65 km, two ways to drive it, what the tolls cost, and where to leave the car when you arrive.
Bottom line: Guilin to Yangshuo is about 65 km and takes roughly an hour on the expressway, or 1.5-2 hours on the slower riverside road. Tolls run 30-50 RMB. Take the expressway to get there; take the old road if you want the scenery on the way.
This is the most-driven leg of any Guilin trip, and the choice is genuinely simple: speed or scenery. Both routes are well maintained and easy to navigate, so the decision comes down to whether the drive is transport or part of the day.
| Expressway | Riverside / provincial road | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | about 65 km | about 70-80 km |
| Driving time | about 1 hour | 1.5-2 hours |
| Tolls | 30-50 RMB | Usually none |
| Scenery | Cut through hills, few views | River, villages, karst backdrops |
| Best for | Moving between bases | A slow travel day with stops |
The expressway is the sensible default if you are checking out of a Guilin hotel and into a Yangshuo one. The slower road suits a day when you want to stop for photographs, a village lunch, or a riverside walk without committing to a formal itinerary.
Budget 30-50 RMB in tolls for the expressway. Payment is by Alipay or WeChat Pay at the gate, with cash lanes usually available; foreign cards are not accepted, so have a wallet app set up before you set off. Fuel stations are frequent along both routes and attendants expect mobile payment or cash.
Yangshuo town has several paid lots within walking distance of West Street, and they fill quickly on holiday weekends — arriving before late morning helps. Countryside hotels and riverside resorts almost always have their own parking, which is the simplest answer if you are staying overnight. Expect to pay 10-20 RMB at attraction car parks such as the Yulong River piers.
A foreign licence is not enough on its own: you need a Chinese temporary driving permit issued by the local vehicle management office, obtained with your passport, visa, home licence, and a certified translation. An International Driving Permit does not substitute for it. Everything you need to arrange beforehand is in the self-drive guide, and rental specifics are in the car rental guide. For a transport overview that includes trains, buses, and cruises, see the Guilin to Yangshuo transport page.
Source & verification: Distances and times are typical 2026 figures for normal conditions; holiday traffic and weather can add significantly to journey times.
About 65 km. The expressway takes roughly one hour in normal traffic, while the slower riverside and provincial roads take closer to 1.5-2 hours depending on stops.
Take the expressway if you are moving between bases or short on time. Take the slower road if the drive itself is part of the plan and you want river views and village stops along the way.
Typically 30-50 RMB for a car on the expressway. Toll gates accept Alipay and WeChat Pay, and cash lanes still exist, but foreign cards are not accepted.
Yangshuo town has several paid lots, though they fill on holiday weekends. Most countryside hotels and riverside resorts have their own parking, which is the simplest option if you are staying overnight.
Not on its own. You need a Chinese temporary driving permit issued locally, in addition to your home licence. An International Driving Permit is not accepted in China.
Yes. The riverside road passes small towns and viewpoints where you can pull over. Xingping, with the 20 RMB viewpoint, sits just north of Yangshuo and is the most popular detour.