Guilin is surrounded by karst peaks and forests, with the Li River flowing through the city. The "Two Rivers and Four Lakes" system is the soul of this urban water system. The two rivers refer to the Li River and the Peach Blossom River, while the four lakes are Rong Lake, Shan Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake—this ring-shaped waterway, approximately 7.33 kilometers long, covers a water area of 385,900 square meters. A boat trip through it will allow you to witness firsthand the idyllic scene of "a thousand peaks standing around the fields, a river embracing the city," a scene reminiscent of an oriental ink painting.
This article provides you with comprehensive information, from ticket options and the best time to visit to pier transportation and attractions along the way, helping you plan your water trip like a local.
I. Route Overview: Day Tour and Night Tour, Two Completely Different Guilin Experiences
The core difference between the Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise lies in the daytime and nighttime cruises—it's not simply a matter of different times, but rather two completely different visual experiences.
Day trip (One River and Four Lakes): The advantage of daytime is the abundant light, allowing you to clearly see the entire Elephant Trunk Hill and the layered karst peaks, making it perfect for photography.
Night Cruise (Two Rivers and Four Lakes): This is the essence of Guilin's night view, offering the most complete cruise coverage, encompassing the Li River, the Peach Blossom River, and all four lakes. The entire trip lasts approximately 90 minutes.
II. Ship Types and Ticketing: How to Choose the Right Ticket for You
The price of boat tickets for the Two Rivers and Four Lakes varies depending on the route and the type of boat.
Night cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes: Adult ticket ¥210; Night cruise on the Four Lakes: Adult ticket ¥175; One River and Four Lakes: Adult ticket ¥90
Two Rivers and Four Lakes bamboo raft day tour: ¥60; Night tour: ¥30
Official online platform: "Guilin Two Rivers and Four Lakes" WeChat official account
On-site ticket purchase: Ticket windows are located at Wenchang Bridge Wharf and Jiefang Bridge Wharf.
Language support
Some cruise ships offer bilingual (Chinese and English) audio guides; it is recommended to confirm with customer service when booking. If you wish to have English commentary throughout the tour, it is advisable to book a private tour or confirm the availability of audio guides on board in advance.
III. Best time to visit: season, time of day, and weather
Seasonal selection
Spring (March-May): Temperatures 15-25°C, the misty beauty of the Li River is unparalleled. Recommendation: ★★★★★
Autumn (September-November): Clear skies and excellent visibility, the golden period for photography. Recommendation: ★★★★★
Summer (June-August): Hot but sunny, the mountains are at their most vibrant in color. Recommendation: ★★★★
Winter (December-February): Temperatures 5-12°C, fewer tourists, ticket prices may be discounted. Recommendation: ★★★
Guilin is beautiful all year round, but the scenery is most beautiful from April to October.
Best time of day
9:00-11:00: Soft light, ideal for capturing reflections.
11:00-14:00: Direct sunlight, peak color saturation for the mountains.
14:00-16:30: Afternoon light, ideal for group portraits.
19:00-21:00: Golden hour for nighttime visits, all lights on.
IV. Dock and Transportation: How to get to the boarding point
The Two Rivers and Four Lakes area has three main wharves, all located in the center of Guilin City and not far from each other.
Riyue Bay Wharf
Address: No. 1, Shanhu North Road (diagonally opposite the main entrance of Lijiang Waterfall Hotel)
Public Transportation: Take bus routes 2, 99, 10, or 100 and get off at "Central Square Station," then walk for about 10 minutes.
Features: Close to the city center, convenient for dining and shopping.
Xiangshan Fisherman's Wharf
Address: Next to Gate 3 of Elephant Trunk Hill Park, Binjiang Road
Public Transportation: Bus routes 2, 16, 23, 33, and 88
Features: Adjacent to Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area, a top choice for day trips and boat boarding points.
Wenchang Bridge Wharf
Address: Southeast end of Wenchang Bridge (under the bridge)
Public Transportation: Bus routes 2, 16, 23, 33, and 88
Features: Departure pier for Night Cruise Line A; recommended departure point.
V. Detailed Explanation of Attractions Along the Way: A 90-Minute Visual Feast
1. Peach Blossom River - Tranquil Waterways (Opening of Night Tour Route A)
The Taohua River, formerly known as the Yangjiang River, meanders like a ribbon. Night tours begin from this section, where ancient banyan trees with drooping branches line both banks, and the dappled light from the houses creates a tranquil atmosphere perfect for appreciating the rhythm of the water and the night.
2. Ronghu Lake Glass Bridge and Ancient South Gate
Ronghu Lake is named after the ancient banyan trees on its shore. The glass bridge on the island in the middle of the lake is China's first crystal glass bridge, which glows with an icy blue light at night.
