Best Locations to Stay in Guilin – Complete Area Guide for Every Traveler
Planning a trip to Guilin and wondering where to stay? Choosing the right neighborhood can transform your visit from “nice” to “unforgettable”. Guilin is more than just a city – it’s a whole region that includes the lively city center, the dreamy karst peaks of Yangshuo, and the legendary rice terraces of Longji. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best locations to stay in Guilin, explain who each area is perfect for, and share practical tips to help you decide.
How to Choose the Best Area to Stay in Guilin
Before we dive into specific neighborhoods, it helps to think about your travel style. Guilin is spread out, and the main sights are not all in one place. For the perfect trip, many travelers combine at least two different bases. Use the quick guide below to decide where to stay in Guilin:
- First-time visitors & short stays (1–2 nights): Stay in Guilin City Center near the Two Rivers & Four Lakes or Elephant Trunk Hill.
- Nature lovers & outdoor activities: Choose Yangshuo, especially the Yulong River countryside or Ten Mile Gallery area.
- Culture & photography fans: Spend a night in Longji / Longsheng rice terraces villages like Ping’an or Dazhai.
- Shopping & local nightlife: Stay around Wanda Plaza or Qixing (Seven Star) district.
- Early flights or late arrivals: Consider a night near Guilin Liangjiang International Airport.
Now, let’s break down each area in detail so you can decide exactly where to stay in Guilin for your dream trip.
Guilin City Center – Best for First-Timers & Short Trips
If it’s your first time in Guilin, the city center is usually the smartest base. It’s the transportation hub of the region and a convenient starting point for Li River cruises, day trips to Longji Terraces, and evening walks around the illuminated lakes. Many hotels are within walking distance of famous sights like Elephant Trunk Hill and the Sun & Moon Pagodas.
Two Rivers & Four Lakes Area (Ronghu & Shanhu Lakes)
For many travelers, this is the best location to stay in Guilin city. The Two Rivers & Four Lakes area surrounds a chain of lakes and canals that light up beautifully at night. From here you can easily:
- Walk to the Sun & Moon Pagodas on Shanhu Lake.
- Join an evening lake cruise right next to your hotel.
- Reach pedestrian streets, shops, and restaurants on foot.
Hotels here range from boutique guesthouses with lake views to international chains with rooftop terraces overlooking the water and hills. It’s a great mix of convenience and scenery – ideal if you only have one or two nights in the city.
Xiangshan Area (Elephant Trunk Hill & Riverside)
Just south of the central lakes lies the Xiangshan district, home to Guilin’s iconic Elephant Trunk Hill. Staying near the riverside puts you close to:
- The entrance to Elephant Trunk Hill Park.
- Li River viewpoints and small riverside promenades.
- Cafés and hotels that frame the hill perfectly for sunrise or sunset photos.
This area suits travelers who love to step out of their hotel and immediately see a landmark. Many riverfront properties also offer easy access to taxi or ride-share pickup points for the Li River cruise dock in the morning.
Xiufeng & Diecai – Local Vibe and Great Value
To the north of the lakes you’ll find Xiufeng and Diecai districts. These areas are known for:
- Closer access to Reed Flute Cave and Folded Brocade (Diecai) Hill.
- A more local, less touristy atmosphere.
- Plenty of mid-range and budget hotels with good value.
This is a solid choice if you’re staying longer in Guilin city and want a quieter base without being too far from the center. Public buses and taxis make it easy to reach the lakes and pedestrian streets.
Yangshuo – Best for Nature, Adventure & Nightlife
Many travelers say that their trip to Guilin only truly “comes alive” when they reach Yangshuo. Surrounded by steep karst peaks and the winding Li and Yulong rivers, Yangshuo is paradise for cyclists, hikers, and anyone who loves open-air adventures. It’s also the endpoint for the classic Li River cruise, so staying here makes a lot of sense.
West Street & Downtown Yangshuo
West Street is Yangshuo’s lively heart – packed with cafés, bars, hostels, and boutique hotels. Stay here if you:
- Enjoy nightlife, street food, and people-watching.
- Want everything within a short walk: bike rentals, tour agencies, bus stops.
- Prefer social hostels or small guesthouses with a backpacker atmosphere.
It can get noisy at night, especially on weekends, so if you’re sensitive to sound, choose a side street or a hotel a little further from the main bar strip.
Yulong River & Ten Mile Gallery Countryside
For a calmer base, head out of town into the Yulong River valley or the scenic Ten Mile Gallery area. Here you’ll find:
- Small resorts and guesthouses hidden among rice fields and bamboo groves.
- Easy access to cycling routes, bamboo rafting, and viewpoint hikes.
- Starry night skies and quiet mornings with mist around the peaks.
This is one of the best places to stay in Guilin region for couples and photographers. You can still reach West Street by taxi or hotel shuttle, but your base is peaceful and scenic rather than busy and loud.
