Guilin桂林

The questions people ask first about Guilin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
• SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
• Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
• TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
• SafetyGuilin is a low-crime, walkable city; the real risks are pickpocketing in crowds, overpriced tours sold by touts, and summer heat and rain.
• RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
• Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
• Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
• Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
• AirportKWL Guilin Liangjiang International (About 30 km southwest of the centre; airport buses run to the city terminal and Guilin North station…KWL Guilin Liangjiang International (About 19 mi southwest of the centre; airport buses run to the city terminal and Guilin North station…
• Getting aroundCity buses cover the parks and river spots and fares are capped at ¥2 (≈ under US$1); buses numbered 5x are free, and bus 58 links the stations with several sights.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)
• Street or quick mealBowl of Guilin rice noodles¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3)
• Beerdraught / can at a shop¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
• Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxi¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
• Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥2 (≈ under US$1) (5x buses free)
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥80–150 (≈ US$12–25)
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
• Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
• High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥600 (≈ US$85) · High CN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

City buses cover the parks and river spots and fares are capped at ¥2; buses numbered 5x are free, and bus 58 links the stations with several sights. Taxis are cheap and easy to hail except 17:30–19:00. For a half or full day of outlying sights, a hired driver is often the simplest option.

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guilin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

• officialGuilin municipal government
• officialVisit Guilin
• officialGuilin Liangjiang International Airport
• secondaryWikivoyage: Guilin, revision 5340127 (CC BY-SA 4.0)