Guilin Yangshuo 2-Day Express Itinerary

Tight Schedule

Two days is tight but doable. You'll see the Li River and a taste of Yangshuo, but you'll miss the full countryside biking and Longji Terraces. If you can stretch to 3 days, the experience improves dramatically — see our 3-day plan. This 2-day version works best if you arrive in Guilin by early morning flight or overnight train.

Day 1: Li River to Yangshuo

Before 9 AM: Arrive in Guilin. If you're flying in, take the earliest possible flight. If you're taking an overnight train, you're already in position. Head straight to the Yangdi pier — take a taxi from Guilin (about 1 hour, ~100 RMB) or join a pre-booked tour that includes transport.

9:30 AM-11:00 AM: Bamboo raft from Yangdi to Jiuma (1.5 hours). This is the most scenic section of the Li River — the Nine Horse Fresco Hill, the Yellow Cloth Reflection, and the approach to Xingping. The bamboo raft is faster than the full motor boat cruise but gives you the same views.

11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Walk the 20 RMB viewpoint (15 minutes from Xingping pier). Have lunch at a riverside restaurant in Xingping — try the beer fish. Walk the old street for 30 minutes.

2:00 PM: Bus or taxi from Xingping to Yangshuo (40 minutes). Check into your hotel. Rent an e-bike (50-80 RMB) and ride a short loop through the countryside west of town. The late afternoon light (4-6 PM) on the karst peaks is spectacular.

Evening: Walk West Street. Have dinner at a local restaurant off the main strip. Try beer fish and Guilin rice noodles.

Day 2: Moon Hill & Depart

7:00 AM: Early start. Bike or taxi to Moon Hill (30 minutes from Yangshuo). Hike up for the panorama — 30-40 minutes up, 20 minutes at the top, 20 minutes down. You'll be back at the base by 9:30 AM.

10:00 AM: Quick stop at the Yulong River bridge (Gongnong Bridge) for photos of bamboo rafts with the karst backdrop. If time allows, a short 40-minute bamboo raft on the Yulong River.

12:00 PM: Head back to Guilin. Bus from Yangshuo (1.5 hours, 25 RMB) or taxi (1-1.5 hours, 150-200 RMB). Allow 2 hours at the airport before your flight.

Make It Work

Book your Li River raft tickets the day before through your hotel or Trip.com.
Pack light — one small bag. You're moving fast and don't want to drag luggage around Xingping.
Pre-book your Yangdi taxi from Guilin to avoid wasting time at the station.
If your Day 2 departure is late evening, you can fit in a longer countryside bike ride.