Qianling Mausoleum of Empress Wu Zetian, a journey through 1,300 years of wind and snow
caeryn_6476
2
yangshuo
Yangshuo — What to See, Eat & Do
OliverKiss
Guilin & Yangshuo 4 Days 3 Nights | Real Expenses | Relaxed Itinerary for a Laid-back Trip ✨
Avoid the crowds❗ This budget-friendly way to play in Guilin and Yangshuo is so comfortable.
Departing from Hangzhou, I tested this itinerary myself—no rushing, just enjoying the scenery, eating good food, and taking photos. I've included the full costs, so just copy this plan if you want to go!
✈️ Transportation | Hangzhou ➡️ Guilin
Flight: CNY 803
🏨 Accommodation 3 nights | No hassle of moving around
▪️D1 Guilin downtown |
Arrive and stay downtown, stroll through Dongxi Alley, eat local late-night snacks, and rest up.
▪️D2 Xingping Ancient Town homestay |
🎉 Highly recommend staying in Xingping! It's quiet and less crowded. You're right by the Li River, you can see the 20 RMB note background, and there are almost no tourists by the river in the early morning.
🌸 I really don't think the cruise is necessary; 3 hours is exhausting, and you have to queue for tickets.
The homestay I stayed at 🏨 is huge and beautiful. The large floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto high mountains ⛰️ and greenery. It's stunning.
p3-9 🏞️ I also went to a "Century-Old House Restaurant & Bar." The decor is Chinese-Nanyang style. It's very quiet—you can read books and drink coffee. The owner is also very talkative and interesting. You must go; it's very photogenic. You can also listen to jazz and have some cocktails in the evening.
▪️D3 Yangshuo West Street |
Convenient for going out, shopping, and eating snacks. The night market atmosphere is full of energy in the evening.
🚗 Travel expenses
Chartered car: CNY 209.8
Route: Guilin downtown → Ten-Mile Gallery → Li River → Xingping Ancient Town
Rideshare total: CNY 245.9
🍲 Food collection | Total cost CNY 678
✔️ Beer fish: A must-eat in Yangshuo. The fish is fresh and tender, and the sauce is rich and goes great with rice.
✔️ Snail and duck feet hot pot: The duck feet are soft, tender, and flavorful; the snails are fresh. The longer you cook it, the more fragrant it gets.
✔️ Local barbecue: Small roadside shops have a great authentic vibe.
💡 Tip: Try to avoid the "internet-famous" shops at the entrance of West Street. Look for restaurants deeper in the alleys that locals frequent; they offer better value.
📷 Travel photography | CNY 599 + CNY 150 (retouching)
Includes makeup + styling + photography. The landscape background makes for amazing photos.
🗓 4-day relaxed itinerary
Day 1: Fly from Hangzhou to Guilin → Check in downtown → Stroll through Dongxi Alley → Eat duck feet hot pot for a late-night snack
Day 2: Depart from Guilin → Li River cruise → 20 RMB background photo op → Ten-Mile Gallery, stay in Xingping Ancient Town, walk by the river in the evening to watch the sunset
Day 3: Leisurely stroll in Xingping Ancient Town, head to Yangshuo in the afternoon, visit Yulong River, stroll through West Street night market and eat barbecue in the evening
Day 4: Free time in Yangshuo, take photos, buy souvenirs, return trip
💡 Practical tips to avoid pitfalls
1. For Ten-Mile Gallery, I recommend chartering a car or using an e-scooter. Don't buy overpriced local specialties on the side of the road.
2. For taxis in West Street, prioritize ride-hailing apps. Hailing cars on the street often leads to price gouging.
3. Buy Li River cruise tickets in advance. You must book ahead during peak season.
4. The Li River in the early morning in Xingping is the most beautiful time of the day. It's worth waking up early.
The whole trip was at a comfortable pace. The landscapes really heal the soul 🌿
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