China · TOURS IN GUILIN

The 15 Best Guilin Tours & Li River Trips

32 tours  ·  from $19 a head

Guilin is a base, not a destination: the point is the river south of it and the terraces north. These 15 cover the cruises, the rafts, the rice terraces and the caves, with prices and how much of each day is driving.

1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver - The 8:30 a.m. pickup and drive to Zhujiang Dock
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Li River Cruises, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver

1.1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · from $209Our pick

Start with hotel pickup in Guilin, then cruise four hours down the Li River past famous karst peaks. Your private English-speaking guide, such as Tony or Jeff, helps explain the scenery. Lunch is served aboard, followed by Yangshuo’s West Street, countryside touring, and a private transfer back to Guilin.

“The river cruise was a fantastic way to see the famous Guilin karsts, and the visit to Yangshuo and the charming surrounding countryside was wonderful. Tony was a great guide, patiently answering our questions and giving us plenty of time to enjoy our walk after the cruise. Highly recommended!”

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Longji Rice Terraces with Minority Village Private Day Tour - Huangluo village and the Yao connection
Longji Rice Terraces Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Longji Rice Terraces with Minority Village Private Day Tour

2.Longji Rice Terraces with Minority Village Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · from $69

Travel privately from Guilin to Longji’s Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, visit Huangluo village, and walk Ping’an’s finest viewpoints. An English-speaking guide such as Leo, Lee, Sandy, or Audrey may explain local farming and Yao and Zhuang culture. Allow 8 to 9 hours, plus CN¥80 entry, lunch, and a long mountain drive.

“The Tour was amazing. Leo was an excellent guide who showed us an amazing place and explem the history of the fields. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AMAZING TRIP.”

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Guilin: Classic Private Full–Day Tour - Reed Flute Cave: a cool start beneath Guilin
Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: Classic Private Full–Day Tour

3.Classic Private Full–Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 113 reviews · 12 hours · from $246

This 12-hour private tour links Guilin’s Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Xingping, a roughly 50-minute shared boat ride on the Li River, and the Liu Sanjie evening show. An English-speaking guide such as Jeff, Colin, or Andy handles the driving and tickets. Expect a full day, considerable road time, and a steep hill climb.

“My guide Jeff was amazing! He drove me around the beautiful spots in Guilin and Yangshuo and he told me so much history and information about every location. I honestly could not have had a better day. Jeff is kind and chatty, I really enjoyed his company for the whole day. Truly recommended!”

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Longji Rice Terraces: Full-Day Private Tour from Guilin - The private ride from Guilin or Yangshuo
Full-Day, Longji Rice Terraces Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Longji Rice Terraces: Full-Day Private Tour from Guilin

4.Longji Rice Terraces: Full-Day Private Tour from Guilin

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 85 reviews · 7 - 12 hours · from $115

Travel by private air-conditioned car or van from Guilin or Yangshuo to Longji, with time in Ping’an and, depending on your option, Dazhai or Huangluo. Choose a private guide such as Jeff, Jackie, or Jason, or book a self-guided package with a driver. Expect mountain walks, wooden homes, minority culture, and grand terrace views.

“Amazing experience. The pick up was seamless, punctual, and stress-free. The trip itself was extremely well planned – included unexpected detours, such as tea farm, or Huangluo village. Longji terraces themselves are stunning. Our big thanks go to Jackie, our tour guide, who spoke really good English, shared fascinating stories about the places and himself, and introduced us to great food spots.”

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From Guilin: 4 Star Luxury Li River Cruise with Buffet Lunch - The 8:00 AM Guilin pickup and ride to Zhujiang Pier
Buffet Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Li River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin, VIP

From Guilin: 4 Star Luxury Li River Cruise with Buffet Lunch

5.4 Star Luxury Li River Cruise with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $92

Start with downtown Guilin hotel pickup around 8:00 AM, then cruise from Zhujiang Pier to Yangshuo for about four hours. You’ll pass karst peaks, farms, villages, bamboo groves, and waterfalls while enjoying a Chinese or Western buffet lunch. There is no English-speaking guide, but a QR code provides multilingual commentary.

“Beautiful river! But really overpriced, we have paid 3 times more than the actual price of the tickets! The first class toilet was broken.”

