Things to do in Guilin

When visiting Guilin, a must-see is Elephant Trunk Hill, the city's iconic landmark. It truly lives up to its reputation as the face of Guilin's landscape; only by seeing it in person can one truly appreciate the wonders of nature. The entire mountain sits on the banks of the Li River, resembling a giant elephant bowing to drink from the water. The Water Moon Cave cuts through the mountain, its reflection shimmering in the water, creating the famous Elephant Trunk Hill and Water Moon spectacle—a flowing ink painting. The scenic area is clean and comfortable, with walking paths built along the Li River, shaded by lush trees, making for a delightful stroll. You can climb the mountain for panoramic views of Guilin, or find classic vantage points along the riverbank to capture stunning, atmospheric photos. Boat trips are also available, offering a different and breathtaking perspective of Elephant Trunk Hill from the river. The scenic area is conveniently located in the city center, with excellent transportation and comprehensive facilities. Every step reveals a new vista, allowing you to truly experience the unparalleled beauty of Guilin's landscape. Don't miss it when traveling to Guilin; it's definitely worth a visit.

We took a three-star cruise on the Li River, departing from Mopanshan Wharf. The cruise stopped at the viewpoint featured on the 20 RMB note. It was raining before departure, but the rain stopped shortly afterward – we were lucky! The air was fresh after the rain, and the mist on the river was just right, making the scenery exceptionally gentle. The cruise was smooth, making it suitable for taking elderly people to slowly appreciate the scenery on both banks. Overall, the tour was very pleasant.

I drove here in the rain; the mountain roads are winding and dangerous. You really need to be careful when it rains heavily, as rear-end collisions are very easy. The scenery at the scenic area was still very beautiful; I saw many seas of clouds.

Good for short hope around and city view, but otherwise not so much to see

It's very sunny, so go early to avoid the crowds and sun. The journey from Jinlong Bridge to the old wharf, involving 9 dams, is too long and unnecessary. The whole trip takes about 1.6 hours, and the dam rushing isn't as exciting as you might imagine. So, try a shorter 4-dam trip, which takes about an hour. There are also many round-trip options available, making it convenient for self-driving tours.

The tour guide was professional and reliable, familiar with the local customs and culture of Yangshuo, and provided engaging and entertaining commentary. The itinerary was well-paced, not rushed, and the guide reminded visitors to avoid potential pitfalls. There were no forced purchases throughout the trip, making for a very enjoyable experience!

I liked this cruise. The views were amazing. You could buy lunch on board but they didn’t pressure us into buying anything. There were recorded announcements in English explaining the scenery throughout the trip which was very nice. I also had the transfer from my hotel to the pier which was convenient. I recommend this cruise if you just want nice views for a reasonable price.

We were incredibly lucky to get VIP seats. The customer service was excellent, answering all our questions promptly. The bus service was also very convenient, and the tour guide even picked up our tickets in advance, saving us the trouble of queuing at the venue. The ship offered guided tours and a buffet, so we were very satisfied!

Visiting during the off-peak season between the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays made for a particularly pleasant experience. Our family of three explored the cave, and several times we saw very few other tourists; the flow of people was minimal. Many travel guides mention that crowded caves can feel stuffy and poorly ventilated, significantly diminishing the experience. This time, however, we didn't encounter this problem at all. We didn't have to chase after large groups or fight for good photo spots, allowing us to leisurely appreciate the stalactite formations. Caves rely heavily on lighting, and Silver Cave does this very well. The otherwise ordinary rocks, enhanced by the lighting, instantly become visually appealing and story-telling, fully showcasing the wonders of underground karst topography. Free audio guides are provided upon entry, automatically providing commentary at the corresponding illuminated locations, eliminating the need for a separate guide and making it convenient and hassle-free. The walkways inside the cave are generally easy to navigate. Given the cave environment, there are some dripping water areas, making the floor slightly slippery, but not severely. With elderly people or young children, a little careful stepping is sufficient for a normal visit. 🚕Taxi Tips: We took taxis both ways to and from Yangshuo. Online reviews say that taking a taxi back from Silver Cave is risky, and I experienced it firsthand: the first driver called to try and bypass the platform to charge extra, more than ten yuan more than the platform price. I canceled and rebooked. The second ride was at the normal platform price. I suggest everyone stick to booking through the platform and avoid negotiating prices privately. In Yangshuo, you mostly see the surface karst peaks and forests, but caves are another form of karst landform. If you have time, it's definitely worth visiting to experience the unique and spectacular scenery of underground caves.

Ce parc vaut vraiment le coût! Nous avons adoré. C’était un voyage mère-fille (2 adultes). Lors de notre visite à la mi-juin, il n’y avait pas beaucoup de monde. Aucune attente pour le téléphérique avec une superbe vue. Une fois en haut, nous sommes allées sur le pont suspendu. Nous avons fait aussi les deux pont de verre, dont un est sur le flan de la montagne et est très impressionnant. L’autre l’est moins. Nous avons marché. Nous sommes allés admirer le paysage du haut des observatoire. La vue est vraiment magnifique! À faire pour les adultes, les ados et les enfants. Nous avons passé un super après-midi! Un de nos coup de coeur de notre voyage en Chine!