Guilin 3 Days Tour: Karst Caves, Li River Rafting & Zhuang Cultural Immersion
Cycle the Ten-Mile Gallery, Explore Silver Cave, Dive into the Epic "Impression Liu Sanjie"
Preparation before departure
Route Overview
- Day 1 Elephant Trunk Hill (2 hours)
- Two Rivers and Four Lakes (2 hours)
- Zhengyang Pedestrian Street (1.5 hours)
- Day 2 Li River Cruise (4 hours)
- Yangshuo West Street (2 hours)
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting (1.5 hours)
- Day 3 Ten-Mile Gallery (3 hours)
- Silver Cave (1.5 hours)
- Impression Liu Sanjie (1.5 hours)
Budget estimate
$280-$420 per person
Hotels
Banyan Tree Yangshuo(Book on Trip.com) Amidst the landscapes of Yangshuo, combining nature and luxury.Hotel supports English
Sheraton Guilin Hotel(Book on Trip.com) Located in the city center with convenient transportation.Hotel supports English
Shangri-La Hotel Guilin(Book on Trip.com) Close to the Li River, with beautiful surroundings and luxurious facilities.Hotel supports English
Must-eat foods
Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉): The most iconic Guilin dish! These smooth rice noodles are served in a rich, flavorful broth with braised pork, peanuts, and pickled vegetables. Try the "Horse Meat Rice Noodles" (马肉米粉) for a local twist!.
Beer Fish (啤酒鱼): Fresh fish from the Li River, stir-fried with vegetables, chili, and Guilin’s signature beer, creating a tender and aromatic dish.
Lipu Taro Pork (荔浦芋头扣肉): A slow-cooked dish of Lipu taro (known for its creamy texture) layered with pork belly in a rich sauce—soft, fragrant, and flavorful.
Oil Tea (油茶)：A unique ethnic specialty of the Yao people, made by frying tea leaves in oil and boiling them with rice and peanuts. It’s slightly bitter but energizing, commonly paired with crispy fried dough.
Bamboo Chicken (竹筒鸡):Free-range chicken is stuffed into a bamboo tube and slow-roasted over an open fire, infusing it with a smoky, earthy aroma. sauce.
Stuffed River Snails (田螺酿):Freshwater snails stuffed with minced pork, garlic, and spices, then stir-fried—a local delicacy full of umami flavor
Sticky Rice Dumplings (桂林粽子):Unlike the typical zongzi, Guilin’s version uses a blend of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, wrapped in bamboo leaves for a fragrant and chewy taste.
Tour route details
Day 1 | Elephant Trunk Hill + Two Rivers and Four Lakes + Zhengyang Pedestrian Street
<a href="https://www.gotochinanow.com/custom/elephant-hill-scenic-area/3125" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> Elephant Trunk Hill👈 </a>(about 2 hours)
Elephant Trunk Hill is a landmark of Guilin, named for its resemblance to an elephant drinking water. You can climb the hill to overlook the city and enjoy the Li River scenery,Take a taxi or walk from downtown, about a 10-minute drive.
<a href="https://www.gotochinanow.com/custom/two-rivers-and-four-lakes/3124" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> Two Rivers and Four Lakes👈 </a>(about 2 hours)
Admission Ticket: Night cruise ticket about $32.54,
Book tickets on Trip.com
The Two Rivers and Four Lakes are famous for their night scenery in Guilin. A boat ride offers a stunning combination of lights and landscapes.
Walk or take a taxi from Elephant Trunk Hill, about a 10-minute drive.
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street(about 1.5 hours)
Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is the shopping and food hub of Guilin. You can taste local snacks and buy souvenirs here. It is within walking distance from the Two Rivers and Four Lakes.
Accommodation Guide
Sheraton Guilin Hotel(Book on Trip.com) (about 190m from Zhengyang Pedestrian Street)
hotel supports English.
Food Guide
Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉) (about $5 per person)
Beer Fish (啤酒鱼) (about $15 per person)
Special Gifts
Guilin landscape paintings, Guilin Three Treasures (chili sauce, fermented tofu, and Sanhua wine).
Day 2 | Li River Scenic Area + Yangshuo West Street + Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
<a href="https://www.gotochinanow.com/custom/li-river-scenic-area/3128" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> Li River Scenic Area👈 </a>(about 4 hours)
The Li River cruise is the most classic experience in Guilin, offering views of iconic landscapes like "Nine Horses Fresco Hill" and "Yellow Cloth Shoal."Take a bus from downtown Guilin to Mopan Mountain Pier, about a 1-hour drive.
Yangshuo West Street(about 2 hours)
Yangshuo West Street is the liveliest area in Yangshuo, filled with food, bars, and handicraft shops. Walk or take a taxi from the Li River cruise pier, about a 10-minute drive.
Food Guide
Lipu Taro Pork (荔浦芋头扣肉) (about $10 per person)
Oil Tea (油茶) (about $3 per person)
Stuffed River Snails (田螺酿)(about $5 per person)
Day 3 | Ten-Mile Gallery + Silver Cave + Impression Liu Sanjie
<a href="https://www.trip.com/t/OM6EdKy0uO2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff9800; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; font-weight: bold; transition: all 0.3s ease;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#333333'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='3px';" onmouseout="this.style.color='#ff9800'; this.style.textDecorationThickness='2px';"> Ten-Mile Gallery👈 </a> (about 3 hours)
The Ten-Mile Gallery is a cycling paradise in Yangshuo, offering views of Moon Hill and the Big Banyan Tree. Rent a bicycle or electric scooter from Yangshuo West Street.
Silver Cave(about 1.5 hours)
Admission Ticket: About $8.98,
Book tickets on Trip.com
Silver Cave is a famous karst cave in Yangshuo, known for its unique stalactites and underground river. Take a taxi from the Ten-Mile Gallery, about a 20-minute drive.
Impression Liu Sanjie👈
(about 1.5 hours)
Admission Ticket: About $37.01,
Book tickets on Trip.com
"Impression Liu Sanjie" is a large-scale live performance directed by Zhang Yimou, showcasing Zhuang culture with the Li River as its stage.
Accommodation Guide
Jasper International Hotel(Book on Trip.com) (about 680m from Impression Liu Sanjie)
hotel supports English.
Special Gifts
Yangshuo specialty handicrafts, "Impression Liu Sanjie" souvenirs
Planning the rest of your trip?
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