[2025 Guilin Attraction] Travel Guide for Zizhou Island (Updated Jul)

Guilin, Guangxi! It is a place with the best landscapes in the world, with thousands of years of civilization history, many historical attractions, and beautiful natural scenery~ ⛰️About the scenic area ✅Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill, Two Rivers and Four Lakes are all very close! Elephant Trunk Hill is now open to the public free of charge. If you come during the Spring Festival, there will be tulip flower shows in the nearby Zizhou Park, plum blossom shows in Xishan Park, etc. ✅There are a lot of people in Yangshuo during the Spring Festival. It is recommended to plan and prepare in advance. Queuing for popular attractions is a must. 😂In addition, during the Spring Festival, the government and public institution parking lots in Yangshuo are open to family cars🆓parking. ✅Don’t buy chicken blood jade, silverware, silk quilts in scenic spots... I feel like this can be found in many places across the country, so just be careful! 🏠About accommodation Guilin city is not big, you can stay anywhere, just take a taxi~ If you have enough budget, I recommend the area around the two rivers and four lakes, it is convenient to go anywhere Guilin landscape is the best in the world, the scenery is the most beautiful in ancient and modern times" Is Guilin landscape really the same as what the teacher said in class? "The boat sails on the blue waves, and people swim in the painting" Is Guilin landscape really so beautiful? You can only feel it if you really touch it and arrive in person! This Spring Festival winter vacation, take the whole family to Yangshuo, Guilin‼️[Grin]

#Mainland China Attractions Zizhou is opposite to Elephant Trunk Hill, 2,500 meters long, 500 meters wide, and has a total area of ​​about 1.25 square kilometers. According to historical records, it belonged to the Zi family, so it was called Zijiazhou, or Zizhou for short. Whenever it rains and the mist is hazy, the island is shrouded in a thin veil of mist, looming like a fairyland in Penglai, and is known as one of the eight scenic spots in Guilin - "Zizhou Misty Rain". As soon as I entered the park, I saw a giant bamboo slip, which was very spectacular. It turned out to be "Zijiazhou Pavilion" written by Liu Zongyuan🤗 There are lotus flowers blooming everywhere, the lotus leaves are lush, and the lotus flowers on the green lotus plate are pink and transparent. It is worth stopping to savor it carefully🌹 When you go to the Xiangshan Observation Deck, you must check in for a souvenir. Xiangshan is the confluence of Taohua River and Lijiang River. Its shape is very similar to an elephant drinking water, hence the name. It is 55 meters high, 108 meters long and 100 meters wide. It is very spectacular and is also a landmark of Guilin😍😍

1. Trip Overview ✅ Route: Guilin City → Yangshuo → Longji Terraced Fields (reverse off-peak, focusing on fewer crowds and beautiful scenery 💰 saving) ✅ Highlights: Check in at Li River bamboo raft, Yulong River sunset, Longji autumn colors, avoid being “fleeced” by tourist spots 2. Daily Itinerary + Pitfall Avoidance Guide 🔹 Day 1: Guilin City "Classic First Impression · Money-Saving Tips" 📍 Must-visit: 🌄 Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area: Don’t spend 💰50 on the main ticket! Head straight to "Zizhou Park" for a free distant view of Elephant Trunk Hill, tricky photo spots for great shots, saving enough for a bowl of rice noodles 🍜 🏯 Jingjiang Princes’ City: Tour the ancient palace and climb Duxiu Peak for a panoramic view of Guilin city (half price with student ID! Don’t buy expensive guided tours, eavesdrop on locals chatting about history) 🏮 Dongxi and Xixiang Alleys: Ming and Qing dynasty ancient streets for food and shopping, look for "Chongshan Rice Noodles" and "Old Dongjiang Rice Noodles," authentic Guilin rice noodles for 10 yuan, ignore tourist trap “ancestral” gimmick shops 💡 Avoid: Don’t take the 💰200+ Two Rivers and Four Lakes boat tour! For night tours, choose to walk around Rong Lake + Shan Lake, see the Sun and Moon Twin Towers and glass bridge night view, enjoy the atmosphere for free ✨ 🔹 Day 2: Yangshuo "Soul of