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Things to Do in Guixi (2026)
Begin your Guixi trip at Longhu Mountain, a sacred Taoist site about 20 kilometers southwest of the city center. Take the cable car up for sweeping views of the Danxia… 🏞️ Start at Longhu Mountain
Begin your Guixi trip at Longhu Mountain, a sacred Taoist site about 20 kilometers southwest of the city center. Take the cable car up for sweeping views of the Danxia landscape, then visit the Tianshi Mansion, the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters. Arrive early, around 8 a.m., to beat the tour groups and enjoy the morning mist over the cliffs.
🛶 Raft the Luxi River
For a different perspective, join a bamboo rafting trip on the Luxi River, which winds through the base of Longhu Mountain. The gentle float takes about an hour and passes by the famous hanging coffins, ancient burial sites tucked into cliff crevices. Tickets cost around 120 yuan per person, and rafts depart regularly from the pier near the mountain's east gate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
🏯 Explore Shangqing Ancient Town
Just north of Longhu Mountain, Shangqing Ancient Town feels like a step back in time with its preserved Qing dynasty architecture and stone-paved lanes. Wander along the main street to see traditional workshops selling local snacks and Taoist souvenirs, then stop by the Tianhou Temple for a quiet moment. The town is free to enter, and you can reach it by bus 16 from Guixi's central station in about 40 minutes.
🥢 Taste Guixi's Local Flavors
Guixi is known for its spicy river snails and tender braised pork, both best enjoyed at small eateries near the city's night market on Xinyuan Road. Try the Guixi rice noodles, served with pickled vegetables and chili oil, at the popular Lao Wang Noodle Shop, which opens at 7 a.m. and often sells out by noon. For dessert, look for the local sweet potato cakes sold by street vendors in the evening.
🏞️ Hike the Danxia Trails
Beyond the main cable car area, Longhu Mountain offers several hiking trails that lead to lesser-known viewpoints and hidden temples. The trail from the Elephant Trunk Hill to the Fairy Rock takes about two hours and rewards you with panoramic views of the red sandstone formations. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and check the weather forecast, as some paths can be slippery after rain.
🛍️ Shop for Taoist Souvenirs
For unique keepsakes, head to the shops near the Longhu Mountain ticket office, where you'll find Taoist talismans, hand-painted fans, and miniature statues of the Eight Immortals. Prices are negotiable, so don't be afraid to haggle politely. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, the Shangqing Ancient Town market offers similar items at slightly lower prices, especially on weekday mornings.
🌃 Evening Stroll by the River
As dusk falls, take a leisurely walk along the Xinjiang River promenade in the city center, where locals gather to exercise, chat, and enjoy the cool breeze. The riverside is lined with colorful lights, and you can rent a small paddle boat for about 30 yuan per half hour. End your evening at a tea house near the bridge, where you can sip local green tea and watch the reflections dance on the water.
🚌 Getting Around Guixi
Guixi's public bus system is efficient and cheap, with most routes costing just 2 yuan, but signs are only in Chinese, so have your destination written down. Taxis are plentiful in the city center and cost about 8 yuan for the first 3 kilometers, while ride-hailing apps like Didi are also available. For trips to Longhu Mountain, consider taking the dedicated tourist bus from the Guixi Railway Station, which departs every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
honestly the rafting is great but the real gem is the walk from the ticket office to the actual raft launch point, it goes through this bamboo grove that smells incredible and there's a tiny temple halfway where an old monk sells cold tea for 2 yuan. also if u're into photography, go to the hanging coffins viewpoint around 4:30 pm when the sun hits the cliff face sideways, the shadows make the coffins pop way more than in the morning.
for the evening river stroll, skip the paddle boats and just walk past the bridge to the east bank, there's a stretch of steps where the old guys play erhu and sometimes a crosstalk duo performs. cheap beer from the corner store is 3 yuan, way better than the tea house markup. and if u see a crowd gathered near the second light pole, that's the calligraphy guy who paints with water on the pavement, he's been doing it for years and his temporary art is honestly cooler than half the stuff in the museums.
