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🇨🇳 Guilin · Attractions

Two Rivers & Four Lakes (两江四湖)
A water ring through the city, gold-and-silver twin pagodas, and lights that double on the water

By day it's a free lakeside park to wander beneath the willows; by night it becomes a ribbon of light — a cruise past the Sun and Moon Pagodas, a crystal glass bridge and reflections stretched long across still water.

Get to know it

The water ring that gives Guilin a whole second life after dark

Picture this: you're standing on the edge of Shan Lake at six in the evening. The water is mirror-still, and out in the middle stand two pagodas, side by side — one washed in gold, the other a tower of silver-tinted glass. There's still a wash of blue in the sky from the sun that has just dropped behind the hills. Then, all at once, the whole district lights up — the pagodas glow gold, the bridges shift colour, the willows along the bank turn warm, and every bit of it doubles in the water below.

That's Two Rivers and Four Lakes (两江四湖) — Guilin's central water system, linking the Li River (漓江) and the Peach Blossom River (桃花江) with four connected lakes: Shan (杉湖, Fir Lake), Rong (榕湖, Banyan Lake), Gui (桂湖, Osmanthus Lake) and Mulong (木龙湖, Wooden Dragon Lake). Together they form a ring of water around the heart of the city that you can walk right around, broken up by some 19 ornamental bridges.

What sets it apart from Guilin's other sights is that it is a genuine city park — by day locals come to exercise, dance and fish, all for free. It only turns into the visitor headline after dark. The only things you pay for are if you want to take the cruise, climb the twin pagodas, or walk across the crystal glass bridge.

The gold Sun Pagoda and silver Moon Pagoda standing side by side in the middle of Shan Lake in Guilin, lit up at night with reflections on the water
The Sun (gold) and Moon (silver) Pagodas on Shan Lake — the signature image of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes district after dark.
🎫
Lakeside walk
Free
A city park, open all day
🚤
Night cruise
~¥220–250 (~฿1,100–1,250)
~90 min, loops all four lakes
🕕
Best time
Dusk, ~18:00–20:30
Sky colour plus the lights coming on
🏯
Sun & Moon Pagodas
41 m / 35 m
Climbable, ~¥27–55 by season
🌉
Bridges
~19 of them
Incl. the crystal glass bridge on Rong Lake
🚇
Getting around
Bus / taxi / DiDi
Central; Guilin has no subway
Highlights of the district

Five things that capture the charm of the water ring

Walk a loop of the lakes — each spot has its own story and its own photo angle.

What to do here

Walk the banks, take the cruise, climb a pagoda for the view

🚶 Walk the lakes by day (free)

If you want to start without spending anything, begin at Shan Lake and Rong Lake, which sit right next to each other — these two are the core of the city park, and you can loop them comfortably in an hour, passing the twin pagodas, the glass bridge, the millennium banyan and the waterside pavilions. By day there are fewer people and the light is open; the willow reflections photograph beautifully. Come in the morning before the heat, or in the late afternoon before sunset.

You can carry on toward Gui Lake and Mulong Lake if you have time, but those first two lakes are the most rewarding short walk in the whole area.

🚤 The night cruise

The real headline is the night cruise, which loops through all four lakes and a stretch of the Li River over about 90 minutes, passing under some 19 bridges, by the twin pagodas, within distant view of Elephant Trunk Hill, and through the ship lock that joins the lakes to the river. Tickets run around ¥220–250 per person (~฿1,100–1,250), depending on the time slot and the pier; some packages add roughly ¥50 for an in-city transfer.

Boats depart in waves from about 17:50 until around 21:30. The prettiest slot is roughly 19:30–20:30, when everything is fully lit — buy your ticket ahead and arrive at the pier a little early, as each one runs limited departures.

Tip: Book the night cruise through Klook in advance to lock a slot and skip the pier queue on busy holiday evenings. See the Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise on Klook →
Wide view of the gold and silver Sun and Moon Pagodas lit at night beside Shan Lake in Guilin, with colourfully floodlit trees along the bank
A wider view of the twin pagodas on Shan Lake — the colour-lit trees along the bank are the scene you'll catch on a walk or from the boat.

🏯 Climb the Sun Pagoda for the view

If you want Guilin from above, buy a ticket up the Sun Pagoda (the gold one) — there's a lift to the top, and from up there you get the lakes, the Li River and the ring of karst peaks around the city in every direction. The Moon Pagoda next to it (silver) you climb by stairs, and the two are joined by an underwater tunnel you can walk straight through. Climbing costs about ¥27–55 per person depending on the season (peak April–October is dearer).

