Guilin Landscape | A Three-Day, Two-Night Family Trip: A Leisurely Journey Through a Poetic Landscape

Guilin, renowned for its breathtaking scenery, is an ideal destination for family trips thanks to its unique karst landforms. The crystal-clear Li River, the stunning mountains, and the rustic countryside combine to create a flowing landscape painting. This guide aims to help you and your family plan a relaxing and enjoyable trip to Guilin, providing a three-day, two-night itinerary, transportation information, and practical tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Overview of a 3-day, 2-night family trip

• Day 1: Arrive in Guilin → Elephant Trunk Hill → Sun and Moon Twin Towers → Night view of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes
• Day 2: Li River Cruise (Guilin-Yangshuo) → Yangshuo West Street → Yangshuo Countryside Cycling (Optional) → Impression Liu Sanjie Show (Optional)
• Day 3: Option 1: Longji Rice Terraces → Return trip; Option 2: Reed Flute Cave → Fubo Mountain/Diecai Mountain → Return trip

Day 1: Landscapes as Picturesque Scenery, A First Exploration of the City's Essence

Morning: Arrival and Check-in

Arrive at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) or Guilin Railway Station/Guilin North Railway Station. We recommend staying at a hotel in the city center for convenient transportation and to facilitate your subsequent itinerary. After checking in, you can rest for a while.

Afternoon: Elephant Trunk Hill and the Sun and Moon Twin Towers

Elephant Trunk Hill, a landmark of Guilin, is named for its resemblance to a giant elephant drinking water. The trails within the scenic area are gentle, suitable for children. Here, you can get a close-up view of Elephant Trunk Hill. Afterwards, visit the Sun and Moon Twin Towers, cultural landmarks in the heart of Guilin. The golden and silver towers reflect each other beautifully in Shanhu Lake. You can stroll along the lakeside, admiring the architectural beauty of the towers; there's no need to climb them, keeping the trip relaxed.

Evening: Night view of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes

After dinner, you can choose to take a cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes (Li River, Peach Blossom River, Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake) at night, or stroll along the lakeside. As night falls, the lights on both banks illuminate the area, transforming Guilin into a dreamlike wonderland. The cruise lasts approximately 1-1.5 hours, making it an excellent choice for families to relax and unwind.

Day 2: Li River Gallery, Scenic Tour of Yangshuo

Morning: Li River Cruise (Guilin-Yangshuo)

After breakfast, proceed to either Mopanshan Wharf or Zhujiang Wharf in Guilin to board a cruise ship to Yangshuo. This is the core part of experiencing the essence of "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven." The cruise lasts approximately 4 hours, offering views of classic scenic spots such as Nine Horses Painting Mountain and Yellow Cloth Reflection along the way. Light meals are usually provided on board; it is recommended to choose a cruise ship with better facilities and a wider view to ensure a comfortable experience. Children can enjoy the scenery on both banks of the river from inside the cabin or on the deck.

Afternoon: West Street and rural scenery in Yangshuo

Upon arrival in Yangshuo, you can experience the unique exotic atmosphere and local characteristics of West Street. West Street is quite bustling and crowded, so a short visit is recommended to fully immerse yourself in its atmosphere. For lunch, you can sample Yangshuo's local delicacies near West Street. In the afternoon, you can choose to rent bicycles or electric scooters for a rural cycling trip along the Yulong River or the Ten-Mile Gallery. Note that bamboo rafting on the Yulong River involves manual propelling and is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace while appreciating the pastoral scenery. The duration of cycling or rafting can be adjusted flexibly according to the family's physical condition, prioritizing a relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Evening: Impression Liu Sanjie (optional)

If you're interested in large-scale outdoor performances set against the Li River, consider watching Zhang Yimou's "Impression Liu Sanjie." The show uses the Li River as its stage, boasting a grand scale and stunning visual effects. Performances are usually in the evening, so tickets and transportation arrangements must be made in advance. If you don't plan to see the show, you can enjoy local delicacies in Yangshuo, such as beer fish, and have a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Nature Exploration, Choose One of Two Options

Option 1: In-depth experience of Longji Rice Terraces (recommended for families with good physical fitness)

