Just returned from a summer trip to Guilin and Yangshuo—highly recommend visiting during the off-season (July-September)!!!

4-Day, 3-Night In-Depth Guilin & Yangshuo Tour: A Poetic Stroll Through Karst Landscapes

As a frequent traveler to Guilin and Yangshuo, I’ve compiled this detailed guide to immerse you in the unique charm of these iconic landscapes.

**Itinerary Overview**
- Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
- Route: Guilin city → Longji Rice Terraces → Yangshuo → Return
- Best season: Year-round (April–October recommended)

**Detailed Itinerary**

**Day 1: Discovering Guilin’s Urban Charms**
Morning: Arrive at Guilin North Station, check into a hotel near Two Rivers and Four Lakes for convenience, and rest.

Afternoon:
- **Elephant Trunk Hill**: Guilin’s landmark. Enter via Gate 3 for the best photo angles and stroll along the paths to admire the karst formations.
- **Xiaoyao Tower, East-West Alley, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street**: Walkable from Elephant Trunk Hill. Xiaoyao Tower (Tang Dynasty) offers city views; East-West Alley features Ming-Qing architecture; Zhengyang Street is a food/shopping hub.

Food Recs:
- **Shiguangji Beef Offal Hot Pot**: A local favorite with tangy broth.
- **Old Guilin Oil Tea Shop**: Savor traditional oil tea with rice cakes.
- **Agan Restaurant**: Must-tries: beer fish and stuffed river snails.

Evening:
- **Two Rivers and Four Lakes Night Cruise**: Glide past illuminated pagodas.
- **Sun & Moon Pagodas**: Lit-up twin pagodas reflecting on the lake—perfect for photos.

**Day 2: Longji Rice Terraces Adventure**
Full-day trip (2-hour drive from Guilin). Options:
- **Jinkeng Terraces**: Largest, with cable cars to Golden Buddha Summit viewpoint.
- **Ping’an Terraces**: Less crowded; "Seven Stars with Moon" viewpoint dazzles at sunrise.
- **Ancient Zhuang Village**: Authentic wooden stilt houses.

Tips:
- Best seasons: Apr–Jun (water-filled terraces) or Sep–Oct (golden harvest).
- Ticket: ¥80 (covers all villages). Wear comfy shoes for hiking.

Evening: Return to Guilin; try local dishes like Guilin rice noodles or Li River shrimp.

**Day 3: Yangshuo’s Scenic Wonders**
Morning: High-speed train to Yangshuo (30 mins), then bus to Xingping Ancient Town (¥5).

Noon:
- **Xingping**: Wander cobblestone streets and try Xingping rice noodles with fried fish.
- **20 Yuan RMB Spot**: Rent an e-bike (¥20/day) to Wangwang Fish Restaurant for the iconic view.
- **Nine-Horse Mural Hill**: Spot hidden horse shapes on the cliff.

Afternoon: Bus to Yangshuo town (¥15), check into a West Street or Yulong River homestay.

Evening:
- **West Street**: Lively "Global Village" with bars, local eats (beer fish, stuffed snails), and handicrafts.

**Day 4: Yulong River & Countryside Cycling**
Morning:
- **Bamboo Rafting**: Book in advance (¥200/raft). Drift past misty peaks at dawn.

Afternoon:
- **Ten-Mile Gallery Cycling**: E-bike past Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree (film location), and more.

Departure: Taxi to Yangshuo Station.

**Bonus Eats**
- **Master Fish Beer Fish**: Tender fish in rich sauce.
- **Xie Sanjie Restaurant**: Authentic stuffed snails.
- **Old Dongjiang Rice Noodles**: Locals’ pick for fragrant broth and toppings.

**Stay Suggestions**
- **Guilin**: Two Rivers area (e.g., Lijiang Waterfall Hotel).
- **Yangshuo**: West Street for nightlife; Yulong River for tranquility (e.g., Mango Boutique, Sugar House).

Let this guide lead you through Guilin and Yangshuo’s poetic landscapes—where nature and culture intertwine magically.