Xingping Ancient Town – For Iconic Li River Scenery
If you’ve seen the image of the fisherman on a bamboo raft with towering peaks behind him – that’s Xingping. Staying in this old town puts you right next to some of the most famous viewpoints along the Li River.
Expect a mix of traditional guesthouses in old stone buildings and modern boutique hotels hidden down narrow lanes. Xingping is quieter than Yangshuo town at night, making it perfect if you want early-morning walks along the river or hikes to panoramic lookouts before the day-trippers arrive.
Longji / Longsheng Rice Terraces – Best for Culture & Mountain Views
While many people visit the Longji Rice Terraces (also called Longsheng Terraces) on a day trip, staying overnight is a completely different experience. The terraces stretch across steep mountains, and several minority villages are perched among the fields.
Ping’an Village – Classic Terraces & Easy Access
Ping’an is the most popular place to stay in the terraces area. From here, well-marked walking trails connect several lookouts, and you’ll find a good selection of guesthouses and inns with balconies overlooking the rice fields.
Stay in Ping’an if you want:
- Relatively easy walking paths with spectacular views.
- Simple but comfortable rooms with terrace panoramas.
- Traditional meals cooked by local Zhuang families.
Dazhai & Jinkeng – Quieter and More Dramatic
Dazhai and the Jinkeng area feel wilder and have some of the most dramatic terrace shapes. The climbs here are steeper but the viewpoints are incredible, especially at sunrise. If you enjoy hiking and don’t mind a bit of effort, spending a night here will be unforgettable.
Wanda Plaza, Qixing & High-Tech Zone – For Shoppers & Foodies
If you want to mix sightseeing with modern comforts, consider staying near Wanda Plaza or in the Qixing (Seven Star) district. This part of town has large malls, cinemas, and a big choice of restaurants. It’s also close to Seven Star Park, one of Guilin’s major urban green spaces.
This area suits:
- Families who appreciate easy access to shops and indoor activities.
- Travelers who prefer contemporary hotels and apartment-style stays.
- Visitors on business who also want to squeeze in some sightseeing.
Airport & Railway Station Areas – Practical One-Night Stops
If you land late at night or have an early plane to catch, staying near Guilin Liangjiang International Airport can be convenient. The airport is about 25–30 km from the city center, and while there are more hotel options in town, a few properties close to the terminals are handy for short layovers.
Near Guilin Railway Stations
Guilin has several railway stations, including the classic Guilin Station and the more modern Guilin North. Around each station you’ll find budget hotels and simple guesthouses. These are good options if:
- You’re arriving late by train and leaving again early the next morning.
- You want the cheapest possible overnight stop.
- You don’t mind sacrificing scenery for convenience.
For most travelers, it’s still worth heading straight to the city center if time allows, as the atmosphere and views are much better there.
Suggested Stay Combinations in Guilin
Still wondering where to stay in Guilin for your specific trip length? Here are a few sample combinations:
2–3 Days in Guilin
- Night 1: Guilin City Center (Two Rivers & Four Lakes or Xiangshan)
- Night 2: Yangshuo (West Street or Yulong River countryside)
This gives you a taste of the city lights plus one night surrounded by karst peaks.
4–5 Days in Guilin
- Night 1: Guilin City Center.
- Night 2–3: Yangshuo (Yulong River or Ten Mile Gallery).
- Night 4: Back to Guilin or at the airport/railway area if you have an early departure.
6–7 Days in Guilin
- Night 1: Guilin City Center.
- Night 2–3: Longji / Longsheng rice terraces (Ping’an or Dazhai).
- Night 4–6: Yangshuo (split between West Street and Yulong River if you like).
This longer itinerary lets you enjoy all the best locations to stay in Guilin: city, countryside, and the mountains.
Final Tips for Booking Accommodation in Guilin
To wrap things up, here are a few last tips that will help you choose the right stay:
- Check distances carefully: Some “Guilin” or “Yangshuo” hotels are actually outside the central areas. Look at the map before booking.
- Read recent reviews: Guest feedback changes over time, so focus on comments from the last few months for accuracy.
- Consider travel time: Roads to Yangshuo and Longji can be winding. Avoid packing too many hotel changes into a short trip.
- Match your base to your activities: If your main goal is cycling and rafting, prioritize Yangshuo; if you’re catching an early Li River cruise, staying in Guilin city the night before is easiest.
- Book early in peak seasons: Golden Week, national holidays, and summer can fill up quickly, especially popular riverside and terrace-view rooms.
Guilin is one of those rare places where choosing the right area to stay genuinely changes how you experience the destination. Whether you prefer bright city lights on the lakes, peaceful village mornings in Yangshuo, or misty sunrises over rice terraces, there’s a perfect base waiting for you. Use this guide to pick your favorite neighborhood, and you’ll be one big step closer to an unforgettable Guilin adventure.
