The Best Day Trips From Guilin
Guilin is a gorgeous city on the banks of the Li River that has so much to offer, but there is also plenty to experience in the towns nearby, from the Karst Mountains and scenic hikes to to hot springs and great food. Here’s a list of quick jaunts that’ll have you back in Guilin in time for the night markets.
1. Longsheng Rice Terraces
Unless you’re a marathon runner, a day in Longsheng doesn’t afford the time to go on long hikes, but it is plenty of time to do smaller loops or to take the cable car in Jinkeng for panoramic views of the terraced rice fields. While there, sample some rice wine; chat with the locals, and learn about their culture and customs (in the ethnic group that calls Longsheng home, the women cut their hair just once in their lifetimes), and soak in the hot springs.
2. Yangshuo
Yangshuo is about two hours from Guilin and has become increasingly popular recently. Not only is it immeasurably beautiful, it offers something for everybody. From hiking trails to boating to shopping and more, there’s plenty to keep you coming back. The city is also popular with expats, so it’s easy to find restaurants slinging pizzas, hamburgers and coffee.
Liugong
Just south of Yangshuo, this village boasts shophouses, an old town gate, a temple, and a couple good swimming spots in the Lijiang. Perhaps the best part of going to Liugong is the drive, though. You’ll pass rice paddies, farmers working with water buffalos in their fields, livestock roaming on the dirt roads and—because this is the Guangxi province—more Karst Mountains.
Fuli
This 800-year-old city is known for the numerous artists who inhabit it. Many of the typical painted fans, scrolls and wall hangings available for purchase at markets in the area were crafted in artist workshops found here.
3. Xingping
Hostel
Once backpackers tire of the tourist touts of Yangshuo, this little village will be the next big thing. Rent bicycles at a local hostel, and explore this relatively flat town. Tackle the challenging climb to Bird’s View Pavilion for sweeping vistas, and see the exact landscape on the ¥20 note just outside.
4. Daxu
In the ancient town of Daxu, you’re likely to be the first foreigner the locals have seen in a while. Once a leading trade and commercial hub during the Ming Dynasty, Daxu today is a sleepy village with historical buildings, oodles of antiquities and bluestone pavement streets. Check out the Longevity Bridge, a stone arch built during the Ming Dynasty; the 13 surviving docks from the long-ago trading era; and the Seven Stars Tombs, a collection of burial sites arranged to match the Big Dipper constellation.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.