Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) is about 28 kilometers (about 17.4 miles) from the city center. About 50 airlines connect Guilin with domestic cities as well as foreign countries such as Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, etc. In particular, airlines schedule several flights daily to and from major cities in China like Beijing, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Kunming, Macau, Nanjing, Nanning, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Xian, Zhengzhou, Dalian, Shantou, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Tianjin, Jinan, Wenzhou, Changsha, Fuzhou, and Zhuhai.
The airport shuttle bus runs between the airport and the Civil Aviation Mansion located at No.18 Shanghai Road and the bus fare is about CNY20. The airport shuttle bus leaves for the city center following the flight arrivals. In the city center the airport shuttle bus leaves for the airport every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 20:00. Remember to take the bus two hours before your fight. It costs about CNY80 for taking taxi.
Ticket Office: Airport Terminal of Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Ticket Booking Telephone (Enquiry): 0773-2152222
By Train
The two stations--Guilin Railway Station (South Station) and Guilin North Railway Station (North Station)--are the two main railroad passenger transport stations in Guilin. Every day many trains arrive and depart, as Guilin City is the railroad hub of Central China and is in the central part of the Hunan-Guangxi Railway Line.
The Guilin Railway Station (South Station) is located at Zhongshan Road (South) to the south of the city center but is more conveniently situated than the North Station. City bus No.3, 4, 16 can take you there. The Guilin North Railway Station (North Station) is situated in the northern suburbs of the city and has less convenient links with the city center. If the train you take can stop at both railway stations in Guilin, it's better to get off at South Station where handy transportation to the surrounding places is available as well as trains connecting to China's major cities.
Tips: It's not easy to buy sleeper tickets at the Guilin sales office, as the city is a mid-route stop rather than a terminus. Therefore, it's best to make reservations five days in advance or even ten days in advance during China's golden weeks. The booking service fee is CNY20 to CNY50 per ticket.
By Long-distance Bus
There are three bus stations: the Chief Bus Station, the Chengnan Bus Station and the Beimen Bus Station. The Chief Bus Station is at No.427 Zhongshan Road (South), just a 10 minutes' walk from the Guilin Railway Station (South Station). You can take city bus No.1, 3, 11, 22 or 51 to reach the Chief Bus Station. Most buses set off from this station for surrounding cities in Guangxi, Guangdong and Hunan provinces. The Chengnan Bus Station is located at Cuizhu Road and can be reached by city bus No.26 and 27. The Beimen Bus Station is at Zhongshan Road (North) and can be reached by city bus No.18.
Because most coach buses which bound for the surrounding cities in Guangxi and other provinces like Guangdong depart from the Chief Bus Station, here the bus schedule of the Chief Bus Station is offered for reference:
Note: the first schedule refers to the coach bus without stops along the journey; the second refers to the coach bus with stops along the journey:
| Destination | Departure Time | |
| Guangxi | Longsheng | departing every 30 minutes between 06:50-19:00 |
| Yangshuo | departing every 30 minutes between 07:10-20:00 | |
| Nanning | departing every 20 minutes between 06:30-22:00, 23:50 | |
| Beihai | 08:30 09:20 22:00 23:00 | |
| Liuzhou | departing every 20 minutes between 07:00-21:30 | |
| Rongshui | 14:50 | |
| Baise | 21:10 | |
| Yulin | 08:20 09:20 14:10 16:00 18:00 23:00 | |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou | 09:00 20:30 21:30 22:30 |
| Dongguan | 19:10 21:20 | |
| Shenzhen | 19:00 21:20 | |
| Zhuhai | 19:00 | |
| Destination | Departure Time | |
| Guangxi | Sanjiang | 06:00 06:30 07:10 07:40 13:30 |
| Wuzhou | 09:00 19:50 21:30 | |
| Liuzhou | 09:50 | |
| Rongshui | 06:50 07:10 08:40 09:00 10:00 12:00 13:00 14:30 | |
| Yulin | 19:20 19:30 | |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou | departing every 15 minutes between 17:30-19:50 |
| Dongguan | departing every 20 minutes between 16:50-18:30 | |
| Shenzhen | 15:30 17:40 18:40 19:10 19:20 | |
| Jiangmen | 11:30 | |
| Zhuhai | 11:30 16:30 17:20 | |
It is worthy mentioning that the long-distance bus transportation is available from Guilin to Yangshuo which is a popular tourist destination located about 65 kilometers (about 40 miles) south of Guilin city center. Tourists who reach Guilin either by air, by train or by long-distance bus can also get to Yangshuo easily.
- From Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, tourists can take the airport bus to reach the Chief Bus Station, and then go to Yangshuo by coach bus.
- From Guilin Railway Station (South Station), there are medium-sized buses that make local stops leaving for Yangshuo every 15-20 minutes between 06:00 and 22:00. The whole journey takes about 70 minutes and the bus fare is around CNY12 per person. Tourists can buy the tickets after getting on the medium bus.
