2 Days in Guilin — The Perfect Weekend Itinerary: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street & Yulong River Rafting 2026

Why plan matters

48 hours in Guilin — get the sequence right

Those karst peaks rising out of the mist that you have seen on calendars and Chinese scroll paintings — that is Guilin and Yangshuo, and the loveliest way to see them is to cruise down the Li River (漓江) from Guilin to Yangshuo. Two days is enough for the Guilin people talk about — the full Li River cruise, West Street after dark, and bamboo rafting plus cycling through the Yangshuo countryside — as long as you get the sequence right and book the boat ahead.

This plan is built for a weekend visitor — a short Saturday-to-Sunday break, or anyone seeing Guilin for the first time who wants the icons covered. Day 1 is spent on the full Li River cruise, sailing from Guilin and docking in Yangshuo, where you stay the night. Day 2 explores the Yangshuo countryside all day before you head back to Guilin. The key point: this plan overnights in Yangshuo, not in Guilin city. What it deliberately excludes is the Longji rice terraces (a 2-hour drive, a full day of their own). If you want those, see the 3-day itinerary, or start with the 1-day plan if you have less time.

The single most useful thing to do before you arrive: book the Li River cruise in advance — it leaves once a day in the morning, sells out fast in high season, and is the heart of the whole trip. For where to stay, see the top-10 Guilin hotels for options at every budget.

Day one

The full Li River cruise — Guilin to Yangshuo

Board the morning boat at Mopanshan / Zhujiang pier · karst peaks and the 20-yuan-note view near Xingping in the afternoon · arrive Yangshuo and check in · West Street and the riverside Impression Liu Sanjie show after dark (optional)

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Day 1

Li River Cruise · Yangshuo · West Street

The Li River near Xingping, Guilin — the river bend printed on the 20-yuan note, with limestone peaks reflected in the clear water

Morning 8.00 am–1.30 pm · ~5.5 hours (including travel to the pier)

The Li River cruise (漓江) from Guilin to Yangshuo

Start early, because the 4-star tourist boats leave once a day in the morning, around 9.20–9.40 am, from Mopanshan Pier or Zhujiang Pier, both about 40–50 minutes by road outside Guilin — leave plenty of time for this and do not be late, because missing the boat means losing the day. The easy option is to have your hotel arrange a transfer to the pier, or take the transport bundled with a tour ticket.

Then come the ~4.5 most beautiful hours of the trip — the boat glides down the Li River past endless rows of limestone peaks, water buffalo grazing on the banks, fishermen poling bamboo rafts, and the most famous view of all: the river bend near Xingping, the very scene printed on the 20-yuan note — step out onto the open deck and frame it up before you reach it. A simple Chinese lunch is served on board, and you dock at Yangshuo around 1.30 pm.

Pier: Mopanshan or Zhujiang · ~40–50 minutes by road from Guilin · have your hotel/tour arrange the transfer

4-star ticket: ¥270–480 per person (~฿1,350–2,400) by deck · lunch included · children ¥180–240

Duration: departs ~9.20–9.40 am · arrives Yangshuo ~1.30 pm · about 4.5 hours

Always book ahead: the boat leaves once a day and seats sell out fast in high season (Apr–Oct and public holidays). Choose the upper deck for open views and the best photo angles. In winter, low water can shorten the cruise or reroute it — check with the operator first. Book on Klook.

Afternoon 1.30–6.00 pm · ~4.5 hours

Arrive Yangshuo → check in → walk West Street (西街)

The boat docks in Yangshuo, close to the town centre and West Street. Check in, drop your bags, and head out to explore. Yangshuo is a small riverside town ringed by karst peaks on every side, with an atmosphere completely unlike a Chinese megacity — slow, easygoing and full of travellers from all over the world.

The heart of town is West Street (西街), an old cobbled pedestrian lane that runs down to the river. By day it is quiet and good for browsing craft shops, teahouses and cafés; after dark it becomes the liveliest spot in town — neon signs, restaurants and live-music bars. Dinner has to be Yangshuo beer fish (啤酒鱼), the local signature: fresh river fish cooked with beer, chillies and tomato, bold and rich.

Yangshuo pier → West Street: close to the town centre · walkable or a short ride

West Street: free · quiet by day, lively at night · shops open late

Yangshuo beer fish: ¥80–150 per dish (by size) · the town's must-try dish

Evening 7.30–9.00 pm · ~1.5 hours (optional)

Impression Liu Sanjie show (印象·刘三姐)

If you still have energy after dinner, finish Day 1 with a show that exists only in Yangshuo — Impression Liu Sanjie, an open-air production directed by Zhang Yimou (who staged the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony) that uses the actual waters of the Li River as the stage, with twelve karst peaks as the backdrop. More than 600 performers and local fishermen move across the water with light and sound — an image unlike any other show in the world.

There are evening performances (usually ~7.30–8 pm, sometimes two shows a night) running about 70 minutes. Seating comes in several zones — the front and VIP sections cost more. Book ahead, as the good seats go fast. If the cruise has worn you out and you would rather rest, skip the show and turn in early — tomorrow is a full day in the countryside.

