How to Get from Guilin to Daxu Ancient Town by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a local bus from Guilin to Daxu Ancient Town — the journey takes about 30–45 minutes and costs ¥6–10. Buses depart from Guilin South Bus Station at 08:20 and 13:00 daily (¥10, 30 min). Alternatively, take Lingchuan Bus 306 from Guilin North Railway Station area to Daxu (¥3, ~1.5 hours), which runs every 10–15 minutes from 06:10 to 18:00. Daxu is free to enter and makes an easy half-day trip from Guilin.

Daxu Ancient Town (大圩古镇) is a 1,000-year-old market town on the east bank of the Li River, about 23 km southeast of Guilin. Founded during the Northern Song Dynasty, it was once one of Guangxi's four great market towns. Today, its flagstone streets, Qing-dynasty wooden shophouses, and riverside wharves remain largely uncommercialized — a working town where locals still play mahjong in the street and wash clothes by the river.

Compare Your Options

Option 1: Direct Bus from Guilin South Bus Station (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Go to Guilin South Bus Station (桂林汽车客运南站). It is located west of Kaifeng Road, about 2–4 km from the city center.

2. Take the direct bus to Daxu Ancient Town (大圩古镇). Buses depart at 08:20 and 13:00 daily. The fare is ¥10 and the journey takes about 30 minutes.

   [!TIP] The two daily departures are limited. If neither time works for you, the more frequent Lingchuan Bus 306 (Option 2) is a reliable alternative.

3. Get off at Daxu Town. The bus drops you near the entrance to the old town on Wanshou Road (万寿路). Walk toward the river to find the ancient flagstone street.

4. Explore Daxu. The main street runs parallel to the Li River, lined with old wooden buildings and stone archways. Don't miss the Longevity Bridge (万寿桥), a Qing-dynasty stone arch bridge at the confluence of the Mahe River and Li River.

Option 2: Lingchuan Bus 306 (Frequent Budget Option)

Step-by-step

1. Board Lingchuan Bus 306 (灵川306路). This local bus runs from the Guilin North Railway Station area through to Daxu Town. You can also catch it at stops along the route in eastern Guilin.

2. Pay the ¥3 fare (exact change or WeChat/Alipay) and ride to Daxu Town Station (大圩镇站). The journey takes about 1.5 hours because the bus makes many stops.

3. Buses run every 10–15 minutes from approximately 06:10 to 18:00. This is the most flexible option if you want to leave early or return late.

4. Return: The bus from Daxu back to Guilin runs from 06:10 to 18:00 with an interval of about 10 minutes. Catch it at the same stop on Wanshou Road near the ancient town entrance.

[!TIP] Bus 306 is a regular city bus, not a tourist coach. Signs and announcements are in Chinese only. Have your destination written in Chinese (大圩古镇) to show the driver if needed.

Option 3: Taxi or DiDi

• A one-way taxi from central Guilin to Daxu costs approximately ¥50–60 and takes about 30 minutes.
• DiDi works well in Guilin and gives you a fixed price upfront.
• This is a good option for groups of 3–4 (splitting the fare makes it competitive with the bus) or if you want flexibility to combine Daxu with nearby attractions like Crown Cave (冠岩) or Gudong Waterfall (古东瀑布).

[!IMPORTANT] If you take a taxi to Daxu, arrange a pickup time or use DiDi for the return — taxis can be hard to hail in Daxu, especially in the late afternoon.

Combining Daxu with Crown Cave or Gudong Waterfall

Daxu is on the same route as two other popular attractions east of Guilin, making it possible to combine them in one day:

• Crown Cave (冠岩): From Daxu, take the Daxu–Caoping bus (大圩-草坪线) to Caoping Town. The Crown Cave is a short walk from the Caoping Town Government stop.
• Gudong Waterfall (古东瀑布): From Caoping, take Lingchuan Bus 306 Extension to Huahai Road, then a short taxi ride to the waterfall.

A more practical order for a day trip is: Guilin → Daxu (morning) → Crown Cave or Gudong Waterfall (afternoon) → return to Guilin.

How to Get Back

• Lingchuan Bus 306: Runs from Daxu to Guilin from 06:10 to 18:00, every 10–15 minutes. Fare ¥3.
• Direct bus: Check with the driver for return times from Daxu to Guilin South Bus Station.
• Taxi/DiDi: Available but less reliable in Daxu; book through the app or have a local shop call one for you.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally. Confirm the last bus time at the Daxu stop when you arrive.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Expecting frequent direct buses. The direct bus from South Bus Station only departs twice a day (08:20 and 13:00). If you miss it, use Lingchuan Bus 306 instead.

2. Confusing Daxu with other ancient towns. Daxu is east of Guilin on the Li River, not to be confused with Xingping (south, near Yangshuo) or Huangyao (farther east in Hezhou).

3. Not carrying cash. The ¥3 local bus may not accept foreign payment apps. Carry small bills (¥5 and ¥10 notes).

4. Arriving too late. Daxu is a living town, not a tourist site with lights and entertainment. By late afternoon, shops begin closing. Morning is the best time to visit.

5. Trying to get a taxi back without DiDi. Hailing a taxi on the street in Daxu is difficult. Install DiDi before your trip or take the bus back.

Before You Go

• Entrance fee: Free to walk around the old town. Some historic houses may charge a few yuan to enter.
• Opening hours: The town is open all day; individual shops and houses vary.
• Best time to visit: Morning, when the town is waking up and the light is good for riverside photos. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
• What to bring: Cash (small denominations), water, a camera, and comfortable walking shoes for the flagstone streets.
• Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours for the old town; half a day if combining with lunch.

Related Guides

• Guilin Travel Guide — full city guide with karst peaks and food tips
• How to Get from Guilin to Gudong Waterfall by Public Transport — combine with Daxu on the same route
• How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo by Public Transport — the classic Guilin day trip
• DiDi Ride-Hailing Guide for Foreigners — using ride-hailing apps in China

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Need help arranging a driver for a Daxu + Crown Cave + Gudong Waterfall day trip, or planning a multi-day Guilin itinerary? Our local team can help. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

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Bus schedules and fares are based on TravelChinaGuide (updated August 2025) and Roam China Travel (May 2026). Direct bus departure times (08:20, 13:00) are confirmed by TravelChinaGuide. Lingchuan Bus 306 frequency and hours are based on TravelChinaGuide Q&A and local traveler reports. Schedules may change — verify at the bus station before travel.

Last verified: August 2026