- From Chief Bus Station, there are the coach buses that travel express leaving for Yangshuo every 15-20 minutes between 07:00-18:00. The whole journey takes more about 70 minutes and the bus fare is about CNY14 per person. Tourists should buy their tickets before getting on the coach bus.
By Water
In Guilin there are two main docks for passenger transport service. One is Mopanshan Passenger Transport Dock which is near Mopanshan Mountain, 28 kilometers (about 17 miles) from Guilin's downtown area. Covering an area of 233,350 square meters (about 0.09 square miles), this dock is designed to look like a beautiful garden and has well-equipped establishments including five waiting halls. In the city center there is no public bus to the dock, so tourists have to spend approximately CNY60 for a taxi to reach this dock. Another dock is Zhujiang Dock which is 32 kilometers (about 20 miles) southeast of the Guilin city center and two-kilometers (about 1.2 miles) by waterway from Mopanshan Dock. Covering an area of 48,200 square meters (0.0186 square miles), Zhujiang Dock is 400 meters (about 0.25 miles) long and has nine berths, a big waiting building, and a parking lot. This dock is mainly designed for foreign tourists and is the must-use dock for high officials from both China and foreign countries.
Every year more than 300,000 tourists take the cruise ship from Zhujiang Dock to travel along the Li River. Traveling the Li River to Yangshuo is a journey of about 54 kilometers (about 34 miles). The cruise ships from the berths downtown to Yangshuo usually set off at 09:30, 10:00, and 14:00 and will take about 4 hours to complete the journey. A gentle breeze will caress your face and picture postcard riverside scenery will please your eyes as the beauty unfolds around you. However, remember that in winter the water level is rather low, so the cruise is limited to just 10 kilometers (about 6.2miles) instead of the normal 82 kilometers (about 51 miles)
Travelers' Voices on Getting to Guilin
1.
Nov. 18,2009 20:13 Reply
Ms.Jo Lee(Malaysia) said:
I have 13 days in guilin can someone tell me how to plan my hoilday , I would like to see sightseeing,I will be going Dec'2009. Hope to get some new soon!
Nov. 18,2009 21:59
Ms.Jo Lee(Malaysia) replied:
Hi Kim,thank for your reply,
2.
Nov. 13,2009 01:09 Reply
Mr.Mcwhorter(USA) said:
Is there a train or bus from Hong Kong to Guilin? If about how long is the trip?
Is there a train from Guilin to Hangzhou? How long is the trip?
Is there a train from Hangzhou to Beijing? How long is the trip?
The travel dates are around the end of July, 2010.
Thanks for your help.
Nov. 14,2009 01:01
Mr.Leostar replied:
There is no train or bus could be used between Hong Kong and Guilin. It is suggested that you take a flight.
There are four trains departing from Guilin to Hangzhou everyday. The fastest one takes about 19.5hours one the way.
There are five trains running from Hangzhou to Beijing. The fastest one takes about 11.5 hours on the way.
It is suggested that you search for the details at http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/
3.
Oct. 30,2009 08:25 Reply
Ms.tanjie(china) said:
6 of us need to go to Yang Shuo from Guilin airport on Nov/5th.
is there any way we can find a private small nice bus?
thanks!
tanjie
Nov. 2,2009 21:04
Ms.Dora replied:
There are car rental company outside domestic arrival hall. You can ask for help from the information desk to find it.
4.
Oct. 27,2009 12:30 Reply
Mr.Steve(Malaysia) said:
Hi,
We are planning a holiday to Guilin from Guangzhou in April 2010. Can somebody kindly help us (Malaysian couple) by giving us some recommendations such to how to get there by bus/train, hotels 3* and the tourist sites we must visit and foods etc. We planned to stay 3 nights in Guilin/Yangshou and then return back to
Guangzhou.
Thank you
Steve
Oct. 27,2009 21:54
Mr.Kevin replied:
The distance between Guangzhou and Guilin is about 900kms and there are only two trains running between them, so you'd better take a flight from Guangzhou to Guilin.
Hotel could be found here: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/hotel/guilin-hotels.htm
For sightseeing, you should go to Li River of course. And, don't miss the Elephant Trunk Hill. You could find the introductions at http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangxi/guilin/
5.
Oct. 17,2009 23:02 Reply
Ms.Lucky(Indonesia) said:
Hi,
We're going to Guilin from Shenzhen on January 07,2010....where can I buy online ticket for either bus or train ? should I buy in advance ? and how much is the ticket ?
Is it possible to see the beautiful of Guilin (we're planning to see Elephant Hill, Fubo Hill,Reed Flute Cave and Li River Cruise) as we heard that the best time to see Guilin in April/July.
