Where to Stay in Guilin: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors
Guilin’s dramatic karst mountains and winding rivers may be what first draws you here, but once you start planning your trip, a few practical questions quickly come up: Should you stay in Guilin or Yangshuo? Is it worth spending a night in Longji? And which area or type of hotel is right for you?
With so many options, choosing where to stay can feel confusing, especially on a first visit. This guide breaks down the best areas to stay in Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longji, explains what each area is best suited for, and shares a few practical tips to help you choose a hotel and plan your nights with confidence.
Where to Stay in Guilin, Yangshuo & Longji
Once you’ve worked out which places you’ll be visiting and where you’ll spend each night, the next question is which area to book. Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longji all have different types of accommodation and different settings, so the best choice depends on what you want to be close to and how you plan to spend your time.
Below, we’ll break down the main areas in each destination, so you can find a convenient base in Guilin, choose the right part of Yangshuo, and decide whether staying overnight in Longji makes sense for your trip.
Guilin City Center
For many travelers, Guilin is the first stop on a trip through the region. Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is nearby, and the city is also served by frequent high-speed trains, making it easy to arrive here before continuing to Yangshuo, Longji Rice Terraces, or other destinations. But Guilin is more than a starting point. The city is home to some of the area’s most iconic sights, including Elephant Trunk Hill, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas, where karst scenery, rivers, and city life come together.
Guilin is easy to get around by taxi or ride-hailing, and you’ll have a wide choice of restaurants serving local specialties as well as everyday Chinese food. After visiting the main attractions, you can slow down with a walk along the Li River or around the lakes, especially in the evening when the city lights up. For most first-time visitors, 1–2 nights is enough to see the highlights, try some local food, and enjoy a taste of Guilin’s city life before moving on.
Binjiang Road & Elephant Trunk Hill
This is the most popular choice for visitors staying in Guilin. Located in the city center and close to many of Guilin’s main attractions, the area puts you within easy reach of Elephant Trunk Hill, the Li River, and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes. It’s a good choice if you want a central location with plenty of restaurants and attractions nearby.
Guilin Railway Station & Guilin North Railway Station
If you’re staying in Guilin mainly for high-speed rail travel, choose accommodation based on the station you’ll use. Guilin Railway Station is closer to the city center, while Guilin North Railway Station is farther north. Check your train ticket before booking.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo is one of the best places to experience Guilin’s most iconic karst peaks and Li River scenery. Beyond the town, the landscape opens into rivers, rice fields, villages, and dramatic mountain views, giving the area a very different feel from Guilin city.
Getting around Yangshuo is not as straightforward as in Guilin, and there isn’t one single area that’s best for everyone. Where you stay depends on whether you prefer convenient access to restaurants, shops, and other amenities, or a peaceful stay surrounded by beautiful scenery.
One useful thing to know: most hotels in Yangshuo can help arrange e-bike rentals, private cars, attraction tickets, and restaurant recommendations. Make use of these services—they can save you a lot of time and hassle during your stay.
West Street & Town Center
West Street is the busiest and most lively part of Yangshuo, with a high concentration of restaurants, shops, bars, and hotels. Many restaurants stay open late, so it’s easy to find somewhere to eat or grab a drink after a day of sightseeing. For most travelers, we recommend staying around West Street rather than directly on it, as the surrounding streets tend to be quieter while still keeping you close to everything.
This area is particularly convenient for first-time visitors, those who enjoy nightlife, and travelers who want plenty of practical amenities nearby. You’ll find many e-bike and scooter rental shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and other services within easy reach. It’s also a good choice if you prefer a more social atmosphere, with plenty of hostels and places where travelers can meet and chat.
Yulong River & Countryside
The Yulong River and surrounding countryside are where you’ll be surrounded by karst peaks, rice fields, and peaceful rural scenery. The trade-off is location: this area is more spread out and has far fewer restaurants, shops, and other amenities than central Yangshuo. At night, many roads and villages are very quiet and dark, with little to do outside your hotel.
This area is ideal if you prefer a quiet, slow-paced stay with a resort-like atmosphere and want beautiful scenery right around you. You’ll also find many stylish boutique and design hotels here, with some making the most of the river and mountain views. The area is particularly convenient for Yulong River bamboo rafting and cycling, so it’s a good base if those are high on your list.
Xingping Ancient Town
Xingping Ancient Town sits near some of the most iconic scenes along the Li River, including the landscape featured on the RMB 20 note and the famous Nine-Horse Fresco Hill. It’s also a convenient base if you’re planning to take a high-speed train, as Yangshuo Railway Station is nearby.
The ancient town itself is small and much quieter than West Street in Yangshuo. Most accommodation here consists of small guesthouses with scenic views, many overlooking the Li River. It’s a great place to slow down and enjoy the scenery without the crowds of the main tourist center.
