Guangxi in 6 Days: Guilin, Yangshuo and the Rice Terraces

The Karst Country

Guangxi's landscape is the reason most travellers come: limestone peaks rising out of flat farmland, rivers cutting between them, and villages at the water's edge. Six days is the comfortable length — two for Guilin and the river, two for Yangshuo's countryside, one for the rice terraces and one for the craft country further north.

Days 1–2: Guilin and the Li River

Guilin is the gateway: the lake-and-park city centre, the night markets and the river. The Li River cruise is the classic set piece, a four-hour run through the peaks to Yangshuo, and the smaller bamboo raft sections out of Yangshuo are the more intimate version. Do one, not both.

Days 3–4: Yangshuo

Yangshuo's appeal is the countryside around the town: cycling between villages, climbing for views, the caves, and a night on West Street if you want company. Two days lets you see the scenery in the early morning and late afternoon, when the light is best and the tour groups have moved on.

Day 5: The Longji Rice Terraces

North to Longji, where the terraces climb the hillsides in bands and the villages sit at the top of them. Stay overnight up in the terraces if you can — the light at sunset and sunrise is the point — and walk between villages in the morning before the coaches arrive.

Day 6: Craft Country and Departure

The Zhuang and Dong areas to the north keep their weaving and singing traditions, and a night in a village or two makes a different end to the trip than another karst town. From Guilin, flights and high-speed rail connect to Guangzhou, Guizhou and the rest of the south.

Practical Notes

April to October is the season, with spring water in the rivers and autumn light on the terraces; summer is hot and wet and winter is grey. Book the Li River cruise and terrace accommodation ahead in holidays, and pack shoes for muddy village paths.

Frequently Asked Questions