Recommended travel period and cash to bring(minimal shopping):
1) 5D4N (Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin) RM 1,000 ~ 1,600 yuan
2) 7D6N (Guilin - Longsheng - Yangshuo - Guilin) RM 1,300 ~ 2,080 yuan
Travelling mode, time and cost:
1) KLIA/KLIA 2 to Guilin:
- 4.5 hours flight
- RM 899 / pax inclusive of hotel (Air Asia Go promotion)
2) Guilin North Station (Guilin Bei) to Yangshuo:
-30 mins high-speed railway
-21 yuan/way/pax ~ RM 13.12
3) Guilin Liangjiang International Airport to City/ Town area:
- 1 hour shuttle bus
- 20 yuan/pax ~ RM 12.50
4) Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport:
- 50 minutes
-140 yuan/taxi (I would recommend you to book the taxi from your hotel as they will charge a fixed rate of 100 yuan only.)
Accommodation: Jinjiang Inn, Guilin, Qixing Road
You can easily locate this hotel and its pleasant reviews on famous hotel reservation websites. This hotel although not centrally located, it is definitely a great hotel. It comes with full amenities including daily bed room slippers and hair dryer. It takes roughly 10-15 minutes by bus to town/attractions area.
Transportation in Guilin (Specifically for Jinjiang Inn):
Bus stations are very near the hotel with direct buses to and fro the hotel to city / attractions at 1 or 2 yuan depending on the bus route you taking.
From city/attractions to hotel: Bus 14 (Di Liu Gong Shi)
From hotel to city/attractions: Bus 2(Fu Bo Shan, Die Cai Shan), Bus 100 (City)
Always asks and confirm with the bus drivers where you want to go because there may be more buses that travel to the places you want to go with different stations names. Anyhow, buses are quite frequent here.
I do not recommend the usage of taxi in China unless short distance or you are really urgent / no buses goes that area. You either book a car for a fixed rate(Do ensure the fixed rate is reasonable. It is approximately about 100 yuan/day to visit attractions in city/town area) or take the bus and walk. We had bad experience with taxi drivers whereby one of them did not appear when we actually reserved him for a ride to Guilin Bei station. Another bad experience is when we booked a taxi from our hotel to the airport whereby the driver took us to pump gas and charges us for the meter fare (It was about 15 mins minimum in and out from the gas station)
Visa:
YES, MALAYSIANS DO NEED VISA.
Apply online through http://www.visaforchina.org and print out the application form. Also, prepare the following documents so you won't have to pay 50 cents per copy at there:
1) Photostat passport front and back (A4)
2) 2 passport photos
3) Your flight and hotel reservation
Normal visa process usually takes 3-4 working days and costs you about RM 80+ while instant visa can be issued the following day but it will cost you RM318.++
This trip was suppose to be 7D6N but as I was not aware the need to apply for Visa, I was not allowed to board the plane hence, my trip was shortened and I missed Longsheng. Also, it costs me almost double of what I've originally paid for the immediate visa and fare difference from Air Asia. Loads of disappointment as a traveller as I did not plan this trip and trusted completely on someone that I really trust. Lesson learnt as a traveller.
Personal remarks:
Always check the rates of attractions online prior to reservation with local tour to ensure you are not getting squeeze for being a tourist. Also, China attractions are not cheap although food and drinks (especially beer) are. Remember, there is always an intention to sell everywhere and it's all about the $$$$$.
Day 1 ( Attractions: Reed Flute Cave - Solitary Beauty Peak - Guilin Night Market)
If you take Air Asia, the flight is early in the morning and you will reach Guilin about 10:00 AM. By the time you check in and settle down, half day is gone.
Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩)
Entrance Fees: 110/yuan per pax
Operation Hours: 8: 00 AM to 5:30 PM (Also depends on crowd if you ask me)
Transport: Rented a car for 100 yuan. You can also go there by bus route 3,13 and 58
Remarks: You only need to go either one of this caves in Guilin/Yangshuo is good enough. It's pretty much the same natural beauty and limelight. Also, if you pick this one, DO NOT ENTER THE 5 yuan tortoise place. It's all some gimmick and lies to earn more money from you.
Natural limestone cave lighted up with fancy lights.
Additional 5 yuan to see the so-called thousand years tortoise which thereafter, they will "force" you to donate for the tortoise. Well, of course I did "donate for charity".
Entrance Fees: 120/yuan per pax
Operation Hours: 7: 30 AM to 6:30 PM
Transport: Rented a car for 100 yuan. You can also go there by bus route 1, 22, 30, 99 and 100 (Lequn Crossing 乐群路口).