Price: from ¥198 (~฿990) for standard seating · front / VIP zones higher

Times: evening shows ~7.30–8 pm · about 70 minutes · staged outdoors on the Li River

Tickets: book ahead on Klook · pick a date that matches your Yangshuo night

Day two

The Yangshuo countryside — Yulong rafting and cycling the paddies

A bamboo raft on the Yulong River in the morning · cycling / e-bike through the rice paddies and karst peaks · a farmhouse lunch · then back to Guilin by bus or bullet train

02

Day 2

Yulong River · Cycling · Back to Guilin

The Yulong River, Yangshuo — a bamboo raft drifting on calm water, flanked by green rice paddies and limestone peaks

Morning 9.00–11.30 am · ~2.5 hours

Yulong River bamboo rafting (遇龙河)

Begin Day 2 with something gentler than Day 1 — the Yulong River, a small, quiet waterway west of Yangshuo that locals call the "Little Li River." There are no big boats here, only bamboo rafts drifting slowly past green paddies, karst peaks mirrored in the still water, and little weirs that the raft slides over with a fun splash — peaceful, slow, and beautiful without having to fight anyone for the view.

Each raft seats two, with a poler to do the work, and a run takes about 1.5–2 hours. There are several places to put in, and the poler knows the best photo spots. Expect to get a little wet when the raft drops over a weir, so keep your phone and camera tucked away.

Raft price: ~¥210 per raft (seats 2 → ~¥105 each · shorter runs from ¥160) · with a poler

Times: open ~8 am–5 pm · a run takes about 1.5–2 hours

Getting there: ~20–40 minutes by car / e-bike / taxi from Yangshuo town to the put-in

Choose your stretch: the Yulong runs for several kilometres with multiple put-in points. The popular section (Baisha–Jinlong) is busier but classic; for quiet, pick an upstream stretch. Booking the raft and transfer together is much easier — book on Klook.

Late morning–afternoon 11.30 am–4.00 pm · ~4.5 hours

Cycling / e-bike through the karst paddies → farmhouse lunch

After you step off the raft, it is time to see Yangshuo the way locals love it — cycling or riding an e-bike along the small lanes through terraced paddies, farming villages and karst peaks rising up all around. The favourite route is the Yulong riverside path (the Ten-Mile Gallery / Shili Hualang) — flat, easy riding with open views the whole way. This is when Yangshuo slows down and is at its prettiest.

You can rent bikes all over town and along West Street, and they are cheap — a regular bicycle is about ¥20 a day, an e-bike about ¥60 (handy if you do not fancy pedalling far). Stop for lunch at a farmhouse restaurant along the way — try beer fish from another kitchen, or simple Guangxi country cooking, before heading back into town to grab your bags.

Bike rental: ~¥20/day · e-bike ~¥60/day · rent all over town / West Street

Recommended route: the Yulong riverside (Ten-Mile Gallery) · flat, easy, open views

Lunch: ¥40–100 per person · roadside farmhouse restaurants · beer fish / Guangxi country dishes

Pack for sun and water: the Yangshuo countryside has little shade and the midday sun is strong — bring a hat, sunscreen and water. If you would rather not cycle, hire a motorbike-taxi or a car tour around the fields. Use the Amap (高德) app to navigate rather than Google Maps.

Afternoon–evening 4.00–6.30 pm · the transfer back

Grab your bags → back to Guilin

Finish the trip by heading back to Guilin — there are two main options. The cheap, straight-into-the-city choice is the express bus from Yangshuo bus station to Guilin Railway Station (in the city centre), which takes ~1.5 hours, runs every ~20 minutes and costs ~¥27–40 — ideal if your hotel or airport for the night is in central Guilin.

The fastest option is the bullet train from Yangshuo Railway Station (阳朔站) to Guilin North (桂林北) in just ~24 minutes, costing ~¥24–30, with 15+ trains a day (roughly 8.58 am–6.43 pm). The catch is that Yangshuo Station sits ~30 minutes outside town, so you have to ride out to it first, and Guilin North is on the north side of the city — worth it if you are connecting to another city by train or in a hurry. See the China high-speed rail guide for how to book and use your passport.

Bus: Yangshuo → Guilin Railway Station (city centre) ~1.5 h · ~¥27–40 · every ~20 minutes

Bullet train: Yangshuo Station → Guilin North ~24 minutes · ~¥24–30 · 15+ trains/day

Good to know: Yangshuo Station is ~30 minutes outside town · Guilin has no urban rail — use buses / taxis / DiDi

Practical info

Where to stay · getting around · budget

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Where to stay for one night

This plan overnights in Yangshuo, not in Guilin city, because the boat docks in Yangshuo and Day 2 is spent around Yangshuo all day. Stay near West Street if you want to walk to restaurants and the nightlife, or out by the Yulong River in the countryside for quiet and mountain views (resorts like Alila and Banyan Tree are out here). There are rooms at every level. See the top-10 hotels, or if you want luxury, the 6 best luxury hotels in Guilin.

