Things to Do in Guilin in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Guilin
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
69°F (20°C)
High Temp
55°F (13°C)
Low Temp
3.2 inches (81 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + November gives you the last comfortable hiking weather before winter damp sets in - the limestone karsts around Yangshuo stay green and the rice terraces at Longji still hold water, creating those mirror-like reflections photographers chase
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% after Golden Week crowds disappear - you'll find river-view rooms in Yangshuo for shoulder-season prices without the summer humidity that makes climbing Moon Hill feel like breathing through a wet towel
- + The Li River cruise boats run half-empty, meaning you can move around the deck for photos instead of fighting selfie sticks at every turn - morning mist lingers longer in cooler air, making those classic cormorant fisherman shots possible
- + Persimmon season hits the countryside markets - vendors set up along the road to Gaotian village selling honey-sweet fruit that's been kissed by the first cool nights of autumn
Considerations
- − Afternoon river fog rolls in thick and fast - that famous karst landscape can disappear completely after 3pm, turning your sunset river cruise into a damp ride through gray nothing
- − The water buffalo smell gets stronger in cooler weather - those well-known photos of farmers working rice paddies come with the reality of powerful agricultural odors that travel with the breeze
- − Some outdoor activities shut down early for winter prep - the bamboo raft operators between Yangdi and Nine Horse reduction start pulling boats from service mid-month
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
November in Guilin is crisp and clear. Daytime temperatures are comfortable, good for long days outside. This month, the city's 200,000 osmanthus trees release their perfume. It smells like apricots and honey. The scent drifts on the cool breeze, announcing the early November Osmanthus Festival. Locals gather fallen blossoms for wine and tea. The trees around Ronghu Lake are lit at night, creating golden, fragrant tunnels. Occasional rain showers pass through. They often sharpen the dramatic contrast of the karst peaks against a grey sky. The landscape appears more defined. This is a sensory transition. Visual clarity meets the sweet, pervasive smell of the city in bloom. For a visitor, November presents a particular opportunity. Crowds are thinner at major sights. You will have a more personal encounter with Guilin's famous scenery. See the mirror-like Li River. See the sculpted waves of the Longji Rice Terraces, now flushed with golden-brown after the harvest. Planning a Guilin itinerary now means embracing the atmosphere. Morning mists cling to river bends. Feel warm sunshine on a bamboo raft. Taste seasonal treats like osmanthus rice wine at night markets. The rhythm is slower. The light is softer. The experience feels distilled to its essential, poetic elements.
3 Days Private Luxury Guilin Highlights Tour
guided_experienceA complete immersion that reveals the region's grandeur at a considered pace. A private vehicle takes you from the surreal pinnacles of Reed Flute Cave to the serene banks of the Li River. Expert narration connects the landscapes to centuries of art and poetry. This tour handles every logistical detail. You can simply absorb the vistas, from the panoramic view from Xianggong Hill to the intricate waterways around Yangshuo.
It offers an easy, in-depth narrative of Guilin's most well-known landscapes. Sightseeing becomes a coherent story.
Insider tip: Request an early start on the Li River cruise day. Experience the water at its most placid, before the breeze picks up.
This month: The clear November air often provides exceptional visibility from high vantage points like Xianggong Hill.
Li River Cruise with bamboo Rafting & Xianggong Hill Private Tour
adventureCombines classic and active perspectives. You will hear the gentle putter of a diesel cruise boat. It glides past water buffalo and towering karst formations. Then feel the cool spray of the river from a traditional bamboo raft on a quieter tributary. The journey ends with a climb up Xianggong Hill. From there, see the Li River snake through the peaks like a silvery ribbon.
It delivers the classic Li River experience. You get the broad vantage of a cruise and the intimate level of a raft.
Insider tip: For the most striking photographs from Xianggong Hill, time your ascent for late afternoon. The low sun casts long, dramatic shadows.
This month: The autumn water levels are reliable for both cruising and rafting. The hillsides retain their greenery.
1-Day tour of Guilin-LiRiver cruise-Yangshuo Xianggong hill
cruiseA concise, efficient option that shows the heart of the Guilin landscape. You will spend hours on the water. Watch fishermen with cormorants. See villages tucked into limestone folds before disembarking in Yangshuo. The tour then takes you up Xianggong Hill. The scale of the river's journey through the mountains develops in a single, impressive panorama.