Remarks: This place is worth visiting. It will tell you the history of China's emperor and the palaces that they stay (besides the Beijing strongest empire). Also, gives you an idea on how the infamous scholars take their examination and how lucky you are now. You can also do some hiking to the peak (about 20 minutes) to kill the guilt of over-eating.
Tour guide and performance included.
Taking a scholar's exam in a confined cubicle.
The peak!
The empress's lane.
Entrance Fees: All the food you can eat!
Operation Hours: 7:00 PM onwards is the best time to visit! It gets merry at night.
Transport: Walk for 10 mins from Solitary Beauty Peak. You can also go there by bus route 16, 23,1 and 100 (Lequn Crossing 乐群路口 or a station before it that - Shi Zi Lu Kou).
Remarks: MUST VISIT. You will find the greatest street food and my favourite Mango Bang dessert here.
4 fresh oysters for 10 yuan ~ RM 6.25
5 to 6 long sticks for squid and lamb roast for 10 yuan ~ RM 6.25
My favourite Mango Pudding at Mango Bang for 8 yuan ~ RM 5 (芒果帮)
Day 2 ( Attractions: Yangshuo - Bamboo Rafting, The Yulong River - Big Banyan Tree - The Assembled Dragon Cave)Transportation from Guilin:
Guilin North Station (Guilin Bei) to Yangshuo:
-30 mins high-speed railway
-21 yuan/way/pax ~ RM 13.12
Accommodation at Yangshuo: Bamboo House Inn & Hotel
Price: 150 yuan ~ RM 93.75 (We booked in advance through Agoda and only did the payment when we are there)
Remarks: This inn was newly renovated and relatively cheap compare to other hotels at West Street (Xi Jie), Yangshuo given it is a well-known tourist location even for locals. The rooms are decorated with classic Chinese interior. However, amenities in the room are not complete (No shower cap, bedroom slippers or hair dryer). I will only recommend this for a night stay if you are the kind of person that will need a comfortable environment to sleep at night (That's me).
Bamboo Rafting at The Yulong River
Fees: 110/yuan per pax incl. land transport to and fro The Yulong River [From the most happening street at Yangshuo - West Street (Xi Jie)] for about an hour of bamboo rafting ride
Operation Hours: 8: 00 AM to 5:30 PM
Transport: It is recommended for you to take a local land tour for this as the river is quite hidden. Alternatively, you can rent an electric scooter (you don't need a license for this) with a China map downloaded in your phone(You will need to be able to read Chinese characters) as Google map will not work in China unless you find ways to break the firewall of their WiFi or data)
Remarks: Do not visit during rainy season as the water will be milky brown which totally spoils the whole experience. Upon arrival, many locals (tour guides and drivers) will recommend you to take the bamboo rafting from Guilin to Yangshuo which I DO NOT RECOMMEND as it is expensive and the view at the Yulong River is pretty much the same. If you take the 3-4 hours bamboo rafting to Yangshuo, you will get bored of it and not appreciate it as much.
The polluted water as it was flash flood the day before :(
A photograph from the peak by their photographer cost 20 yuan ~ RM 12.50
The Big Banyan Tree
Entrance Fees: 20 yuan ~ RM 12.50 (incl. transport)
Operation Hours: 8.30 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Electric scooter or follow a local land tour.
Remarks: Pretty much a big aged banyan tree with a free short distance rafting ride to a cave. There was an aunty selling the traditional (and according to her, handmade) 'gui hwa liang fen' with honey at the cave after taking the raft, it's good and it only costs 2 yuan ~ RM 1.25! They have lots of animal photography too (with peacocks, with monkeys) but as an animal lover, I do not encourage such practice as behind the pretty images you get, they are tortured in ways beyond imagination.
The Big Banyan Tree
The cave.
It also has a little park to stroll around. Lilies :)
Entrance Fees: 90 yuan ~ RM 56.25 (incl. transport)
Operation Hours: 8.30 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Electric scooter or follow a local land tour.
Remarks: Natural limestone cave which is correlated to dragons. The best spots are all all taken by their official photographers along the way hence, you will need to buy them if you want one. The difference from the Reed Flute Cave is that this cave has several boat rides to complete the cave journey. I will say this cave will be a better option as compared to Reed Flute Cave as it has water reflection which makes photography prettier. Also, it's cheaper and it comes with free boat ride (and free witnessing of 'thousand years' tortoise instead of paying an additional 5 yuan)
The interior of the cave.
