Things to Do in Guilin in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
October Weather in Guilin
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
79°F (26°C)
High Temp
64°F (18°C)
Low Temp
2.2 inches (56 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index 8 causes fast burns on water - reapply sunscreen every two hours when rafting or cycling. Sun is fierce. Repeat lotion.
Is October Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + October brings the clearest Li River visibility of the year - morning mist lifts by 9 AM instead of lingering until noon, giving you postcard-perfect reflections of the karst peaks without the summer haze.
- + Hotel rates drop 25-30% after the National Day holiday (October 1-7) crowds disperse; mid-month you'll find riverside rooms in Yangshuo for the same price as a city business hotel.
- + Persimmon season starts mid-October; every wet market stall on Zhongshan Road stacks crates of the local 'huoshi' variety that taste like honeyed apricot when well ripe.
- + Rafting operators extend hours because the Yulong River stays at its gentlest flow - you can start a bamboo raft at 4 PM and still catch golden-hour light on the limestone cliffs without rushing.
Considerations
- − UV index hits 8 even on cloudy days. Burn time is under 20 minutes on the Li River where water reflects light back at you - sunburns here peel for a week.
- − Morning fog can cancel 7 AM river cruises three days out of ten. If your itinerary is tight you'll need a backup plan for those lost mornings.
- − Countryside restaurants close early once the sun sets at 6:15 PM; kitchens in villages like Xingping shut by 7 PM so late diners end up back in Guilin city center.
Best Activities in October
Top things to do during your visit
Li River Bamboo Raft Cruises
October's lower water levels mean the nine-horse bend section between Yangdi and Xingping becomes a mirror - you'll see the exact view from the 20-yuan note without the summer boat traffic creating wake. Morning departures (8-9 AM) give you mist that photographs like ink wash paintings. But afternoon runs (3-4 PM) offer warmer light and fewer tour groups once the National Day crowds thin.
Booking Tip: Book 3-4 days ahead through licensed operators (see current options in booking section below); ask for the 'open raft' (no canopy) if you want unobstructed photos.
Yangshuo Countryside E-Bike Loop
Rice paddies around Gaotian village turn golden by mid-October and the air loses its summer stickiness - you can cycle 25 km (15.5 miles) without arriving drenched. The route past Moon Hill to the Dragon Bridge is almost car-free once you leave the main road. Farmers drying persimmons on bamboo racks create that classic China calendar shot every 500 m (1,640 ft).
Booking Tip: Rent from shops that swap batteries for free - October evenings cool down and you'll drain power faster than you expect with headlights on. Return by 6 PM or risk riding in darkness on unlit village paths.
Longji Rice Terraces photography walks
Terraces in Ping'an and Dazhai villages are still flooded from late-season irrigation, turning each level into a sky mirror that reflects autumn cloud formations. You'll share the viewpoint with maybe a dozen photographers instead of the summer tour-bus crowds, and the 1,100 m (3,609 ft) elevation knocks 4°C (7°F) off Guilin's temperature - perfect hiking weather.
Booking Tip: Stay overnight in Ping'an; sunrise hits the eastern-facing terraces at 6:45 AM and you'll hear the shutters clicking from every wooden balcony. No vehicles inside the village - porters carry bags up stone steps for a negotiable fee.
Guilin Evening Rice-Noodle Alley Crawl
October nights cool enough that a steaming bowl of mifen comforts rather than overheats you. The pedestrian lane behind Jiefang Bridge fills with folding tables after 7 PM; vendors ladle pork-bone broth over thin rice noodles topped with pickled long-bean and crispy soy nuts. Eat standing up with the locals - seats are plastic stools that disappear fast.
Booking Tip: Start at the southern entrance (near the river) and walk north; stall #5 (no English sign, look for the giant metal soup pot) adds fresh chili oil that numbs without killing the broth flavor. Bring cash - no phones scanned here.
Cave Kayaking in Crown Cave
Water levels inside Crown Cave drop after the wet season, letting small sit-on-top kayaks paddle 600 m (1,969 ft) into the cavern where October LED lighting creates blue reflections you won't see in summer mist. Outside air is 24°C (75°F) but the cave stays a constant 18°C (64°F) - take the provided fleece vest seriously or your hands stiffen on the paddle.
Booking Tip: First tour at 9 AM has the clearest water. Later groups stir up silt and photographs come out hazy. Helmets and life-jackets are mandatory - refuse any operator who claims otherwise.
Where to Stay in Guilin in October
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for October 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 →
Public Holidays in October
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
国庆节
Known in English as National Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
国庆节
Known in English as National Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
国庆节
Known in English as National Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
中秋节
Known in English as Mid-Autumn Festival. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
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
Hotel air-con in Guilin defaults to 26°C (79°F) and feels clamby. Ask reception for a fan instead of lowering the thermostat and you'll sleep drier.
City buses to Yangdi raft pier depart from the rear bay of Guilin North station, not the main front plaza - locals queue at gate 3 where conductor shouts 'Yangdi yangdi' every 20 minutes.
Persimmon farmers along the Yulong River will hand you a fruit to taste; accept, eat it on the spot, then buy a kilo. Walking away without purchasing is considered rude. Take the gift. Eat it. Pay up. Simple.
Photography permits for well-known Xingping viewpoint cost nothing but guards expect you to show up before 6 AM; after that they enforce a 20 yuan 'maintenance fee' that goes straight into their pocket. Arrive early. Skip the shakedown.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking the 8 AM river cruise on October 1-7 - National Day holiday packs boats shoulder-to-shoulder; raft photos show more heads than mountains. Crowds ruin the view. Pick another week.
Wearing shorts into Crown Cave - the 18°C (64°F) air feels like a refrigerator after five minutes underground and guides won't lend trousers. Shiver later. Pack long pants.
Planning a sunset river photo at 6 PM - mountains block direct light by 5:30 PM; golden hour hits the peaks at 4:45 PM in October. Shoot earlier. Light fades fast.
Ready to plan your trip to Guilin?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.
Book Experiences in Guilin
Top-rated things to do in Guilin this October
Explore More Activities in Guilin
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Guilin.
See All Guilin Tours on Viator