We also heard that January is the winter time in Guilin, how is the temperature ? any snow ?
Any suggestions for the best 3stars hotel surrounding with the places we'll be going to ?
Thanks
Oct. 19,2009 22:12
Mr.Alan replied:
As I know, both of the train and bus tickets could not be purchased online currently. But, it is easy to buy the bus ticket on the spot.
Jan should be the coldest time in Guilin althouth there will not be snow. The Li River will have less water and the natural sceneries is gray, little green~ So, if possible, please go there in spring or summer.
6.
Sep. 24,2009 14:10 Reply
Mr.Finn(Denmark) said:
Hi We are investigating train ticket between Guangzhou - Guilin - Guangzhou for 27 Dec. 2009 and 30 Dec. 2009 and found that they are quite expensive by the travel agencies.Is it neccesery to book a ticket during this period in advance? Can we get a ticket (hard/soft sleeper) on the spot?
Please suggest how the cheapest way to book a train ticket and Li river Cruise? Thanks.
Sep. 24,2009 20:37
Mr.Jamie replied:
It is impossible for you to get a ticket on the spot, although Dec is not a grand travel season. Maybe you could ask for help from your hotle, besides of travel agency. On the other hand, you could join a tour group which could arrange everything well~
7.
Sep. 19,2009 20:12 Reply
Ms.Olivia(USA) said:
Hello,
I will be traveling throughout China beginning Oct 1. I need to take a train from Guilin to Shenzhen on Oct 14th. Should I book a ticket for the journey in Beijing when I arrive? If so, where? Or can I wait until Oct 12th to buy a ticket in Guilin at the station?
Thank you - Olivia
Sep. 22,2009 21:26
Mr.Jamie replied:
Yes, you can buy the ticket at October 12th, for it is necessary to buy in Beijing and you can not get the ticket in Beijing, either.
8.
Sep. 17,2009 09:15 Reply
Ms.Ailei(Ukraine ) said:
Hi, I'm currently in Guangzhou and am looking for ways to get to Guilin - I see that buses go from Guilin to Guangzhou and assume they also go in the opposite direction. I was just wondering if anyone knew where to find such information and how to buy tickets! Thanks
Sep. 17,2009 22:03
Mr.Frankie replied:
Yes, there are buses from Guangzhou to Guilin. At the Provincial Bus Station of Guangzhou, just to the west of Guangzhou Railway Station, five buses depart to Guilin respectively at 09:10, 11:30, 20:30, 21:30 and 22:30. The journey is about 10 hours and costs 160RMB/person. Hope this helps!
9.
Sep. 8,2009 03:19 Reply
Ms.Helen den Dekker(Netherlands) said:
We will be arriving in Guilin on Sept 30 and would like to take a one day boat trip to Yangshuo on October 1.
As we know that day is a national holiday we would like to know if we can book boat tickets in advance and where? We have tried the various travel websites but they seem to only sell multiday trips.
Sep. 10,2009 23:12
Ms.Lisa(CN) replied:
Hi Helen, I found that this website supplies one-day self tour along the Li River. Please refer to http://www.travelchinaguide.com/package/tour-sz02s.htm
10.
Aug. 30,2009 12:03 Reply
Mr.HO_WEELIAT(Malaysia) said:
hi there..
like u hav said.. there is bus shuttle from the airport to the railway station.. how much is the cost?? which railway station is much preferred?? the south or the north??
i want to get a train from guilin to wuhan (wuchang station).. how can early book my train ticket from my country?? how much will it cost??/ beside tat.. is there any bus service from guilin to wuhan? if there is, which is preferred, train or bus?? and wat will be the cost be for the bus trip??
hope to hear from u very soon...
Aug. 31,2009 04:31
Mr.jill(cn) replied:
Hi, the destination of the shuttle bus is civil aviation ticket office but not the railway station. You can take the shuttle to the end and then take a taxi to railway station, not far. You can take a train there to wuhan. The cost is about 120 yuan for hard seat and 200 yuan for hard sleeper. It needs about 12 hours. There are also long-distance buses, but train is recommended.
By the way, it is impossible to book your train ticket from your country!
Aug. 31,2009 06:07
Mr.HO_WEELIAT(Malaysia) replied:
thanks mr. jill...
there r 2 railway station in guilin.. which one is preferred?? the south or the north station??
while waiting for my train, is there any interesting places to be visited around the railway station???
thanks a lot...
Sep. 2,2009 02:25
Mr.Jerry replied:
The South Railway Station, alsl known as GUilin Railway Station is more preffered. It has more trains to Wuhan, one train to Hankou and several to Wuchang. There is Heishan Arboretum south of the station and a commercial plaza called Lianda, place for shopping and eating. The railway is only 5 minutes' drive to the city center, you can take a taxi to the city center which have more stuffs.