Top Free Things to Do in Guilin

Guilin is located in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. As one of the first-class tourist cities in China, it enjoys a good reputation of ‘the landscape in Guilin is the best under heaven’. Guilin landscape is extremely famous for its unique karst landforms, more specifically speaking, for its ‘Four Wonders’, including beautiful mountains, clear water, peculiar caves and charming stones.

As a hot tourist destination both in China and all over the world, Guilin boasts abundant scenic spots, including Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Crown Cave and the Li River cruise etc. Besides these entrance fee charged ones, following is the top free things to do while in Guilin.

Walking Along the Li River

Li River is located in northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, originating from Mao’ershan in Ziyuan County of Guilin. Mao’ershan area has an excellent ecological environment, with thick plants and fresh air. The Li River joins Ling Canal in Rongjiang Town, flowing by Lingchuan, Guilin, Yangshuo and so on, finally feed into Xijiang, with an overall length of 437 kilometers. Thereinto, the 83 kilometers long Guilin to Yangshuo part is the popular and well-known one, with the most charming scenes.

Lijiang Scenic Area is regarded as the most beautiful karst landscape tourist area with largest scale in the world. Walking along the Li River, it is so much like wandering in a typical Chinese Ink Picture, with clear water, beautiful mountains, peculiar caves and charming stones etc. All of these will make people completely relaxed and refreshing.

Strolling Around the West Street

West Street is a local walking street in Yangshuo County of Guilin. It is located in the middle part of Yangshuo, to be one of the most important tourist destinations in Yangshuo. Gathering abundant cultures at home and abroad, a lot of foreigners can be found here, hence another nickname- Foreigner Street.

Most of architectures here are old houses of the 1960s or 1970s. Some even can be dated back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912). This street combines strong ethnic characteristics very well with the Western ones, for tourists not only can find Chinese traditional batiks, seals, as well as calligraphy here, but also enjoy themselves in bars, and Western Restaurants etc.

Meandering Around Rong Lake and Shan Lake Scenic Area

Rong Lake and Shan Lake are collectively called the ‘Rongshanhu Lake’, located in the centre of Guilin downtown, connecting with Taohua River in west and the Li River in east. Be linked together by Yang Bridge since ancient times, these two lakes are very much like two intimate sisters, hence the name.

Rong Lake is in the western Yang Bridge while Shan Lake is in the east side. As we all known, ‘Two Rivers and Four Lakes’ is the famous water system around Guilin City. Then, Rong Lake and Shan Lake Scenic Area is the best illustration of this pattern, together with charming environment and eye-catching sceneries.

Jiutian Yinhe Man-made Waterfall

There is a waterfall at the five-star Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel, which is called ‘Jiutian Yinhe’. It is the biggest man-made waterfall in the world till now. And it was listed into the Guinness book of World Records in 2002.

Located at southern Guilin Central Square, Jiutian Yinhe Manmade Waterfall is closed to Li River in east and Elephant Trunk Hill in south. Its upper part is 72 meters wide while the underpart is 75 meters. Water flows down along the curved glass curtain wall from more than 45 meters high, which is really amazing and miraculous. There are special viewing platforms offered here.

Address: No.1 Shanhu Bei Lu, Xiufeng District, Guilin

Ten-mile Gallery in Yangshuo

Located around the Moon Hill of Yangshuo, the Ten-mile Gallery is named for its picturesque sceneries along the way, including Dolphins Expelling Water, the Mountain of Flames, Qing’e Scenery, Camel Crossing the River, and Moon Hill etc.

With crystal clear water and beautiful sceneries, the best way to enjoy views here is cycling. In those days, President of the United States Carter visited Yangshuo and changed the already-arranged travel plan by car, but roaming here by bike.

Free Time at Zhengyang Pedestrian Street

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is called Zhengyang Street for short. It is located in the center of Guilin City, adjacent to the Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill Park and some other famous Guilin attractions. This walking street gathers leisure, shopping and entertainment in a whole, with an overall length of 666 meters and a width of about 13 meters.

Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is the most prosperous and popular place of Guilin. With several Chinese classical architectures, it gathers with famous brand name shops, restaurants, street snacks, shops on sale of local tourist souvenirs, and bars etc.

>>Recommended Tours in Guilin:
1 Day Downtown Guilin Sightseeing
2 Days Guilin, Li River & Yangshuo (A)
4 Days Guilin, Li River, Yangshuo Holiday
More Guilin Tours