Guilin 5 D
Guilin 5 Days 4 Nights Family Trip ✨👨👩👧👦
Day 1 🚄 Arrive in Yangshuo • Check into Family-Friendly Hotel
In the morning, we took the high-speed train to Guilin South Station. Tickets for the outbound journey were easy to book, but return tickets to Hong Kong were very popular. If you couldn't get one, you could transfer at Guangzhou South Station; transportation was still convenient. Getting around Guilin city was also easy; you could hail a ride-hailing service between almost every attraction.
After arriving, we took a taxi to Yangshuo and arrived at our hotel—🏨 Yangshuo Yuyuan Jingshe (Ten-Mile Gallery Yulong River Branch)—before 2 PM. This hotel is ranked second among family-friendly hotels in Guangxi, perfect for children—we definitely made the right choice! After dropping off our luggage, we went out for lunch and then returned to the hotel to rest.
The hotel hosts different family-friendly craft activities every afternoon, including free cotton candy making 🍭. The hotel grounds have a large lawn for playing football, sand, and climbing; there are swimming pools on the basement and rooftop, and all necessary water amenities are provided 🏊. After freshening up in the evening, we enjoyed dinner at the hotel restaurant.
The next day 🌿 Yulong River Bamboo Rafting & West Street Night Tour
After breakfast, we set off on a bamboo rafting trip. During peak season, you can purchase tickets in advance on Meituan or Trip.com. On-site purchase is also possible, costing approximately ¥100 per person. The rafting distance varies depending on the pier; I chose to depart from Shui'edi to the main pier, a journey of about 1.5 hours. The scenery along the way was picturesque, and the bamboo raft drifted gently, a leisurely and idyllic experience 🌈. I also brought two water guns, which the kids had a blast with 💦!
After disembarking, we rented a four-seater electric cart for ¥120 for four hours. The journey passed by scenic spots like the Ten-Mile Gallery, rice paddies, and passion fruit orchards, offering endless opportunities for photo opportunities 📸. A special recommendation:
☕ Yi Chi Rice Paddy Cafe
Address: Opposite the Pastoral Poetry Hotel, Baisha Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin City
Sitting by the rice paddies, sipping coffee, enjoying cake and roast chicken, pure bliss! Children swung on swings and chased ducklings 🦆, and we spent a relaxing and pleasant afternoon.
Departing in October offers pleasant weather 🌤. Taking a raft in the morning avoids the midday sun. Return to the hotel around 3 PM to rest and participate in a small craft activity. In the evening, stroll along Yangshuo West Street—a national-level nighttime cultural and tourism consumption area. The street is bustling with people, the aroma of various snacks (beer fish, Guilin rice noodles, sweet soup) fills the air, and there are street performances and unique shops, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Day 3 🐟 Cormorant Fishing Show & Reed Flute Cave Scenic Spot
After breakfast, we participated in a cormorant fishing show arranged by the hotel. This is a demonstration of traditional local fishing skills. After the show, we could take photos with the cormorants, which the children loved.
Next, we went to Guilin city and checked into the 🏨 Parkview Inn (Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes Elephant Trunk Hill Branch). Although located in a small alley, the location is excellent, just a few minutes' walk from East and West Alleys. The decor is modern, the service is attentive, and they even upgraded us to a larger room! After dropping off our luggage, we went to
🍽 Guiyin Kitchen - Sky Courtyard Restaurant
Address: B301, Building B, East and West Alleys, Xiufeng District, Guilin City
The environment is elegant, the food is exquisite, and we even found complimentary afternoon tea when we returned to the hotel – a small but delightful surprise 🫖.
In the afternoon, we visited Reed Flute Cave, a national scenic area famous for its spectacular karst caves, known as the "Palace of Nature's Art" ✨. The cave is filled with stalactites, columns, and curtains of stone in countless shapes, creating a dreamy and cool atmosphere—a great place for taking photos and escaping the summer heat. I heard that the old version of *Journey to the West* was filmed here!
At dusk, enjoy a leisurely stroll along East-West Alley and Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. The former preserves ancient Ming Dynasty architecture, exuding a classic charm; the latter is mainly filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. If time is limited, you can just visit East-West Alley.
Day 4 🏔 Unfortunately, we missed the Longji Rice Terraces.
The original plan was to visit the Jingwang Mansion and Elephant Trunk Hill after breakfast, followed by the Longji Rice Terraces. I had specifically booked a room with an excellent view:
🏡 Sky City B&B (Longji Rice Terraces Viewpoint Branch)
Address: No. 999, Group 3, Tiantou Village, Dazhai Village, Longji Town
This room offers a bird's-eye view of the layered rice terraces 🌾, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Guilin.
Unfortunately, my son suddenly fell ill 💧 en route, so we had to cancel our trip. Although we missed the world's most beautiful rice terraces and ethnic villages, we were pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of Chinese hospitals—the doctor brought out an anti-nausea patch, and it worked immediately! Amazing! 🩺
Day 5 🏁 Warm Departure
I'm leaving now, bye-bye! Tell them to check out and take a bus back to Guilin South Station to catch the high-speed train back to Hong Kong 🚅.
Although there were a few minor hiccups along the way, the whole trip was full of laughter and surprises ❤️, bringing a perfect end to our Guilin family trip!
#Guilin #Yangshuo #Guangxi #FamilyHotel