Guilin Travel Story & Self-Driving Itinerary
“Guilin’s scenery under heaven is unparalleled.”
This famous line from my Chinese primary school textbook is still etched deeply in my memory — and in the hearts of almost every Chinese person. The book painted Guilin as a living scroll: “Hills like these encircle waters like these; waters like these reflect hills like these.”
The moment my train pulled into Guilin, endless green mountains and clear rivers rushed into view outside the window, proving every word from the book true.
About My Trip
Guilin is a well-developed tourist city with countless scenic spots and many ways to visit. Most travelers join group tours, but I chose self-driving — my favorite way to travel, so I could go only where I wanted, circling around downtown Guilin, northwest, and southeast.
🗓 4-Day Self-Driving Itinerary
Day 1 · Downtown GuilinElephant Trunk Hill · Night Cruise of the Two Rivers and Four LakesHighlights:Duxiu Peak & Prince City Scenic Area · Elephant Trunk Hill · Evening Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise
Day 2 · Guilin → Sanjiang (Chengyang) → Longji Rice TerracesDistance: 132 km (2 hrs) to Chengyang; 86 km (2 hrs) to LongjiStay overnight: Longji Rice TerracesHighlights:Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge · Eight Chengyang Villages · Ping’an Terraces (Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon)
Day 3 · Longji → Guilin → Xingping PierDistance: 175 km (3 hrs)Stay overnight: Yangshuo (Huangbu Reflection Spot)Highlights:Dazhai Terraces (Xishan Shaole Viewpoint) · Li River Huangbu Reflection (the scene on China’s 20-yuan bill)
Day 4 · Yangshuo → GuilinDistance: 82 km (1 hr 15 mins)Highlights:Li River Bamboo Rafting (Xingping ↔ Nine-Horse Painting Hill) · Yulong River Bamboo Rafting (Jinlong Bridge → Jiuxian) · Yangshuo West Street
Driving Notes
Total distance: ~600 kmMost roads are highways or high-quality provincial roads.But be extra careful inside the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area:
- After the main ticket gate, the road to Ping’an Terraces is in poor condition — bumpy and uneven.
- The road to Dazhai is better but very narrow, with little room to pass. If you get stuck behind a slow vehicle, you’ll just have to follow patiently.
Expenses Breakdown
On a self-driving trip, food and accommodation can be as budget or luxury as you like.
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Car CostsCar rental is extremely convenient in China — you can pick up cars at stores or have them delivered.
- 3-day rental (Volkswagen Lavida): ¥308
- Fuel for ~600 km: ¥320
- Total: ¥628
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Entrance FeesBeijing has some of China’s cheapest tourist sites — Guilin’s tickets are comparatively expensive.
- Duxiu Peak & Prince City: ¥120
- Elephant Trunk Hill: ¥70
- Two Rivers and Four Lakes Night Cruise: ¥210
- Longji Rice Terraces: ¥100
- Xingping Li River Rafting: ¥98 per person (4 people per raft; ¥25 fee for empty seats if not full)
- Yulong River Rafting: ¥320 per raft (2 people)
Tip: Book tickets in advance on travel apps for decent discounts.