The guide is spot on about Shangqing Ancient Town, but don't rush through it in an hour. I spent a whole afternoon there last fall just wandering the side alleys behind the main street, where you'll find old ladies selling fresh tofu pudding with sugar syrup for about 5 yuan a bowl. It's a completely different vibe from the touristy front lane, and the stone houses there are still lived in, which makes it feel real.
For the bamboo rafting, try to book the first departure around 9 a.m. if you can. The river is glassy calm before the tour boats start churning it up, and you'll likely have the hanging coffins all to yourself for a few quiet minutes. Also, the 120 yuan ticket includes a short walk to a viewing platform afterward, but most people miss it because the exit signs are poorly marked.
One thing the guide didn't mention: the night market on Xinyuan Road really gets going after 9 p.m., not earlier. Show up at 7 and half the stalls are still setting up. The spicy river snails are best from the third vendor on the left, the one with the red lantern, they've been there for over a decade and their sauce has a smoky depth the others lack. Go hungry, a full meal of snails, noodles, and sweet potato cakes will run you around 40 yuan.
nice write up, the danxia trails tip is solid but i'd say skip fairy rock if u're short on time. the climb up to the old taoist temple behind elephant trunk hill, the one not on the map, is way more worth it. took me 40 mins of scrambling but u get the whole valley to urself and there's this tiny spring where locals fill bottles, tasted better than any bottled water i've had in china.
also for the tea house near the bridge, don't bother with the fancy ones facing the water. go one street back, there's a place called 老茶馆 (lao chaguan), no english sign, just a faded wooden board. 10 yuan for a pot of local green tea and u can sit on those low bamboo stools all night. the owner's a retired teacher who'll happily tell u stories about the river if ur mandarin's decent, otherwise he just smiles and refills ur cup.
one thing i disagree with the guide on is the night market timing. yeah it gets busy after 9 but the real snack action is before 8 pm, when the old school vendors who cook from home still have stock. after 9 it's mostly the same stuff but pricier and more touristy. get there at 7:30, grab the snails from that red lantern stall someone mentioned, then walk east to the corner where a granny sells crispy rice rolls with pickled radish, only 3
3 Days in Guixi: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day in the central area around the Guixi Railway Station, where most visitors arrive. From there, walk to the nearby Xiongshi Park for a morning stroll among the… 🗺️ Day 1 Overview
Start your first day in the central area around the Guixi Railway Station, where most visitors arrive. From there, walk to the nearby Xiongshi Park for a morning stroll among the red rock formations. After lunch, head to the Guixi Museum to understand the local copper culture and history. End the day with a relaxing walk along the Xinjiang River embankment as the sun sets.
🏛️ Morning: Museum and Park
Begin at the Guixi Museum, located at 1 Jiefang Road, open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Mondays). Admission is free, but bring your ID for entry. A short 10-minute taxi ride takes you to Xiongshi Park, where you can hike the trails for about two hours. The park's red cliffs are a geological wonder, and the views from the top are worth the climb.
🍜 Lunch: Local Noodles
For lunch, try the famous Guixi rice noodles at Laoyou Noodle Shop, a local favorite at 88 Yingbin Avenue. A hearty bowl costs around 15 RMB and is served with pickled vegetables and chili oil. The shop is busy between noon and 1 PM, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. Pair your noodles with a side of fried dough sticks for a true local breakfast-for-lunch experience.
🌆 Afternoon: Riverside Walk
After lunch, take a leisurely 20-minute walk to the Xinjiang River embankment, which runs along the southern edge of the city. The promenade is lined with willow trees and offers benches for people-watching. You can rent a bicycle for 10 RMB per hour to cover more ground. Stop at the Guixi Bridge for a photo opportunity with the river and distant hills.
🏞️ Day 2: Longhu Mountain
Dedicate your second day to Longhu Mountain, a scenic area about 30 kilometers southwest of Guixi. Take a bus from Guixi Bus Station (departures every 30 minutes, 8 RMB, 40 minutes) or hire a taxi for around 80 RMB. The mountain is famous for its Taoist temples and the mysterious hanging coffins on the cliffs. Plan to spend at least six hours exploring the main sights.