It compresses the essential Li River and peak-viewing experience into one manageable day trip from Guilin.
Insider tip: Pack a layer. The temperature on the open deck of the cruise boat can feel cooler than in the city, with the river breeze in November.
Private Day Tour: Longji Rice Terraces and Long Hair Village
guided_experienceJourneys into the highlands where the landscape is shaped by human hands. You will see the vast, sculpted slopes of the Longji Terraces. Their flooded fields in other seasons now hold the geometric patterns of harvested earth and dry stalks. The tour includes a visit to Huangluo Yao Village. Hear the soft clink of silver adornments. Observe the famed long hair of the local women, often coiled atop their heads.
It connects the impressive agricultural artistry of the terraces with the living culture of the people who maintain them.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy shoes with good grip. The paths through the terraces and villages are stone steps. They can be slippery with morning dew or light rain.
This month: In November, the terraces are typically drained after the harvest. This reveals their intricate, earthy architecture.
1 day private tour: Longji rice terraces & Huang Luo Yao villages
private_tourA focused exploration that covers the Longji area's dual wonders. The drive itself offers views of mist clinging to forested slopes. Then it reveals the staggering expanse of the terraces. You will have time to walk among these monumental curves. Then engage with the Huangluo Yao community. You might smell woodsmoke from a hearth and see textiles woven with old patterns.
It provides an intimate, flexible day. You can appreciate both the physical grandeur and the cultural depth of the Longji region.
Insider tip: For a quieter experience, ask your guide to approach the terraces from a secondary path. Avoid the main tourist entrance at Ping'an Village.
2-Day Guilin Highlights: Longji Terraces and Li River Cruise Tour
cruiseThe definitive sampler for limited time. It weaves together the region's two most well-known set pieces. You will feel the hum of a long-tail boat on the Li River one day. Stand amidst the monumental silence of the mountain-hugging terraces the next. This itinerary captures the essential contrast of Guilin. It has the serene, vertical beauty of its waterways and the imposing, human-made curves of its highlands.
It efficiently combines the two non-negotiable experiences of any Guilin travel guide into one flowing itinerary.
Insider tip: Use the evening between tours to explore Guilin's night markets. Find a stall serving osmanthus rice wine for a warm, floral taste of the November festival.
Where to Stay in Guilin in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
GangShe Rooftop View Hotel l (Guilin Two Rivers And Four Lakes Elephant Trunk Hill)
From $35 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early November
Guilin Osmanthus Festival
The city plants 200,000 osmanthus trees that bloom simultaneously in early November, turning streets into perfume factories. Locals collect fallen flowers to make wine and tea - you can taste osmanthus rice wine at the night market, sweet and floral with a kick that sneaks up on you. The trees around Ronghu Lake are lit at night, creating golden tunnels that smell like apricots.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Guilin Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The cormorant fishermen photos are staged - real fishermen stopped using birds decades ago. The old men in bamboo hats work for tips, so negotiate 20 yuan for photos before you start shooting
Guilin rice noodles taste completely different at 6am versus 6pm. The morning broth has been simmering overnight and develops deeper flavor. Locals eat them for breakfast, not dinner. Wake up early. Taste the difference.
November's the last month to see fireflies near Yulong River. They disappear after first frost. Ask your guesthouse which fields still have them. Farmers know the exact spots. Trust them.
The best view of Guilin's karst landscape isn't from the expensive tower downtown. It's from the free hiking trail behind Yao Mountain. Takes 45 minutes up, saves you 120 yuan, and you'll have it to yourself. Pack water. Start early.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking the 4-hour Li River cruise instead of the 2-hour bamboo raft. The big boats trap you inside with 200 tourists and windows you can't open for photos. Skip the cruise. Choose the raft.
Wearing white shoes anywhere near the rice terraces. The red clay stains permanently and you'll throw them away. Wear dark shoes. Pack old sneakers.
Skipping Yangshuo town entirely for countryside hotels. You need the town for bike rentals, bus connections, and the only decent coffee within 30 miles. Stay nearby. Visit daily.
Trying to see Longji as a day trip from Guilin. The 2.5-hour drive each way means you'll hit midday crowds and miss both sunrise and sunset lighting. Stay overnight. Catch both.
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