Guilin Airport (KWL): Map, Transport, Arrival & Departures

Guide to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) – covering T2 terminal features, free WiFi setup, ways to reach Guilin city/Yangshuo.

About Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)

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Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (IATA: KWL, ICAO: ZGKL) is the primary aviation hub for Guilin, a top tourist destination in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Opened in 1996, it expanded with Terminal 2 (T2) – officially launched in September 2019 – to handle growing passenger demand. T2 spans 105,000 square meters and serves as the core terminal for both domestic and international flights, connecting Guilin to major Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and international spots like Bangkok (Thailand) and Seoul (South Korea). As the gateway to Li River cruises and Yangshuo’s karst scenery, it welcomes millions of travelers annually.

Where is Guilin Airport located?

Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is located in Liangjiang Town, Xiqing District, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Exact address: Liangjiang Town, Xiqing District, Guilin City (Postal Code: 541106).

• Distance to key areas:
• • ≈28 km/17 mi from Guilin city center (1-hour drive via Guilin-Liangjiang Expressway).
  • ≈78 km/48 mi from Yangshuo (1.5-hour drive via Guilin-Yangshuo Expressway).
• Transport links: Adjacent to national highways and expressways, ensuring easy access by bus, taxi, or car.

How to Get to Guilin City or Yangshuo from the Airport

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1. To Guilin City Center

• Airport Bus (Line 1): Departs from the first floor of T2 (near Exit 2) and heads for Guilin Railway Station (in the city center). There is a bus every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The whole journey lasts for 60 minutes and costs 20 RMB (about 2.8 US dollars).
• Taxi: Official taxis are available on the first floor of T2 (near Exit 3). It takes 40 to 50 minutes to reach the city center, and the meter charges 80 to 100 yuan (approximately 11.1 to 13.9 US dollars).
• Ride-Hailing (Didi): Book through the Didi app. The driver will meet you at the designated ride-hailing area on the first floor of T2 (near Exit 4). The travel time is the same as that of a taxi, and the cost is 70 to 90 yuan (approximately 9.7 to 12.5 US dollars).

2. To Yangshuo

• Chartered Car: Make a reservation at the service desk on the 1st floor of T2. The direct journey takes 1.5 hours and costs 250 to 300 RMB (approximately 34.7 to 41.7 US dollars), suitable for groups or passengers with luggage.
• Bus + Intercity Bus: Take the Airport bus (Line 1) to Guilin Railway Station (20 yuan /≈2.8 US dollars, 60 minutes). Take an intercity bus from Guilin to Yangshuo (35 yuan /≈4.9 US dollars, 1.5 hours). The total cost is 55 yuan (approximately 7.6 US dollars).

Guilin Airport - Arrivals & Departures Guide

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Guilin Airport - Arrivals

1. After your flight lands, follow the instructions to T2 (where most flights arrive), and then go to the 1st floor (arrival area).
2. Collect your checked luggage on the carousel - the carousel number is displayed on the flight information screen.
3. Exit from Exit 1-4 on the first floor. Choose your mode of transportation: Take the airport bus at Exit 2, a taxi at Exit 3, or a ride at Exit 4.

Credit: china airline travel

Guilin Airport - Departures

1. Domestic flights arrive 2 hours before departure, and international flights arrive 3 hours before departure - the check-in counters for international flights will close earlier.
2. Go to T2’s 2nd Floor (departure area):
3. • Domestic flights: Check in at Gates 1 to 3. The counter opens two hours before takeoff and closes 40 minutes before takeoff.
   • International flights: Check in at Gate 4. The counter opens three hours before takeoff and closes 50 minutes before takeoff.
   • No checked luggage? Print your boarding pass at the self-service check-in machine (near Gate 1-2).
3. Go through security – have your ID/passport and boarding pass ready. You can’t bring liquids over 100ml in your hand luggage.
4. Wait for your flight:
5. • Domestic passengers: Head to the third floor of T2 (waiting area + Gates 1 to 15).
   • International passengers: At the waiting area on the 1st or 3rd floor (according to the signs).
5. Board your flight when the announcement is made - the boarding gate opens 30 minutes before takeoff.

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Guilin Airport - Terminal Map & Layout

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T2 is the most used terminal at Guilin Airport, with a 3-floor structure designed for clear passenger flow:

• 1st Floor (F1): Handles domestic/international arrivals, baggage claim (6 carousels), and transit services. It also includes the international waiting hall, Lost & Found, Bank of China, and airport bus ticket offices.
• 2nd Floor (F2): Serves domestic/international departures. Check-in counters are split by flight type:
• • Domestic check-in: Gates 1-3 (for airlines like China Eastern, Air China, Hainan Airlines).
  • International/Hong Kong/Macao check-in: Gate 4 (for Air Busan, AirAsia, EVA AIR).
    This floor also has security lanes (8 total) and the main departure hall entrance.
• 3rd Floor (F3): Features the domestic waiting hall with boarding gates (1-15) and a small “garden area” for passenger relaxation.
• Connectivity: T1 is a 3-minute walk from T2 via a covered walkway, used only during busy periods (e.g., holidays).
• Parking: Outdoor lot in front of T2 – CNY 5 (≈USD 0.7) for the first hour, CNY 2 (≈USD 0.3) per additional hour.

Guilin Airport Facilities, Lounges & Food

1. Passenger Facilities

• Information & Assistance:
• • Inquiries Counter: Located at Gate 3 (F2, Departures Hall) and F1 (Arrivals Hall). Open from 2 hours before the first domestic flight until the last flight of the day. Hotlines: (+86) 773-2845359, 2845303.
  • Lost & Found: F1 (Arrivals Hall), open 06:30-23:00. Hotline: (+86) 773-2845359.
• Banking & Currency: Bank of China (F1, Arrivals Hall) – open 09:00-16:40, offers cash withdrawal and currency exchange.
• Luggage Services: Storage in F1 (Arrivals Hall, CNY 10-20/≈USD 1.4-2.8 per item/day) and free luggage carts near baggage carousels.
• Free WiFi: Connect to SSID “Airport Free WiFi GuiLin” with these steps:
• 1. Select the WiFi network on your device.
  2. Open any webpage – a verification page will pop up; click “认证免费上网” (Verify for Free Access).
  3. For China mobile numbers: Enter your number, click “领取免费账号” (Get Free Account), and use the SMS code to log in.
  4. For non-China numbers: Get a password from self-ticketing kiosks or the Inquiries Counter.

2. Lounges

• Airline Lounges: China Southern Airlines Lounge (F2, near Gate 8) – for business class passengers or frequent flyers (free drinks, snacks, newspapers).
• Third-Party Lounge: “Guilin Airport VIP Lounge” (F2, near Gate 5) – accessible via Priority Pass or paid entry (CNY 80/≈USD 11.1 for 2 hours).

3. Food & Beverage

• Chinese fast food: chain stores like Kung Fu (steamed rice, 30-50 yuan /≈4.2-6.9 US dollars) and local Guilin rice noodles (15-25 yuan /≈2.1-3.5 US dollars).
• Coffee: Starbucks (F2, Departure Hall) and Luckin Coffee (F1, Arrival Hall) - The price of coffee and pastries is RMB 25-40, approximately 3.5-5.6 US dollars.
• Snacks: Convenience stores (7-Eleven,F1/F2) sell osmanthus cakes (local specialties) and bottled water (5-10 yuan /≈0.7-1.4 US dollars).

[8% Off] Hotels near Guilin Airport with Shuttle

For ​early flights or late arrivals at KWL, these Guilin hotels with shuttle are ideal for convenience: