Discover the picturesque beauty of Guilin with a 4-day, 3-night itinerary. Tips for checking in at Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River, and Yangshuo for the most fulfilling trip. Now, let’s check out the Guilin itinerary 4 days: What to do, see & how to spend 4 days in Guilin, China right below!
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If there’s one place that makes you believe ink paintings have come to life, it’s definitely Guilin. No need for rushed journeys or packed schedules; 4 days and 3 nights here is just enough time to “slow down” and enjoy the romantic Li River, admiring the majestic limestone mountains reflected in the tranquil water.
From the iconic Elephant Trunk Mountain in the city center to the winding roads of Yangshuo, this article will share a detailed self-guided itinerary to help you fully enjoy the beauty of Guilin without missing any “golden” moments.
Guilin itinerary 4 days — Day 1: From Guangzhou to Guilin – Elephant Trunk Mountain – Strolling Around the City
Getting From Guangzhou to Guilin
If you’re in Guangzhou like we were, the easiest option is to take the high-speed train from Guangzhou South to Guilin. The reason is simple: direct flights from Guangzhou to Guilin are not a reliable option, while high-speed trains run very frequently, are shorter in duration, and are much more affordable.
Second-class tickets range from 141 to 317.5 yuan (500,000 – 1,100,000 VND), depending on the speed of the train; the distance is about 433 km and the travel time can range from 2 to 5.5 hours. We would prioritize trains that take about 3 hours so we arrive in Guilin by noon. Arriving in Guilin in the early afternoon, after dropping off luggage or checking in, we can start sightseeing immediately without rushing.
Guilin & Yangshuo High-speed Railway Stations Private Pick-up Service
Book a train station transfer from Klook to get ready to start your Guilin exploration journey!
Visit Elephant Trunk Hill
After checking in and resting a bit, we chose Elephant Trunk Mountain as our first stop. Since it’s practically the soul and iconic image associated with Guilin, I wanted to start with the most familiar place.
The beauty of Elephant Trunk Mountain is its pleasantness: it’s not heavily steeped in history, and you don’t need to travel far. Just stroll along the riverbank, and the sight of the limestone mountains reflected in the water is enough to admire the characteristic image of Guilin.
If you visit in the late afternoon, you’ll see the sunlight cast more beautiful colors, the river’s surface softens, and every angle becomes incredibly photogenic. For me, the first few days in a new city shouldn’t be packed with too much information. Guilin is the kind of place where you should slow down and savor the moment, and Elephant Trunk Mountain is the perfect prelude to that.
Strolling Around the City and Enjoying Rice Noodles
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo Day Tour
That evening, I didn’t add any major sightseeing spots, but just ate Guilin rice noodles and leisurely strolled around the city center. This kind of schedule is perfect if you were in Guangzhou the day before or just finished a long journey. I found that the first day in Guilin didn’t need to be packed; just being in the city, admiring the river and mountains, and getting used to the pace of life here was enough to get you in the mood for the whole trip.
Day 2: Taking a Cruise on the Li River, Going Down to Yangshuo and Staying Overnight
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
Guilin Li River Four-star Cruise Ticket
If I had to choose the most worthwhile experience in Guilin, I would still lean towards a cruise on the Li River. The cruise route from Guilin to Yangshuo is about 83 km long, usually lasting 4-5 hours, and the most popular boats depart around 9:20-9:30 am. A 3-star train ticket costs around 215 yuan per person (approximately 750,000 VND), usually excluding lunch, so you may need to add 30-50 yuan (approximately 105,000-175,000 VND) for a simple meal on board.
Meanwhile, a 4-star train ticket ranges from 360-480 yuan (approximately 1,250,000-1,650,000 VND) and usually includes a buffet. For me, this is a day to wake up early, because the entire beauty of Guilin lies in the feeling of sitting on the train and watching the karst mountains unfold layer by layer.
Scenic Viewing on the Li River
What I liked most about this route is that the scenery isn’t rushed like “check-in points,” but rather very leisurely. The train travels slowly, with rocky mountains, small villages, riverbanks, and famous scenic spots like Jiu Ma Hua Shan appearing naturally on both sides.
