Guilin

See sharp karst hills rising directly from the river plain.

Spend a day on the Li River among limestone peaks and bamboo banks.

Sit down for Guilin rice noodles as a meal rather than a food tour.

Reach Guilin by high-speed train from Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Hong Kong, or by domestic flight.

The high-speed rail journey from Guangzhou takes a few hours; confirm the live timetable before travelling.

Guilin city. Base yourself in Guilin city if you want the river and local food on the same streets.

Yangshuo. Base yourself in Yangshuo if you choose the south bank and want bikes more than a municipal evening.

Yangshuo. Pair Guilin with Yangshuo for a county-town stay on the same river.

Guangzhou. Pair Guilin with Guangzhou to connect a southern trade metropolis with the Li River karst landscape.

Longji. Pair Guilin with Longji for terrace-ridge photography near the city.