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Bottom line: The most satisfying drive between Guilin and Yangshuo is the counter-clockwise scenic loop. Leave before 8 AM, take the back roads, and do not rely on Google Maps.
Quick answer
- The route: Guilin → Guihai Qinglan → Daxu/Xingping back road → 20 RMB viewpoint → Yulong River → Yangshuo.
- The direction: Counter-clockwise avoids most morning tour-bus traffic.
- Distance: ~120–150 km for the full loop.
- Time: 3–4 hours of driving; 6–8 hours with stops.
- Best for: First-time visitors, families, and photographers who want flexibility.
- Navigation: Amap (Gaode / 高德地图). Google Maps is unreliable in China.
Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total distance | ~120–150 km |
| Driving time | 3–4 hours moving; 6–8 hours with stops |
| Best for | First-time visitors, families, photographers |
| Road quality | Mostly paved two-lane; some narrow village sections |
| Recommended season | March–May and September–November |
| Avoid | National holiday weekends and midday tour-bus hours |
| License needed | Chinese driver's license (IDP not accepted) |
How to get there
Most travelers begin in Guilin city and pick up a rental car the evening before. Guilin Railway Station, the high-speed rail stations, and Liangjiang Airport are all common starting points. One family route report notes that picking up a car at Guilin Railway Station took about ten minutes once paperwork was complete.
Counter-clockwise loop
- Guilin → Guihai Qinglan (桂海晴岚)
- → Daxu / Gumo direction via Guimo Road
- → Xingping (兴坪)
- → 20 RMB viewpoint (二十元人民币背景)
- → Yulong River area
- → Yangshuo town (阳朔西街)
Navigation search terms
| Destination | Search in Amap |
|---|---|
| Guihai Qinglan | Guihai Qinglan / 桂海晴岚 |
| Xingping | Xingping / 兴坪 |
| 20 RMB viewpoint | Xingping 20 RMB Viewpoint / 二十元人民币背景 |
| Yangshuo West Street | Yangshuo West Street / 阳朔西街 |
What to expect
Guihai Qinglan (30–40 min from Guilin)
A wetland and grassland area on the eastern edge of Guilin, popular for sunrise photography. Parking is available near the entrance.
The back road to Xingping (1–1.5 hours)
This is the scenic heart of the loop. Multiple route reports describe mist rising from rice fields in early morning and very light traffic before 9 AM. Drive slowly and expect scooters.
Xingping and the 20 RMB viewpoint (1–2 hours)
Travelers consistently recommend the official free carpark near Chaobanshan Junior High School (朝板山初级中学). From there it is a short walk to the viewpoint. Morning light gives the classic blue-mountain reflection.
Yulong River to Yangshuo (1 hour)
Cut south toward Yangshuo via the Yulong River backroads near Gongnong Bridge. The backroads are narrower but quieter and connect naturally to the Ten-Mile Gallery area.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Local price | USD estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car rental (1 day) | ¥150–300 | $21–42 |
| Gas for the loop | ¥80–120 | $11–17 |
| Guihai Qinglan entrance | ¥25–50 | $3.50–7 |
| 20 RMB viewpoint | Free | Free |
| Parking at Chaobanshan | Free | Free |
| Lunch in Xingping (per person) | ¥30–60 | $4–8 |
*USD estimates based on August 2026 exchange rates. Verify current prices before you go.
Tips for foreign visitors
- Payment: Rural gas stations and small restaurants rarely accept foreign credit cards. Carry cash and have WeChat Pay or Alipay set up. See our digital setup guide →
- Language: English is limited outside Yangshuo town. Download the Chinese names for each stop and show them to locals.
- Passports: You do not need a passport to visit the 20 RMB viewpoint. Guihai Qinglan may ask for ID at the ticket window.
- Driving: Scooters and farm vehicles often use the middle of the lane. Honking on blind corners is normal. Avoid mountain sections after dark.
- Is it worth it? For first-time visitors, this loop delivers more scenery per hour than almost any other Guilin-area drive. It is less strenuous than the Longji mountain roads and more flexible than the Li River cruise.