2024 Spring Festival Self-driving Tour Guide to Liuzhou, Guilin, and Other Places in Guangxi (Part 2)

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(Continued from 2024 Spring Festival Self-driving Tour Guide to Liuzhou, Guilin, and Other Places in Guangxi (Part 1))

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Bamboo Rafting

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Sunset

Guangxi - Liuzhou - Yaobu Ancient Town

Guangxi - Sanjiang - Sanjiang Drum Tower

Guangxi - Sanjiang - Chengyang Bazhai Scenic Area - Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Big Banyan Tree Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shangri-La Scenic Area

During the Spring Festival holiday, we took a self-driving trip from Shantou to Liuzhou and Guilin in Guangxi, as well as Liping in Guizhou, lasting 9 days and covering 2,790 kilometers. The route passed through Wuzhou, Liuzhou, Sanjiang, Liping, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Huaiji. Although scenic spots are always crowded and lively during holidays, sometimes causing inconvenience and even affecting the travel experience, young people and children who normally have to work or go to school only have holidays to go out and have fun, so everyone has to join in the excitement together.

Guangxi - Liuzhou - Sanjiang - Xunjiang River Scenery

Guizhou - Liping - Zhaoxing Dong Village - Folk Performance

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River Scenic Area - Bamboo Rafting

Guangxi - Guilin - Lijiang Four-Star Cruise - Lijiang River Scenery

Guangxi - Guilin - Dongxiang Alley - Night View

Guizhou - Liping - Tang'an Dong Village - Tang'an Rice Terraces

This self-driving trip took place from February 11 (the second day of the first lunar month) to February 19 (the tenth day of the first lunar month). The main attractions visited include: Liuhou Park (Liuhou Temple, Liu Zongyuan Memorial Hall), Yaobu Ancient Town, Panlong Mountain Park, and the Hundred-Li Liujiang River Scenic Area in Liuzhou City; Sanjiang Grand Dong Village, Duoye Square, Sanjiang Drum Tower, Sanjiang Wind and Rain Bridge, and Chengyang Bazhai Scenic Area in Sanjiang County; Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area, Twin Pagodas Park, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, Dongxiang Alley, and the Lijiang River Scenic Area (Lijiang Four-Star Cruise) in Guilin City; West Street, Guanyan Scenic Area, Ten-Mile Gallery, Yulong River Scenic Area, Xianggong Mountain Viewing Platform, Shangri-La Scenic Area, Yulong River Fulibridge Pier, and Big Banyan Tree·Moon Hill Scenic Area in Yangshuo County; and Liping Ancient City Qiaojie Scenic Area, Tang'an Dong Village, Tang'an Rice Terraces, and Zhaoxing Dong Village Scenic Area in Liping County, Guizhou.

During the holidays, scenic spots are full of flowers, colorful and beautiful, with infinite scenery; crowds of people come and go, full of laughter and joy, creating a lively atmosphere. Amidst the picturesque mountains and rivers, there is a peaceful and harmonious vibe, and where tourists gather, it feels like an ocean of joy. If you are lucky enough to be there, you will naturally be infected, feeling relaxed and happy both physically and mentally, with happiness written all over your face. Perhaps this is why people enjoy traveling.

Guangxi - Liuzhou - Sanjiang - Chengyang Bazhai Scenic Area

Guangxi - Liuzhou - Sanjiang - Chengyang Bazhai Scenic Area - Folk Performance

Guizhou - Liping - Tang'an Dong Village

Guangxi - Liping - Zhaoxing Dong Village

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area - Elephant Trunk Hill

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guanyan - Underground Cave

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River Scenic Area Scenery

Day 5, February 15 (the sixth day of the first lunar month): Sanjiang - Guilin (200 km).

According to the itinerary, we were supposed to first visit the Lingqu Canal Scenic Area, a Qin Dynasty water conservancy project as famous as the Dujiangyan, located in Xing'an County, Guilin, and then go to Guilin city. However, after checking the road conditions and finding heavy congestion, we realized it would take too much time, so we changed plans and headed directly to Guilin. After lunch, we started visiting Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area and Twin Pagodas Park, and in the evening continued to explore Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and Dongxiang Alley.

