China train guide · checked October 2026
Guilin to Guangzhou by train
From the karst hills of Guangxi to the Pearl River Delta in about two hours – a convenient way to finish a Li River trip.
- Journey timeabout 2–3 hours
- Fastest train2 h
- Second classfrom ¥150 (about 87 PLN) – up to ¥200
- How oftenfrequent high-speed trains, also from Yangshuo
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
If you end your Li River trip in Yangshuo, take the train from Yangshuo station (阳朔站), about 40 minutes by taxi from West Street. From Guilin: Guilin North (桂林北站) or Guilin West (桂林西站).
A huge station south of the centre – metro lines 2 and 7 go into the city.
Good to know
- Many trains continue beyond Guangzhou South to Shenzhen and Hong Kong – you can stay on board if you are heading there.
- Allow time at Guangzhou South: it is one of the biggest stations in China, and the walk to the metro is long.
Other ways: Flights from Guilin (KWL) to Guangzhou take about 1 hour, plus the transfers.
On the way
For the first stretch the karst peaks of Guangxi are still outside the window; then the line tunnels through the hills of northern Guangdong and comes out into the flat, built-up Pearl River Delta.
When you arrive
From Guangzhou South take metro line 2 or 7 into the city. On your first evening, take a Pearl River night cruise from Tianzi Pier (about 1 hour, ¥80–150) past the lit-up bridges and the Canton Tower, and start the next morning with dim sum.
How to book
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take the train from Yangshuo or from Guilin?
If you finish your Li River trip in Yangshuo, take the train from Yangshuo station (about 40 minutes by taxi from West Street) – it saves going back to Guilin. From Guilin, most trains leave from Guilin North or Guilin West.
Is there a direct train from Guilin to Hong Kong?
Yes, a few direct trains a day run from Guilin West to Hong Kong West Kowloon in about 3–3.5 hours. Otherwise, change at Guangzhou South or Shenzhen.
