Where to Stay in Guilin: Best Areas & Hotels (2026)

Wondering where to stay when visiting Guilin? You’re certainly not alone. Guilin is famous for its gravity-defying karst mountains, fog-covered rivers, and picturesque villages spanning a large area. Where you stay in Guilin will determine your entire experience. Stay in the wrong district and you’ll waste half your vacation riding buses. Stay in the right district and you’ll wake up every day in a Chinese ink painting masterpiece.

Here we simplify the decision making process. From seasoned veterans planning that quintessential Li River cruise to outdoor enthusiasts itching to check out the Longji Rice Terraces, or backpackers wanting a mellow hometown feel we’ve got you covered. We’ll cover every major district and provide some frank opinions on which travelers each neighborhood is best suited for.

🌟 Best Guilin Hotels Top Picks by Travel Style

Why Where You Stay in Guilin Matters More Than You Think

Guilin is not one city clustered together. When people talk about the Guilin region, they’re generally talking about one of four destinations: Guilin City in the north, Yangshuo 60 km south of Guilin, Xingping farther down the Li River, and Longsheng (where you’ll find the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces) about 80 km northwest of Guilin.

Visiting each place feels like stepping into entirely different worlds with different vibes/paces/prices/explosions of nearby attractions. If you spend your nights in Guilin but want to see Yangshuo’s countryside, you’re looking at a 1.5 hour bus ride each way. If you spend your nights in Longsheng but try to visit the Li River cruise, you’re looking at a travel headache every morning.

A rule of thumb most travelers will give you is to split up your nights. On a typical 5–7 day trip, you’ll want to spend 1–2 nights in Guilin, 2 nights in Yangshuo, and 1 night in Longsheng. But it depends on your priorities!

Guilin City Centre – Best for First-Time Visitors & Transit Travellers

Who it’s for: First-time visitors, transit travellers (arriving by plane or high-speed train), those doing a Li River cruise.

Guilin City is where all the region’s transport connects, making it the easiest place for first-time visitors to arrive. Guilin City is on the west bank of the Li River and cut in half by its signature Two Rivers and Four Lakes (两江四湖) waterway system — an interconnected series of lakes and rivers that thread through the city centre and sparkle with lantern lights at night.

Top Attractions Nearby

• Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山) – Guilin’s most famous photo spot, a protruding hill that resembles an elephant reaching down to drink from the Li River.
• Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) – An elaborate natural cave system packed with stalactites/stalagmites and decorated with coloured lights.
• Seven Star Park (七星公园) – Guilin’s largest urban park, featuring karst peaks, caves, a zoo, and more.
• Daxu Ancient Town – A quaint riverside market town that’s remarkably well-preserved, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

Keep in mind: Guilin City is where you’ll catch the famous Li River cruise to Yangshuo. All cruise boats leave early morning (usually around 9: 00–10:00 AM), so if you book your accommodation here you won’t have to stress about rushing to the dock. Guilin City is also home to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport and its high-speed rail station, making it the easiest entry point for international arrivals.

Hotels tend to cluster around East Commercial Area (close to Seven Star Park and Elephant Trunk Hill) and the Li River Belt (west of the Li River). East Commercial Area is more compact with slightly cheaper prices. While both districts are great, I’d recommend Li River Belt if the budget allows, since it has the best views and puts you within walking distance of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes district.

Where to Stay in Guilin City Centre

• Lijiang Boyin Hotel – Guilin’s highest rated luxury hotel, with rooftop views of Sun & Moon Towers and steps away from the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area
• Sheraton Guilin Hotel – Reliable international 5-star hotel on the banks of the Li River with exceptional service and rooms facing the river
• SYYF Lijiang River Courtyard Hotel – Consistently ranked as one of Guilin’s best mid-range hotels, popular for its clean rooms and central location near Elephant Trunk Hill

Yangshuo – Best for Scenery, Cycling, and the “Country Life” Vibe

Who it’s for: Nature lovers, couples, photographers, backpackers, those who prefer a slower pace of travel.

Yangshuo, located about an hour’s Li River cruise south of Guilin City, might just be why everyone falls in love with China. Here on the Li River’s endpoint, you’ll find the expansive rice terrains, lush green hills wrapped in mist, bamboo groves, and narrow country roads typical of “China landscape” stock photos.

Yangshuo has come a long way as a tourist destination over the past couple decades, but it maintains a chill energy you won’t find in busy Guilin City.

Popular Attractions around Yangshuo

• West Street (西街) – Yangshuo’s main drag, known for its restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and tour agencies
• Yulong River – Best experienced via bamboo raft or bicycle; anywhere along the stretch between Yulong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge is gorgeous
• Moon Hill (月亮山) – Perhaps Yangshuo’s most photographed natural landmark, Moon Hill is a surreal limestone arch
• Impression Liu Sanjie – A breathtaking outdoor night show on the Li River put on by director Zhang Yimou himself. Book in advance!
• Rock Climbing – Aspiring climbers take note: Yangshuo is one of Asia’s premier sport climbing destinations.

