Layover in Guilin

Guilin is famous for its karst hills and crystal-clear Li River. It has been seen by Chinese people as the most beautiful place in China. From biking in the countryside of Yangshuo to hiking at the terrace field in Longsheng, from snack streets to bamboo rafting tours, the city offers a variety of places and activities to suit anyone.

Good to know: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) is located in Liangjiang Town, Lingui County, 26.5 km (16.5 mi) southwest of Guilin city center. Connecting to more than 55 domestic cities in China, it is a transportation hub for Guilin and neighboring cities like Liuzhou and Hezhou. There are international flights from Hong Kong, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Daegu, Cheongju, and other Asian cities to Guilin.

Can I leave the airport during a layover in Guilin?

You cannot leave the airport if you don’t have a visa or are not eligible for the 240 hour transit visa exemption policy.

You are eligible for the 240 hour transit visa exemption policy if you:

A. Booked a flight ticket to a third country or region

B. Hold a passport from one of the following 57 countries:

America: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.

Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan.

As an eligible foreign passenger, what should I do to apply for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit?

It is very easy to apply for the 240 hour visa free transit, you just need 3 steps:

• Step 1: Prepare the required documents for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit. You need a valid passport (at least 3 months of validity), book your direct flight ticket to a third country after China, and have a visa to the third country (if it is required) .
• Step 2: When you board the flight to Guilin, you should tell the agent at the airport that you are eligible for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit in China and that you have all the necessary documents with you.
• Step 3: When you arrive at Tianjin airport/port, you’ll be looking for a specific line for those applying for a 240-hour transit visa. Normally, it will only take you 5-10 mins to get the sticker “Temporary Entry Permit” on a blank page of your passport. Then everything is done.

What is the policy of 6 day visa-free entry for tour groups from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?

Since 2015, tour groups from 10 ASEAN countries can enjoy a visa-free stay in Guangxi for up to 144 hours (6 days) . Please note that this is a regional visa‑free entry policy approved by the Chinese central government, which is still in force and separate from transit‑visa‑exemption schemes such as the 240‑hour visa‑free transit policy.

Eligible countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia .

Requirements:

• Group size: At least 2 people.
• Tour arrangement: You must book through an authorized travel agency in Guilin. Independent travel is not eligible.
• Entry and exit: You must arrive and depart as a group via direct flights to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. Flights transiting through Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan do not qualify.
• Stay area: You can only visit places within Guilin City. Travel to other cities in China is not permitted.

There are 3 steps for the visa free tour to Guilin:

• Step 1: Contact an authorized travel agency in Guilin to arrange your itinerary. Once you agree on the price and plan, provide your passport details to the agency .
• Step 2: When boarding your flight to Guilin, inform the check-in agent that you will be using the ASEAN tourist group visa-free policy and that your Guilin agency has made the arrangements.
• Step 3: The local agency will have forwarded your passport details to the immigration authorities in advance. Upon arrival at Guilin Airport, simply fill out the arrival card and go through customs .

Luggage storage at Guilin airport

If you need to store your luggage, go to the Departure Hall on the 3rd floor, Area B, and look for the sign marked “Baggage Packing.” You can leave your luggage there. The staff will check and register your ID information and your approximate pickup time. After payment, you can store your luggage.

Rates (subject to change, please confirm at the counter):

Small items (e.g., backpacks): approximately 5 yuan/piece/day

Large items (e.g., suitcases): approximately 10 yuan/piece/day

Service hours: Usually 08:00 – 22:00 (subject to change; please confirm at the counter on the day).

Additional information:

The information desk in Area B also offers luggage storage, but you will need to go through security, which takes more time.

Items such as cameras, lithium batteries, and computers cannot be stored.

Guilin airport WiFi

There is free WiFi (SSID: "Airport Free WiFi GuiLin") , and you can connect by following these steps:

• Select the WiFi network on your device.
• Open any webpage – a verification page will pop up; click "认证免费上网" (Verify for Free Access).
• For China mobile numbers: Enter your number, click "领取免费账号" (Get Free Account), and use the SMS code to log in.
• For international travelers (without a Chinese phone number): You can get a password from self-service kiosks located at the entrance of the International Departure Hall. Use your passport, ID card, or other travel document on the kiosk to get the WiFi code.

As an alternative, you can also use the WiFi at Starbucks at Gate #1 on the departure level of Terminal 2, as mentioned.

Airport Lounge and hotel

There are several First Class and Business Lounges you can use for a fee. Lounge access can be purchased at the VIP Reception Counter (Zone B, Departure Hall Level 3) .

If you want to stay hotel, there are options:

What are the transportation options from the airport to the city center, bus station, or train station?

Top- rated attractions in Guilin

How to travel from Guilin airport to major attractions

Name of Tourist Attraction	Distance (from airport)	Recommended visiting time	Why visit here?	How to get here?
Elephant Trunk Hill Park	29 km (18 mi)	1 hour	Landmark of Guilin	Take Shuttle Bus Line 1 (direct to the scenic area)
Reed Flute Cave	25 km (15.5 mi)	1 hour	One of the most beautiful Karst caves in China	Take a taxi (approx. 25 km) ; or take Shuttle Bus Line 1 to the city center and transfer to Bus #3
Seven Star Park	32 km (20 mi)	1.5 hrs	Largest comprehensive park in Guilin	Take Shuttle Bus Line 1 (direct to the scenic area)
Daxu Ancient Town	~62 km (~38.5 mi)	1.5 hrs	Discover the ancient stone streets, temples and historic markets.	Take Shuttle Bus Line 1 to the city center, then transfer to a bus to the town
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo	~50 km (~31 mi)	4 hrs	Cruise in a Chinese painting	Take a taxi or join a tour group; airport shuttle to Yangshuo is also available
Longsheng Terraced Field	~89 km (~55 mi)	3 hrs (full day recommended)	One of the most beautiful rice terraces in China	Take a taxi or join a tour group; airport shuttle to Longsheng is available
Yangshuo Town	~86 km (~53 mi)	1-2 days	Countryside life	Take the direct airport shuttle bus to Yangshuo (approx. 90 min, 50 yuan, 16 daily departures)

How many hours before the flight should we get back to the airport?

We recommend that you get back to the airport at least 3 hrs before your flight.

Recommended Guilin layover tour packages

If you have 6 hours to visit Guilin during your layover:

You can do a city tour to Reed Flute cave, Elephant Trunk Hill Park and city proper (shopping street and four lakes area). Or you can join our 4 hour food tour in Guilin if your layover time is in the evening.

If you have 9‑12 hours:

We recommend a day tour to Longsheng Rice Terraces or one‑day Li River cruise. (To take the cruise you need to get to the pier before 9am)

If you have 2 to 3 days:

You can do a cruise on the river and stay overnight in Yangshuo. Once you are in Yangshuo, you’ll have a lot of options. You can do biking, hiking or take a bamboo raft on Yulong River.

A standard Guilin/Yangshuo tour needs 4 days and 3 nights, we have many tour packages for Guilin.

By Leon Long
China Expert

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