Guilin & Yangshuo
The karst landscape on the 20-yuan note — the scenery Westerners picture when they imagine 'China'.
Best time
April–October (summer is hot and wet)
Suggested stay
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly into Guilin (KWL). Cruise the Li River down to Yangshuo; high-speed rail onward to Guangzhou (~2.5 h).
Don't miss in Guilin & Yangshuo
The experiences Western travelers rate highest here.
Li River Cruise
83 km of karst pinnacles, water buffalo and bamboo rafts between Guilin and Yangshuo — the world's most famous river scenery.
20-Yuan Note Viewpoint
Stand inside the exact scene printed on the back of the 20-yuan banknote.
Longji Rice Terraces
Dragon's-backbone terraces carved into hillsides over 700 years — silver mirrors in spring, golden waves in autumn.
Yangshuo & West Street
Backpacker HQ turned family favorite — cycling between karst peaks, rock climbing, and the West Street night market.
Moon Hill
A natural arch over the Yulong River valley — 800 steps to the best sunset view in Yangshuo.
Keep exploring
More destinations at the same level of the journey.
Beijing
The capital and the single strongest draw for Western tourists — Great Wall, Forbidden City and 3,000 years of imperial history on one subway map.
Xi'an
Eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home of the Terracotta Army — the ancient capital every history-loving Westerner comes for.
Shanghai
China's gateway city and the #1 inbound destination for both American and European visitors — colonial waterfront meets Blade Runner skyline.
Chengdu
Pandas, hotpot and teahouse life — the laid-back Sichuan capital that became a top-5 inbound city in 2025.