To the entrance and boat ride.
West Street (Xi Jie)
Entrance Fees: As much as you eat and buy!
Operation Hours: Whole day. The later it is, the merrier it will be!
Transport: Electric scooter or walk from wherever you are. Bamboo House Inn and Hotel is located at Xi Jie so I can conveniently visit the street during its peak.
Remarks: There is a supermarket across the hustle bustle\ (across the bridge) where you can get your cheaper mineral water and BEER. Do grab a cup of instant noodles for your lunch the next day if you are taking the high-speed railway back as there's hot water provided at the terminal while waiting for your train. (It's a norm!)
MUST TRY:
1) Da Shi Fu Beer Fish (大師傅啤酒魚)
Price : 334 yuan ~ RM 208.75 (For one +/- 2kg famous local river fish, fried lotus root and celery and one jug of banana milk) Note: If you have it during lunch or early dinner, the restaurant serves a set which is relatively cheaper compared to you ordering the whole fish and other dishes if you are in a small group.
Remarks: If you only plan to visit Yangshuo once, this is definitely a must try although the price is slightly on the high side.
2) Mango Bang (芒果帮)
Price : 8 - 30 yuan ~ RM 5 - 18.75 (Price in Xi Jie, Yangshuo is actually more expensive than their branch at Guilin Night Market as they first originate from here. Mango Bang has hotel, restaurant which I've missed so do research on it if you are as keen as me!)
Remarks: The most authentic and healthier side of juice and dessert you can find.
3) Green Bean Ice Cream
Price : 3 yuan ~ RM 1.88
Remarks: Something you will not get back home although I must say, it's slightly sweet. They are sold by teenage girls dress in military uniform so if you would like to support their part time job, just grab one. Perfect for summer!
Day 2.5 ( Attractions: Yangshuo - Wanda Plaza, Guilin - Guilin Night Market)
Operation Hours: Whole day. The later it is, the merrier it will be!
Transport: Electric scooter or walk from wherever you are. Bamboo House Inn and Hotel is located at Xi Jie so I can conveniently visit the street during its peak.
Remarks: There is a supermarket across the hustle bustle\ (across the bridge) where you can get your cheaper mineral water and BEER. Do grab a cup of instant noodles for your lunch the next day if you are taking the high-speed railway back as there's hot water provided at the terminal while waiting for your train. (It's a norm!)
This is how bad the human traffic is at night. (It gets worse)
2.5 yuan ~ RM 1.56 (P.S I bought Budweiser for 5.5 yuan ~ RM 3.44)
The instant noodle feast is actually quite comforting.
MUST TRY:
1) Da Shi Fu Beer Fish (大師傅啤酒魚)
One of the best food I had in China.
They have multiple branches so you'll see it everywhere.
Price : 334 yuan ~ RM 208.75 (For one +/- 2kg famous local river fish, fried lotus root and celery and one jug of banana milk) Note: If you have it during lunch or early dinner, the restaurant serves a set which is relatively cheaper compared to you ordering the whole fish and other dishes if you are in a small group.
Remarks: If you only plan to visit Yangshuo once, this is definitely a must try although the price is slightly on the high side.
2) Mango Bang (芒果帮)
My favourite dessert shop. #mangolovers
Price : 8 - 30 yuan ~ RM 5 - 18.75 (Price in Xi Jie, Yangshuo is actually more expensive than their branch at Guilin Night Market as they first originate from here. Mango Bang has hotel, restaurant which I've missed so do research on it if you are as keen as me!)
Remarks: The most authentic and healthier side of juice and dessert you can find.
3) Green Bean Ice Cream
Price : 3 yuan ~ RM 1.88
Remarks: Something you will not get back home although I must say, it's slightly sweet. They are sold by teenage girls dress in military uniform so if you would like to support their part time job, just grab one. Perfect for summer!
Day 2.5 ( Attractions: Yangshuo - Wanda Plaza, Guilin - Guilin Night Market)
We took the afternoon train back to Guilin (Best option if you ask me) and visited Wonda Plaza.
Wanda Plaza
Entrance Fees: As much as you eat and buy.
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Transport: Walk for 30 mins from Jinjiang Hotel or bus number 100.
Remarks: Do visit the hypermarket at Basement. Wanda Plaza has one of the most establish hypermarket I've visited at China. It's always good to explore and you'll find the unique ways they actually sell their products compare to your home.
MUST TRY:
1) Roast Duck Meat / Neck
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Transport: Walk for 30 mins from Jinjiang Hotel or bus number 100.