⛰️ Morning: Hiking Trails
Start your Longhu Mountain visit with the Fairy Water Rock trail, which leads to a waterfall and a cave temple. The hike takes about two hours and is moderately strenuous, so wear sturdy shoes. Along the way, you'll see ancient inscriptions and small shrines. The trailhead is near the main entrance, and the path is well-marked with signs in both Chinese and English.
🛶 Afternoon: Boat Ride
In the afternoon, take a bamboo raft ride on the Luxi River, which flows through the mountain area. The ride lasts about 40 minutes and costs 100 RMB per person, with rafts departing every 20 minutes from the dock near the entrance. You'll float past the famous hanging coffins, which are over 2,000 years old. The boatmen often sing traditional folk songs, adding to the atmosphere.
🌃 Day 3: City Gems
On your final day, explore the lesser-known corners of Guixi, starting with the old town area near the East Gate. Visit the Guixi Confucius Temple, a quiet complex with ancient trees and stone tablets, open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Then, wander through the nearby antique market, where you can find copperware and local crafts. The market is busiest on weekends, but weekday mornings are more relaxed.
🚌 Getting Around
Guixi is a small city, and most central attractions are within walking distance of each other. For longer trips, buses cost 2 RMB per ride, and taxis start at 7 RMB with a flag-down fee. Ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely used and affordable, with a trip across town rarely exceeding 20 RMB. If you're heading to Longhu Mountain, the bus is the most economical option, but a taxi saves time.
solid itinerary honestly. one thing i'd add is the morning food scene around the railway station, the stalls right outside the west exit sell a sesame cake stuffed with pickled radish for like 2 rmb, way better than the hotel breakfast. grab one before you hit the museum.
for the embankment walk, skip the bike rental if it's windy, the river breeze gets brutal and you'll fight the handlebars the whole way. just walk the stretch between the bridge and the old ferry dock, that's where the light hits the water best at sunset anyway.
also on day 2, if you're not dead tired after longhu, the bus back drops you at the north station, and from there it's a 5 minute walk to the night market on xinyuan road. it's mostly skewers and fried stuff, but there's one stall that does a killer duck blood soup with glass noodles, 12 rmb a bowl and it'll warm you up proper. opens around 6 pm, closes early when they run out, so don't linger at the mountain too long.
honestly the day 1 museum order is backwards, do xiongshi park first while it's still cool and the light's good for photos, then hit the museum when the afternoon heat kicks in, it's air conditioned and you'll appreciate it more. the red rocks get washed out by midday sun anyway.
for day 3, if you're at the confucius temple around 10 am, walk two blocks east to the small bridge over the canal, there's an old man who sets up a portable stove and grills river snails with chili and fermented soybeans, 8 rmb for a decent portion. he's been there for years, no sign, just follow the smell of burning garlic. locals call him "lao luo" and he'll throw in extra if you chat with him in broken mandarin.
also the guide says the antique market is relaxed on weekday mornings, that's true, but the real finds are the copper tea canisters, not the decorative stuff. look for the ones with hammered patterns that are uneven, those are hand made, the machine stamped ones are too perfect. i got one for 40 rmb after haggling from 120, still use it at home.
not gonna lie, the itinerary's pretty spot on but you're missing the best part of guixi, the night scene along the old city wall near the east gate. after the antique market closes around 6, the vendors pack up and the locals roll in with these little folding tables and stools right on the cobblestones. there's a lady who does stinky tofu that's crispy on the outside and so soft inside, 5 rmb for a skewer of five, she's been there for like a decade and never moved spots. get there before 7 or she sells out.
also for longhu, don't bother with the fairy water rock trail if it's rained recently, the steps get slick and it's not worth the ankle risk. instead take the cable car up to the main temple complex, it's 50 rmb round trip and saves you two hours of stair climbing that all looks the same anyway. the view from the top over the river bends is way better than anything on the walking path, and you'll have more energy for the raft ride after.