Guilin

Guilin is the postcard of southern China: a city ringed by impossibly steep karst peaks, with the Li River winding through them. The classic experience is a river cruise down to Yangshuo, a riverside town of rice paddies, bamboo rafts and cycling lanes, where the limestone towers rise directly from the fields.

Most visitors use Guilin as the transport hub and spend their nights in Yangshuo or the surrounding countryside. Add a day or two for the Longji Rice Terraces — tiered fields carved into the hills that are spectacular when flooded in spring and golden in autumn — and the region becomes one of China's most photogenic corners.

Getting there: Guilin Liangjiang (KWL) airport has domestic and some international flights. High-speed rail now links Guilin to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in about 2–3 hours, making it an easy add-on to a Pearl River Delta trip.

Getting around: From Guilin, the Li River cruise (about 4 hours) or a bus/taxi gets you to Yangshuo in 1–1.5 hours. Around Yangshuo, hire a bicycle or e-scooter to explore the lanes between the karst peaks.

The local staple is Guilin rice noodles (mìfěn) — slippery noodles in a fragrant broth, topped with pickles, peanuts and chilli, eaten for breakfast or any time. In Yangshuo, try beer fish (river fish braised with beer and tomato) and oil tea. The food is lighter and fresher than the chilli-heavy cuisines further north.

Apr–Oct (Sep–Oct is best; avoid Jul–Aug heat)

Book the Li River cruise a day or two ahead in peak season. Stay in Yangshuo rather than Guilin for the scenery. The rice terraces are best in late spring (flooded) or early autumn (golden); bring rain gear in summer, when afternoon storms are common.