How to Plan a Guilin Tour from Hong Kong

Yulong River in Guilin

Hong Kong is a popular gateway to Chinese mainland. It is increasingly convenient to travel from Hong Kong to Chinese mainland thanks to recent rail developments.

Guilin, blessed with stunning karst scenery and rich culture, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations from Hong Kong. Here is some essential information which will help you plan a tour from Hong Kong to Guilin.

The Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Guilin is from April to October when the weather is warm/hot, and is more suitable for admiring the natural scenery and doing outdoor activities.

Longji Terraced Fields in Guilin

The low season in Guilin is from November to March, when the weather is typically cold and damp with some warm and bright spells, and it is easier to book accommodation and flight/train tickets.

During Chinese public holidays, particularly National Day (October 1 to 7), Labor Day (May 1 to 3), and Chinese New Year week (January/February) crowding and prices increase greatly. If you still want to travel then, please confirm your itinerary and bookings as early as possible. Our guides can help you avoid the crowds.

See month-by-month weather and touring information on our Guilin Weather pages.

HK–Guilin Transportation Options

Guilin is in south China, about 500 km (300 mi) northwest from Hong Kong. The most convenient and popular option is the direct high-speed train, taking about 3 hours. Flights are less frequent, convenient, and economical.

By Direct High-Speed Train – the Best Option

There is one direct train from Hong Kong to Guilin every day:

At peak times (such as the public holidays mentioned above), you'll need to book tickets well in advance.

With a change at Shenzhen North / Guangzhou South there are many more high-speed trains options, including arriving in Yangshuo Station. See more on Hong Kong – Guilin High-Speed Trains.

By Air – Plan B in Peak Season

There are only 4 direct flights a week from Hong Kong to Guilin (Mo., Tu, Th., Fr. 14:15-15:45). This is an alternative if you fail to book train tickets.

How Long to Stay? — At Least 3 Days Is Recommended

The Longji Rice Terraces

Guilin is rich in natural scenery and minority culture. If you only want to see the karst landscapes, it is enough to stay 3 days. A recommended itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: Sightseeing in Guilin

Day 2: Li River cruise to Yangshuo

Day 3: Yangshuo's countryside

If you want to explore the ethnic culture and see terraced field scenery in Longsheng as well, you will need a day or two more.

Day 4–5: The Longji Rice Terraces

For more detailed itinerary guidance, see How to Plan a Guilin Tour.

The Highlights You Should Not Miss in Guilin

• The Li River is one of the most beautiful rivers in the planet. The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of the most popular activities in a Guilin holiday.
• Yangshuo is a large scenic area filled with so many gorgeous things to see and do. Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, cycling in the countryside, and relaxing on West Street are the top things to do.
• The Longji Terraced Fields: It is one of the world's most incredible rice terrace areas with fantastic scenery and colorful cultures of the Zhuang and Yao minorities.

How to Travel: Alone, As a Group, or Private Touring?

You will be taken care of by our guides.

Travelling alone gives you maximum freedom and least commitment to a schedule. What you save in money you'll spend in time planning and arranging. You should be prepared to deal with many hassles along the way.

Group travel is the quick, low-thought, money-saving option. However, travelling with a group always means lack of flexibility, big crowds, a bland experience, and limited interactions with locals. You'll definitely be making sacrifices and compromising on quality.

Private tours are the high-value option for people who want to have a unique tour, expertly planned to individual interests and requirements. You can do what you want well, and at your own pace. We at China Highlights have been specializing in tailor-making China tours since 1998. Go with us to enjoy a hassle-free personalized tour.

Prepare Properly to Enter the Mainland

Get a Chinese Visa … Or Possibly Not

Prepare your passport and visa.

Make sure that your passport has at least one blank visa page and is valid for at least six months.

Nationals of most countries do not require visas to enter Hong Kong. However, you willneed a visa to travel from Hong Kong to Guilin. Learn about How to Apply for a Chinese Visa.

If on transit, i.e. going to a third non-HK destination from Guilin outside the Mainland (4 options from Guilin's airport: Macau, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Korea), you can visit Guilin visa-free for 3 days!

Change Your Currency

Hong Kong and the mainland don't share the same currency and you'll need RMB (a.k.a. CNY or yuan) in the Mainland. You can change money in Hong Kong or in the mainland, or get yuan from ATMs supporting e.g. Visa/MasterCard. See more on our Practical Guide to Chinese Money.

Bring Adapters/Converters

The currency in Chinese mainland is the Renminbi (RMB).

The standard electrical voltage in Chinese mainland is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. There are two kinds of sockets widely used in Chinese mainland: type A (2-flat-pin) and type I (3-flat-pin). In contrast type G (British 3-wide-pin) is widely used in Hong Kong.

You may want to prepare a portable plug adapter for your electronics. They can be easily purchased at most electronic stores, travel supply stores, and airports.

Larger hotels should be able to provide an adapter, but if you don't have one it can be frustrating, for example if your laptop needs charging. See China Power Supply and Adapters for more.

Tailor-Make a Hong Kong – Guilin Tour with Us

Our clients in Longji

We are based in Guilin, and we know tourism in Guilin better than anyone else. Our travel experts are glad to help you tailor-make a Hong Kong – Guilin tour based on your interests and requirements.

Not sure what to ask for? See some recommended Guilin itineraries for inspiration.