If you go on a day with light fog, the scenery truly resembles a traditional ink painting. This is also why I don’t recommend shortening the day or skipping the cruise to travel by land, because the feeling of viewing Guilin from the river is completely different from looking at photos or just passing by the attractions.
Exploring Yangshuo Town
The cruise usually docks in Yangshuo in the early afternoon, so my approach was to choose a hotel in the town, prioritizing areas convenient for walking to the Western Quarter in the evening. The cruise itself took up quite a bit of time, so I didn’t try to cram in too many heavy stops. Just checking in, resting a little, and then going out around mid-afternoon was a perfect rhythm.
Experiencing the Yulong River and Yangshuo’s Western Quarter at Night
If the Li River gives a classic and expansive feel, the Yulong River is much more peaceful. I prefer this activity in the late afternoon, because after a long morning cruise, going out at a slower pace is very pleasant. In the evening, I returned to Yangshuo West Street, the town’s most famous old town.
This is a great mood change in the itinerary: the daytime is peaceful with mountains and rivers, while the evening brings lights, cafes, small bars, and lively pedestrians. Thanks to staying overnight in Yangshuo, I didn’t have to travel back and forth too much the next day.
Day 3: Moon Hill – Xianggong Mountain – Return to Guilin
Climbing Moon Hill in the Morning
The third day was the most “Yangshuo-esque” day for me. In the morning, I chose to climb Moon Hill, famous for its giant natural rock arch that looks like a crescent moon nestled in the middle of the mountain. This is the kind of spot that looks beautiful in online photos, but standing under the rock arch and looking out over the entire karst valley in the distance, you’ll understand why this place always appears on Yangshuo travel posters.
I usually plan to visit Moon Hill in the morning to avoid the harsh sun and make the climb more comfortable. The path to the summit consists of many stone steps winding through the forest; the higher you go, the clearer the view of the rice paddies and the towering limestone mountains below becomes.
Enjoying the Panoramic View of the Li River from Mount Xianggong
If you have time and want a more impressive view, Mount Xianggong is a must-visit. From the summit, the Li River meanders through the karst mountains, creating a scene sought after by many photographers.
Many people even come here very early to photograph the sunrise. As the sun begins to rise, the light gradually spreads through the layers of mountains and thin mist drifts lazily over the river, creating a very characteristic scene of Guilin.
Traveling from Yangshuo to Guilin
In the afternoon, I returned to Guilin by high-speed train from Yangshuo station. The journey was quite fast, only about 20-40 minutes, with second-class tickets ranging from 22-36 yuan (approximately 75,000-125,000 VND).
If I took the bus, it usually took about 1.5-2 hours, costing around 27-50 yuan (95,000-175,000 VND) depending on the pick-up point. Because I wanted to spend my last night in Guilin at a leisurely pace, I chose the high-speed train to save time.
A Relaxing Evening in Guilin
After returning to Guilin, I didn’t add any more major sightseeing spots. At this point, the itinerary already included rivers, mountains, ancient villages, and light trekking, so I spent the evening eating and strolling around the city center. Guilin at night is quite peaceful, perfect for ending a day of travel with a delicious meal and a light walk before resting.
Day 4: Exploring Longji Rice Terraces and Ending the Trip
Getting to Longji Rice Terraces
My last day was dedicated to Longji Rice Terraces, one of the most famous scenic spots in Guangxi. From Guilin, the bus ride to Longji usually takes about 2-2.5 hours, with tickets costing around 45-85 yuan (160,000-300,000 VND). If you take a private taxi, the journey is faster but more expensive, around 250-400 yuan (875,000-1,400,000 VND). Since it was the last day, I left quite early to have plenty of time for trekking and sightseeing.
Trekking Through Mountain Terraced Fields
Longji offers a completely different experience compared to the Guilin-Yangshuo route. Instead of sightseeing by train, this area is ideal for hiking between villages and following small paths on the mountain slopes.
One-day tour to Longji Rice Terraces in Guangxi (round trip from Guilin)
From the high viewpoints, the terraced fields wind around the mountain slopes like giant silk ribbons. Each section of the path offers a different perspective, making trekking here much more enjoyable than just taking photos and leaving.