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Getting around

Guilin has no urban rail — in the city you use public buses at ¥1–2 (scan Alipay/WeChat) or taxis/DiDi (flagfall ~¥9–10). This trip relies on the Li River boat to reach Yangshuo, then bikes, e-bikes and bamboo rafts in the countryside. For the return, pick the bus (~1.5 h) or the bullet train (24 min). Use Amap (高德) to navigate, not Google. See the Guilin day trips guide.

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Paying for things

Set up Alipay (the international version, linked to a Visa/Mastercard) before you travel. Most shops, raft operators and restaurants take only Alipay or WeChat Pay, and some no longer accept cash. See the Alipay & WeChat Pay setup guide.

Budget

Approximate cost per day, per person

Item	Budget	Mid-range	Comfort
Hotel (1 night, Yangshuo)	¥80–150 (~฿400–750)	¥250–500 (~฿1,250–2,500)	¥800–2,000+ (~฿4,000–10,000+)
3 meals/day	¥60–100 (~฿300–500)	¥120–250 (~฿600–1,250)	¥300–600 (~฿1,500–3,000)
Transfers (to pier + back to Guilin)	¥60–100	¥100–180	¥200–350 (+ private car)
Activities (2 days total)	¥380 (lower-deck cruise ¥270 + raft ¥105)	¥600–800 (upper deck + raft + show/bikes)	¥900–1,300 (top deck + VIP show + car tour)
Total for 2 days (approx.)	¥960–1,380 (~฿4,800–6,900)	¥1,490–2,460 (~฿7,450–12,300)	¥3,100–6,650+ (~฿15,500–33,250+)

Exchange rate used: ¥1 ≈ ฿5 · prices are approximate and shift with the season · hotel cost is for 1 night · the Li River cruise is the single biggest cost of this trip

Frequently asked

FAQ · 2 days in Guilin

Is 2 days enough for Guilin?

Two days is enough for the postcard Guilin everyone comes for — the full Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, West Street after dark, and bamboo rafting plus cycling in the Yulong countryside — as long as you sequence it well. What you have to skip is the Longji rice terraces (about a 2-hour drive from Guilin) and the in-city Guilin sights like Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave. If you want those too, extend to three days, or start from the 1-day plan.

Can you do 2 days in Guilin with kids?

Yes, and children often enjoy Guilin a lot because both days are spent outdoors. The Li River boat is comfortable, with an open deck where kids can watch the water buffalo and the peaks slide by. Day 2's bamboo rafting and cycling through the paddies are exactly the kind of activities kids love. The one caveat: the cruise is long at about 4.5 hours, so younger children may get restless — pack snacks and something to do. Bamboo rafts seat two, come with life jackets and are great fun, but you will get a little wet, so bring a change of clothes.

Where should I stay for a 2-day Guilin weekend?

This plan stays overnight in Yangshuo, not in Guilin city. The boat docks in Yangshuo in the early afternoon of Day 1, and Day 2 is spent in the Yulong countryside around Yangshuo all day. Stay near West Street if you want to walk to restaurants, bars and the buzz after dark, or out by the Yulong River in the countryside if you want quiet, mountain views and rice paddies at your doorstep (resorts like Alila and Banyan Tree are in this area). There are rooms at every level, from hostels at ¥80–150 up to luxury resorts. See the top-10 Guilin hotels for options.

How do I book the Li River cruise, and which pier does it leave from?

The full 4-star tourist boats leave in the morning, around 9.20–9.40 am, from Mopanshan Pier or Zhujiang Pier, both about 40–50 minutes by road outside Guilin city (so budget time to get to the pier). They reach Yangshuo around 1.30 pm. A 4-star ticket runs ¥270–480 per person depending on the deck (the upper deck is the most expensive, with the best views) and includes a simple Chinese lunch on board. Book ahead online, as seats sell out fast in high season. Many hotels can arrange a paid transfer to the pier. Check current prices and schedules before you go — read more in the Li River cruise guide.

What is a realistic budget for 2 days in Guilin and Yangshuo?

A mid-range budget runs roughly ¥600–950 per person per day (~$85–135 USD), covering a 3-star or 4-star hotel in Yangshuo at ¥250–500, three meals at ¥120–250, transfers (to the pier plus the trip back to Guilin) at ¥60–150, and activities — the Li River cruise is the big-ticket item at ¥270–480, plus a Yulong bamboo raft at ¥210 per raft (split between two) and bike rental at ¥20–60. The Impression Liu Sanjie show adds ¥198 and up. Budget travellers using hostels and the lower cruise deck can get by on roughly ¥450–550 per day.

Guilin travel guide

Where to stay, what to see, the Li River · Yangshuo · Longji · getting around

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Li River cruise

Piers, prices, decks, the 20-yuan-note view — the full guide

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Yulong River, Yangshuo

Bamboo rafting and cycling through the karst paddies — put-ins and prices

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Top 10 hotels in Guilin

Shangri-La · Sheraton · Alila Yangshuo · hostels — every budget

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