Remarks: Do visit the hypermarket at Basement. Wanda Plaza has one of the most establish hypermarket I've visited at China. It's always good to explore and you'll find the unique ways they actually sell their products compare to your home.
MUST TRY:
1) Roast Duck Meat / Neck
Price : 2 sticks of roast duck meat for 10 yuan ~ RM 6.25.
Remarks: You can find this shop at the food floor (4th Floor) of the mall. It's at the corner and you'll see a queue.
After that, we went back to Guilin Night Market again using bus 100 and stopped at Shi Zi Lu Kou or Lequn Crossing to have more desserts and food.
Remarks: You can find this shop at the food floor (4th Floor) of the mall. It's at the corner and you'll see a queue.
After that, we went back to Guilin Night Market again using bus 100 and stopped at Shi Zi Lu Kou or Lequn Crossing to have more desserts and food.
Guilin Night Market: Mango Bang - Mango fruit juice + Roast Pork Ribs
Day 3 (Attractions: Fubo Hill - Die Cai Hill - Guilin Night Cruise)
Entrance Fees: 25 yuan ~ RM 15.63
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Bus 2(To the designate hill station), 14 (Lequn Crossing and walk in for about 15 minutes) or local land tour.
Remarks: To view the city at the peak, Die Cai Hill has the best view. I will recommend to just visit one these 2 hills.
Pearl Cave before you climb to the peak of Fubo Hill.
The peak.
Entrance Fees: 36 yuan ~ RM 22.50
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Bus 2(To the designate hill station), 14 (Lequn Crossing and walk in for about 20 mins, 10 mins from Fubo Hill) or local land tour.
Remarks: To view the city at the peak, Die Cai Hill has the best view as it has the highest peak, It also has a slide down from the peak for 20 yuan ~ RM 12.50. I will recommend to just visit one these 2 hills.
Die Cai Hill also has a temple inside it and a huge park to walk around.
The peak.
Pitstop - Lunch
Remarks: On your way from Fubo Hill to Die Cai Hill, you will pass by a stretch of shop lots. At the end of the shop lot, there is one shop that is decorated with lots of bamboos. This shop sells various dishes and serve rice in bamboo. It is fully packed at lunch hour. Food is good and price is reasonable. I couldn't get the name of the shop as there is no signboard for it.
After Die Cai Hill, we visited Guilin Night Market again (the shops are still running even though it's just 3 PM) to grab my desserts!
My daily dose of happiness at China! Mango Ice Cream with Mango Yogurt Juice.
Local tong yuen with black sesame filling. This can be found at the food court.
MUST TRY:
1) Pitstop - Dinner at Chun Ji Goose Restaurant
Remarks: Prior to our night cruise, we visited this restaurant which is about 10 mins walk from our hotel. This restaurant is very well-known for its roast goose, durian puffs and 'lao sha bao'. We went there around 5.30 PM but it was fully-packed 30 minutes later. A lot of reservations in advance so go early or reserve to avoid disappointment especially if you are in a big group. They will serve you within 35 mins and if they don't, your dish that arrive late are FOC. Awesome service!
Price : 140 yuan ~ RM 87.50 (Ordered 1/4 roast goose, half dozen of lao sha bao, 2 piece of durian puffs, 1 plate of local vegetable, 1 bowl of shuet yi and 1 glass of corn milk juice)
Awesome. Well-known for its crispy skin. 1/4 Roast Goose is good for 2.
I do not know the name of this vege but it's recommended by the waitress and it actually taste good.
Lao Sha Bao.
The best durian puffs EVER!
Highly concentrated shuet yi. Do try one!
Although it's recommended by the waitress, this corn milk doesn't taste good at all. It's probably not to our taste.
Fees: 190 yuan/pax ~ RM 118.75 (incl. transport to and fro from hotel)
Operation Hours: 6:00 PM onwards.
Transport: Local land tour is highly recommended for this one as you will not know where to buy the night cruise tickets in advance.
Remarks: A simple stroll around Guilin city at night and realise how much you actually have missed.
30 yuan ~ 18.75 for an official photograph at the significant pagoda on cruise. (incl. frame and FOC passport size photo)
One of the lighted buildings along the night cruise.
We ended our trip with a relaxing night cruise as we believe the night cruise will bring you to parts of the city that you've missed. Indeed, it did. A wonderful way to end a trip!
For full itinerary and convenient travelling needs: jessyleemeyling@gmail.com
Travel like someone who knows, whom travelled.