Mountains and Rivers Check-in · Pitfall King" 📍 Activities: 🚢 Li River Bamboo Raft: Focus on the "Yangdi-Xingping section," a 20 yuan RMB iconic photo spot! Book tickets in advance on the "Guilin Tourism Official Platform," don’t trust overpriced black-market agents at the dock 🏘️ Xingping Ancient Town: Stroll the old street and try "Ai Leaf Baba," don’t buy overpriced “Li River rare stones,” they’re mass-produced goods… 🚴 Yulong River Cycling: Rent an electric bike to leisurely tour along the river (💰30/day), sunset at Gongnong Bridge 🌇 is breathtaking! Don’t join group “cycling packages,” freedom is better 🍜 Food: Xie Sanjie Beer Fish choose "Li River grass carp," don’t fall for “wild fish” price traps! Look for "Skinny Rice Noodles," a hidden delicious spot in an alley, 10 yuan fills you up 🔹 Day 3: Yangshuo "Deep Culture · Hidden Gems" 📍 Secret route: 🌿 Ten-Mile Gallery: Rent an electric scooter for a slow ride (💰30/day), visit Totem Ancient Road and Big Banyan Tree along the way, don’t buy combo tickets! 🌉 Fuli Bridge: Few people and beautiful scenery! Ancient bridge at the source of Yulong River, shoot bamboo rafts passing under 🚣♂️ 100% photo success rate, quieter than popular spots 🏨 Yangshuo Tangshe: Check in at the trendy hotel’s public area, see the clash of mountains, rivers, and old sugar factory architecture, take great photos for free, don’t waste money on expensive rooms 🍢 Food: Must-eat "Skinny Rice Noodles" hidden in alleys! Xie Sanjie Beer Fish choose live fish freshly killed, don’t fall for “sky-high fish” scams 🔹 Day 4: Longji Terraced Fields "Terrace Light and Shadow · Refuse to Be Overcharged" 📍 Activities: 🌾 Jinkeng Dazhai: Take the cable car to see the thousand-layer terraces (💰100 round trip), chase the sunset in the evening 🌄 Stay in Yao village wooden houses, experience long table feast + bonfire (choose homestays with meals included, don’t trust “tribe self-paid projects”) 🚌 Transport: Take a direct bus from Guilin North Bus Station (💰50/person), don’t join one-day tour groups! Travel freely and take photos as long as you want 💡 Tips: Visit in October-November for golden rice or April-May for water planting season! Don’t trust “guide ticket evasion,” buying tickets officially is worry-free and safe 🔹 Day 5: Guilin "Return Route · Efficient Check-in" 📍 Alternatives: For caves, choose "Reed Flute Cave" to see karst wonders (don’t buy expensive guided tours, follow the free audio guide to hear stories); For art lovers, rush to the "New Guilin Museum," beautiful architecture + comprehensive exhibits, free admission to learn more 🎁 Souvenirs: Buy "Guilin Maojian Tea" and "Osmanthus Cake," choose established brands (like "Huaqiao"), don’t buy “no brand packaging” goods from tourist spots 3. Total Cost Reference (Per Person 1500-2000 RMB 🔥) ✅ Transport: City taxis + intercity buses, keep within 💰200 ✅ Accommodation: City chain hotels + Yangshuo homestays, 4 nights about 💰600-800 ✅ Tickets: Elephant Trunk Hill (Zizhou free) + Li River bamboo raft + Longji Terraced Fields, about 💰300 ✅ Food: 💰50-80 per day, enjoy rice noodles, beer fish, Ai Leaf Baba

Who understands, family! Every day in Guilin I’m amazed: is this really a real place? 🌿 The mountains look like they stepped out of an ink painting, the water is like spilled emeralds, and even the air carries the sweet scent of osmanthus~ I’ve put together a super comprehensive guide, from morning tea to late-night snacks, from bamboo rafting to caves—follow it and you definitely won’t go wrong! 🌅 5 days 4 nights lazy itinerary (with daily expense reference) Day 1: Guilin city food tour ✅ Morning: [Elephant Trunk Hill] (free! Don’t buy the scenic area ticket! Navigate to “Zizhou Park,” the full view from across the river is even better 📸) ✅ Noon: [Chongshan Rice Noodles] (Jiefang West Road branch) eat braised meat noodles, add roasted pork + braised egg for 15 yuan, the soul is the secret marinade! ✅ Afternoon: [Jingjiang Princes’ City · Duxiu Peak] (ticket 100 yuan, student 50 yuan) climb the peak to overlook “Guilin city like a treasure basin,” the Ming dynasty prince stories told by the guide are super interesting ✅ Evening: [East and West Alleys] take ancient style photos (rent Hanfu 50 yuan/hour, makeup and styling 120 yuan), around the corner find “Wenying Pavilion” to drink osmanthus oolong tea (18 yuan/cup) ✅ Night: [Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise] (boat ticket 210 yuan, recommend “Wenchang Bridge Pier”) see the Sun and Moon Twin Towers lit up + Elephant Trunk Hill night view, the 8:00 PM boat has the fewest people! 