Get Your Travel Plan
July 25, 2025
3-Day Guilin Itinerary for Couples: Romantic Nature Adventures on a Budget
Discover Guilin's breathtaking natural wonders, from Li River bamboo rafts to Yangshuo cycling trails, while staying within a budget-friendly framework.
Couples TravelNature & OutdoorsBudget Travel
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 桂林
Location: Northeastern Guangxi Province
Famous For: Li River Scenic Route,Karst Mountain Landscapes,Yangshuo Cycling Trails,Longo Rice Terraces
Daily Cost: $50-80 USD
Best Season: March-May & September-November
Introduction: Why Visit Guilin?
Guilin's world-famous karst landscapes create a romantic backdrop for couples seeking nature adventures. With its tranquil rivers, emerald rice fields, and budget-friendly options, this destination offers perfect balance between scenic beauty and affordability. Experience bamboo raft rides through misty valleys, bicycle explorations of Yangshuo countryside, and evenings strolling under the starlit Li River.
Best Time to Visit Guilin
Ideal Seasons: Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) offer perfect weather for outdoor activities
🌱Spring: Mild temperatures (15-25°C) with blooming flowers create picture-perfect scenes along Li River
☀️Summer: Hot and humid (28-35°C) with occasional showers, but cheaper off-season rates available
🍁Autumn: Cool, clear skies (20-28°C) with golden rice fields ideal for photography
❄️Winter: Chilly (5-15°C) but crowd-free, with unique misty mountain views in January-February
Arriving and Leaving Guilin
Buses 2/23 connect major attractions. Budget ¥300-400 (~$42-56) daily for shared e-bikes or bike rentals (¥20/day). Book water taxi rides at Li River docks for ¥30-50 per person.
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport [Recommended]
30km west of city center. Taxis cost ¥200-250 (~$28-35), shuttle buses ¥90 (~$13) with 50-minute journey. International flights connect to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Hanoi
Guilin Railway Station
Main high-speed rail hub with connections to Guangzhou (3.5 hours), Shanghai (10 hours), and Nanning (2.5 hours). Taxi ride to city center costs ¥50-70 (~$7-10)
Where to Stay in Guilin: Best Neighborhoods
Guilin City Center
Proximity to Elephant Trunk Hill and Two Rivers and Four Lakes area. Budget hotels like GreenTree Inn start at ¥200/night (~$28)
Yangshuo West Street
Vibrant nightlife with mountain views. Hostels like Backpackers Home offer dorm beds from ¥40/night (~$5.6)
Longji Rice Terraces
Mountain-view guesthouses like Zhu Zhuang Homestay at ¥180/night (~$25) with traditional Zhuang ethnic cuisine
Top Things to Do in Guilin
Li River
Bamboo raft journey through the 60km 'scenic route' between Guilin and Yangshuo. Spot water buffalo grazing on riverbanks and fishermen using cormorants.
Yangshuo Cycling
Follow the 20km rural biking trail from West Street to Moon Hill with stops at rice field viewing platforms and traditional villages.
Longji Rice Terraces
Explore stepped fields built 650 years ago by Zhuang people. Visit Golden Chicken Terraces for sunset views and join local harvest activities during September-October.
Tips
Book Li River cruises in advance to avoid peak-season queues. Rent bicycles before 9AM to secure best prices in Yangshuo.
What to Eat: Guilin Food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Chongshan Rice Noodles
Local favorite since 1982 serving traditional rice noodles. Budget ¥15-25 per person with English menu available.
2. Yangshuo Beer Fish Restaurant
Lively eatery with open kitchen preparing river fish to order. Reservations recommended during peak hours.
3. Longji Zhuang Folk Restaurant
Family-run eatery in Xiping village serving ethnic Zhuang dishes with mountain-grown ingredients.
Signature Dishes
1. Guilin Rice Noodles
Try the classic beef broth version at Chongshan Rice Noodles. Add spicy pickled vegetables and crispy pork belly for authentic texture.
2. Yangshuo Beer Fish
Freshwater fish marinated in local rice wine and stir-fried with chili. Best enjoyed at Master Zhu's Restaurant with a side of stir-fried morning glory.
3. Lipu Taro Dumplings
Sweet potato starch dumplings filled with pork and taro. Find them at Nanmen Market street food stalls for ¥5-8 per piece.
Guilin Itinerary: 3 Days & 2 Nights
DAY 1
🍳Breakfast at Chongshan Rice Noodles:Classic beef rice noodles with tea eggs
Visit Elephant Trunk Hill:Guilin's iconic limestone mountain shaped like an elephant drinking
🥗Lunch at Two Rivers Restaurant:Local specialties with Li River views
Stroll Two Lakes Scenic Area:Garden walkways connecting ancient pagodas and waterways
🍽️Dinner at Nanmen Market:Street food tasting with various local snacks
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Local tea and steamed buns
Li River Bamboo Raft Cruise:4-hour scenic journey to Yangshuo with cormorant fishing demonstration
🥗Lunch at Yangshuo West Street:Beer fish at local restaurant with street performance views
Bike Rental and Countryside Ride:Follow signs to Moon Hill and Silver Cave through rice field trails
🍽️Dinner at Master Zhu's Restaurant:Famous beer fish with crispy tofu and rice wine
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at hotel:Local congee and rice rolls
Drive to Longji Rice Terraces:1.5-hour scenic drive with taxi costing ¥200 (~$28)
Explore Golden Chicken Terraces:Hike between viewing platforms and visit Zhuang ethnic villages
🥗Lunch at Zhu Zhuang Homestay:Traditional pork belly and bamboo shoot stew
Return to Guilin:Stop at local tea shop for jasmine tea tasting
🍽️Dinner at Old Guilin Restaurant:Combination of traditional dishes with riverside seating
Guilin Travel FAQs
Welcome to China
Go2China
Your AI-powered China travel companion