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July 25, 2025
Romantic 5-Day Guilin Travel Guide for Couples: Nature, Luxury & Scenic Beauty
Discover the epitome of China's rural beauty with a personalized luxury journey through Guilin's iconic karst landscapes, tranquil rivers, and cultural gems.
Couples TravelNature & OutdoorsLuxury TravelGuilin
Quick Overview
Chinese Name: 桂林
Location: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
Famous For: Landscape Photography,Li River Cruises,Yangshuo Cycling,Karst Mountains
Daily Cost: $150-250 per couple (luxury tier)
Best Season: March-May & September-November
Introduction: Why visit Guilin?
Guilin offers a dreamlike landscape where emerald waters wind through surreal limestone peaks, creating a romantic backdrop for couples. With over 100,000 customized China tours created annually, this destination combines natural wonders like the Li River with cultural experiences in Yangshuo, all complemented by luxury accommodations like Club Med Guilin and Yangshuo Retreat.
Best time to visit Guilin
Ideal Seasons: Spring (March-May) for blooming flowers, Autumn (September-November) for clear skies
🌱Spring: Mild temperatures (15-25°C) and blooming peach blossoms along the Li River create perfect conditions for romantic cruises.
☀️Summer: Hot (28-35°C) with occasional rain showers. Best for adventurous couples seeking Longji Rice Terraces hikes.
🍁Autumn: Cool (18-28°C) with clear mountain vistas ideal for Yangshuo bike rides and photography tours.
❄️Winter: Mild (8-18°C) with fewer tourists, perfect for private Elephant Trunk Hill visits and hot spring experiences.
Arriving and leaving Guilin
Luxury sedans ($15-30/hour), e-bike rentals ($5/day), and private guides ($80/day) available. Yangshuo's countryside best explored by bike ($2/day) or electric scooter ($10/day).
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport [Recommended]
30km west of city center, 45 minutes by taxi ($15-20). Offers private limousine service ($30) and car rentals.
Guilin Railway Station
Central station with high-speed rail connections to Guangzhou (3 hours) and Shanghai (10 hours). Taxi fare to city: $5-8.
Where to stay in Guilin: Best Neighborhoods
Lijiang Riverside
Romantic hotels like Shangri-La Guilin offering river views and private boat access.
Yangshuo West Street
Vibrant area near West Street with boutique hotels like Banyan Tree Yangshuo.
Longji Terraces
Mountain-view villas like Longji View Lodge for immersive梯田 experiences.
Top Things to do in Guilin
Li River Cruise
A 4-hour luxury boat journey from Gaotian to Yangshuo, passing iconic sights like Nine Horses Fresco and Camel Peak.
Yangshuo Cycling
Romantic 20km bike path along the Yulong River, passing traditional villages and rice paddies with rentals from Green Bike or Yellow Bike.
Longji Rice Terraces
UNESCO Heritage Site featuring 660-year-old terraced fields, best viewed from Dazhai Village's观景台 or Ping'an Village's mountain trails.
Tips
Book sunrise cruises for best photography, wear comfortable shoes for cycling, and reserve cultural experiences 2 weeks in advance.
What to eat: Guilin food Guide
Recommended Restaurants
1. Jade Garden Restaurant
Rooftop dining with Li River views, specializing in modern takes on Guangxi cuisine. Must-try: Tea-smoked duck.
2. Paulownia Restaurant
Michelin-starred venue offering 8-course tasting menus combining Guilin ingredients with French techniques.
3. Riverfront Sunset Grill
Private cabanas serving grilled river fish and champagne, accessible only by boat.
Signature Dishes
1. Guilin Rice Noodles
Iconic breakfast dish with pork broth, sliced meats, and pickled vegetables. Best at Chongshan Rice Noodles near Liu Zhou Road.
2. Bamboo Tube Rice
Glutinous rice cooked with chestnuts and pork in bamboo segments, served at Old Guilin Restaurant with Li River fish.
3. Yangshuo Beer Fish
Local carp marinated in rice wine and stir-fried with chili sauce, perfected at Sanyue Fish Restaurant overlooking Yulong River.
Guilin itinerary 5 Days
DAY 1
Arrival at Guilin Liangjiang Airport:Private transfer with welcome drinks and luggage assistance
🥗Lunch at Paulownia Restaurant:Lunch featuring Guilin mountain herbs and river delicacies
Luxury Li River Cruise:Private bamboo raft with champagne and photo sessions at Nine Horses Fresco
DAY 2
🍳Breakfast at Riverfront Sunset Grill:Continental breakfast with panoramic river views
Yangshuo Cycling Tour:Private guided bike tour through villages and terraced fields
Bamboo Raft Experience:Traditional bamboo raft ride to historic Xingping Town
DAY 3
🍳Breakfast at Longji View Lodge:Early morning breakfast with terrace sunrise views
Longji Terraces Trekking:Moderate 2-hour hike through Dazhai and Ping'an villages
🥗Ethnic Minority Lunch:Traditional Zhuang-style hotpot at Red Yao Village
DAY 4
Traditional Tea Ceremony:Private tea-tasting session with aged Liubao tea
Elephant Trunk Hill Visit:Private guided tour of Guilin's iconic symbol
Couple's Spa at Club Med:90-minute bamboo-based massage and herbal therapy
DAY 5
Sunrise Photography at Yulong River:Private photoshoot with local photographers
🍳Final Breakfast at Jade Garden:Farewell meal with Guilin specialty desserts
Transfer to Guilin Airport:Scenic return with final souvenir shopping en route
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