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Leaving the grand, imperial scale of Beijing for the limestone karsts of Guilin is a transition between two of China's best known landscapes. While Beijing is defined by the symmetry of the Forbidden City and the vastness of Tiananmen Square, Guilin offers a softer beauty that has inspired Chinese ink wash paintings for centuries. The journey takes you from the political heart of the north to the subtropical river valleys of the south.
You can choose between the high speed railway, which crosses the country in a single day, or a flight that puts you among the green peaks sooner. You can check availability and book your tickets through GoAsia.cc.
Beijing to Guilin by Train
China Railway's ticket search listed nine trains from Beijing to Guilin for 16 October 2026.[1] Timetables change, so check your travel date on 12306.
High Speed G Trains
Two G trains cover the route in 7h58. G309 leaves Beijing West at 09:00 and arrives at Guilin North at 16:58, and G311 leaves Beijing West at 11:05 and arrives at Guilin station at 19:03. G trains sell business, first and second class seats.[1]
Overnight Trains
D919 is an overnight train with berths: it leaves Beijing West at 20:27 and arrives at Guilin North at 08:00 (11h33). Slower sleeper trains also run: Z5 (16:04, arriving 11:15 next day, 19h11), Z285 (21:35, arriving 16:36 next day, 19h 1min), T21 (16:42, arriving 15:32 next day, 22h50), T289 (21:56, arriving 20:01 next day, 22h 5min) and K157 (08:13, arriving 11:04 the day after, 26h51). Z335 leaves from Beijing Fengtai at 20:18 and arrives at Guilin North at 15:55 the next day (19h37).[1]
Beijing to Guilin by Flight
Flights to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) leave from Beijing's two airports, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). In the air a flight is much shorter than the fastest train, which takes almost eight hours.[1] Add the time for the transfers to and from both airports, and compare current schedules and fares on the airline websites. During Golden Week and the Lunar New Year, flights and trains sell out early.
Comparing Your Options
| Train (16 October 2026) | Departs Beijing | Arrives in Guilin | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| G309 (high speed) | 09:00, Beijing West | 16:58, Guilin North | 7h58[1] |
| G311 (high speed) | 11:05, Beijing West | 19:03, Guilin | 7h58[1] |
| D919 (overnight, berths) | 20:27, Beijing West | 08:00 next day, Guilin North | 11h33[1] |
| Z285 (sleeper) | 21:35, Beijing West | 16:36 next day, Guilin North | 19h 1min[1] |
Tips for Traveling from Beijing to Guilin
- Station Selection: Beijing has several major railway stations. The trains in the timetable leave from Beijing West, except Z335, which leaves from Beijing Fengtai. Check your ticket carefully, as going to the wrong station is a common mistake.[1]
- Arrival in Guilin: Guilin has more than one station, and the trains above arrive at Guilin North or Guilin. Check the arrival station on your ticket before you book a hotel or transfer.[1]
- Booking Logistics: 12306 sells tickets 15 days ahead, and for travel after 30 December the sales period is 30 days.[1] Popular trains can sell out quickly.
- Passport and Luggage: Foreign travelers can buy real-name tickets with a valid passport and must show the same document to enter the station and board. China Railway publishes free cabin-baggage limits: 20 kg per passenger (10 kg for children and 35 kg for diplomats); on EMU trains, each item may measure up to 130 cm in total and weigh up to 20 kg.[2]
Timetable
| Flight Beijing - Guilin $ 89.06–182.81 2h 50m – 3h | |
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| Train Beijing - Guilin $ 42.06–444.55 7h 58m – 1days 2h 51m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Beijing to Guilin, including current prices and schedules.
The fare depends on the train and the class. 12306 shows the current price of each train when you search, so compare the high speed G trains with the slower sleeper trains for your date there.
A flight spends the least time in the air. The fastest trains in the 16 October 2026 timetable, G309 and G311, took 7 hours 58 minutes.
On 16 October 2026 the G trains took 7 hours 58 minutes and the overnight train D919 took 11 hours 33 minutes. The Z, T and K sleeper trains took between 19 and almost 27 hours.
Beijing has two airports, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). Check which airport your flight uses before you plan the transfer.
The first part of the journey crosses the northern plains. As you move south toward Guangxi, the landscape changes to green hills and eventually the karst mountains around Guilin.
Yes. 12306 sells real-name tickets to foreign travelers who have a valid passport, and you must show the same document to enter the station and board the train. Your passport is also needed for flights.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] China Railway (12306): 12306 ticket search: Beijing to Guilin, 16 October 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] China Railway (12306): 12306 FAQ: real-name tickets, ID and free cabin luggage. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.