🚄 Karst Landscapes Made Easy
Travelling by train from Hong Kong to Guilin is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to reach China’s most famous natural scenery. Fast, comfortable, and surprisingly simple, the journey swaps skyscrapers for limestone peaks in just a few hours 🌄.
If you’re planning to see the Li River landscapes or use Guilin as a springboard deeper into China, this route fits beautifully into a longer rail-based itinerary.
⏱️ How Long Does the Train Take?
High-speed trains run from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guilin in around:
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3 to 3.5 hours on most services
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Some of the fastest schedules come in just under 3 hours
It’s quick enough to feel effortless, yet long enough to enjoy watching the scenery change as southern China unfolds outside the window 🚆.
🔁 Direct Trains or Changing Along the Way?
Good news: direct trains do exist.
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Several daily direct services run between Hong Kong and Guilin
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These are the simplest option, especially if you’re travelling with luggage
That said, you don’t have to rely on them:
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Changing trains at Guangzhou South or Shenzhen North is very easy
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A change can give you more departure times and sometimes better seat availability
In practice, most travellers choose whichever option best fits their schedule.
💰 Rough Ticket Prices
Prices vary depending on demand and seat class, but as a realistic starting point:
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Second class seats usually start at around CNY 400+
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That roughly translates to £45 or US$60 at the lower end
For a journey of this speed and comfort, it’s generally excellent value 💺✨.
🌿 Why Guilin Is Worth the Journey
Guilin’s landscapes are iconic for a reason. Towering karst hills, misty rivers, and dramatic silhouettes make it one of the most visually distinctive regions in China.
Highlights include:
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Easy access to the Li River
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Short onward trips to Yangshuo, where the scenery becomes even more cinematic
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A relaxed pace that contrasts nicely with China’s megacities
Even if you’re not normally a “nature trip” person, Guilin tends to win people over 📸.
➡️ Where to Go After Guilin
Guilin works brilliantly as a midpoint before heading north or inland. Here’s how long some popular onward journeys take by high-speed train:
🌶️ Guilin → Chongqing
Perfect if you want a dramatic shift from nature to neon cityscapes.
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Around 4 hours
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A lively, vertical city famous for rivers, night views, and hotpot
🏙️ Guilin → Shanghai
A longer ride, but a classic contrast between landscapes and modern China.
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Roughly 8–10 hours, depending on the service
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Best treated as a full-day journey
🧱 Guilin → Beijing (for the Great Wall)
Ideal if your trip is building toward China’s historical heart.
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Approximately 8–11 hours by high-speed train
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Another full-day ride, but very doable with an early start
🗺️ Easy Itinerary Ideas
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Hong Kong → Guilin → Chongqing for contrast and energy
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Hong Kong → Guilin → Shanghai → Beijing for a classic highlights route
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Hong Kong → Guilin → Beijing if history is your main goal
China’s rail network makes these combinations feel surprisingly seamless.
✅ Final Thoughts
Taking the train from Hong Kong to Guilin is one of those journeys that feels both practical and memorable. You get speed, comfort, and a genuine sense of distance covered—without airports, queues, or hassle 🚄.
If you’re planning a China trip that mixes scenery with cities, this route is hard to beat.
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