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1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show - Xianggong Hill: the view worth the stairs
1-Day Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

6.1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $89

This 12-hour private tour links Guilin and Yangshuo with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned car. You visit Reed Flute Cave, climb Xianggong Hill, ride a small boat from Xingping toward Nine-Horse Mural Hill, explore West Street, and watch Impression Liu San Jie. Guides such as Andy, Jerry, Jeff, and Jacky are noted for flexibility.

“I really enjoyed visiting the Flute Cave and the bamboo boat tour in Guilin — both were beautiful experiences. The tour guide was very kind and informative, which made the trip even better. However, I didn’t enjoy the evening show as much; it was quite noisy with many people talking and moving around during the performance.”

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1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour - Huangluo Yao Village and its wooden houses
1-Day Tours, Longji Rice Terraces Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour

7.1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews

Travel from Guilin with a private English-speaking guide and driver such as Jerry, Sundy, Jackie, or Kevin. Visit Huangluo Yao Village, then hike through Ping’an’s famous rice terraces, including the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewpoint. The 10-hour tour includes hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle, but lunch and the CNY 80 terrace admission fee are extra.

“My mum and I did this experience with Jackie, a great guide. We visited the Longyi rice terrace and a tea plantation. It was really an incredible experience. Jackie adapted to our wishes and organised the trecking as we wanted. Totally recomended. Thank you for this memorable tour!”

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Longji rice terraces & minority villages private day tour - The 8:30 a.m. pickup in Guilin
Longji Rice Terraces Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Longji rice terraces & minority villages private day tour

8.Longji rice terraces & minority villages private day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews

Leave Guilin at 8:30 a.m. for Longji’s mountain rice terraces on a private 10-hour trip for up to four people. Your English-speaking guide and driver handle the roads, admission, and Ping’an sightseeing vehicle. Guides such as Charles, Jackie, Jenny, and Sundy have led past departures, with time adjusted to your pace. Lunch and personal expenses are extra.

“Very knowledgeable. Qin was great. Easy to communicate. Will definitely recommend. Had a great time.”

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Guilin Highlights Tour Li River to Yangshuo and Xianggong Hill - Four hours between Guilin and Yangshuo
City Highlights Tours, Li River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Guilin Highlights Tour Li River to Yangshuo and Xianggong Hill

9.Guilin Highlights Tour Li River to Yangshuo and Xianggong Hill

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · from $79

You’ll spend a full day moving from Guilin’s hotel district to the Li River, Yangshuo’s West Street, and Xianggong Hill. A private English-speaking driver-guide, such as Leo, Liu, Sandy, Nick, or Li, handles transfers and boat arrangements. The cruise takes about four hours, with a Chinese boxed lunch on the three-star boat or buffet lunch on the four-star option.

“Nice tour including various highlights of the area around Guilin. The guide was friendly snd spoke good English.”

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Guilin: 1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show - Reed Flute Cave: Guilin’s colorful underground start
1-Day Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: 1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show

10.1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 1 day

This private Guilin day trip pairs Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, a 50-minute Xingping bamboo boat ride, and the Impression Liu Sanjie show. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Bruce, Molly, Alan, or Tony, handles the long drives and local logistics. It suits couples or small groups who want Guilin and Yangshuo highlights in one busy day.

“The tour was great and our guide Bruce was awesome! We spent an amazing day together driving and guiding us through all the major attractions. 100% recommend, thank you again Bruce for the amazing day!”

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Guilin: Private Full-Day Li River Cruise and Liusanjie Show - What lunch onboard is really worth
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Li River Cruises, Private, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: Private Full-Day Li River Cruise and Liusanjie Show

11.Private Full-Day Li River Cruise and Liusanjie Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 27 reviews · 12 hours · from $263

You’ll travel by private car and boat from Guilin to Yangshuo with an English or Chinese-speaking guide, lunch onboard, time on West Street, and an evening Liusanjie performance. Guides such as Jeff, Leo, Alonso, and Josef have been praised for friendly, flexible service. The day runs roughly 8:20 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

“Migliorerei il rapporto qualità del servizio/prezzo pagato. Per un’esperienza pagata circa 450 Euro mi sarei aspettato molto di più (tutte le esperienze a Yangshuo sono extra), in considerazione del costo effettivo dei servizi (DiDi, crociera, spettacolo, 200 Euro approssimativi).”