💸 Daily expense: about 393 yuan/person Day 2: Li River highlights + Yangshuo West Street ✅ Arrive before 7:30 at [Yangdi Pier] for bamboo rafting (Yangdi to Nine Horses Painting Hill section, 120 yuan/person, manual raft!) ⚠️ Must see: spotting 7 or more horses on Nine Horses Painting Hill brings good luck! At Langshi Beach the raft worker stops for 5 minutes, the reflection “sitting in a painting” is amazing ✅ Noon: raft worker takes you to eat [Li River Fish Feast] (60 yuan per person, swordbone fish freshly killed and cooked, soup so fresh you lick the plate) ✅ Afternoon: from Xingping Pier take sightseeing bus (20 yuan) to [Xingping Ancient Town], find the 20 yuan RMB background photo spot (50 meters left of the pier, there’s a “best photo spot” stone tablet) ✅ Evening: taxi to Yangshuo (30 yuan), stay near West Street (recommend “Huamengjian,” loft river view room 180 yuan/night, balcony faces the mountains) ✅ Night: West Street food tour! [Xie Sanjie Beer Fish] order swordbone fish (108 yuan/jin, weighed fresh), with stuffed snails (38 yuan) + Lipu taro pork (48 yuan) 💸 Daily expense: about 478 yuan/person Day 3: Yulong River + Ten-Mile Gallery ✅ 8:00 go to [Yulong River bamboo raft] (Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian section, 255 yuan/person, must choose manual raft!) ⚠️ Hidden tip: ask the raft worker to stop 10 minutes at “Fuli Bridge,” the water is shallow and you can see the riverbed pebbles, photos look like glass water ✅ Noon: at Jiuxian Pier [Lao Gen Farmhouse Restaurant] eat braised chicken (58 yuan), with stir-fried pumpkin flowers (20 yuan), owner gives homemade sour plum soup ✅ Afternoon: rent electric bike (30 yuan/day) to circle [Ten-Mile Gallery], stop along the way: - Moon Hill (free, natural crescent is amazing) - Big Banyan Tree (don’t enter the scenic area! Just take a photo at the entrance, 20 yuan ticket not worth it) - Yulong River Trail (navigate to “Jima Pier,” walk 10 minutes along the river, few people and beautiful scenery) ✅ Evening: [Yangshuo Impression Show] (ticket 280 yuan, totally worth it! The “Guilin Rice Noodles” segment will make you hungry 😂) 💸 Daily expense: about 593 yuan/person Day 4: Silver Cave + Longji Terraces ✅ Morning: [Silver Cave] (ticket 65 yuan), follow the guide to see the “three wonders”: Fairyland of Yaochi, Musical Stone Screen, Snow Mountain Waterfall, cave temperature 18°C so bring a light jacket ✅ Noon: Yangshuo [Master Chef Beer Fish] simple meal (40 yuan per person, recommend tomato-flavored fish, not spicy, good for kids) ✅ Afternoon: self-drive or charter to Longji Terraces (2.5h, about 200 yuan per car), stay at Jinkeng Dazhai [Panorama Building] (view room 380 yuan/night, floor-to-ceiling windows facing terraces) ✅ Evening: take cable car (one way 70 yuan) to No.1 viewing platform, watch sunset dye terraces golden red, breathtaking! ✅ Night: eat [Bamboo Tube Rice] (15 yuan) + [Stir-fried Cured Meat with Fern] (35 yuan) at the guesthouse, listen to the landlady’s Zhuang ethnic stories by the fire pit 💸 Daily expense: about 550 yuan/person Day 5: Longji sunrise + return trip ✅ 6:30 climb No.2 viewing platform (Xishan Shaole) to watch sunrise (wear thick jacket! Early morning 15°C), when the sea of clouds flows over terraces it looks like a fairyland ✅ Morning: visit Ping’an Village, see “Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon” terraces (free, buy a cup of oil tea from villagers for 10 yuan, tastes great with fried rice) ✅ Noon: eat [Braised Terrace Duck] in the village (80 yuan/duck, firm meat, served with purple glutinous rice) ✅ Afternoon: return to Guilin city (2.5h), end of trip 🏡 Accommodation recommendations and warnings 👍 Recommended: - Guilin: [Lijiang Waterfall Hotel] (300 yuan/night, 8:30 PM artificial waterfall show, window faces Two