Trip Summary
The landscape on the back of the ¥20 note. A four-star Li River boat through 80 km of karst towers, two easy days cycling and bamboo-rafting around Yangshuo, and a day in the clouds at the Longji rice terraces — China's most photogenic long weekend.
Trip Highlights
- Four-hour Li River cruise past fishermen and water buffalo
- Cycle the Yulong River valley between rice paddies and karst walls
- Sunrise over the Dragon Backbone (Longji) terraces from a village inn
- Cormorant fishing show and West Street's café scene in Yangshuo
Day by Day
Day 1 — Arrive Guilin
High-speed rail from Guangzhou/Shenzhen or fly direct. Evening lakes and twin-pagoda stroll.
Flight in · Guilininternational flights, destination pre-filledBook → Stay · Elephant Trunk Hillcentral lakes quarter — walk the Two Rivers & Four Lakes night loopBook → Car rental · Guilinpick up at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport on arrivalBook → 
Day 2 — Li River cruise
Boat from Zhujiang pier through the gorges to Yangshuo; keep the note handy at Xingping for the famous view.
Stay · Elephant Trunk Hillcentral lakes quarter — walk the Two Rivers & Four Lakes night loopBook → Tickets · Li Riverskip-the-line entryBook → Day 3 — Yangshuo countryside
Rent e-bikes or bikes along the Yulong River; bamboo raft through the gongs and bridges; optionally the Impression Liu Sanjie night show.
Stay · West Street Yangshuothe café-and-bike quarter of Yangshuo, steps from the Li RiverBook → 
Day 4 — Longji terraces
Transfer 2.5 h to Ping'an village; hike the terraces at golden hour and sleep in a wooden stilt inn.
Stay · Longji TerracesPing'an or Dazhai village inns, up inside the rice terracesBook → Day 5 — Return
Morning mist over the paddies, then back to Guilin for flights or the HSR south.
Flight out · Guilindeparture flights from Guilin, destination openBook → 
Travel in China