After breakfast, take a chartered car or tourist bus to the Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area (approximately 2-3 hours drive). The Longji Rice Terraces are a world-renowned agricultural cultural heritage site, vast in scale and beautifully contoured. It is recommended to visit either Ping'an Village or Jinkeng Dazhai (Dazhai Yao Ethnic Rice Terraces). Ping'an Village was developed earlier and has relatively complete facilities; Jinkeng Dazhai is more pristine and spectacular. Upon arrival, you can choose to take the cable car (Jinkeng Dazhai) or hike (Ping'an Village) up the mountain to admire the cascading terraces. The tour will take approximately 3-4 hours. Lunch can be enjoyed at a local farmhouse restaurant within the village. In the afternoon, return to Guilin city or proceed directly to the airport/train station. This itinerary is tight, so an early start is recommended.

Option 2: Cave Spectacle and City Hiking (Recommended for families seeking a relaxing experience)

After breakfast, we will head to Reed Flute Cave on the outskirts of Guilin. Reed Flute Cave is one of Guilin's most famous karst caves, boasting countless stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone formations that, illuminated by colorful lights, create a dreamlike spectacle, earning it the title of "Nature's Art Palace." The cave's walking path is gentle, taking approximately one hour, suitable for families of all ages. Afterwards, you can visit either Fubo Hill or Diecai Hill, both located in the city and offering relatively easy climbs. These hills provide panoramic views of Guilin and the Li River. Choose one for a 1-1.5 hour hike. After lunch, depending on your flight or train schedule, we will transfer to the airport or train station, concluding our Guilin trip. This itinerary is flexible and more suitable for families with young children.

Transportation Guide

• Arrival in Guilin:
  • By air: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL). Airport shuttle buses go directly to the Civil Aviation Building in the city center, or you can choose a taxi/ride-hailing service.
  • Trains: Guilin Station (mainly serves regular trains and some bullet trains) and Guilin North Station (mainly serves high-speed trains). Both stations have direct bus, taxi/ride-hailing services to the city center.
• City transportation:
  • Public buses: cover major attractions and offer affordable fares.
  • Taxi/Ride-hailing: Convenient and efficient, suitable for family travel.
  • Shared bikes: Available in some areas, suitable for short-distance commuting.
• Intercity transportation:
  • Guilin-Yangshuo: Li River cruise (highlights section), or take a bus from Guilin Bus Station.
  • Guilin-Longji Rice Terraces: It is recommended to hire a car or take a direct tourist bus from Guilin Bus Station to the Longji Scenic Area.

Travel pitfalls and helpful tips

• Best time to visit: Guilin is suitable for travel all year round, but spring and autumn (March-May and September-November) are the best seasons with pleasant weather and moderate rainfall. Summer (June-August) is hot and rainy, so be prepared for sun and rain. Winter (December-February) is damp and cold, but there are relatively fewer tourists.
• Accommodation options: Hotels in the city center (such as Zhongshan Road and Xiangshan District) offer convenient transportation and a wide variety of dining options; accommodations near West Street in Yangshuo are lively but may be noisy at night. Alternatively, you can choose resort hotels in Yangshuo County or along the Yulong River for a quieter experience.
• Dining recommendations: Guilin rice noodles are a must-try snack; be sure to choose an authentic, long-established shop. Other local delicacies worth trying include Yangshuo beer fish, Lipu taro with braised pork, and Gongcheng oil tea. For children's meals, inform the restaurant in advance to adjust the flavors.
• Sun protection and rain gear: Guilin has strong sunshine, so be sure to prepare sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. Rain is frequent, so an umbrella or raincoat is essential.
• Booking and Safety: During peak season, be sure to book your flights, hotels, and Li River cruise tickets in advance. Take extra care of your personal belongings, especially children's safety, in crowded areas.
• Child safety: When visiting attractions, be sure to supervise children, especially near water, on mountain paths, or in crowded areas.

The beauty of Guilin's landscape needs to be experienced with your heart. Hopefully, this guide will help you and your family plan an unforgettable trip to Guilin, creating wonderful family memories amidst this poetic paradise.