Yangshuo, with its stunning landscapes and charming villages, is a perfect day trip from Guilin. This comprehensive travel guide will walk you through the best itinerary for a one-day round trip from Guilin to Yangshuo, covering top attractions like Xingping Ancient Town, the famous 20-yuan bill scenic spot, Yulong River rafting, and more. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this itinerary ensures you experience the best of Yangshuo in just one day!
Overall Route
Guilin North Station → Xingping Ancient Town → 20 Yuan Bill Scenic Spot → West Street → Yulong River Rafting → Gongnong Bridge → Ten-Mile Gallery → West Street → Guilin → Sun and Moon Pagodas → Zhengyang Street
Detailed Timeline
🕗 8:00 AM – Departure from Guilin North Railway Station
Take a train from Guilin North to Yangshuo, which arrives at 8:22 AM—perfect for a day of exploration.
🕣 8:30 AM – Arrival at Yangshuo Station
Exit the station, turn left, and head to the transportation center. From there, take a ¥5 bus to Xingping Ancient Town. Tip: Don’t rent an electric bike here just yet; the town is far from West Street, and it’s better to rent one after you get to West Street.
🕤 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Visit Xingping Ancient Town & 20 Yuan Bill Scenic Spot
Arrive at Xingping and head to the famous 20 Yuan bill backdrop for photos. The town itself is mainly a commercial street, so feel free to wander and explore but don’t expect too many historic attractions.
🕙 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM – Travel to West Street
Catch the bus back to West Street for ¥15. West Street is the bustling heart of Yangshuo and a great spot for shopping and food.
🕚 11:30 AM – Lunch at West Street & Rent Electric Bike
After arriving at West Street, grab lunch at one of the many restaurants offering local specialties. I also had some time to get a quick makeover for a photoshoot! Rent an electric bike for ¥30 (good for the entire day), which will be essential for exploring the countryside.
🕐 1:30 PM – Yulong River Rafting
Ride your electric bike to the Shui E Di Dock (Water Gate Dock, 水厄底码头) for a bamboo rafting experience.
Tip: If you didn’t manage to pre-book tickets, don’t worry. You can still buy tickets on-site after waiting for around 20 minutes.
🕑 2:30 PM – Begin Rafting on Yulong River
The bamboo rafting is one of the highlights of the trip. We were dressed in traditional ethnic costumes, which made for fantastic photos. The raft captain was very cooperative, allowing us to stop briefly for photos (even though it’s not officially allowed). Make sure to tip the captain at the end of the ride. The 40-minute rafting experience was amazing!
🕒 3:30 PM – Return to Shui E Di Dock
After rafting, take the ¥10 shuttle bus back to Shui E Di to collect your electric bike.
🕓 4:00 PM – Explore Ten-Mile Gallery
Ride your bike along the Ten-Mile Gallery route.
Tip: Do not search for “Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊)” on your navigation app. Instead, input “Gongnong Bridge (工农桥)” as your destination. You’ll pass by many scenic spots along the way—simply stop where there are lots of people, and take pictures! There are photographers along the road offering shots for ¥20-30 per picture, which is a much better deal than having them printed elsewhere.
🕕 6:00 PM – Return to West Street for Dinner & Return the Bike
Head back to West Street to return your bike and enjoy dinner. Then, make your way to the bus station to catch the return bus to Guilin.
🕕 7:30 PM – Bus Departure from West Street to Guilin
The bus back to Guilin departs at 7:30 PM. The journey will take around 1.5 hours, so you’ll arrive by 9:00 PM.
🕘 9:00 PM – Arrive in Guilin
Once back in Guilin, rent a shared electric bike to visit the iconic Sun and Moon Pagodas for their beautiful night view. Afterward, head to Zhengyang Street to explore and grab a late-night snack.