Yangshuo town is divided into three subdistricts:

• West Street / Downtown: The place to stay if you want to be where the party’s at. Eating, nightlife, and public transit are all concentrated around West Street. It can get busy during peak season (April–October), but it’s also the most convenient area to stay.
• Yulong River: For a quieter, rural vibe, try one of the boutique guesthouses or homestays along the Yulong River, about 4–6 kilometres from town. Prices here are mid-range and many offer rice paddy views and riverside seating. Ideal for couples.
• Xingping Old Town: My personal favourite. Take a half-hour bus ride from Yangshuo into Xingping, another ancient river town with far fewer tourists. The town itself is peaceful, and sits at one of the Li River’s most dramatic curves — in fact, you’re looking at the very scenery captured on the Chinese 20-yuan note. Great for nature without the crowds of Yangshuo.

Where to Stay in Yangshuo

• Yangshuo Mountain Retreat – Readers’ favourite riverside hotel on the Yulong River, known for its beautiful gardens and attentive staff
• Yangsuo Resort (Banyan Tree) – High-end resort complete with private plunge pools overlooking the karst mountains.
• Budget guesthouses on West Street – You’ll find plenty of clean, well-reviewed guesthouses geared toward backpackers and solo travellers on West Street.

Longsheng (Longji) Rice Terraces – Best for the Rice Terraces & Ethnic Culture

Who it’s for: Cultural explorers, hikers, photographers.

80 km northwest of Guilin lies Longsheng County, home to the UNESCO recognised Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田). Created by the Zhuang/Yao ethnic minority over 650 years ago, the Longji Rice Terraces are a masterclass of ancient agricultural engineering. Built on the slope of a mountain ranging from 300–1,100 metres above sea level, the terraces seem to fold onto themselves as they ascend the hillside. If you visit during peak season the views will be different each time you visit– lush green in summer, bright gold in autumn, and flooded mirror reflecting grey skies in spring.

Day trips to Longsheng are popular from Guilin City, but you absolutely don’t want to miss what makes Longji so magical: sunrise and sunset. Grab a room here and wake up early to capture the terraces as they’re shrouded in morning mist. Same thing applies for sunset. It’s worth it.

There are two terrace regions to choose from:

• Ping’an Village (平安村) – Easier to get to and slightly more touristy, but still has great views and guesthouses.
• Dazhai Village (大寨村, Jinkeng area) – We stayed here and loved it. Fewer people, better for photographers. Some require trekking up a steep hill for the best views.

Stay somewhere with a terrace-view room. You’ll thank me.

Where to Stay in Longsheng

Your accommodation here will be pretty standard: family-run guesthouses on stilts in traditional wooden homes. But that’s part of the charm. Rooms will be simple but cozy, local food will be served, and you’ll wake up to rice terrace mist every morning.

Hotels in Longji can get booked up months in advance during peak seasons, so be sure to plan accordingly!

Lujia Village – Guilin’s Best Kept Secret for Peaceful Stays

Who it’s for: Those who want natural scenery without needing to take a long bus ride from Guilin City.

Go Google “Lujia Village in Guilin” and come back here. I’ll wait.

Looks nice, right? But you won’t find it in most Guilin travel books. That’s because — despite being a 10-minute taxi ride from downtown Guilin — Lujia feels worlds away. Nestled between mountains and small lakes, the area is peaceful and walkable, with a cluster of exceptional boutique hotels.

The award winner? Secret Courtyard Resort Hotel, built along the Taohua River with traditional Guibei-style architecture. If you find Guilin City too crowded and aren’t ready to trek out to Yangshuo, give this underrated neighbourhood a look.

Quick Summary: Which Area Is Right for You?

Practical Tips for Booking Accommodation in Guilin

Book ahead for high season

Quality guesthouses in Yangshuo and Longsheng are hardest to find from April to October, during Golden Week (early October), and Chinese New Year. Try to book 2–3 months ahead if you’ll be arriving during these periods.

Split your stay between locations

Instead of choosing one location as your base and commuting for day trips, many visitors have more fun by staying overnight in multiple places. We loved this 5-day split: 1 night Guilin City → 2 nights Yangshuo → 1 night Longsheng → 1 night Guilin City (night before departure).

Choose accommodations near Li River cruise pier

If cruising the Li River is high on your priority list, your easiest option will be to stay in Guilin City itself. All river cruclus leave from Zhujiang Pier (also known as Mopanshan Pier) at the north end of Guilin, and depart in the morning.

Research travel connections

Guilin has the region’s only airport, and is connected by the most train routes of any city in the area. Yangshuo train station (train station “Yangshuo”) is actually located near a town called Xingping, about a 15 minute bus ride from Yangshuo town center (something many Yangshuo first-timers don’t realize until they arrive).

Give homestays a chance

Some of our favorite accommodations in the entire region were at family-run guesthouses in villages throughout Longsheng, or riverside in Yangshuo. Home cooked Zhuang food, honest conversation, and a deep connection with the land you can’t get at a five star resort.

Final Verdict: Where Should You Stay in Guilin?

If you only have time to visit Guilin once: Spend 1–2 nights in Guilin City (arrival & logistics + Li river & Elephant Trunk Hill) before enjoying the scenic countryside payoff of Yangshuo.

If you are returning to Guilin, or can spend more time: Skip Guilin city altogether. Add more nights closer to Yangshuo’s Yulong River. For longest trip: tack on a night in Longsheng to see the rice terraces.

For photographers/outdoor enthusiasts: Spend as much time as possible in Xingping and Longsheng (Dazhai). These two areas of the country have the most unique and uncrowded scenery.