We stayed at the Guilin Tianlong Bay Puyue Hotel (Elephant Trunk Hill Liangjiang Sihu Branch) opposite Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area. The biggest advantage was that we could walk to Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area and other attractions in just a few minutes, which was especially helpful during the holiday when parking in the city was very tight.

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area - Elephant Trunk Hill

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area - Crowds of Tourists

Guangxi - Guilin - Twin Pagodas Park - Night View

Guangxi - Guilin - Dongxiang Alley - Night View

Guangxi - Guilin - Zhengyang Pedestrian Street - Night View

Guangxi - Guilin - Dongxiang Alley - Xiaoyao Tower - Night View

1. Guilin is a super classic tourist destination and a very popular travel spot. During the holidays, the number of tourists is extremely high, and popular attractions are packed. Be mentally prepared for that.

2. Parking in Guilin city is very tight. If you are self-driving, try to park your car at the hotel's parking lot and walk or use other transportation to visit scenic spots.

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area - Elephant Trunk Hill

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area - Distant View of Elephant Trunk Hill

Guangxi - Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area - Crowds of Tourists

Guangxi - Guilin - Dongxiang Alley - Night View

Guangxi - Guilin - Zhengyang Pedestrian Street - Night View

Guangxi - Guilin - Ancient City Wall - Night View

Day 6, February 16 (the seventh day of the first lunar month): Guilin - Yangshuo (120 km).

Although we have been to Guilin many times and have taken both ships and bamboo rafts on the Lijiang River, we decided to let the child take a boat trip on the Lijiang River to better appreciate the saying "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven." However, due to the overwhelming number of tourists during the holiday, we started trying to book tickets online many days before the trip, and finally managed to get boat tickets, but they were quite expensive. So we decided to split into two groups this morning: one group accompanied the child on the Lijiang River cruise, while the other group went to visit Guanyan Scenic Area.

To save time, early this morning we sent the group going on the Lijiang River cruise to the designated Zhujiang Pier, and then went to Guanyan Scenic Area. Around 1 p.m., the two groups met at West Street in Yangshuo. First, we settled in at our accommodation for the night in Yangshuo, and then immediately set off to visit Yulong River Scenic Area and Ten-Mile Gallery.

We stayed at the Bamboo Window Zen Art Resort Hotel (Yangshuo Ten-Mile Gallery Yulong River Branch), located in Jiwodu Village near Yangshuo Gongnong Bridge. It was just a short walk to Yulong River Scenic Area, Ten-Mile Gallery, and Gongnong Bridge. Additionally, the hotel's chef cooked delicious dishes, which we highly appreciated.

Guangxi - Guilin - Lijiang River Scenic Area - Zhujiang Pier

Guangxi - Guilin - Lijiang Four-Star Cruise - Lijiang River Scenery

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guanyan Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guanyan Scenic Area - Underground Cave - Sightseeing Elevator

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River Scenic Area - Bamboo Rafting

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Sunset

1. "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven" refers specifically to cruising on the Lijiang River. The towering and varied peaks along the Lijiang River are the essence of Guilin's scenery. The best way to experience the Lijiang River is by boat or bamboo raft. "Boating on the blue waves, people travel in the midst of a painting."

2. There are piers for boarding boats in both Guilin and Yangshuo. During holidays, tickets usually need to be booked online in advance. Be sure to clarify at which pier to board, at which pier to disembark, and the duration of the cruise.

3. Guanyan Scenic Area is mainly for viewing underground karst caves. The cave is very large, and visitors need to take a sightseeing elevator and a special small train. Since there is little climbing involved, the tour is not tiring.

Guangxi - Guilin - Lijiang Four-Star Cruise - Lijiang River Scenery

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - West Street

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guanyan Scenic Area - Underground Cave

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Guanyan Scenic Area - Underground Cave - Small Train

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Numerous Guesthouses

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River Scenic Area - Bamboo Rafting

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Sunset

Day 7, February 17 (the eighth day of the first lunar month): Yangshuo (90 km)

Today is the eighth day of the first lunar month. Although there were still many tourists in Yangshuo, it was significantly less than the previous days. Our original plan for today was to go bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, but even though it was already the eighth day, we couldn't get tickets online in advance. Fortunately, we had done it before on a previous trip to Yangshuo, so missing out this time was just a small regret. Having a full day to visit other attractions in Yangshuo was also great. We visited Xianggong Mountain, Shangri-La Scenic Area, Yulong River Fulibridge Pier, Big Banyan Tree Scenic Area, and Moon Hill Scenic Area, making it a true one-day Yangshuo tour. Although many of these places were revisits, it still felt wonderful, and we couldn't help but exclaim that classics are classics!

