Guilin itinerary 3 days: How to spend 3 days in Guilin perfectly?

Leaving the bustling cities to find a peaceful land like Guilin promises to be a new experience for your upcoming trip to China. So, what to do in Guilin for 3 days? Let’s check out our suggested Guilin itinerary 3 days (Guilin Yangshuo itinerary) on how to spend 3 days in Guilin perfectly below!

Guilin has long captivated visitors with its charming landscape, undulating limestone mountains and poetic Li River. Located in the south of Guangxi province, Guilin has a temperate climate, suitable for you to visit many scenic spots such as Yangshuo, Longji or Bamboo Flute Cave all year round.

If you have 3 days 2 nights in this peaceful land, where should you go and what should you do to make the most of your trip? Let’s explore the detailed Guilin travel itinerary below to pocket attractive destinations for a memorable experience!

Day 1: Depart from Vietnam to Guilin – Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven-Star Park

Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Guilin, so you need to fly to major cities like Guangzhou and then continue to Guilin. Departing from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you fly to Guangzhou with a flight time of about 3 hours. Some airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, China Southern, and Sichuan Airlines offer many suitable ticket options. To save costs, you should book tickets 2-4 months in advance, with round-trip prices from 7 – 10 million VND ($269.81 – $385.42).

In Guangzhou, your journey continues by high-speed train or bus to Guilin. If you take the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station, it will only take you 2.5 – 3 hours, with a second-class ticket price of about 156 – 235.5 RMB (equivalent to 548,000 – 827,000 VND). In addition, the bus is also an option but the travel time is about 5.5 – 6 hours, with a ticket price of about 150 – 160 RMB (equivalent to 526,000 – 561,000 VND).

After arriving in Guilin, check in at the hotel, arrange your belongings, eat and rest. In the afternoon, start your journey to explore Guilin gently by taking a bus to visit Seven-Star Park and Elephant Trunk Hill.

Seven-Star Park is large with more than 120 hectares of mountains including clear blue lakes, interesting stone forests and many cultural relics. You will visit Seven-Star Cave with many beautiful stalactites, ancient Flower Bridge, uniquely shaped Camel Hill, stone stele forest with more than 200 steles marking historical imprints. In addition, the zoo in the park is also an interesting destination for animal lovers.

After enjoying the beauty of Seven Star Park, you should go to Elephant Trunk Hill – the symbol of Guilin. The 200m high hill, shaped like a giant elephant drinking water from the Li River, creates a poetic and romantic scene. You will have the opportunity to visit the Water Moon Cave located between the elephant’s feet and trunk, admire the ancient Puxian Pagoda on the top of the hill, or visit the Yunfeng Temple with its long history.

In the evening, don’t miss the “Legend of Elephant Trunk Hill” light show, a performance combining laser light, music and vivid 3D images on the cliff of Elephant Trunk Hill. The show tells the legends of Guilin, recreating the natural landscape and the lives of the people here.

After a day of exploring, enjoy local cuisine and rest to prepare for the next days of exploration. Remember to bring your camera to capture the wonderful moments of your journey!

Day 2: Experience Li River Cruise, Yangshuo, West Street, Jiuxian Ancient Village

After breakfast, the journey to explore the beautiful nature of Guilin begins with a cruise on the Li River. From Zhujiang Pier in Guilin, you will board the boat and immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the limestone mountains, reflected in the clear blue water.

The cruise will end at Shuidongmen Pier in Yangshuo. You should choose a 4-star cruise ticket for the most comfortable experience with full amenities and a buffet lunch (about 400 CNY, equivalent to 1,403,388 VND).

During the 4-5 hour journey, you will admire a series of famous landscapes such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Daxu Ancient Town and especially Nine Horse Fresco Hill – a giant cliff with natural stone veins forming the shape of nine hidden horses. One of the most impressive spots is the Yellow Cloth Shoal area, which is printed on the Chinese 20 yuan banknote. When the weather is favorable, the water surface is as calm as a mirror, reflecting the majestic mountains on both sides, creating a beautiful scene.

After docking, you will arrive at Yangshuo, a peaceful town surrounded by mountains and rivers. This is an ideal stop to enjoy the countryside atmosphere and participate in outdoor activities. You should rent a bicycle at the pier (bicycle rental prices are quite cheap, ranging from 10-20 CNY/day, about 35,085 – 70,169 VND) and start your journey to explore the countryside of Yangshuo.

You can choose the cycling route along the Yulong River, visit the ancient village of Jiuxian (Jiuxian Village) with ancient houses, ancient bridges and lovely small roads. This route is about 15km long and takes about 2 hours of cycling. You will be immersed in the peaceful countryside scenery, admire the green rice fields and majestic limestone mountains.

After a day of exploring nature, the evening is the ideal time to stroll around West Street – the busiest street in Yangshuo. With a history of more than 1,400 years, this place is not only a destination for tourists but also a place where Eastern and Western cultures intersect, considered the “global village” of China.

Walking around the street, you will see European-style cafes, vibrant bars and a series of shops selling souvenirs and handicrafts. Don’t forget to enjoy the famous specialty of Yangshuo beer-grilled fish, a dish with a strong local flavor. If you prefer a quieter space, you can return to the hotel to rest early, ready for the next journey.