You can go up by day or by night — the evening gives you the city lights, while daytime shows the peaks more clearly. Pick whichever you prefer.

How the cruise works + the piers

Where and how to board the boat

The district is in the centre of Guilin, walkable from most hotel areas, or an easy bus, taxi or DiDi ride. For the cruise there are several piers to choose from, and they're not all the same — check before you buy.

⛴️
Riyuewan (Sun-Moon Wharf)
On Shan Lake
Right by the twin pagodas — you set off from the prettiest point in the district. Best if you start from the city centre.
⛴️
Wenchang / Liberation Bridge
Wenchang & Jiefang Bridge wharves
Two piers on the Li River; the route loops through both lakes and river, passing the ship lock.
⛴️
Xiangshan (Fisherman's Wharf)
On the Li River by Elephant Trunk Hill
Near Elephant Trunk Hill — handy if you're pairing it with that sight the same day.
Timing tip: One day is plenty for central Guilin — spend the afternoon at Elephant Trunk Hill, also on the Li River, come to Shan Lake for the golden hour, then cruise or climb a pagoda after dark, and finish with Guilin street food on the pedestrian streets nearby. It all fits into one day.
Where to stay

Hotels near the city centre worth a look

Around Shan and Rong Lakes — walking distance to the twin pagodas and the pedestrian streets, and out for an evening stroll by the water in minutes.

The 10 best hotels in Guilin
Chosen on location, price and real reviews — both city-centre and Li River options.
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6 luxury hotels in Guilin
Karst-peak and riverside views for a trip where you want to be especially comfortable.
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The full Guilin guide
Where to stay, what to see, what to eat and how to get around — all in one place.
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Frequently asked

FAQ · Two Rivers and Four Lakes before you go

Is Two Rivers and Four Lakes free to visit?
Walking the lakeside promenades and the surrounding parks is free, day and night, because the whole area is a public city park. You only pay if you want to (1) take the night cruise, ~¥220–250 per person (~฿1,100–1,250), (2) climb the Sun and Moon Pagodas, ~¥27–55 per person by season, or (3) walk across the crystal glass bridge, which charges a separate entry fee.
How much is the cruise and how long is it?
The night cruise ticket is typically ~¥220–250 per person (~฿1,100–1,250), depending on the time slot and pier. It runs about 90 minutes, looping through all four lakes and a stretch of the Li River, passing under roughly 19 bridges. Some packages add about ¥50 for an in-city hotel transfer. Booking ahead through Klook lets you lock a slot and skip the pier queue.
Where do you board? What piers are there?
There are three to four main piers: Wenchang Bridge Wharf, Liberation (Jiefang) Bridge Wharf, Riyuewan / Sun-Moon Wharf (on Shan Lake right by the twin pagodas) and Xiangshan Fisherman's Wharf (on the Li River). Boats run in waves from roughly 17:50 until about 21:30. Confirm the pier and departure time when you buy your ticket, because boarding points differ.
When is the best time to visit?
Dusk is best — come and walk Shan Lake while the sky is still light, catch the twin pagodas in the golden hour, then stay as the whole area's lights switch on around nightfall. For the cruise, aim for a slot around 19:30–20:30 when the bridge and pagoda lighting is fullest. By day the walk is lovely in a different, quieter way, and the willow reflections photograph beautifully.
Can you climb the Sun and Moon Pagodas?
Yes. The Sun Pagoda (gold) is 41 m tall, the world's tallest copper tower, with a lift to the top for views over the city and the Li River. The Moon Pagoda (silver) is a 35 m, seven-storey glass tower you climb by stairs. The two are linked by an 18 m underwater tunnel. Climbing costs about ¥27–55 per person by season (peak April–October is dearer).
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Elephant Trunk Hill
Guilin's emblem, on the same stretch of the Li River — easy to pair the same day.
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What to eat in Guilin
Guilin rice noodles, oil tea, beer fish and the dishes worth seeking out.
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Klook · Guilin cruises and tours

The Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise — book ahead and skip the queue

Cruise the lit-up lakes past the twin pagodas, glowing bridges and reflections on the water, with options that include an in-city transfer — book on Klook in advance, lock your slot, and skip the pier queue.

See Guilin activities on Klook →
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