Guilin by Bike: Best Cycling Routes

Cycling through Guilin is one of the most immersive ways to experience its legendary karst landscapes, winding rivers, and rural charm. Unlike crowded tour buses, a bike allows you to explore hidden trails, interact with locals, and stop whenever a breathtaking view demands your attention. Whether you're a casual rider or an avid cyclist, Guilin offers routes that cater to all skill levels. Here are the best cycling routes to discover the heart of Guangxi’s natural beauty.

The Classic: Yangshuo Countryside Loop

Route Overview

Distance: ~20 km
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Rice paddies, limestone peaks, local villages

No trip to Guilin is complete without cycling through Yangshuo’s iconic countryside. Start in Yangshuo town and head toward the Yulong River Valley. The flat terrain makes it accessible for beginners, while the scenery—rolling fields framed by jagged karst mountains—is nothing short of spectacular.

Must-See Stops

• Yulong River Bridges: Cross ancient stone bridges and watch bamboo rafts drift downstream.
• Xianggong Hill: A short detour leads to one of the best panoramic views in the region.
• Moon Hill: Pedal to this natural arch for a quick hike and unbeatable photo ops.

Pro Tip: Rent a bike in Yangshuo (plenty of shops offer quality rentals for under $5/day) and grab a local map. Many routes are well-marked, but getting "lost" in the villages often leads to the best discoveries.

The Adventure: Longsheng Rice Terraces

Route Overview

Distance: ~50 km (with shuttle options)
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: Dragon’s Backbone Terraces, ethnic minority culture

For those seeking a tougher ride, the journey to Longsheng’s rice terraces delivers thigh-burning climbs and jaw-dropping rewards. The terraces, carved into mountainsides by the Zhuang and Yao people over centuries, resemble giant staircases to the sky.

Key Sections

• Ping’an Village: The most accessible terraces, with winding paths perfect for cycling breaks.
• Dazhai Village: Less touristy, with homestays offering hearty meals and cultural exchanges.

Note: The uphill sections are steep—consider an e-bike or shuttle part of the way. Autumn (harvest season) and spring (water-filled terraces) are the best times to visit.

The Riverside Escape: Li River Trail

Route Overview

Distance: ~30 km (one way)
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Riverside scenery, fishing villages, cormorant fishermen

Follow the Li River from Guilin to Xingping, passing postcard-perfect landscapes immortalized in Chinese art. The route is mostly flat, with paved paths and quiet backroads.

Don’t Miss

• Nine Horses Fresco Hill: Spot the hidden "horses" in the cliff face.
• Xingping Ancient Town: The backdrop of the 20 RMB note photo.

Local Flavor: Stop at riverside cafes for Guilin米粉 (rice noodles) or watch fishermen with trained cormorants—a dying tradition still practiced here.

The Hidden Gem: Guilin to Daxu Ancient Town

Route Overview

Distance: ~25 km (round trip)
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Ming-era architecture, rural tranquility

Escape the tourist trail with a ride to Daxu, a sleepy town frozen in time. The route follows the漓江 (Li River) before veering into farmland dotted with water buffalo and lotus ponds.

Explore

• Qing Dynasty Slate Street: Wander the well-preserved trading hub.
• Handicraft Workshops: Watch artisans make traditional oil-paper umbrellas.

Insider’s Pick: Visit in June when the lotus flowers bloom, turning nearby ponds into pink seas.

The Epic Challenge: Guilin to Sanjiang

Route Overview

Distance: ~150 km (multi-day)
Difficulty: Expert
Highlights: Dong minority culture, wind-and-rain bridges

This multi-day trek is for serious cyclists. Ride north to Sanjiang, home to the Dong people, whose wooden drum towers and covered bridges are architectural marvels.

Cultural Highlights

• Chengyang Bridge: An 800-foot-long covered bridge built without nails.
• Buluo Songs: Evening performances of Dong polyphonic folk music.

Logistics: Pack light but include rain gear—mountain weather is unpredictable. Homestays in Sanjiang offer warm hospitality and home-cooked chili fish.

Tips for Cycling in Guilin

• Best Seasons: Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) avoid summer heat and crowds.
• Bike Rentals: Opt for mountain bikes or e-bikes for hilly terrain. Many hostels offer rentals.
• Etiquette: Yield to water buffalo, greet farmers with a nod ("Nǐ hǎo" works wonders), and carry cash for roadside snacks.
• Safety: Helmets aren’t always provided—bring your own. Avoid cycling at night; rural roads lack lighting.

Guilin’s cycling routes blend physical adventure with cultural immersion. Whether you’re gliding past rice fields or conquering mountain passes, two wheels unlock a slower, deeper connection to this land of peaks and rivers. So pump those tires, grab a map, and let the karst cliffs guide your way.