Getting Around Guilin: A Practical Transportation Guide
Getting around is one of the most important parts of planning a trip, especially when you’re visiting a place you’re not familiar with. With so many transportation options and things to figure out, planning your journey can quickly feel complicated and overwhelming.
This guide covers transportation between different areas as well as getting around once you’re there. We’ll also point out the options we recommend for convenience, so you can spend less time worrying about transportation and more time enjoying your trip.
Getting to Guilin
There is no single best way to get to Guilin. Your choice depends on your route and where Guilin fits into your trip.
By Plane
Flying is a good choice if Guilin is the first stop on a longer trip, especially when you’re arriving from another country or a distant city in China.
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) is about 27–28 km from central Guilin, around 40–60 minutes by car depending on traffic. There is no metro or railway connection, but airport shuttle buses run to central Guilin, with fares around RMB 20, making the transfer fairly convenient.
If you’re heading straight to Yangshuo, direct airport shuttle buses are also available, so you don’t need to travel into Guilin city first. For a more direct and comfortable transfer, especially with luggage, taxis and ride-hailing are also available.
By High-Speed Train
High-speed trains are ideal when Guilin is one stop within a longer trip in China, especially for shorter-distance journeys. They’re fast, comfortable, and often more convenient than flying.
Guilin Railway Station (桂林站) is closest to the city center, while Guilin North Railway Station (桂林北站) has more high-speed train services. Check your ticket carefully to make sure you go to the right station
Getting Around Guilin
Taxi & Ride-Hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing are the easiest and most convenient ways to get around Guilin. You can book a ride through DiDi or Amap (Gaode Maps), while taxis are also widely available around the city.
Ride-hailing is particularly convenient for longer distances, and fares are generally reasonable. You can also see the estimated fare before confirming your ride.
Walking
Many of Guilin’s city-center attractions are relatively close together, so walking or cycling is convenient for short distances. Cycling can be especially enjoyable along the rivers and lakes, where you can take in the scenery as you go.
Getting to Yangshuo
By High-Speed Train⭐⭐⭐⭐
The high-speed train is the fastest way to travel from Guilin to Yangshuo, with the train journey taking just around 20–30 minutes. However, Yangshuo Railway Station is actually located near Xingping, rather than in Yangshuo town itself.
After arriving, you can take a shuttle bus to Xingping Ancient Town or continue toward Yangshuo town. Getting to West Street takes around an hour by shuttle and local transport, while Xingping is only about 15–20 minutes away by shuttle.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taking a taxi or ride-hailing car from Guilin to Yangshuo is convenient and hassle-free, especially for groups or travelers with luggage. The journey takes around 1–1.5 hours in normal traffic.
By Li River Cruise⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Li River Cruise takes around 4 hours. The cruise departs fromMopanshan Wharf, about 40–50 minutes by car from central Guilin, and arrives at Longtou Hill Wharf in Yangshuo, about a 10–15 minute walk from West Street.
Unlike other transportation options, the Li River Cruise is also a major sightseeing activity, offering beautiful views of the Li River and its surrounding karst landscape along the way.
Getting Around Yangshuo
E-Bikes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
E-bikes are the most convenient way to get around Yangshuo. They let you avoid traffic jams and the difficulty of finding a taxi in more remote areas, while giving you the freedom to enjoy the countryside along the way, especially around the Yulong River.
Many hotels offer e-bike rentals, and rental shops are easy to find around Yangshuo. Prices are generally affordable,
Taxi & Ride-Hailing ⭐⭐⭐
Taxis and ride-hailing are less convenient in Yangshuo than in the city, especially in more rural areas. However, they are still a good option for visiting attractions farther from town, such as Xiangong Mountain, Silver Cave, and Ruyi Peak.
The bigger challenge is often finding a ride back. For these trips, it’s better to book a return ride in advance or ask your hotel to arrange a private car or shared transfer, which can be more convenient and cost-effective.
Getting to Longji Rice Terraces
Private Car & Shared Transfers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Private cars and shared transfers are the most convenient and practical ways to get to Longji. The journey from central Guilin usually takes around 2–2.5 hours by car. For 1–2 travelers, a shared transfer is usually more economical, while groups can split the cost of a private car.
The mountain roads can be winding, and the main villages are still a considerable distance from the scenic area entrance. Ping’an is about 17 km from the entrance, while Jinkeng Dazhai is about 23 km away, so check with your hotel in advance about arranging a transfer and tell the driver exactly which village you’re staying in. This gives you more flexibility and makes it easier to get closer to your accommodation.
Bus ⭐⭐⭐
Direct tourist buses to Longji are available from Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North Railway Station, and Guilin West Railway Station. They are the cheapest option, but the service is mainly convenient for travelers staying in Jinkeng Dazhai. These buses do not go directly to Ping’an Village or Ancient Zhuang Village, so you’ll need to arrange an additional transfer if you’re staying there.
There are only a limited number of departures each day, and the journey takes around 2.5 hours from Guilin Railway Station and about 3–3.5 hours from Guilin North Railway Station, depending on the service and traffic. Seats should be booked in advance through the WeChat official account “桂林龙脊梯田旅游车队”
Getting Around the Longji
Scenic Shuttle Buses
The main villages in Longji have scenic shuttle buses connecting the villages with designated viewpoints. A shuttle between Jinkeng Dazhai and Ping’an Village is also available, with tickets sold at the Jinkeng Dazhai Visitor Center. Jinkeng Dazhai also has a cable car to one of its main viewpoints, but you’ll still need to walk between some viewpoints.
Private Car
For a more flexible option between villages, ask your hotel or guesthouse to arrange a private car. It allows you to choose your departure time and can be more convenient when traveling with luggage.
Walking
Walking is essential when exploring Longji. The paths between different viewpoints often involve mountain trails and stairs, and you’ll need to walk between most areas within the villages.
If you’re visiting Ancient Zhuang Village, walking is also necessary unless you arrange a private car. A stone-paved trail connects Ping’an Village and Ancient Zhuang Village, taking around 1 hour on foot.
Getting to Other Parts of Guilin
Beyond the main areas covered above, there are also some lesser-visited places around Guilin, which can roughly be divided into three directions.
Southeastern Guilin: Lingchuan is relatively close to the city center and can be easily reached by taxi or ride-hailing, taking around 30–40 minutes. Popular stops in this direction include Daxu Ancient Town and Gudong Waterfall.
Northwestern Guilin Longsheng and Northern Guilin Quanzhou : These areas are farther from the city, with limited public transportation. Longsheng is around 2.5 hours by car, while Quanzhou takes around 1.5 hours. For both areas, a private car or self-driving is generally the most practical option.
Practical Transportation Tips
Keep Your Hotel Address in Chinese
Keep your hotel name and address in Chinese to make it easier to show drivers.
Download the Apps You Need
Use Amap (Gaode Maps) for navigation and DiDi, China’s equivalent of Uber, for ride-hailing. Google Maps is not reliable in China.
Allow Extra Time for Transfers
Leave extra time for transfers, especially when traveling to mountain areas.
Ask Your Hotel for Help
Your hotel can often help arrange local transfers and private cars.