Ling Wu
Fast navigation
Three hours. That’s how long my clients waited in the sun at the South Gate last week. Forget the glossy brochures—if you don't know the exact WeChat mini-program trick, you aren't getting in. I’ve been guiding foreigners around Guilin for years, and transport is always the biggest headache. International credit cards? Often useless. Taxi drivers? Rarely speak English. But once you know the tricks, getting around is a breeze.
Here's the deal: you have exactly two reliable ways to pay for most transport here—Alipay or cash. Bring enough small bills (20s and 10s). Download Alipay before you arrive and link your international card (Visa/Mastercard work, though not always). Now let me walk you through the exact steps to move around Guilin without losing your mind.
Getting from Guilin Airport to City Center
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) is about 30km from downtown. Three options:
- Airport shuttle bus: 20 RMB (~$3). Runs from 7:00 to last flight. Drops you at Civil Aviation Hotel near the city center. Frequency every 30-40 minutes. Bus stop is just outside arrival hall exit 5. Pay cash only—no card reader. Journey takes about 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.
- Taxi: Fixed price 100-120 RMB to city center. Buy a ticket at the official counter inside arrivals (look for 'Taxi Payment' counter). This avoids scams. Show the address in Chinese: 桂林市中心 (Guilin city center).
- Didi (Chinese Uber): Even with language barrier, Didi works better. I'll explain how to set it up below. Expect 80-100 RMB.
Taxi & Didi: What Foreigners Must Know
Regular taxis in Guilin are metered, but drivers rarely speak English. Always have your destination written in Chinese on your phone. For Didi (the ride-hailing app), you can download it and register with a foreign number. It accepts Alipay or WeChat Pay (both link to intl cards). Pro tip: in the app, set your language to English. Then for the destination, just paste Chinese text. Even if you can't type Chinese, you can use Google Translate to copy-paste. Once a driver accepts, the app shows their plate and location—no need to talk.
Public Buses: Cheap But Tricky
Guilin’s bus network is extensive. Single ride costs 1-2 RMB (cash only, no change given). Lines 1, 10, 11 cover most tourist spots (like Seven Star Park, Elephant Trunk Hill). But buses are not foreigner-friendly: no English announcements, stops only in Chinese. If you’re brave, use Baidu Maps (app) in English mode to plan routes. I’ve seen too many lost tourists—skip the bus unless you have a local data SIM and a good sense of direction.
For the adventurous: Bus 99 goes directly from Guilin Railway Station to Yangshuo (2 hours, 25 RMB). But you have to tell the driver to stop at 'Yangshuo Bus Station'—good luck with that. Instead, take a private bus from the station for 30 RMB.
Bike or E-Bike: The Local Way
Guilin is flat, making biking fun. Many guesthouses rent e-bikes for 30-50 RMB per day. These are perfect for exploring the countryside near Yangshuo, but inside Guilin city, traffic can be chaotic. Wear a helmet (rarely provided but worth buying). The biggest issue: parking. In the city center, you'll find designated bike parking lots with an attendant. They charge 1-2 RMB. Don’t park on the sidewalk—your bike might get impounded.
Ferries to Yangshuo: Scenic or Trap?
Many tourists want to take a boat from Guilin to Yangshuo. There’s a four-star cruise (320 RMB) and a three-star cruise (about 250 RMB). Both depart from Zhujiang Pier at 9:30am and arrive in Yangshuo around 2:30pm. The scenery is stunning—karst mountains all along the Li River. But here’s the catch: the boats are crowded, lunch is a pre-packed box, and you can't stand on deck freely. If you want better photos, take a bamboo raft from Yangdi to Xingping (part of the river) instead—much closer to the water.
For the ferry, book online at least 3 days in advance through Trip.com or Ctrip. They accept foreign cards. Show up at the pier 30 minutes early—you'll queue to get a seat assignment.
| Mode | Cost (RMB) | Duration | Payment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport shuttle | 20 | 45-60 min | Cash | Solo budget travelers |
| Official taxi | 100-120 | 35-50 min | Cash/card from counter | Groups with luggage |
| Didi | 80-100 | 35-50 min | Alipay/WeChat | Tech-savvy travelers |
| Bus | 1-2 | varies | Cash only | Local experience, not recommended |
| E-bike rental | 30-50/day | flexible | Cash deposit | Short distances, countryside |
| Ferry to Yangshuo | 250-320 | 5 hours | Online (card accepted) | Scenic tourists |
FAQ
You can register with a foreign number (make sure to include country code). If it fails, try using the mini-program inside Alipay: search 'Didi' and it opens a lite version. Alternatively, just flag a taxi and show the driver your destination in Chinese. Carry small cash.
Not all, but some drivers worry about payment. Use the official taxi stand at airports or train stations. Never hop into a random cab. Always confirm 'by meter' (看表). If they refuse, walk away. Didi is much safer.
Cash only. But get small change because drivers won't break bills. I always keep a stash of 1 RMB coins. Alternatively, you can buy a Guilin transport card (桂林通) at convenience stores—top up with cash and tap to ride buses.
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
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