Guilin is stunning, but I honestly don’t recommend going in October because............

Complete Guilin Travel Guide: Starting at 800 RMB per person, unlock the karst landscapes and ethnic customs
Guilin is famous for its "landscape tops the world," with attractions like the Li River bamboo rafts, Longji Terraces, and Yangshuo West Street forming a flowing landscape painting. This article combines the latest 2025 data to organize multi-level itineraries ranging from 800 to 2000 RMB per person, covering transportation, accommodation, food, and tips to avoid pitfalls, helping you easily plan a cost-effective trip.
1. Budget Tiers: From Backpackers to Light Luxury Travelers, There’s Something for Everyone
Economy (800-1200 RMB per person)
Suitable for: Students, budget-conscious backpackers.
Transportation: High-speed train round trip: Guangzhou South to Guilin North about 198 RMB (early bird tickets cheaper), taxi starting fare in Guilin city 8 RMB, electric scooter rental in Yangshuo 30 RMB/day.
Li River bamboo raft: Yangdi to Xingping section 160 RMB/raft (4 people, 40 RMB per person), Yulong River drifting 320 RMB/raft (2 people, 160 RMB per person).
Accommodation: Guilin city: Homestays near Elephant Trunk Hill about 85 RMB/night per person, 5-minute walk to attractions.
Yangshuo West Street: Scenic rooms about 95 RMB/night per person, fall asleep to the sound of the Li River.
Food: Guilin rice noodles 4.5 RMB/bowl, beer fish 40 RMB per person (old market stall), oil tea 3 RMB/bowl.
Tickets: Elephant Trunk Hill 35 RMB, Longji Terraces 80 RMB (half price for students), Silver Cave karst cave 65 RMB.
Comfort (1200-1800 RMB per person)
Suitable for: Family trips, young couples seeking quality.
Transportation: High-speed train round trip + city car rental: Longji Terraces car rental 200 RMB/day, 50 RMB per person.
Li River four-star cruise: VIP cabin 200 RMB per person, includes free Hanfu photo shoot.
Accommodation: Guilin city: Light luxury hotel by Two Rivers and Four Lakes about 150 RMB/night per person, river view from the window.
Yangshuo Yulong River: Homestay about 180 RMB/night per person, includes free bicycle rental.
Food: Chunji roast goose 60 RMB per person, bamboo tube rice + smoked cured meat set 80 RMB per person.
Experience: Impression Liu Sanjie show 238 RMB/person, karst cave café check-in 50 RMB per person.
Light Luxury (1800-2500 RMB per person)
Suitable for: Honeymoon trips, anniversary celebrations.
Transportation: Direct flight to Guilin + private transfer: Airfare about 1500 RMB (off-season), full air-conditioned tour bus.
Accommodation: Longji Terraces scenic homestay: 300 RMB/night per person, includes Zhuang ethnic breakfast (bamboo tube rice + oil tea).
Yangshuo Huashan Yun She: Terrace facing the Li River, 500 RMB/night per person, popular infinity pool photo spot.
Food: Private chef customized dinner: Li River shrimp cake + luohanguo tea + freshly picked sugar tangerines, 200 RMB per person.
Experience: Terrace starry sky dinner, Zhuang brocade making experience, Li River fishing fire photography tour (300 RMB per person).
2. Core Experiences: From Classics to Hidden Gems, Unlock N Ways to Enjoy Guilin
1. Li River Bamboo Raft: A poetic drift for 20 RMB
Recommended route: Yangdi to Xingping section (Nine Horses Painting Hill, Huangbu Reflection), 40 RMB per person.
Hidden play: Slow drifting with raftman mode: stop at hidden scenic spots, use oil-paper umbrella as a prop to shoot “Li River fishing fire” masterpieces.
Bamboo raft afternoon tea: 80 RMB/person, taste tea and osmanthus cake, listen to raftman sing mountain songs.
Pitfall tips: Raftman charges 10 RMB/photo, can bargain down to 5 RMB; rainy season with mist is more photogenic, bring waterproof phone case.