Day 3: Admire the Silver Cave, Moon Hill – Return to Vietnam

The final day of the journey begins with a visit to Silver Cave, one of the largest limestone caves in Guilin. Located in Maling Town, Lipu County, the cave is about 85 km south of Guilin city center and only takes 30 minutes from Yangshuo. Buses from Guilin South Bus Station run hourly from 6:30 to 18:00, making it convenient to travel. Upon arrival, you walk about 5 minutes to enter the tourist area. The entrance fee is 65 CNY (~228,000 VND).

Silver Cave stretches over 2,000 meters, spanning three main floors with countless sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Inside, drops of calcified water have been dripping for hundreds of thousands of years, creating many magical shapes. When the lights shine, the stalactites reflect the sparkling silver light like a magical scene. Among the 28 prominent attractions, the three most impressive are the Snow Mountain Flying Waterfall, the Musical Stone Curtain, and the Jade Lake Paradise.

The Snow Mountain Flying Waterfall offers a scene like a blanket of white snow, while the Rock Music Curtain makes melodious sounds when tapped. The Jade Lake surprises many visitors with its constantly changing water color according to the light, creating a feeling of being lost in a fairyland. In addition, if you have time, explore the Buddha Preaching the Dharma, the Pearl Umbrella, and the Solitary Stone Pillar, unique natural masterpieces that attract thousands of visitors every year.

Leaving the Silver Cave, the journey continues to Moon Hill, a famous landmark with an impressive crescent-shaped stone arch. From the Silver Cave, you travel towards Yangshuo about 18 km, taking about 20 minutes by car. This hill is 380 meters high, with a trail of 1,000 stone steps leading up to the giant round arch, where you can see the majestic mountains of Guilin.

Along the way up, the scenery changes constantly, the higher you go, the fresher the air. When you reach the stone arch, you will see stalactites with unique shapes, the most prominent of which is a stalactite resembling the Jade Rabbit, a legendary character in Chinese legend. If you have enough strength, you can continue climbing to the top of the hill, which offers a spectacular view of the lush green valley below.

At the foot of Moon Hill, there is a small village where you can stop to rest, enjoy fresh fruit juice or try local dishes. If you want to explore further, the cycling path around the village is also an interesting option, taking you through green fields, small streams and peaceful ancient houses.

After conquering Moon Hill, the journey returns to Guilin to prepare for the flight back to Vietnam. From Yangshuo, buses run continuously to take you to the center of Guilin in about 1.5 – 2 hours. Since Guilin does not have direct flights to Vietnam, you need to travel to Guangzhou to catch a flight back home, ending your 3-day, 2-night journey to explore Guilin!

Frequently Asked Questions When Traveling in Guilin

When is the best time to travel to Guilin?

Guilin is a year-round tourist destination, but the best time is from April to October when the weather is pleasant. However, you should avoid major holidays such as Labor Day (May 1-3) and National Day (October 1-7) because of the large number of visitors.

Are there any special local festivals in Guilin?

Guilin has many interesting festivals such as the Landscape Tourism Festival (October to December), Gongcheng Peach Blossom Festival (February or March) and the Red Cloth Festival of the Red Yao (the 15th day of the third lunar month).

How to get from Guilin Airport to the city center?

There are many options such as taxi (about 40 minutes), airport bus (cheaper, about 50 minutes) or shuttle service provided by the hotel

What are the signature dishes in Guilin?

Guilin noodles, stuffed Li River snails, Yangshuo beer fish, lotus leaf-wrapped duck, stir-fried beef with bamboo shoots, etc. are famous dishes. The city also has many restaurants serving local specialties and vegetarian food for you to enjoy Guilin specialties.

Can you go bamboo rafting on the Li River?

Yes, but only on certain sections. Bamboo rafting is suitable for a peaceful experience, but is not allowed on the main river section from Guilin to Yangshuo.

Guilin is not only a picturesque destination but also a place to capture many memorable moments in your journey. From the enchanting scenery of Lijiang, the green roads in Yangshuo to the unique culture in the local festivals, each experience brings its own color. If you have the chance, explore and feel the peaceful and charming beauty of this land. Let Guilin take you on a poetic adventure, where nature, culture and people blend to give you unforgettable memories.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Guilin and Yangshuo you can refer to

• Yangshuo and Li River Highlights Day Tour with Transfers
• Guilin Yangshuo Outdoor Rock Climbing Experience Half Day Tour
• 4 Day Guilin and Yangshuo Private Tour
• Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour
• Lijiang River & Yangshuo County One-day Nature & Cruise Tour
• Yangshuo Butterfly Spring Park Ticket in Guilin
• Guilin Li River Three Star Cruise. Reed Flute Cave. Elephant Trunk Hill. Yangshuo Yulong River.
• Guilin Complete Sightseeing Private Day Tour
• 3 Day Guilin Highlights & Rice Terraces Private Tour
• Li River Four-Star Cruise Ticket in Guilin
• Ling Canal Admission Ticket Guilin
• Elephant Trunk Hill Ticket Guilin

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