Rivers and Four Lakes) - Yangshuo: [Beside the Water Hotel] (220 yuan/night, 5-minute walk to West Street, balcony bathtub faces Yulong River) - Longji: [Longji Terraces Yunxi Mountain Lodge] (260 yuan/night, Zhuang ethnic wooden building, owner offers free pick-up and drop-off at Dazhai entrance) 👎 Avoid: - “XX Inn” at Yangshuo West Street entrance: rooms as small as pigeon cages, bar noise at night keeps you awake - “Scenic Hotel” at Longji foot: 3 km from terraces, no real view, pure scam 🍜 Food recommendations and warnings (with hidden tips) 👍 Must eat: - Guilin rice noodles: add “braised meat + roasted pork + sour bamboo shoots” three-piece combo, then pour soup to make “soup noodles,” locals all eat this way - Oil tea: Longji’s oil tea with fried rice, peanuts, and fried dough, bitter then sweet, very addictive (ask owner for extra sugar if you dislike bitterness) - Osmanthus cake: freshly made at Yangshuo “Old West Street Osmanthus Shop,” 10 yuan/piece, soft with flowing filling, osmanthus flavor sticks to lips 👎 Avoid: - “Bamboo tube rice” in scenic areas: mostly pre-made, hard as stone, eat only if freshly steamed at villagers’ homes - “Sky-high priced fruit” on West Street: golden coconuts priced at 30 yuan, actually 15 yuan in city supermarkets 💡 Local insider tips 1. Don’t choose “motorized rafts” on Li River! They’re noisy and bumpy; manual rafts with blue life jackets are slow and scenic 2. Bargain for Yulong River bamboo rafts! At Jinlong Bridge Pier find the “Raft Workers’ Cooperative,” two people traveling together can save 20 yuan each 3. Longji Terraces are most beautiful when flooded in April-May and golden in September-October; fewer tourists November-March, lodging prices can be bargained down 30% 4. Don’t buy “Guilin’s three treasures” in scenic areas! Supermarkets in the city are half price; authentic fermented bean curd is “Huaqiao brand” 5. Don’t be sad on rainy days! Misty rain on Li River is legendary, like a living ink painting (bring a folding umbrella, scenic areas sell them for 50 yuan each) Dear friends, Guilin’s beauty is the kind that “stays in your heart at first sight”~ After 5 days, you’ll experience mountains, water, food, and culture comfortably for just over 2000 yuan per person! Check the weather before you go (rafts may stop in rain), ask me questions in the comments, I’ll definitely reply👇

Who can understand!! The scenery in Guilin is so beautiful that it leaves you speechless!! After coming back, 99+ people were chasing me for the travel guide... I stayed up all night to organize this. Follow this guide and you won't go wrong, every casual shot is like a Chinese ink painting! - • Travel Itinerary: 📅 D1: Morning: Elephant Trunk Hill + Two Rivers and Four Lakes-🛶 Afternoon: Li River Bamboo Raft Essence Tour D2: Morning: Yulong River Cycling-🏞 Afternoon: Silver Cave + Ten-Mile Gallery D3: Choose one between Longji Rice Terraces/Ancient Village - • Detailed Itinerary 📅 Day 1 🌿 Morning: Elephant Trunk Hill + Two Rivers and Four Lakes • Time: 8:30-12:00 • Highlights: o Elephant Trunk Hill (Symbol of Guilin, ticket 55 yuan, take a photo of the elephant drinking water at Viewing Platform 1) o Sun and Moon Twin Towers (Free exterior view, better at night) o Zizhou Park (Less crowded spot for a distant view of Elephant Trunk Hill, ticket 30 yuan) o Breakfast: Lao Dongjiang Rice Noodle Main Store (Marinated Noodles + Fried Pork, average 10 yuan per person) Tips: Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area is not large, recommended to spend 1-1.5 hours. Zizhou Park is less crowded and beautiful, perfect for taking photos. - 🛶 Afternoon: Li River Bamboo Raft Essence Tour • Time: 13:30-17:30 • Route: Yangdi → Nine-Horse Fresco Hill → Xingping (Electric Bamboo Raft 160 yuan/person) Activities: Check-in at the 20 yuan RMB background (10 minutes walk from Xingping Wharf) Tips: It is recommended to book the bamboo raft one day in advance to avoid queues. The path to Laozhai Mountain is steep, wear non-slip shoes, those with poor physical strength can choose not to climb to the top. •🌙 Evening: West Street in Yangshuo - Activities: "Impression Liu Sanjie"/"Eternal Love" live performance (tickets