2. Longji Terraces: Millennia-old agricultural earth art
Recommended route: Jinkeng Dazhai (thousand-layer ladder) + Ping’an Village (Nine Dragons and Five Tigers), ticket 80 RMB.
Hidden play: Climb Qixing Ban Yue viewing platform at 5 AM to catch sunrise and sea of clouds photo spots.
Help Zhuang grandma tie rice stalks and exchange for bamboo tube rice, free farming culture experience.
Cable car vlog filming: panoramic camera records terrace aerial view, 50 RMB per person.
Pitfall tips: Rainy season (March-August) terraces shrouded in mist like a fairyland, but roads slippery, wear anti-slip shoes.
3. Yangshuo West Street: A blend of East and West nightlife
Daytime: Xingping Ancient Town: 20 RMB photo background, Laozhai Mountain sunset hike (free).
Ten-Mile Gallery: Rent electric scooter to ride, check in at Rice Field Art Museum, Sky Mirror (25 RMB per person).
Nightlife: West Street bars: folk music live (osmanthus brew 25 RMB/cup), Earth Village multilingual exchange.
Night market food: Roast suckling pig 5 RMB/skewer, cold jelly 3 RMB/bowl, avoid overpriced snacks in scenic spots.
4. Karst Cave Exploration: A magical journey in underground palaces
Recommended spots: Silver Cave (65 RMB), Fengyu Cave (50 RMB).
Hidden play: Silver Cave smart wristband: touch stalactites to trigger “meteor shower” light effects, receive cave exploration certificate.
Fengyu Cave underground river drifting: 80 RMB per person, pass through underground river to see millennia-old stalactites.
3. Food Map: From Street Snacks to Intangible Cultural Heritage Feasts
1. Guilin Rice Noodles: Soul awakening in the morning
Must-eat: Lao Dongjiang Rice Noodles: 4.5 RMB/bowl, with marinated sauce + pot roast + sour bamboo shoot trio.
Tonglai Rice Noodles: 15 RMB/bowl, sour bamboo shoots, peanuts, marinated sauce for authentic appetite.
2. Beer Fish: Fresh gift from the Li River
Must-eat: Master Chef Gold Award Beer Fish: 80 RMB per person, sword bone fish freshly killed and cooked, soup with rice is a must-try.
Sister Xie’s Beer Fish: Grass carp 68 RMB/jin, mildly spicy and appetizing, 70 RMB per person to eat until full.
3. Ethnic Flavors: The warmth of oil tea and bamboo tube rice
Must-eat: Oil Tea Family: 20 RMB/person, oil tea with boat cake and fried rice, warms and drives away cold.
Longji Terraces homestay: Bamboo tube rice + smoked cured meat set, 40 RMB per person.
4. Pitfall Tips: Make Your Trip More Perfect
Transportation tips: No smoking on Li River bamboo rafts, do not step on crops in Longji Terraces, ask villagers’ permission before taking photos.
Yangshuo electric scooter rental can be bargained down to 25 RMB/day, record video before renting to avoid disputes.
Shopping tips: Bottled water in scenic spots sold at 3 RMB is normal, don’t buy if over 5 RMB; buy osmanthus cake at Zhengyang Road wholesale market, 8 RMB/box (25 RMB on West Street).
Be cautious of “free photo” services; ethnic costume photos on Yangshuo streets actually charge fees, recommended to rent from shops (20 RMB/hour, including headwear).
Ticket tips: Remember to bring student ID, Elephant Trunk Hill, Longji Terraces and other attractions offer half-price discounts.
Li River cruises, Yulong River drifting and other popular activities should be booked by 8 PM the day before; if you can’t get tickets, buying on-site is also fine.
The beauty of Guilin is hidden in the shimmering waves of the Li River, in the lively atmosphere of Yangshuo, and even more in every warm bowl of rice noodles and every “mong ni” (thank you) in the Zhuang language. Whether it’s a backpacker trip at 800 RMB per person or a light luxury honeymoon at 2500 RMB per person, this city can heal your fatigue and noise with its spirit and warmth.