Tiexi Market breakfast → Elephant Trunk Hill → Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas → Zhengyang Street → East-West Alley → Lunch → Zhuangyuan Corridor → Xiaoyao Tower → Seven Star Scenic Area (Flower Bridge Gate) → Guilin Sea of Steles Museum → Chuanshan Park→Dinner → Night cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes
A morning of local flavors in Tiexi Market.
Take a taxi or walk to Xiangbi Mountain Scenic Area (No. 1 Gate).
Elephant Trunk Hill is the iconic landmark of Guilin and the concrete embodiment of the saying, “Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven.” Located at the confluence of the Li River and Taohua River, it gets its name from its shape, which resembles a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the river.
Starting from Elephant Trunk Hill and walking north for about 5 minutes, you will arrive at the shore of Shan Lake. In the middle of the lake stand two pagodas, one golden and one silver—the Sun Pagoda and the Moon Pagoda—side by side on the water.
This historic street is 666 meters long, paved with bluestone slabs, and serves as Guilin’s urban cultural axis.
This is the only remaining ancient historical alley district in Guilin. With gray brick walls, black-tiled roofs, stone-paved roads, and red lanterns, it features both historic architecture and local culture, as well as authentic snacks and intangible cultural heritage workshops. It is the most concentrated page of “Old Guilin.”
A rich lunch of local specialties to recharge you after the morning.
Zhuangyuan Corridor is a cultural promenade that combines historical depth with landscape functions. It connects the landmark Xiaoyao Tower with the main district of East-West Lane, and showcases Guilin’s glorious cultural legacy as a “hometown of zhuangyuan.”
Xiaoyao Tower was first built in 621 AD under the supervision of Li Jing, the Grand Administrator of Guizhou. Its name comes from Zhuangzi's "Free and Easy Wandering," and from the tower you can look out over classic Guilin landscapes such as the Li River, Jiefang Bridge, Seven Star Mountain, and Putuo Mountain.
Walk about 15 minutes across Jiefang Bridge from Xiaoyao Tower to the Huaqiao Gate of Seven Star Scenic Area.
The Seven Star Scenic Area is Guilin’s largest comprehensive park, covering 137.4 hectares. It is a China 4A-level scenic area, named after its seven peaks that resemble the Big Dipper.
Chuanshan Park on the east bank of the Li River is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Inside the Chuanshan karst cave in the mountain are large numbers of soda straws, helictites, and crystal stones, earning it the title of a “world-rare magical crystal treasure cave.” It is also widely recognized as the best place in the city to watch the sunset.
Dinner time on Shijiayuan South Road, a favorite local food street.
Take a taxi from Shijiayuan to Riyuewan Pier, about 10 minutes. Arrive 20 minutes early to buy tickets.
The Two Rivers and Four Lakes consist of the Li River, Taohua River, and the four inner lakes of Mulong Lake, Gui Lake, Rong Lake, and Shan Lake. Together they form a ring-shaped water system encircling Guilin’s old city, known as the “Venice of the East.”
As the lights of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes gently ripple across the water, our day in Guilin is also drawing to a close.
1. There are many shared electric scooters in Guilin. You can scan with Alipay to use them. They are affordable and convenient, but be sure to wear a helmet.
2. Elephant Trunk Hill is free to enter, but not ticket-free. For the convenience of foreign visitors, a fast-entry channel is available. Simply show your passport to the ticket inspector at the entrance to enter.
3. There are wild macaques active in Seven Star Park. Do not carry plastic bags in your hands, and do not feed or tease the monkeys, to avoid being snatched from or injured.
4. The ground inside the cave is slippery, so watch your step while visiting; the temperature inside is relatively low, so in winter it is recommended to bring an extra light jacket.
5. Sunset time varies by season, so check the day’s sunset time in advance; the Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise operates on fixed schedules, so be sure to book tickets in advance and allow buffer time for taking a taxi + ticket inspection. If you miss the departure, rescheduling is not possible.
6. Local dishes generally have a sour and spicy flavor, so it is recommended to request less spicy or no spicy.
7. Tiexi Market mostly uses mobile payment, but some older shops may only accept cash, so it is recommended to carry a small amount of cash for convenience.
8. In rainy or overcast weather, the sunset-viewing effect at Chuanshan will be reduced. You may skip the hike to the summit and instead watch from the flat riverside area near Pagoda Hill; bars are optional—if you are tired after a full day of walking, you can skip them and return to the hotel to rest.
9. Do not follow unofficial guides who approach you on the street or people promoting low-price shopping tours, and do not go into shops with people selling tea or local specialties by the roadside.
10. Today’s walking distance is relatively long, so be sure to wear soft, flat shoes.
11. Try to bring a power bank and keep your phone charged.
12. Carry your original passport or a copy with you, as well as a few hundred yuan in cash.
13. The scenery here looks great in photos, but please be courteous to one another when taking pictures.
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Admission and reservations may be separate. Check the official attraction information before travel.
★ 5.0 / 5 · 4 reviews from app travelers
Вечернее шоу Гуйлиня — это закат — и нам он достался в парке Чуаньшань: Пагода-холм отражается в реке Ли, небо уходит в оранжево-розовое. Днём раньше: Холм слоновьего хобота, символ города, улицы Чжэнъян и Дунсисян с их молодой энергией, вид с башни Сяояо на реку. Ночной круиз по двум рекам и четырём озёрам завершил идеальный тёплый день.
The sunset at Chuanshan Park alone is worth the trip — Pagoda Hill in the water, the light doing all the work. East-West Alley was lively with food and street stalls, and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise after dark is pure magic: the waterways lit up at night. Guilin Citywalk, five stars.
Journée parfaite avec les enfants. On a commencé par de vraies nouilles de riz de Guilin et une soupe sucrée au marché — les enfants ont adoré les nouilles. La colline de la Trompe d'éléphant est facile et emblématique, la croisière sur les Deux Rivières et Quatre Lacs était leur moment préféré, et le coucher de soleil sur la rivière Li a fait une belle photo de famille. Doux, délicieux, magnifique.
한국 여행자분들, 구이린 시내는 도보로 충분히 즐기기 좋고 아름다워요. 강 굽이에 있는 코끼리코 언덕, 밤에 빛나는 쌍탑, 둥시샹 골목의 푸드 스톨 — 모든 게 가까이 있어요. 해가 진 뒤 시내 수로 크루즈는 정말 환상적이에요. 추안산 공원의 노을까지 더하면 완벽하고 사진 맛집인 하루가 완성됩니다.
