Yangshuo Travel Forum

Hi all

we are arriving by plane from Lijiang via Kunming to Guilin in May. We don't know whether to continue straight on to Yangshuo on the same day, or go into Guilin and stay the night and then go on to Yangshuo in the morning.I think we will arrive G around 4pm .Is there anything to do in G just for the evening or would this be a waste of time? Is Guilin a nice town to walk around at night?

Also, if the answer is to stay, would we have to book a hotel ahead or would we find something on arrival ? I know that the May holiday is the first week of May.

thanks in advance

If I were you I would either catch a bus or organise a taxi (for around 200 yuan) to take you straight from the airport to your hotel in Yangshuo. Have you organised a hotel in Yangshuo? If so, get your hotel in Yangshuo to organise a taxi to pick you up. We did it the other way around.
We loved Yangshuo and in hindsight would have preferred to spend more time in Yangshuo than Guilin.
If you can't do that organise to see the Sanjie Liu (the light show)from Guilin which is supposed to be very good although we did not see it.

What hotel are you staying in Ruth?

As an aside most people will tell you that the boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo is a must.The reality is that once you are in Yangshuo you can organise plenty of boast trips in and around Yangshuo.

Sorry Ruth...spelling mistake...that should read boat trips...

BTW did you see in my tips..once you get to Yangshuo in West Street there are plenty of guides who will take you around including boat trips, lunch at their home and bike tours...we used Wendy..

Hi, We are going in June and I have the exact same dilemma. I have done quite a bit of reading on it and it seems the best option is to go straight to Yangshuo. From what I can gather Guilin is quite 'hassly'. Initially I was thinking of taking the boat cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, but again this might be more hassle than its worth with lugggage and everything. Also I have heard that it's quite expensive. I think we will take the advice above and arrange a transfer from Guilin airport - all the hotels/guesthouses seem to do this and it costs around 200-300 yuan for up to 4 people. That way you can always do a boat trip later on.

Guilin is a city, and has city things. For example, quite a large night market. There is also the Sun & Moon pagodas to look at, and Elephant Trunk hill (Xiang Bi Shan).

Yangshuo is much more of a village. The air is very clean. I think the airport bus goes right through to YS. You can find any number of hotels when you get there - their touts meet the bus. At all prices.

May holiday this year is only 1 day. :-(

The show "Impressions of Liu San Jie" is only on Friday & Saturday nights. Excellent if a bit short (1h20).

You can also rent bicycles for 10rmb a day. I have a (Chinese) friend who would be willing to guide you if you like. Speaks good English. Her name is Angie and her number is 138 773 78170 [she said I can write it here].

Anything else, ask me.

Guilin photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john37perry/sets/72157594430948129/

Yangshuo photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john37perry/sets/72157594263310130/

thanks a lot ,John. we decided (after a chat with a couple other people who have been there) to travel straight on to Yangshuo.we already have a hotel and a guide booked. Thanks again

Although I would not argue against going straight on to Yangshuo, I did find Guilin a pleasant and interesting place to visit. It is certainly a bigger city than Yangshuo (Yangshuo is not a village!) but it does have some nice attractions. I spent two nights there and not until I left and reached my son did I realize that I might have missed the best single view of the countryside in the area. Perhaps it is his photographic skill and the weather, but he has a picture from Elephantine Hill that just blew me away, and this was even after my having spend some good time hiking around Yangshuo.

What I do not know is how Guilin and Yangshuo feel when filled with Chinese and foreign tourists. Still, I suggest that you consider spending at least day (and night) in Guilin after your visit to Yangshuo. I know that this is not much time for a big city, but I am sure that there are lots of other cities you wish to see. Good luck. bob

Agree with melosh.

I have to say Guilin is a nice and safe town to walk around at night.

Backpackers usually go strait onto Yangshuo unless it's too late to catch the last bus. There is no shuttle service between Guilin Airport and Yangshuo, visitors have to take a taxi or arrange pick-up in advance. Taking a taxi is always more expensive than arranging a pick-up by your hotel/hostel at Yangshuo.

Hi Ruth, I found it's possible to log on China Southern Airlines' official web. The fare is unbelievable!

Try:
http://ecw.cs-air.com/B2C/modules/order/internal/bookOrder.jsp#

website is all in chinese! cannot access anything there

okay got it in English now but it was more than prices on ctrip

You have to book two segments, Kunming-Guilin's fare is as low as RMB330 if you book on CS's web. However, it's not refundable.

If u have the time when in Yangshuo I would take the 25 minute bus to Xing Ping and arrange a boat to take u down the river from there. In my opinion the views are better than in Yangshuo or Guillin. In fact, if u look at the 20 RMB note the scene on it was taken about 50 feet from where the bus lets u off.

For what its worth Pres Clinton and family went down that portion of the Li and said it was the most unforgettable part of their China trip. Especially nice if its raining!