4 Best Guilin & Yangshuo Cycling Routes: What to See & Maps

Guilin is a city with a slow pace of life and picture-perfect scenery. It's ideal for cycling, with fresh air and locals who prefer e-bikes and bicycles for their convenience and flexibility - they can take you anywhere you want. Today, let's talk about the most recommended cycling routes in Guilin and Yangshuo, including their distances, duration, and attractions along the way.

A cycling route along fields in Guilin

Classic Yangshuo Cycling: Ten Mile Gallery & Moon Hill

Map of classic Yangshuo cycling route

• Distance: about 24 km
• Time Cost: about 3 hours
• Recommended Level: ★★★★★
• Details: Yangshuo West Street (阳朔西街) - Gongnong Bridge (工农桥) - Big Banyan Tree (大榕树景区) - The Moon Hill (月亮山景区) - Jianshan Temple (鉴山寺) - Yan Village (燕村) - Aishan Village(矮山村) - Yangshuo (阳朔)

The highlight of this route is the scenic area around Moon Hill, and it also takes you right through the Ten-Mile Gallery, making it one of the most recommended cycling routes in Yangshuo's countryside.

Along the way, you can admire an ancient banyan tree that has survived for over a thousand years, as well as the uniquely shaped Moon Hill.

We suggest starting towards Gongnong Bridge, since the first half of the ride offers the most beautiful scenery. On the return trip passing Yanshan and Aishan villages, the ride follows the main road, which is much easier, and you'll also find plenty of cafes along the way where you can recharge.

Yangshuo Challenging Route: Baisha Town & Yulong River

Map of long-distance Yangshuo cycling route

• Distance: about 38.5 km
• Time Cost: about 4 to 6 hours
• Recommended Level: ★★★★✩
• Details: West Street - Pantao Road(蟠桃路) - Baisha Town(白沙) - Yulong Bridge(遇龙桥) - Yulong River Scenic Area - Gongnong Bridge - West Street

If you enjoy long-distance cycling, then this route is worth considering. Although it's quite long, the difficulty level is actually not very high.

From Pantao Road to Baisha Town, you'll be riding on a main road that is wide and smooth. On the return trip starting from Yulong Bridge, the route takes you along the Yulong River and some countryside paths, where you can enjoy the beautiful views near the river. Even though they are countryside paths, they are well-paved and suitable for cycling. You can stop along the way to take photos and rest before continuing. Finally, you'll pass through the Ten-Mile Gallery, enjoying the scenery all the way to the finish point.

Cycling Route For Rookies: Essence of Ten Mile Gallery

Map of Yangshuo cycling route for rookies

Distance: about 15.5 km

• Time Cost: about 2 hours
• Recommended Level: ★★★★✩
• Details: West Street - Xiangshui Road - Jima Village - Aishanmen - Gongnong Bridge - Guangcheng Road - West Street

This route circles around the Ten-Mile Gallery and is relatively easy, making it a good choice for you if you prefer a more leisurely ride, especially if you love to travel with children.

Along the way, you'll get to explore the landscapes of mountains, rivers, and countryside fields within the Ten-Mile Gallery. Even if you're not a fan of cycling, you can still enjoy it by renting an e-bike. Some e-bikes even have three seats, allowing you to ride with your kids. Since the route isn't very long, a single battery charge is enough to take you through the entire journey.

Guilin City Ride: Elephant Trunk Hill to Reed Flute Cave

Map of Guilin city cycling route

Distance: about 9.5 km

• Time Cost: about 40 minutes
• Recommended Level: ★★★✩✩
• Details: Guilin City - Elephant Trunk Hill - West Hill - Lujia Village - Reed Flute Cave

This route is relatively off the beaten path, with fewer cars and crowds, making it a great choice if you prefer a quieter environment. It covers some of Guilin's most classic attractions while keeping the distance short and easy.

After visiting Elephant Trunk Hill, you can cycle westward through Guilin, passing by the Taohua River and Lujia Village along the riverside. Lujia Village is known for its ethnic charm and often hosts traditional performances. The final stop is Reed Flute Cave, a well-developed karst cave.

It's worth mentioning that in Guilin's urban area, you can easily rent a public bike through Alipay on your phone and ride all the way to Reed Flute Cave. If your trip takes less than an hour, the rental fee is even under 1 USD.

Where to Rent a Bike?

Our guests ride bikes in Yangshuo countryside

Both Guilin and Yangshuo have many shops where you can rent bicycles, ranging from regular bikes to road bikes, with prices starting from a few hundred RMB. If you plan to rent an e-bike, it's best to keep your riding distance within 25 km, since you'll also need to return - the average fully charged e-bike can cover about 50 to 70 km.

If you'd like to rent a bike, our guide can help you contact a rental shop and find the right bike for you. And if needed, we can also arrange for a guide to accompany you on the ride and introduce the attractions along the way.

Tips for Cycling in Guilin & Yangshuo

Yangshuo Countryside

• Wear sportswear and comfortable shoes. For a better riding experience, you can also wear sunglasses to protect yourself from the strong summer sun.
• Don't carry too many things. Just bring a bottle of mineral water and some quick snacks for energy. Even if you finish them, you'll pass by plenty of shops along the way where you can buy more. This also helps reduce the burden while cycling.
• Keep to the right when riding. In Guilin, as in the rest of China, traffic flows on the right-hand side, which is different from many European countries. This is very important to keep in mind.
• Get insurance. Simply purchase the one recommended by your insurance company. Although traffic in Guilin is generally safe, we still recommend getting insurance so you're covered in case of any unexpected situations.
• Travel with a local guide. If you want to cycle in a foreign country, having a local guide is the most reassuring option. We can arrange an English-speaking guide who will not only ride with you but also introduce interesting attractions and stories about Guilin along the way. Email to trip@odynovotours.com or contact us for your exclusive guided tour to Guilin.