Liangjiang International Airport is the main air travel hub for both international and domestic flights into Guilin. Located 28kms to the south of the city, it services some 50 airlines which operate direct flights to more than 30 cities around China and eight international destinations. The primary international routes include Hong Kong, Seoul, Taiwan, Macau, Bangkok and Fukuoka.

The terminal, which was built in 1996, offers all the basic facilities a traveller will need upon arrival in a foreign country. There are a number of restaurants in the Arrivals and Departures areas, as well as a few shops and a branch of the Bank of China to help with your money needs. Business travellers can use the business centre, which offers Internet, fax and printing services.

There are only a couple of ways to get from the airport into the city: taxi or shuttle bus. The airport shuttle bus ferries passengers between the terminal and the aviation building located downtown on Shanghai Road. It departs from the Arrivals Hall after each flight arrival. From the aviation building you can catch a taxi to your hotel. The other option is to take a taxi direct from the terminal to your destination for a flat rate, which is considerably more than the shuttle bus.

It is fairly easy to get to Guilin from other parts of China since it is such a popular tourist destination. Train travel, while very convenient, is often fully booked so it’s wise to purchase your tickets well in advance from a travel agency in Guilin or another city. Guilin has two railway stations and is the largest rail hub in southern China. The majority of travellers use the Guilin Huochezhan Station, or South Station, in the southern end of town. The big Chinese cities all provide frequent services and it is also possible to take an international train from Hanoi to Beijing, which passes through Guilin twice a week. The bus is another convenient option to get to Guilin. The city’s main bus station is located just to the north of the southern railway station where you can catch a comfortable air-conditioned bus direct to many destinations around China. Thanks to its location along the Li River, you can also arrive by boat from regional cities.

Guilin is a fully developed tourist town and as such boasts a very efficient public transportation network. To make things even easier, there are eight special tourism buses servicing 110 routes free of charge. Both foreigners and locals can use this service, so be prepared for crowded conditions between 09:00 and 17:00 every day. Even still, these buses are the best way to access the natural parks and sites around Guilin. Most taxis in the city are air-conditioned and available 24 hours a day. They use a meter and can be hailed on the street or found in front of most hotels. Motorcycle rickshaws are a more colourful transportation option for a short jaunt around town. Always bargain your fare with these drivers, as they don’t use a meter. Otherwise, you can get to most of the attractions in Guilin by foot or bicycle.