Forget the postcards for a moment. The true essence of Guilin isn’t just found on a Li River cruise or atop the karst peaks of Yangshuo. It’s in the rhythmic hum of its streets, in the daily dance of its people moving from point A to point B. As a local, I’ve come to understand that our public transport system is more than a utility; it’s a living, breathing narrative of the city itself—a story of ancient waterways meeting modern ambitions, of tourist hotspots and hidden local lanes. If you want to see Guilin through our eyes, leave the private car tours behind for a day. Here’s your insider’s guide to navigating the city like we do.
The bus network is the city’s arterial system. It’s extensive, affordable (a flat fare, usually 2 RMB, with a travel card), and it goes almost everywhere a traveler could want.
Certain bus lines are attractions in their own right. Bus 58 is a legendary route for locals and savvy tourists. It travels from the city center, skirts the western foothills, and offers fleeting, breathtaking glimpses of solitary karst peaks rising unexpectedly between apartment blocks—a perfect metaphor for Guilin itself, where nature insists on its presence amidst urban sprawl. Then there’s the Tourist Bus 88, which connects major downtown sites like Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park, and Reed Flute Cave. It’s efficient, but it moves in a tourist bubble. For a more authentic vibe, try the regular buses running the same corridors; you’ll share the space with students, elderly shoppers with rolling carts, and workers heading home.
Download a map app like AMap or Baidu Maps and enable real-time bus tracking. It’s a game-changer. During rush hours (7:30-9:00 AM, 5:30-7:00 PM), buses become intensely crowded. Embrace it as a cultural experience, but plan accordingly. Always have small change or, better yet, use Alipay/WeChat Pay’s transit QR code function—it’s seamless. And a crucial local secret: the back of the bus is often less crowded than the middle.
When the bus route doesn’t quite align or you need a direct shot, the digital age comes to the rescue.
Apps like Didi (China’s Uber) are ubiquitous and incredibly cheap by Western standards. They’re perfect for reaching places like the Yuzi Paradise sculpture park or the Jingjiang Princes' City without hassle. For the linguistically hesitant, the app has an excellent in-built translation feature for communicating with drivers. Pro tip: Use Didi’s “Taxi” option for the most straightforward, meter-based rides with professional drivers who know every backstreet.
This is the true heartbeat of local mobility. Guilin is a city of e-bikes—silent, swift swarms of them. For tourists, rental is possible but requires confidence and an understanding of the unspoken traffic flow (hint: it’s fluid, not rigid). For a safer, more immersive alternative, try the shared e-bikes (like Meituan or Hello bikes) parked on every corner. Scan the QR code, unlock, and you’re off for a few yuan an hour. There’s no better way to explore the labyrinthine streets around Zhengyang Pedestrian Street or to zip along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic path at your own pace, feeling the subtropical breeze firsthand.
Here, transport transcends function and becomes the very purpose of the visit.
The cruise from Zhujiang Pier to Yangshuo is the world-famous journey. As a local, my advice is to see it as a magnificent, if highly curated, theatrical production. The landscape is undeniably real and stunning. For a more local-focused experience, book the "Star-Class" cruise which often has better amenities. Get on deck early, bring a wide-brimmed hat, and don’t just watch the peaks—observe the smaller fishing boats, the water buffalo on the banks, and the other cruise ships forming a quiet procession down an ancient trade route.
This is my favorite insider knowledge. Before bridges spanned every part of our rivers, ferries were essential. A few remain, operating as vital public transport for residents. Seek out the small, diesel-powered ferry crossing the Li River near Daxu Old Town or the one south of the city center. For 1 or 2 yuan, you can join farmers with their produce, workers on bicycles, and schoolchildren. The crossing takes mere minutes, but it offers an authentic, unvarnished view of river life and a priceless, quiet moment on the water, far from the tourist flotillas.
Guilin’s role as a tourism hub means its connection points are designed for volume and efficiency.
Know the difference. Guilin Railway Station (in the city center) handles some slower trains and is a major bus hub. It’s chaotic, lively, and intensely local. Guilin North Station, a sprawling modern complex, is the terminus for high-speed trains. It connects you to Yangshuo (via Yangshuo Station), Sanjiang (for the Dong minority villages), and major cities like Guangzhou and Chengdu in just hours. The station itself is well-organized; follow the signs, and use the official taxi queue or the direct bus lines (like K99) to the city center.
The airport is modern and relatively compact. The official airport shuttle bus is the most reliable and cheap way to reach downtown (it terminates near the railway station). A taxi will cost around 100-120 RMB. As a local, I’d advise against the unlicensed taxi touts. The airport’ proximity to the city (about 45 minutes) means your transition from the air to the heart of the karst landscape is wonderfully swift.
To move like a local is to understand the rhythm and the rules.
Ultimately, using Guilin’s public transport is an exercise in letting go. It pulls you from the insulated tourist trail and deposits you into the messy, vibrant, real life of the city. You’ll see the schoolgirls giggling on the back seat of the bus, the old man carefully balancing his live chickens in a basket on the ferry, the young couple sharing headphones on the high-speed train headed to the next adventure. You’ll witness Guilin not as a static painting, but as a dynamic, moving portrait—a community in constant, graceful motion between its iconic limestone pillars and its bustling modern heart. So, get a travel card, charge your phone, and dive in. The most authentic Guilin is waiting for you, just past the bus doors.
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Author: Guilin Travel
Link: https://guilintravel.github.io/travel-blog/guilins-public-transport-a-locals-perspective.htm
Source: Guilin Travel
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