📜 Introduction.
Guilin, with its rice fields, bamboo and manga scenery, is one of the most scenic cities in China.
Its nature looks as if it were taken straight from an animated film: karst mountains, terraced rice fields, and rivers with perfect curves. In just three days, you can experience a unique mix of culture, adventure, and breathtaking views. Guilin is an oasis for anyone looking to unwind and escape the chaos of China’s big cities.
Discover the landscapes that inspired Dragon Ball’s Mount Paozu with this 3-day itinerary in Guilin, surrounded by rice fields, bamboo and manga scenery.
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Day 1: Guilin City Centre.
Half the day slipped away on the train. I left Zhangjiajie at 7 AM, made a connection along the way, and reached Guilin in the early afternoon, around 4.30 PM.
After checking in, I dropped off my bags at the hotel and headed straight to the city center to explore the iconic Sun and Moon Pagodas. These twin towers, glowing beautifully at sunset, offer one of the most scenic views in Guilin. A walk around Shahu Lake is the perfect way to ease into the city’s calm atmosphere.
I ended my evening wandering through the streets and alleys nearby, enjoying street food, live music, and a relaxed vibe.
Day 2: Searching for Mount Paozu.
On my second day, I explored the area along the Lijiang River.
I had originally planned to visit another spot, but my taxi driver suggested changing course and heading to Xiatang to also try bamboo rafting.
It turned out to be the perfect choice. Xiatang is a lesser-known destination, much quieter and also closer to the city. After the rafting experience, I walked along the river, stopped at a small café, and continued my stroll through green fields and rolling hills.
These are also the landscapes that inspired Akira Toriyama when creating Mount Paozu, the iconic setting of Dragon Ball.
Day 3: Longji Rice Terraces.
I spent the third and final day exploring the Longji Rice Terraces, one of the most iconic landscapes in China.
It’s a full-day excursion, as it takes several hours to reach them from Guilin. The area offers numerous scenic viewpoints, including Ping’an, Dazhai, and Jinkeng. To visit them all and fully appreciate the beauty of the terraces, you need to dedicate the entire day to the trip.
🛏️ Where to Stay in Guilin.
I stayed for three nights at the Immersing Hotel, spending €115. The hotel is very charming, and the breakfast is excellent. Probably the best of all the hotels I’ve stayed in.
The only downside is that the pool isn’t as large or as beautiful as it looks in the photos. Additionally, it’s only accessible from 2 PM. onwards, so it’s not available in the morning.
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🍜 What to Eat in Guilin.
The local specialty is Guilin rice noodles. A must-try are those at Happy Rice Noodles (Xiangshan Branch) in the city center.
🎫 Where to Buy Tickets.
I bought all the tickets directly on site. Below, I’ve listed the costs:
- Longji Rice Terraces = €10
- Bamboo Rafting Experience = €25
💡 Travel Tips.
Even though Guilin is a fairly well-known and tourist-friendly city, it does not have a subway system. The streets, often intersected by the river and its branches, make getting around slow and sometimes tricky, even by taxi.
Reaching the Longji Rice Terraces or the river area for bamboo rafting takes several hours using public transportation. For this reason, I highly recommend leaving very early in the morning. Especially for Longji, the last shuttle bus back to Guilin departs around 5:00 p.m., so plan your day carefully to explore these stunning rice terraces at a relaxed pace.
Finally, if you decide to stay longer in Guilin, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy: a Li River cruise, a visit to the Elephant Trunk Hill, or exploring the area’s fascinating caves. On GetYourGuide, you can find many tours and activities in Guilin and the surrounding region.
🎈 Conclusion.
Guilin is a destination that surprises at every turn, with breathtaking rice fields, bamboo, and manga scenery.
In just three days, you can experience the best of the region, from nature and culture to adventure. It’s the kind of trip that stays in your heart, showing just how diverse and surprisingly relaxing China can be.
💬 And you? Have you ever visited a place that left you completely speechless, like Guilin?
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