guilin itinerary

Hello all,

So I'm in Guilin for four days and here is what i have planned

day 1 - land at 10:20 AM - sleep in guilin

day 2 - day trip to longji rice terraces

day 3 - boat on li river to yangshuo

day 4 - yangshuo

day 5 - early flight out

my questions are

1. what should i play on day 1? i'm between reed flute cave and daxi... can i do both? i land at 10:20 so let's say i start sightseeing at 12.

2. can i do the longji trip independently?

3. similarly, can i book the li river cruise independently? i know the pier is far from guilin's center.

Thanks for any help!

For a four-day trip to Guilin with your planned itinerary, here’s some detailed advice for each of your questions:

Day 1 – Arrival and sightseeing:

Since you land at 10:20 AM, assuming you clear immigration, luggage, and transfer to your hotel, you could realistically start sightseeing around 12–12:30 PM.
The Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill (or Daxu Ancient Town if that’s what you mean by “daxi”) are both doable in a half-day, but trying to do all three major sites in one afternoon may be rushed. Reed Flute Cave typically takes 1–1.5 hours, and Elephant Trunk Hill about 1 hour. Daxu Ancient Town may take 1.5–2 hours if you want to explore leisurely.
Recommended: Choose either Reed Flute Cave + Elephant Trunk Hill for a city-centric afternoon, or if you prefer historical towns, head to Daxu Ancient Town alone.

Day 2 – Longji Rice Terraces:

Yes, you can do the Longji Rice Terraces independently. Options include taking a local bus from Guilin to Longsheng (about 2–2.5 hours) and then a taxi or local shuttle to the terraces.
Once there, you can explore Ping’an or Dazhai villages on foot. Prepare for walking uphill and steps; good shoes are recommended.
If you prefer convenience, you can book a guided day tour which usually includes transport, entrance fees, and lunch.

Day 3 – Li River Cruise to Yangshuo:

The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo can also be booked independently. The main pier is at Guilin Xiangbishan or Wencheng Pier, both about 30–40 minutes from central Guilin by taxi.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the pier; however, during peak season, it’s safer to book in advance.
You can take a public bus or taxi to the pier early in the morning to catch a cruise. Cruises take around 4–5 hours to reach Yangshuo.

Day 4 – Yangshuo:

Explore the town and surrounding countryside by bike or scooter, visit the countryside villages, Moon Hill, or take a bamboo raft on the Yulong River.
This day is flexible and easy to manage independently.

Summary recommendations:

Day 1: Choose either Reed Flute Cave + Elephant Trunk Hill or Daxu Ancient Town depending on your preference.
Day 2: Longji terraces – independent travel is possible but may be more tiring; guided tours are convenient.
Day 3: Li River cruise – independent booking works, just allow extra time for transfer to the pier.
Day 4: Yangshuo – free exploration.

Tips:

Carry some snacks and water, especially for Longji terraces and Yangshuo.
Check weather in advance; early June can start to be warm with occasional rain.
If traveling independently, ensure your phone has a working SIM or eSIM for maps and local transport info.