The Ancient South Gate is the south gate of Guilin City during the Tang Dynasty. At night, a 3D projection light show recreates the ancient garrison scene.
3. Shanhu Lake · Sun and Moon Twin Towers (Core of the entire route)
This is the most iconic landscape of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes. The Sun and Moon Twin Towers are one of the emblems of Guilin City—the Sun Tower is made of bronze, stands 41 meters tall, and is known as the world's tallest bronze tower; the Moon Tower is made of glazed tiles, and stands 35 meters tall.
At night, the golden Sun Tower and the silver Moon Tower are reflected in the lake, their LED lights changing to warm and cool hues in sync with the music. This is the best spot for photography throughout the trip, and the cruise ship will make a brief stop for photo opportunities.
4. Guihu Lake, Nine-Bend Bridge, and Laoren Mountain
The Nine-Bend Bridge, illuminated by winding, looping lights, evokes the charm of a Jiangnan garden. At night, the outline of Laoren Mountain on the north bank is illuminated by spotlights, resembling an elderly man leaning over to fish. Wind speeds are high in this area; please hold onto your belongings securely.
5. Wooden Dragon Pagoda and Song Dynasty City Wall
The Wooden Dragon Pagoda is a seven-story pagoda modeled after the Song Dynasty pagoda, complementing the ancient city wall ruins behind it. The "beacon fire signal" device on the city wall simulates ancient beacon fire signals, lighting up every 15 minutes.
Folk music performances are often held at night at the foot of the pagoda (depending on the season).
6. Li River Section · Elephant Trunk Hill (Best attraction for day trips)
As you enter the urban section of the Li River, the view opens up dramatically. Elephant Trunk Hill, the emblem of Guilin, is located at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River.
Daytime cruises offer close-up views of the entire Elephant Trunk Hill from the boat.
Nighttime cruises feature a light show at Diecai Hill, with themes encompassing Guilin's landscape legends and the folk songs of Liu Sanjie.
7. Jiefang Bridge – Rainbow at the End
Jiefang Bridge is a modern cable-stayed bridge, its lights changing seven colors at night. The six horse statues beneath the bridge, illuminated by the lights, are lifelike, a microcosm of Guilin's "Six Horses Painting Mountain" legend.
8. More Scenic Views Along the Way
The route passes 22 bridges of varying styles, many with exquisite reliefs and large-scale paintings hidden in their bases. Guests can also enjoy distant views of famous mountains such as Diecai Mountain, Fubo Mountain, Baoji Mountain, and Duxiu Peak. Some cruise ships also offer onboard performances and naked-eye 3D light shows.
VI. Free Alternative: Enjoy the Two Rivers and Four Lakes without taking a boat
If you're on a budget or short on time, the lakeside walkways along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes are completely free to the public.
Recommended free walking route: Sun and Moon Twin Towers → Ronghu Lake → Guihu Lake, approximately 40 minutes in total. Along the way, you can take close-up photos of the reflections of the Sun and Moon Twin Towers, the Ancient South Gate, the Glass Bridge, and other scenic spots.
Many tourists choose a combination of daytime walking tours and evening boat tours, balancing budget and experience.
VII. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What's the difference between daytime and nighttime tours? Which one should I choose?
A night cruise is the top recommendation. The Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise (approximately 90 minutes) offers a stunning ambiance with the Sun and Moon Twin Towers, ancient bridges, and the light show on Mulong Lake, all illuminated by lights, representing the essence of Guilin's nighttime scenery.
If you have ample time, choose the Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise; if you want to combine daytime shopping with sightseeing, choose the One River and Four Lakes day cruise; if you're short on time, choose the Four Lakes night cruise (approximately 70 minutes).
Q2: What time does the ferry depart? Are there many departures?
Night cruises typically depart at 19:25, 19:35, 20:20, or 20:40. The 19:30-20:00 departure is recommended, as it is completely dark and all the lights are on for the best viewing experience. The scenic area operates from 8:00 to 21:30, with multiple cruises departing regularly.
Q3: Which pier do I board the ship at?
There are three main wharves: Riyue Bay Wharf (near the city center), Xiangshan Fisherman's Wharf (adjacent to Elephant Trunk Hill Park), and Wenchang Bridge Wharf. The specific boarding wharf will be provided by customer service during the phone confirmation, as different ferry schedules correspond to different wharves.
Q4: Is there English audio guide on board?
Some cruise ships offer bilingual (Chinese and English) audio guides. It is recommended to confirm with customer service when booking.
Q5: How early should I arrive at the pier?
It is recommended to arrive at the pier at least 20-30 minutes in advance to exchange for paper tickets and board the ship.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for reference only and was last updated on . Requirements and regulations may change. Always verify with official sources before making travel plans.