We stayed at Yangshuo Lakeside Holiday Hotel, located on the north side of Gongnong Bridge in Yangshuo County. Its location was excellent, right by the Yulong River. The garden-style architecture complemented the surrounding environment perfectly. Strolling along the riverside boardwalk was refreshing and very comfortable.

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Xianggong Mountain Viewing Platform - Overlooking Lijiang River Scenery

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shangri-La Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Fulibridge

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Big Banyan Tree Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Moon Hill Scenic Area - Moon Hill

1. The Yulong River is a tributary of the Lijiang River in Yangshuo. The river is as clear as a mirror, and the scenery along its banks is picturesque. Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River is very famous. You can sit on the raft and savor the beautiful mountain and pastoral scenery along the river. If you have the chance, you should definitely try it; it will be a great experience.

2. To reach the viewing platform on Xianggong Mountain, you need to climb many steps, some of which are quite steep. From the platform, looking into the distance at the peaks or overlooking the Lijiang River, the scenery is breathtaking. Although climbing is hard, it is well worth it.

3. The Big Banyan Tree Scenic Area and Moon Hill Scenic Area share a combined ticket, with the two attractions about 2 kilometers apart. Moon Hill is a unique scenic spot in Yangshuo, but it mainly involves climbing. If you want to climb to the moon cave at the top, it is said to take several hours round trip and will be very tiring.

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Fulibridge

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Fulibridge - Bamboo Raft Pier

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Xianggong Mountain Viewing Platform - Overlooking Lijiang River Scenery

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shangri-La Scenic Area

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Ten-Mile Gallery - Big Banyan Tree Scenic Area

Day 8, February 18 (the ninth day of the first lunar month): Yangshuo - Huaiji (370 km).

Originally, we were going to head back today, hoping to make it back to Shantou in one day. We had been checking the road conditions for returning to Shantou in the past two days, but the highways heading to Guangdong were all heavily congested. It's nearly 800 kilometers from Yangshuo directly back to Shantou, which normally takes less than 10 hours under normal conditions, but now it would take at least 15 hours. So we decided on the spot to stay in Yangshuo for another half day in the morning and leave after noon, lodging wherever we could reach before dark.

With nearly half a day left, we rented a small electric scooter and borrowed a bicycle from the hotel to wander around the Yulong River area near Zhudou Village. Breathing the fresh air and enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way, we felt very happy. The scenery was lovely, there weren't many tourists, and it was leisurely and pleasant.

Around noon, we left the hotel and started the journey back to Shantou. Following the navigation prompts, we alternated between highways, national roads, and provincial roads. By the time we approached Huaiji in Zhaoqing, Guangdong, it was getting dark, so we checked into the Vienna Hotel (Zhaoqing Huaiji High-Speed Railway Station Green Expo City Branch). Although we drove nearly 100 extra kilometers, we bypassed several congested sections and had a smooth trip overall.

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Resort Hotel

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River Scenic Area - Zhudou Village

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Bamboo Rafting

1. Both the Ten-Mile Gallery and the Yulong River are great for a leisurely stroll, enjoying the rolling mountains and pastoral scenery. It is very enjoyable.

2. Renting a small electric scooter to roam around is convenient, affordable, and relaxing, with a unique charm.

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River - Bamboo Rafting

Guangxi - Guilin - Yangshuo - Yulong River Scenic Area - Zhudou Village

Day 9, February 19 (the tenth day of the first lunar month): Huaiji - Shantou (580 km).

By today, the highway traffic had basically returned to normal, and the journey was smooth all the way. We arrived back in Shantou safely and smoothly at 4 p.m., successfully concluding this year's Spring Festival self-driving tour of Guangxi.