Guilin walking tour: Reed Flute Cave and ancient towns

Walk Guilin's landmarks and underground cave in one day with a local guide

A full-day guided walking tour of Guilin covering Reed Flute Cave, two ancient villages (Xiongcun and Dong Li), and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes waterfront circuit, with an English-speaking local guide, hotel pickup, entrance tickets and bottled water included. The tour runs 8 hours with stops for breakfast noodles and lunch at local restaurants near the sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Daxu Old Town4h · entry included
2. Reed Flute Cave2h · entry included

Explore Guilin's ancient towns and caves

• Visit Xiongcun ancient town
• Tour Dong Li Ancient Village
• Visit Reed Flute Cave
• Walk around Two Rivers and Four Lakes

The experience

The day starts early with hotel pickup and a drive to Xiongcun, a village that has stood for over 1,000 years. The original prosperity faded long ago, leaving behind old houses, mossy stone steps, and elderly residents who remember the village's history. You'll visit a local family's home to see how they live now, a quieter pace than the city offers. From there, the guide takes you to Dong Li Ancient Village near the mountains and the Chao Tian River tributary. This rebuilt village preserves the old dwelling style of Northern Guangxi, and you'll see traditional handicrafts in action (pressing oil with a flying hammer, weaving cotton cloth, forging iron, making wine) practices that are fading as the city develops.

In the afternoon, you descend into Reed Flute Cave, Guilin's most famous attraction. The cave is called a "natural art museum" because of its stalactites and stalagmites, which are lit with colorful spotlights and cast intriguing shadows across a small pool inside. The formations are rare on this scale anywhere in the world. The cave has become so iconic that over 180 international heads of state have visited it, including two former U.S. presidents. You'll spend about two hours exploring the illuminated chambers before heading to the evening's final stop.

The tour ends with a walk around Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Guilin's linked water system. The two rivers are the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. The four lakes are Banyan Lake, Chinese Fir Lake, Osmanthus Lake, and Wood Dragon Lake. Your walk begins at Gunanmen, the Old South Gate, which was the city's south entrance around 700 AD during the Tang Dynasty. The guide points out photo opportunities and sweeping views as you move through the circuit. Breakfast is at a popular local eatery serving noodle dishes, and lunch is at a restaurant near Fobo Hill, though you'll cover the cost of meals separately.

What’s included

• English-speaking local guide service.
• entrance tickets to Reed Flute Cave and the sites listed in the itinerary.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• a walking circuit of Two Rivers and Four Lakes.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trippest Travel

Is this one for you?Pick this full-day walking tour if you want a guide-led route covering Guilin's signature sights (Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, and Fobo Hill) with meals and photo stops built in, rather than piecing together separate visits on your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's inside Reed Flute Cave and how long do we spend there?

Reed Flute Cave contains stalactites and stalagmites lit with colorful spotlights that cast shadows across a small underground pool, creating scenes like a Chinese painting. You'll have about two hours to explore the illuminated chambers, which are rare in scale and beauty worldwide.

Can I visit local homes and see traditional crafts on this tour?

Yes. At Xiongcun you'll visit a local family's home to experience their daily life, and at Dong Li Ancient Village you'll see traditional handicrafts being made, including oil pressing, cotton weaving, iron forging, and wine making: practices that are becoming rare as the city develops.

What does the Two Rivers and Four Lakes walk involve?

The Two Rivers and Four Lakes circuit links Guilin's two major rivers (the Li River and Peach Blossom River) with four lakes (Banyan, Chinese Fir, Osmanthus, and Wood Dragon). Your walk starts at Gunanmen, the Old South Gate from around 700 AD, and takes about an hour along the waterfront.

Is hotel pickup included, and what time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You'll receive the exact pickup time and guide details in your voucher the day before the tour, and the guide will also call your hotel or leave a message the night before to confirm.

What meals are provided on the tour?

Breakfast at a popular local eatery serving noodle dishes and lunch at a restaurant near Fobo Hill are part of the itinerary, though you pay for meals separately. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.