 40-45 min (Line 1). Taxi fares are disputed between sources: ¥60 vs ¥100-110; we show the higher reference fare in the table until we check it.

We have not found a source on Guilin metro or city-bus payment for visitors yet; plan on Didi and the airport bus. The 240-hour stay area is not confirmed: sources conflict.

Paying and getting around in Guilin
FactValueCheckedSource
Li River cruise real-name ruleLi River cruisePhysical passport requiredChina for TravelersSecondary source
Li River low water seasonLi River cruiseJan-Mar low waterChina for TravelersSecondary source

Areas to know

  • Xiangshan and Zhengyang Street 象山区 正阳步行街

    Elephant Trunk Hill and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes loop.

  • Diecai and Qixing 叠彩区 七星区

    Hill parks and caves north and east of the centre.

  • Yangshuo 阳朔

    About 60 km downstream: the cruise ends here; a base of its own.

Our own neighbourhood map is not drawn yet

Where to stay in Guilin

Where-to-stay page not built yet (needs 6+ checked properties)

Start here

Show the driver 给司机看

广西壮族自治区桂林市象山区正阳步行街

Guìlín Shì Xiàngshān Qū Zhèngyáng Bùxíngjiē

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Xiangshan District, Guilin

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Questions people ask

Do I need my passport for the Li River cruise?

Physical passport required.

How much is a Li River cruise?

3-star ¥215; 4-star ~¥360.

Sources

  1. Guilin Transportation (travelchinaguide), Travelchinaguide.com, retrieved
  2. 240-Hour Visa-Free in China, ChinaTravel.com, retrieved
  3. Li River Cruise guide, China for Travelers, retrieved
  4. Guilin Liangjiang Airport (Chinahighlights), China Highlights, retrieved
  5. Guilin (travelchinaguide), Travelchinaguide.com, retrieved