Sample itinerary, South China
Guangxi itinerary: 7 days from Guilin to Detian Waterfall
In 7 days you can see Guangxi's two landscapes: the karst rivers and rice terraces around Guilin and Yangshuo, then the quieter border country around Mingshi and Detian Waterfall. Fly into Guilin and out of Nanning. There is no altitude to worry about; the main effort is one 5 to 6 hour drive west. Go between April and October.
Elevation of the main stops, on the same 0–4,000 m scale we use for all three regions. The dashed line marks 3,000 metres, where we keep the first evening light.
- Length
- 7 days, one way
- Arrive
- Guilin (KWL)
- Depart
- Nanning (NNG)
- Best months
- April to October
- Highest night
- Longji terraces, about 800 m
- Driving
- Short days, plus one 5 to 6 hour drive west
Day by day
As you read, the map draws the route to where each day ends. The bar shows that night's elevation on the same 0–4,000 m scale; the tick marks 3,000 metres.
- Day 1
Arrive in Guilin
Settle in and walk the lakes in the city centre in the evening, when the pagodas are lit. Guilin is a base, not the highlight; one night is enough.
- Day 2
Longji rice terraces
Drive north into the terraces and stay overnight in a guesthouse in Ping'an or Dazhai so you see them at sunset and sunrise without day-trip crowds. Walks range from 30 minutes to half a day.
- Day 3
Li River to Yangshuo
Take the Li River cruise, or a raft on the Xingping stretch for the view on the 20-yuan note. Continue to a countryside hotel outside Yangshuo town.
- Day 4
Yangshuo countryside
Cycle or raft along the Yulong River, walk the village lanes between the karst peaks, or take a cooking class. Leave the afternoon free; Yangshuo rewards doing less.
- Day 5
Yangshuo to Mingshi
The long day of the trip, heading west toward the Vietnam border. Mingshi's valley of karst peaks and rice fields is the reward; stay two nights so the drive is worth it.
- Day 6
Detian Waterfall
Visit Detian, Asia's largest transnational waterfall, shared with Vietnam's Ban Gioc. In the dry months the flow depends on water released upstream, so we check the day's timing locally. Then return to Mingshi for an afternoon of bamboo rafting or village walks.
- Day 7
To Nanning and departure
Drive to Nanning for your flight or the high-speed train. Add the coast at Beihai and Weizhou Island only if you have three or four more nights.
Is this route right for you?
It suits you if
- It is your first time in China and you want scenery without altitude.
- You like walking, cycling or rafting at your own level.
- You are happy with simpler hotels for two nights in the border country.
Choose something else if
- Every night must be in an international five-star hotel.
- You want Guilin, Detian and Weizhou Island in one week.
When to go
- April to June
- Green landscapes and water in the terraces. Expect rain; plan indoor alternatives.
- July and August
- Hot and humid, with the strongest waterfall flow. Start early and rest at midday.
- September and October
- Golden terraces before harvest, clearer light and easier temperatures. Avoid October 1–7.
Where to stay
- Guilin
- A practical city hotel near the lakes for one night.
- Longji
- A guesthouse inside the terraces; simple rooms, extraordinary views.
- Yangshuo
- A countryside retreat along the Yulong River rather than in Yangshuo town.
- Mingshi
- The best available valley lodge; standards are simpler, so we check rooms first.
The 14-day version
With two weeks, add Dong villages in Sanjiang before the terraces, Tongling Grand Canyon and Goose Spring in Jingxi after Mingshi, then finish on the coast at Beihai and Weizhou Island.
- Days 8–9: Sanjiang Dong villages and wind-and-rain bridges
- Days 10–11: Jingxi, Goose Spring and Tongling Grand Canyon
- Days 12–13: Beihai and Weizhou Island, ferry and weather permitting
- Day 14: Fly home from Beihai or Nanning
Not every place in Guangxi fits one route. See what else there is, grouped by interest, and tell us which draws you.
Have this route planned for your dates
Every sample here changes with your dates, party and pace. This route fits our Essentials trip design (US$190). Add the WhatsApp concierge for help while you are on the road, or ask us to pass the final plan to a licensed partner agency to book hotels, drivers and guides.
Guangxi itinerary questions
Do Americans need a visa for this Guangxi route?
Yes. The 240-hour visa-free transit area in Guangxi covers Guilin, Yangshuo and Nanning but not Chongzuo, where the Detian waterfall is, so this itinerary needs a tourist (L) visa. Our visa guide explains the process.
Is 7 days enough for Guangxi?
Yes for Guilin, Longji, the Li River, Yangshuo and the Detian border area. Adding the coast at Beihai and Weizhou Island needs three to four more nights.
Is the Li River cruise worth it?
The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the comfortable choice: a half day on a large boat. The motorised rafts at Xingping cover the most famous stretch, including the 20-yuan note view, in a shorter open-air trip, and stop in heavy rain or high water. The Yulong River near Yangshuo is the calmest of the three.
How far is Detian Waterfall from Guilin?
About 7 hours by road. That is why this itinerary moves west via Yangshuo and stays two nights in Mingshi, about an hour from the falls.
When is Detian Waterfall at its best?
June to September brings the fullest flow. In the dry season, from December to March, the falls can be much thinner.
Is Guangxi good for an easy-paced trip?
Yes. There is no altitude, and every activity can be shortened. Two nights in Yangshuo and two in Mingshi keep hotel changes down.
Planning Guangxi?
Tell us your dates and who is traveling. The route check is free.