The frantic pace of modern life demands an antidote. For those trapped in the concrete labyrinths of megacities, the perfect remedy isn't found in a pill, but in a place—a stretch of river and karst between Guilin and Xingping. This isn't just a trip; it's a gentle immersion into a living Chinese landscape painting, a weekend journey that recalibrates the soul. Forget complicated itineraries; the magic here is in the slow unraveling of scenery so iconic, it feels both dreamlike and deeply familiar.
The journey from the city of Guilin to the ancient town of Xingping traces the lifeline of this region—the Li River. It’s a corridor of tranquility, a 60-kilometer-long gallery of natural art that has inspired poets and painters for over a thousand years. A weekend is just enough time to taste its essence, to let the mist-shrouded peaks and bamboo-lined banks work their quiet magic on you.
Your adventure begins as you step off the train or plane into Guilin. The city itself is more of a pleasant preamble than the main event, a bustling hub that has managed to retain pockets of stunning natural beauty. Don't rush through it; instead, use the evening to gently acclimate.
Choose a hotel along the banks of the Shanhu Lake or the Li River for an immediate connection to the water. As dusk settles, the city's iconic pagodas, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, begin to glow, their reflections shimmering in the dark water. This is your first postcard moment. A leisurely stroll around the lakes is a must. The air is fresh, filled with the chatter of locals and the distant hum of the city, all under the watchful gaze of the first karst peaks, illuminated against the night sky.
No arrival is complete without diving into the local cuisine. For dinner, venture to Zhengyang Pedestrian Street or a quieter local joint. Your mission: to try Guilin's world-famous Guilin Mi Fen (Guilin Rice Noodles). Don't be intimidated by the DIY process of adding pickled vegetables, peanuts, chili, and pork. This simple, flavorful dish is the true taste of the city. Follow it up with a local beer, Li Quan, a light lager that perfectly complements the humid evening.
This is the day you've been waiting for. The crown jewel of the Guilin experience is the Li River cruise to Yangshuo. While Yangshuo is the final stop for the cruise, our ultimate destination is the more authentic Xingping, just a short ride beyond.
The cruise departs from the Zhujiang Pier, and from the moment you set off, the world transforms. The city noise fades, replaced by the gentle chugging of the boat and the lapping of water. Then, the peaks begin. They rise from the riverbanks like mythical creatures—some named for their shapes, like "Elephant Trunk Hill," which you'll pass early on, and others left to your imagination.
The next four hours are a lesson in serenity. You'll glide past water buffalo cooling off in the river, fishermen with their trained cormorant birds (though often for show these days), and bamboo rafts drifting lazily. The karst formations change with the light and perspective, a dynamic masterpiece of nature. Have your camera ready, but also take time to simply sit on the deck, feel the breeze, and absorb the view that has made this river famous across the globe.
Arriving in Yangshuo's bustling Xingping dock can be a slight shock to the system after the river's peace. Yangshuo is a vibrant, tourist-friendly town with its famous West Street, a kaleidoscope of shops, bars, and international restaurants. It's worth a quick walk-through, but for a more intimate and historically rich experience, we press on.
From Yangshuo, a 45-minute bus or taxi ride brings you to Xingping. This is where you feel the shift. The crowds thin, the pace slows, and the authentic character of the region comes to the fore.
As you enter Xingping, you are stepping back in time. This ancient town, with over 1,700 years of history, was once a prosperous trading hub. Its charm lies in its old-world architecture, its cobbled streets, and its direct, unpretentious relationship with the river.
Check into a guesthouse, perhaps one with a balcony overlooking old tiled roofs or a courtyard filled with the scent of osmanthus flowers. The atmosphere here is palpably different—quieter, more contemplative.
With the major cruise behind you, the rest of the weekend is about deep immersion. Xingping is not a place to be "done"; it's a place to be "felt."
No visit to Xingping is complete without the pilgrimage to the viewpoint immortalized on the back of China's 20 RMB note. It's a short, pleasant walk from the town. When you arrive, take out your bill and hold it up. The reality before you—the gentle curve of the river, the fisherman (often a model posing for photos) on his bamboo raft, and the majestic karst peaks in the background—is a surreal moment of connection between art, currency, and nature. The best light for photography is at sunrise or sunset, when the sky paints the landscape in hues of gold and pink.
Dedicate a few hours to getting lost in the maze of ancient streets. The old buildings, with their grey bricks and upturned eaves, tell silent stories of a bygone era. For a panoramic reward, take a hike up Laozhai Mountain. The climb is steep but manageable, and the view from the top is arguably the most spectacular in the entire region. You'll see the Li River winding like a jade ribbon through a forest of peaks—a breathtaking, 360-degree vista that puts the entire landscape into perspective.
While the Li River is grand, the Yulong River, often accessed from Yangshuo but easily arranged from Xingping, offers a more personal and peaceful water experience. Here, you ride on genuine, smaller bamboo rafts, often poled by a local. The river is quieter, narrower, and shaded by lush foliage. You'll pass under ancient stone bridges and through shallow rapids, the sound of the water and the pole dipping being the only interruptions. It's a quintessential and unforgettable Guilin experience.
Xingping's food scene is less international and more fiercely local. Beer Fish, a regional specialty where fresh river fish is braised in a savory sauce with local beer, tomatoes, and peppers, is an absolute must-try. Enjoy it at a small family-run restaurant with a view of the old street.
For souvenirs, skip the mass-produced trinkets. Look for local specialties like chili sauce, osmanthus cake, or handmade scrolls of the very landscape you're standing in. You are not just buying an object; you are taking home a tangible piece of the Li River's cultural heritage.
As your weekend draws to a close, the journey back to reality is simple. Xingping is well-connected by bus to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) or the Guilin train stations. The transition from the timeless beauty of the karsts to the modern efficiency of the transport hub is swift, but the feeling of tranquility, the memory of the misty peaks and the gentle river, will linger long after you've returned home. This short getaway is more than a break; it's a reset, a reminder of the profound beauty that exists just a weekend away.
Copyright Statement:
Author: Guilin Travel
Link: https://guilintravel.github.io/travel-blog/guilin-to-xingping-the-perfect-weekend-getaway.htm
Source: Guilin Travel
The copyright of this article belongs to the author. Reproduction is not allowed without permission.