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Guilin: Longji Rice Terraces& Long Hair Village Private Tour - Dazhai or Ping’an: choose the right terrace experience
Longji Rice Terraces Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: Longji Rice Terraces& Long Hair Village Private Tour

12.Longji Rice Terraces& Long Hair Village Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 8 hours · from $148

From Guilin, you’ll spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide such as Emily, Tom, or Eric, exploring Longji’s terraces and Huangluo Long Hair Village. Choose Dazhai with a cable car to Golden Buddha Peak, or Ping’an for a guided walk. Lunch, admission, and the cable car depend on the option you book.

“Fantastic tour guide! Emily made our family trip to Guilin exceptional. She was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and patient, perfectly catering to our whole family's needs. Her passion for Guilin was contagious, and she ensured we experienced the beauty and culture meaningfully. Logistics were smooth, and she went the extra mile to make us feel welcome and informed. We couldn't have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend!”

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Guilin: Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill - Reed Flute Cave and its colored formations
City Highlights Tours, Full-Day, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill

13.Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 7 hours · from $87

This private Guilin day tour combines Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, and Riyue Shuangta Cultural Park in an air-conditioned car or van. An English- or Chinese-speaking guide picks you up at a downtown hotel. Guides such as Ray and Andy have led recent departures, and the private format allows some flexibility. Lunch is not included.

“The tour was fine and informative. Andy our was very good with his english. Only poor comment would be he was always on his phone doing business as he runs other agents for tours. It did make you feel as though you were an after thought to him making money. That said we did enjoy the flute river caves”

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Guilin: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Biking & Flexible Pricing - Choosing between the 3-star and 4-star boat
Cruises & Boat Tours, Cycling Tours, Li River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Biking & Flexible Pricing

14.Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Biking & Flexible Pricing

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 1 - 2 days

Travel from Guilin to Yangshuo by Li River boat, then explore West Street and the Yulong River by bicycle. A private English-speaking driver handles hotel pickup, transfers, and bike rental. Guides including Blues Lee, Bruce Lee, and Mok have earned strong praise, but boat tickets cost extra and the guide may not join you on board.

“The boat trip through one of China's most iconic and picturesque landscapes with views of the characteristic limestone mountains is very beautiful and relaxing. We had booked a four star boat with lunch buffet and enjoyed the trip which lasted a little over 4 hours. The subsequent bike ride in Yangshuo was disappointing as the trip was very short and the bikes were of poor quality.”

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Guilin: Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer - Hotel pickup makes the evening simple
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer

15.Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $60

You’ll cruise Guilin’s Four Lakes at night aboard a sightseeing boat with wide 360-degree windows. A private English-speaking driver handles hotel transfers, but there is no English-speaking guide on the boat. Expect lanterns, fountains, music, pagodas, and a one to one-and-a-half-hour ride.

“the tour was in Chinese nevertheless I choose English or I believe I was. and then it stops far from where we have agree with the driver. About the cruise is nice without been special. the best part is the elephant and is after so many time that kind of lost it.”

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New in Tours in Guilin

★ 5.0Longji Rice Terraces: 1-Day Private TourFrom $894 reviews
★ 4.6Impression of Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo, GuilinFrom $447 reviews
★ 4.9Private Mountains and Rivers Day TourFrom $1507 reviews
★ 4.8Night Cruise on Two Rivers & Four Lakes with Lights5 reviews
★ 5.0Guilin Longji: Rice Terrace with Oil-Tea Demo & Zhuang LunchFrom $1527 reviews
★ 3.8Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave & Daxu Old TownFrom $1584 reviews
★ 4.8Day tour of Longji Rice Terraces and YangshuoFrom $1956 reviews
★ 4.8City Tour with Elephant Hill & Ming Tea TastingFrom $465 reviews
★ 5.01-Day Iconic Landmarks & Cultural Tour7 reviews
★ 4.7Guilin Longji Terraces Private Day TourFrom $2087 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Private Countryside Hiking TourFrom $1053 reviews

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