Spring (March - May)：During this time, the misty Lijiang River is like an ink-wash painting, full of poetic charm. The Longji Terraced Fields during the irrigation period form "mirror terraced fields", especially in mid to late April, the light and shadow effects are the best.
Summer (June - August)：The weather is hot, but the Yulong River rafting is the first choice for avoiding the heat. The Longji Terraced Fields are green like a carpet. On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the Red Yao "Clothes Drying Festival" has a shocking torch night view.
Autumn (September - November)：The weather is cool, the Longji Terraced Fields are golden with rice waves, and the sunset on Laozhai Mountain in Xingping Ancient Town is extremely beautiful. It is a good season for sightseeing and photography.
Winter (December - February)：Sometimes the terraced fields are covered with snow, like an elegant ink-wash painting. However, be aware that some mountain roads may freeze. If you want to avoid the peak season, April or September is a good choice with relatively high cost performance.
Must-visit Attractions
Natural Landscapes
Lijiang River Bamboo Rafting：The essence section is from Yangdi to Xingping, which takes about 1.5 hours. You can check in at the background of the 20-yuan RMB note, and there is a free viewing platform next to "Wangwang Gourmet Fish Restaurant". If you want to upgrade the experience, you can choose the "Lijiang River Afternoon Tea" bamboo raft, enjoying tea and folk songs. Remember to buy tickets directly from the uniformed staff at the dock and reject the "low-price groups" on the roadside.
Yulong River Rafting：The preferred section is from Jinlongqiao to Jiuxian. Taking the manual bamboo raft, limited to 2 people, you can enjoy the quiet rural scenery along the way, and the excitement level is moderate when crossing the dam. After arriving at the destination, you can rent an electric vehicle (about ¥30/day) and ride along the Ten-Mile Gallery, passing by scenic spots such as Moon Mountain and Big Banyan Tree.
Longji Terraced Fields：The best viewing points are in Jinkeng Dazhai. Taking the round-trip cable car (¥100), you can see the spectacular "Thousand-Layer Ladder". At the "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" viewing point in Ping'an Village, you can enjoy the sunrise and sea of clouds. For a deep experience, you can choose to stay in a stilted house homestay, such as "Panoramic View Tower", and you can also learn to make oil tea and participate in activities like catching fish in the paddy fields.
Yinziyan Cave：There are "Three Wonders and Three Treasures" in the cave, such as the Snow Mountain Waterfall and Music Stone Screen. The ticket is ¥65, and it can be combined with the cycling tour of the Ten-Mile Gallery.
Cultural and Urban Landmarks
Elephant Trunk Hill：As the symbol of Guilin, the reflection of the "Water Moon Cave" taken at 7 - 8 am is the best. The ticket is ¥55. In addition, the light show at night is free.
Yangshuo West Street：It has a thousand-year-old stone road and integrates Chinese and Western cultures. At night, you can go to the bars to listen to folk songs and must try the "Master's Beer Fish".
Xingping Ancient Town：Free to visit the Ming and Qing old streets. Climbing Laozhai Mountain, you can enjoy the sunset view of the big bend of the Lijiang River.
Night View of Two Rivers and Four Lakes：You can walk to enjoy the Riyue Twin Towers for free, or take a night cruise (¥190) to pass through the relics of the Song Dynasty and experience the historical and cultural heritage of Guilin.
Local Delicacies
Guilin Marinated Rice Noodles：Chongshan Rice Noodles is recommended, with crispy pork and pickled cowpeas. The per capita consumption is ¥8 for two liang.
Yangshuo Beer Fish：The swordbone fish of Master's Gold Award Beer Fish (West Street Store) is the most famous, with a per capita consumption of ¥80 - 100.
Longsheng Bamboo Rice：You can taste it at the farmhouse in Dazhai Village, ¥25 per tube.
Gongcheng Oil Tea：You can taste the authentic Gongcheng Oil Tea at the Oil Tea House, paired with fried rice and boat-shaped cakes. The per capita consumption is ¥20 per person. In addition, snacks such as water chestnut cakes, lipu taro and pork, and mugwort cakes are also worth trying.
Transportation Guide
Major Transportation
By Plane：After arriving at Guilin Liangjiang Airport, you can take a bus to the urban area for ¥20, or you can take a taxi, which costs about ¥80.
By High-Speed Rail：It is recommended to choose "Guilin Station" because it is close to the urban area. However, Yangshuo Station is actually in Xingping Town, and it costs about ¥50 to take a taxi to Yangshuo County.
Scenic Area Transportation
From Guilin to Yangshuo：You can take a bus for ¥30, which takes 1.5 hours, or you can choose to take a Lijiang River cruise ship directly. The ticket is ¥216, including lunch.
From Guilin to Longji Terraced Fields：Take a bus from Qintan Bus Station to Longsheng and then transfer to the scenic area bus. The total journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Accommodation Recommendations
In Guilin Urban Area：Dongxi Lane Homestay is recommended, starting from ¥200 per night. It is convenient to travel, and you can walk to attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill and Two Rivers and Four Lakes.
In Yangshuo："Jiyun Shangyuan" on the bank of the Yulong River is a good designer homestay. There are also many youth hostels around West Street, and the bed price is about ¥40 per night.
In Longji Terraced Fields："Panoramic View Tower" in Jinkeng Dazhai, starting from ¥300 per night, including pick-up and breakfast services.
Itinerary Planning
3-Day Essence Tour
Day 1：In the morning, visit Elephant Trunk Hill, then go to Jingjiang Princes City, and in the afternoon, stroll around Dongxi Lane and taste Wangpo Cakes. In the evening, walk to enjoy the night view of Two Rivers and Four Lakes and take pictures at the Riyue Twin Towers.
Day 2：In the morning, take a bus to Yangdi and then go bamboo rafting on the essence section of the Lijiang River, arriving at Xingping Ancient Town to check in at the background of the 20-yuan RMB note. In the evening, taste beer fish in Yangshuo West Street and listen to folk songs in the bar.
Day 3：In the morning, go rafting on the Yulong River (from Jinlongqiao to Jiuxian section). In the afternoon, rent an electric vehicle to ride along the Ten-Mile Gallery and finally go to explore Yinziyan Cave.
5-Day In-depth Tour
Day 1 - 2：The same as the 3-day essence tour.
Day 3：Go to Longji Terraced Fields and stay in a stilted house homestay to photograph the sunrise and sea of clouds.
Day 4：Climb Laozhai Mountain in Xingping Ancient Town to watch the sunset and experience the making of oil tea.
Day 5：You can choose to hike in Mao'er Mountain to enjoy the scenery of the "Highest Peak in South China", or go to explore Reed Flute Cave.
Avoiding Pitfalls Guide
Ticket Traps：Tickets for Elephant Trunk Hill need to be reserved in advance on the official account of "Guilin Xiangshan Scenic Area Management Office". There may be no tickets available on site. Tipping for bamboo rafts is not mandatory. If the rafting worker on the Yulong River charges ¥20 for tipping, you can ask him to find a gentle section.
Shopping Precautions：For souvenirs, you can choose "Jinshunchang", which offers free shipping for purchases over ¥200. Avoid buying expensive silver jewelry in the scenic area. When renting an electric vehicle, check the battery level. The average rental price of electric vehicles in Yangshuo is ¥30 per day. If it exceeds ¥50, you need to be vigilant.
Safety and Environmental Protection: During the rainy season (June to August), it is necessary to prepare waterproof shoe covers and phone bags for travel. The drowning rate when drifting in the Dragon River is about 5%. When playing in Longji Terraces, do not step on crops and it is best to obtain the consent of villagers before taking photos.
