Guilin & Yangshuo: Soaking in China’s Iconic Karst Scenery
The towering limestone peaks that rise from the plains surrounding Guilin have long inspired Chinese art and poetry. The Li River sails past bamboo groves and riverside villages where locals still fish with trained cormorants.
A cruise through the UNESCO-listed beauty of Guilin and Yangshuo takes you to the market town of Yangshuo, a less frenetic pace than Guilin, a great base from which to explore the surrounding countryside. Tucked away among the karst peaks you will find atmospheric villages like Fuli, where cobbled lanes and traditional workshops in fan-making can be found, either by boat ride to Fuli or an easy cycle ride.
When evening falls, it is worth watching cormorant fishermen in action or enjoying a meal next to the Yulong River. For the more active, the hinterland surrounding Guilin presents opportunities for longer cycling or trekking routes into the minority villages many kilometres from the regular tourist trail, to enjoy and experience landscapes that have inspired China for centuries.
Speak to one of our local experts
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Guilin, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Our expert guides to exploring Guilin
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Guilin, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Guilin at its best.
