"Guilin landscape is the finest under heaven" - this 4-day route captures the karst essence. Day 1, Guilin: Elephant Trunk Hill, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise, Zheng Yang Pedestrian Street.
Day 2, Li River cruise or raft: about 4 hours from Mopanshan Pier to Yangshuo, passing the Nine Horses Fresco Hill and the 20-yuan banknote scene "Huangbu Reflection".
Day 3, Yangshuo: the quieter Yulong River bamboo raft, cycle the Ten-Li Gallery countryside, watch the "Impression Liu Sanjie" outdoor show, and wander West Street night market.
Day 4, Longji Rice Terraces: Jin Keng or Ping An village for layer upon layer of terraces - mirror-like after April-June irrigation, golden in September-October. Stay overnight in a stilt house for sunrise.
Transport: Guilin-Yangshuo by boat or bus in 1-1.5 hours, Yangshuo-Longji about 2 hours - charter a car or join a day tour.
Food: Guilin rice noodles, beer fish, bamboo rice and oil tea are all worth trying.