from 198 yuan, book in advance) Listen to folk songs at a bar in West Street (Recommended: Xiaoma's Sky, Meet Anan) - Tips: West Street is lively at night, but crowded, keep your belongings safe. "Impression Liu Sanjie" performance time is at 7:30 or 8:00 pm, arrive early. - 📅 Day 2: Yangshuo Secret Tour 🚴 Morning: Yulong River Cycling Time: 8:00-11:30 Route: Jima Wharf → Jiuxian (6km in total) Highlights: Internet-famous trail (Photos at the paddy field dam) Yulong River Artificial Bamboo Raft (Jinlong Bridge → Jiuxian section, double raft) - Tips: The cycling route is flat, suitable for beginners, rental fee about 20-30 yuan/day. It is recommended to book bamboo rafting in advance to avoid queues during peak season. - 🏞 Afternoon: Silver Cave + Ten-Mile Gallery Time: 14:00-18:00 Activities: Silver Cave ("Visit Silver Cave, never lack money in life", ticket 65 yuan) Moon Hill (Free ticket, take photos of the moon hole from the opposite Lijiang Village Viewing Platform) Gongnong Bridge Sunset (Watch bamboo rafts pass under the bridge) Tips: The interior of Silver Cave is slippery, wear non-slip shoes. Ten-Mile Gallery is best explored by renting an electric scooter, cost about 50 yuan/day. - 🍲 Evening: Guilin Cuisine Recommended: Chunji Roast Goose (Zhongshan Road Store, Roast Goose + Lipu Taro Stewed Pork, average 70 yuan per person) Mango Gang (Fresh Mango Smoothie + Mango Pudding, average 20 yuan per person) Tips: Chunji Roast Goose is very popular, it is recommended to queue in advance or dine during off-peak hours. - 📅 Day 3: Choose one between Longji Rice Terraces/Ancient Village 🌾 Option A: Longji Rice Terraces One Day Tour Time: 7:30-18:00 Route: Jinkeng Dazhai (Viewing Platform 1 "West Hill Music") Huangluo Yao Village (Long Hair Village Performance 80 yuan, experience making bamboo tube rice) Transportation: Guilin Station → Dazhai direct bus (50 yuan/person, 2.5 hours) Tips: Longji Rice Terraces are suitable for photography enthusiasts, bring a wide-angle lens. There is a lot of hiking in the terraces, wear comfortable sports shoes. - 🏡 Option B: Ancient Village Cultural Tour Time: 9:00-16:00 Route: Daxu Ancient Town (Ming Dynasty Wanshou Bridge + Old House Soy Milk Shop) Dongli Ancient Village (Experience intangible cultural heritage, Guilin ancient villages) Cuisine: Guo's Oil Tea (Served with Boat Cake + Fried Rice Noodles, average 30 yuan per person) - 🏷 Practical Tips 🍜 Must-Eat List Snacks: Nuoxiang Station Glutinous Rice (average 8 yuan per person), Haitian Rice Noodles (average 10 yuan per person) Main Courses: A Gan Restaurant (Steamed Swordfish, average 60 yuan per person), Tonglai Restaurant (Crispy Lotus Root Balls, average 50 yuan per person) Desserts: Aunt Xu's Sweet Soup (Corn Sweet Soup + Water Chestnut Cake, average 10 yuan per person) - ⚠ Notes Bamboo Raft Tips: Boatmen may hint at charging for photos, you can politely refuse, communicate in advance. Photography Advice: Best shooting times are May-June for misty Li River, September-October for golden Longji. Avoiding Scams: Street-side "cheap one-day tours" often include shopping stops, choose reputable travel agencies. Essentials: Mosquito repellent (many mosquitoes by Yulong River), waterproof phone case, sunscreen, comfortable sports shoes.

Zizhou is a large island on the Li River in downtown Guilin. It was developed into a great place for sightseeing in the Tang Dynasty. Liu Zongyuan, one of the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties, was invited to visit Zizhou Island from Liuzhou and wrote the earliest famous article praising Guilin's landscape, "Zijiazhou Pavilion". In 2009, the local government replanned and designed the construction of Zizhou Scenic Area, which was completed and opened in 2011. There are several attractions to visit Zizhou: First, the bamboo forest and Yan Pavilion, bamboo shadows in the Tang style, a good place to take ancient costume photos. Second, enjoy the maple leaves in autumn, the frosted leaves are redder than fire. Third, the pavilions and stone carvings on the island. Parking tips: Enter the underground parking lot in Fanhuali on the right side of the gate, there are many parking spaces and it is free