Moving around in Guilin

Posted by seema (535 days ago)

I am going on a 4 day trip with kids to Guilin during Easter. Would like details about what to see and how to get around. Any good and not very expensive tour operators ?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by angrylittlesoldier (533 days ago)

I am going to Yangshou which is not too far from Guilin. I have being using this website for my references - www.yangers.com

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lost_in_HK (530 days ago)

If you want to save some money, then do not take the river cruise from Guilin to Yangshou. Most of the nicer formations are close to Yangshou so take a bus there and when there hire one of the fisherman to take you up and down the river. I was able to get one to take me for 2 hours for Y200. Bus leaves from the railway station and drops you right in Yangshou which is a small town so easy to get around in. The fisherman are along the river so just go there and negotiate with one.

Once in Yangshou you can also rent bikes to ride around in (depending on how old your kids are). Otherwise just rent a taxi and driver for the day and get him to take you around. I do not expect tot pay more than Y800 for a day.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by seema (529 days ago)

Thank you very much. That will be very useful. But do the taxi drivers speak any English? I dont speak Mandarin.

Seema

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lost_in_HK (513 days ago)

Most taxi drivers will not speak English. But get your hotel concierce to arrange. Give him your planned itinerary or better yet have the hotel plan one for you. Then let them translate with the taxi driver. Do not pay until the end of the day. That way the taxi driver will not leave you high and dry somewhere. Let the hotel know the taxi licence plate and where you are going so if there are any issues, they know who you are with.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Meiguoren (506 days ago)

There is a park in Guilin that has a rock shaped like a camel hump, sorry I can't remember the name of the park. Thought it's a pretty park, it's mostly unremarkable, except there was one quite memorable about it. Inside the otherwise less-than-ordinary zoo, they have the hugest tiger I've ever seen, and it was very old and tame, so tame that they just used a regular wire fence and you could touch its fur as it laid there. I've never seen a Siberian tiger, so I don't know if that's what this was, but it had long fur and was simply massive and I really enjoyed being able to see it so close up. They also have a panda, but he only comes out for an hour early in the morning and he never appeared. The wild monkeys will aim s**t at you if you don't give them food, so beware. I really enjoyed the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin. Some people hate the colored lights as too artificial but I thought they were very beautiful on the rock formations, the cave itself is huge and spectacular. After leaving time for only these two things, I wished I had allotted a bit more tme for Guilin, I found Yangshuo terribly touristy and passe'. Don't know the ages of your children, but the standard bicycle loop in Yangshuo is a bit long (and muddy) for the younger ones pedaling on their own, I think. But it was very beautiful. Just be aware of the distance before you set out, wear hats, take plenty of water, maybe a snack, and definitely use sunscreen. Also take mosquito repellent in general, cause it's a misty moisty area.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by Taps (506 days ago)

A taxi driver who don't speak English will not help if you are with your children. Pay a bit more and get a car and English-speaking guide.
We did the above plus the river cruise, the cave was fantastic, really we did'nt mind the lights, actually it added to the atmosphere.
We went up the mountain as well and viewed proper rice terraces.
Then took the water, the spa was fantastic although a bit of a distance.

(I am based in Guangzhou)