Xingping is best suited to travelers who want to explore the surrounding Li River attractions, prioritize river views and a quieter atmosphere, or need convenient access to Yangshuo Railway Station.
Longji Rice Terraces
Most visitors spend 1–3 days exploring the Longji Rice Terraces. If you want to take your time wandering through different terrace areas, explore the villages, or catch the sunrise over the terraces, staying overnight is highly recommended. It saves you from rushing back to Guilin and lets you experience the mountains at a much slower pace.
Jinkeng Dazhai and Ping’an Village are the two most popular areas to stay, but they offer quite different experiences.
Jinkeng Dazhai
Jinkeng Dazhai has a high concentration of newer accommodation and the largest number of major viewing platforms, with more dramatic and expansive terrace views. The downside is that some of the hiking trails are relatively steep. It’s best suited to travelers who are physically fit and want grand, sweeping views of the terraces.
Ping’an Village
Ping’an was developed earlier and has more established facilities, with restaurants and shops concentrated around the village. Its walking trails are also relatively well developed, and the village offers beautiful views at night. It’s a good choice for travelers who prefer more intimate, refined scenery, want a more convenient stay, or have limited energy for steep hikes.
Choose the Right Type of Hotel
Once you’ve chosen the right area, the next step is to choose a hotel that fits your budget and the kind of atmosphere you want for your stay. Here are three common options to consider.
International Chain Hotels
For travelers who value reliable service, familiar standards, and a more comfortable experience in an unfamiliar country, an international chain hotel can be a reassuring choice. These hotels tend to offer consistent service and well-equipped facilities, making things easier when you’re not familiar with the local environment. They can also help with practical arrangements such as calling a car, recommending restaurants, booking tickets, or connecting you with an English-speaking guide, giving you more convenience and less to worry about during your trip.
Some international chain hotels to consider include:
Sheraton Guilin Hotel — Guilin, on Binjiang Road
Shangri-La Guilin — Guilin, Qixing District
Fairfield by Marriott Yangshuo — Yangshuo
Hilton Garden Inn Guilin Yangshuo — Xingping, Yangshuo
Boutique & Design Hotels
For travelers with a more generous budget who want their hotel to be part of the trip itself, boutique and design-led resorts can be a great choice. These properties tend to put more emphasis on the surroundings, atmosphere, and curated activities, with options such as yoga, rock climbing, bamboo rafting, and traditional craft workshops, depending on the hotel. Most of these resort-style properties are concentrated in Yangshuo, where the natural scenery makes them especially well suited to a slower, more immersive stay.
Some options to consider include:
Banyan Tree Yangshuo（阳朔悦榕庄） — Fuli Town, Yangshuo, along the Li River
Aurua Yangshuo Sugar House（阳朔糖舍） — near the Li River, Yangshuo
Good-Value Hotels
If your budget is a little tighter than the options above but you still want a comfortable and well-run place to stay, good-value hotels are a great option. These include smaller boutique hotels, especially those around the Yulong River, as well as well-established Chinese hotel chains such as Atour, Ji Hotel, and Crystal Orange. They offer comfortable surroundings, good service, and their own distinct style, so you can still find a stay that feels special without stretching your budget too far.
Many of these hotels also have plenty of experience welcoming international travelers and can help with practical arrangements such as booking tickets, recommending restaurants, or arranging local transport. When booking through major platforms such as Booking.com or Agoda, check the English-language listing and reviews from international guests. This can make it easier to find a hotel where communication and service are unlikely to be a problem.
Tips for Booking a Hotel in Guilin
Check the Location Carefully: Check how far the hotel actually is from the places you plan to visit, rather than assuming it’s right in the center just because the listing mentions a popular area or attraction.
Make Sure the Hotel Welcomes International Guests: Check the hotel information and English-language reviews on Booking.com, Agoda, or Trip.com, and contact the hotel directly if you’re unsure.
Read Recent Reviews Carefully: Look through recent positive and negative reviews to see whether there are any recurring issues you wouldn’t be comfortable with.
Look at Guest Photos & Room Details: Don’t rely only on promotional photos—check the room size, bed type, views, and guest-uploaded photos of both the hotel and its surroundings to get a better idea of what it’s really like and how convenient the location is.
Check the Opening or Renovation Date: When other factors are similar, a newer or recently renovated hotel is often a safer choice.
Don’t Change Hotels Too Often: For a short trip, try to stay in the same hotel for a few nights rather than spending too much time packing, checking out, and moving around.
Book Early During Peak Periods: July and August, as well as major Chinese holidays such as Labor Day (May 1–5) and National Day (October 1–7), can be very busy, so book your accommodation well in advance.
Where you stay is an important part of your journey, shaping how you experience Guilin along the way. Use this guide to find the accommodation that fits your plans and travel style, and make your time in Guilin more comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable.