How much does a hotel in Guilin cost?

A bed in Guilin Central Hostel runs 80-120 RMB. Budget chains start around 150 RMB. The Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel starts from 400 RMB, and the Shangri-La Guilin from 800 RMB. Prices are per room, and they climb sharply during October 1-7.

Should I stay near a Guilin train station?

Only if your arrival or departure time leaves you no choice. Guilin has three stations — Guilin North, Guilin West and Guilin (South) — and they are 20-30 minutes apart by taxi, so check which one your ticket names before booking anything near a station. Downtown is 10-15 minutes from all of them.

How do I get from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to my hotel?

The airport sits about 30 km west of the city center. The airport shuttle bus takes roughly 40 minutes to the Aviation Building stop near the train station for 20 RMB, and a taxi from there reaches the lake district in a few minutes. If you land after 10 PM the shuttle has stopped running, so arrange a taxi with your hotel in advance.

Is a riverside hotel in Guilin worth it?

If you want a calm first night, yes. Several hotels line the Li River north of the center, 10-15 minutes by taxi from downtown, with river views and karst peaks on the far bank. You give up walkable restaurants, so it suits an early arrival more than a late one.

How many nights should I spend in Guilin?

One. Guilin is the gateway city: arrive, see a couple of sights, eat a proper bowl of rice noodles, then head to Yangshuo the next morning by Li River cruise or bus. Two nights only makes sense if you are adding the Longji Rice Terraces.

Hotels in Guilin: Where to Stay

Three areas decide it — the lakes in the center, the railway stations, or the Li River north of town. Match the area to your arrival time and you're done.

By Guilin & Yangshuo Travel Guide · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Updated Sep 16, 2026

The 30-Second Answer

Book in the Shanhu and Ronghu Lakes district. That is where nearly every hotel in Guilin worth your money sits — walkable to Elephant Trunk Hill, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and the rice noodle shops, well-lit and safe at night, and 10-15 minutes by taxi from the stations. You are almost certainly in Guilin for one night before continuing to Yangshuo, so pick the area that gives you the most out of an evening and a morning.

Compare the Areas

Area	Stay here if	Getting in	On foot after dark
Shanhu & Ronghu Lakes	You want the usual one-night Guilin plan.	10-15 min taxi from the stations; about 40 min from the airport.	Lit lake circuit, pagodas, pedestrian street, noodle shops.
Around the stations	Your train lands close to midnight or leaves at dawn.	Steps from whichever station is on your ticket.	Nothing worth walking to.
Li River, north of center	You arrive early and want views and quiet.	10-15 min taxi from downtown.	The hotel grounds; dinner downtown means a taxi.

1. Shanhu & Ronghu Lakes (City Center) — Best for Most Travelers

Walking distance to Elephant Trunk Hill, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, and the best rice noodle shops. The lakes are beautifully lit at night and the area is safe, walkable, and well-connected. Most hotels here are 10-15 minutes by taxi from Guilin's train stations and about 40 minutes from the airport.

Budget: Guilin Central Hostel (80-120 RMB). Mid-range: Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel (from 400 RMB — the landmark hotel with a waterfall facade). Splurge: Shangri-La Hotel Guilin (from 800 RMB — riverside gardens and mountain views north of the center).

2. Near the Train Stations — For Late Arrivals Only

Functional area with chain hotels and quick access to Guilin North and Guilin West stations. Not scenic, not walkable, but convenient if your train arrives at 11 PM and you just want a bed. Don't stay here unless logistics force it — and check your ticket first, because Guilin has three stations (Guilin North, Guilin West and Guilin South) that are 20-30 minutes apart by taxi. A hotel near the wrong one costs you more time than a hotel downtown would.

3. Li River Riverside — For a Peaceful Arrival Night

Several hotels line the Li River north of the city center, about 10-15 minutes by taxi from downtown. Quieter than the lakes area, with river views and mountain backdrops. The Shangri-La is the standout here, with extensive gardens, a pool, and views of the karst peaks across the river. Good if you're arriving early and want a relaxing start to your trip before heading to Yangshuo.

Getting From the Airport to Your Room

Guilin Liangjiang Airport is about 30 km west of the city. The airport shuttle bus takes roughly 40 minutes to the Aviation Building stop near the train station and costs 20 RMB; from there a taxi reaches the lake district in a few minutes. Arriving late? The shuttle stops running after about 10 PM, so book a taxi through your hotel the day before — most hotels in the lakes area will send a driver who waits if your flight is delayed.

Strategy

Book one night in Guilin, close to the lakes. Use the afternoon to see Elephant Trunk Hill and the pagodas. Eat a great bowl of rice noodles. The next morning, head to Yangshuo — either by Li River cruise (the scenic route) or by bus (the fast route). You'll spend your real time in Yangshuo. Guilin is the opening chapter, not the story.

Questions Travelers Ask

? What is the best area to stay in Guilin?: The Shanhu and Ronghu Lakes district in the city center. You can walk to Elephant Trunk Hill, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and the best rice noodle shops, and it is 10-15 minutes by taxi from the railway stations. It is also the only part of Guilin worth exploring on foot after dark.
? How much does a hotel in Guilin cost?: A bed in Guilin Central Hostel runs 80-120 RMB. Budget chains start around 150 RMB. The Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel starts from 400 RMB, and the Shangri-La Guilin from 800 RMB. Prices are per room, and they climb sharply during October 1-7.
? Should I stay near a Guilin train station?: Only if your arrival or departure time leaves you no choice. Guilin has three stations — Guilin North, Guilin West and Guilin (South) — and they are 20-30 minutes apart by taxi, so check which one your ticket names before booking anything near a station. Downtown is 10-15 minutes from all of them.
? How do I get from Guilin Liangjiang Airport to my hotel?: The airport sits about 30 km west of the city center. The airport shuttle bus takes roughly 40 minutes to the Aviation Building stop near the train station for 20 RMB, and a taxi from there reaches the lake district in a few minutes. If you land after 10 PM the shuttle has stopped running, so arrange a taxi with your hotel in advance.
? Is a riverside hotel in Guilin worth it?: If you want a calm first night, yes. Several hotels line the Li River north of the center, 10-15 minutes by taxi from downtown, with river views and karst peaks on the far bank. You give up walkable restaurants, so it suits an early arrival more than a late one.
? How many nights should I spend in Guilin?: One. Guilin is the gateway city: arrive, see a couple of sights, eat a proper bowl of rice noodles, then head to Yangshuo the next morning by Li River cruise or bus. Two nights only makes sense if you are adding the Longji Rice Terraces.