Ending the Journey in Guilin
After visiting Longji, I returned to the center of Guilin to prepare for the next trip. If flying back from Guilin Airport (KWL), you can take a shuttle bus for about 15-20 yuan (50,000-70,000 VND) or a taxi for about 100-110 yuan (350,000-385,000 VND).
Another option is to return to the station and take the high-speed train back to Guangzhou. Second-class tickets cost around 141-317 yuan (500,000-1,100,000 VND) with a travel time of 2-5 hours. For me, a 4-day itinerary in Guilin is just right: enough time to experience the Li River, explore Yangshuo, and dedicate a day to the Longji Terraced Fields without rushing.
Estimated Cost of a 4-Day, 3-Night Trip to Guilin
| Category | Cost (VND) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou - Guilin High-Speed Train | 500.000 - 1.100.000 | 2-5 hours travel time |
| Guilin Hotel (2 nights) | 1.050.000 - 2.100.000 | mid-range hotel |
| Yangshou Hotel (1 nights) | 525.000 - 1.200.000 | homestay or boutique |
| Li River Cruise | 750.000 - 1.650.000 | 3-4 star cruise ship |
| Lunch on the cruise | 105.000 - 175.000 | if traveling on a 3-star cruise ship |
| Bamboo rafts on the Yulong River | 350.000 - 560.000 | depending on the route |
| Moon Hill tickets | ~50.000 | trekking |
| Yangshuo - Guilin train | 75.000 - 125.000 | high-speed train |
| Guilin - Longji Bus | 160.000 - 300.000 | one-way |
| Long Tich terraced rice fields ticket | ~280.000 | sightseeing tickets |
| Food and drink for 4 days | 700.000 - 1.050.000 | casual eating |
| Inner city travel | 350.000 - 525.000 | taxi / Didi |
Estimated total cost: 2,900,000 VND – 6,500,000 VND
This cost does not include international airfare.
Note: The above prices are for reference only. Actual prices depend on individual spending needs and the exchange rate at the time of visit.
Guilin 4-Day 3-Night Travel Itinerary
1. Is a 4-day 3-night Guilin travel itinerary enough to explore the famous sights?
Yes. With 4 days, you can absolutely explore the most prominent spots in Guilin such as the Li River, Yangshuo, Wulong River, and the Longji Terraced Fields. This is also the most popular time to fully experience the area’s unique scenery without rushing.
2. Which city is the most convenient to travel from to Guilin?
Many tourists often combine Guilin with major cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, or Shenzhen. The Guangzhou-Guilin route is quite convenient as there are many high-speed trains running daily, with a travel time of about 2-3 hours.
3. Should I stay in Guilin or Yangshuo on a 4-day itinerary?
A reasonable itinerary is usually 2 nights in Guilin and 1 night in Yangshuo. This arrangement allows you to easily explore Guilin city, experience a cruise on the Li River, and have more time to discover beautiful spots around Yangshuo.
4. What is the best time of year to visit Guilin?
The best time to visit Guilin is usually from April to October. During this time, the weather is pleasant, the trees are lush, and the limestone mountains reflected on the Li River create a very impressive landscape.
5. Is it necessary to book a Li River cruise in advance?
It is recommended to book in advance, especially during peak tourist season. Cruises usually depart in the morning and have a limited number of passengers per day, so booking in advance will give you more control over your itinerary.
6. Should I include time to visit the Longji Rice Terraces in my 4-day itinerary?
Yes. The Longji Rice Terraces offer a completely different experience compared to the scenery of the Li River and Yangshuo. If you have time on your last day, this is a very worthwhile destination to add to your itinerary.
7. What are the popular modes of transportation between Guilin and Yangshuo?
Tourists usually travel by cruise on the Li River, high-speed train, or bus. Cruises are the most popular choice because they allow you to enjoy the scenery along the river while traveling.
8. How much does a 4-day, 3-night trip to Guilin cost?
The cost for a 4-day trip to Guilin usually ranges from 3 to 6.5 million VND per person, depending on the type of hotel, cruise experience, and transportation you choose.
If you’re in Guangzhou or simply want to explore a peaceful region of China, then plan a trip to Guilin right away!
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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