Best hotels and hostels in Guangxi

One of Yangshuo's most memorable stays is this old, Chinese sugarbeet factory – complete with Cultural Revolution slogans – that's been converted into a hub of luxury and design. Set among limestone karst peaks,...

At the far end of town near the river is this popular hostel with a lovely backpacker vibe. Split over two buildings, rooms are really pleasant; the south-facing ones in the new wing are the best. Its rooftop...

Middlesbrough-born South African designer Ian Hamlinton (nicknamed ‘Crazy One’ by the locals) has energetically and lovingly converted a cluster of Ming dynasty houses in the village of Jiuxian into a gorgeous...

With its contemporary designer-style furniture, hanging lamps and exposed brick, Salad Days offers a boutique alternative to Tiantouzhai's rickety inns. Its lounge is the undisputed highlight, with comfy couches...

Offering some of the finest views you'll get in Longji is this memorable inn overlooking the spectacular Seven Stars Chase the Moon rice terrace. All rooms feature stunning panoramic outlooks, but it's worth...

One of Guilin's most popular hostels, This Old Place has a wonderful location down a leafy street across from Baoxian Lake, and is a 10-minute walk to the main eating and shopping areas. Private rooms are...

A former hostel, this attractive inn by the peaceful Taohua River (桃花江) has ditched the dorms to focus squarely on its boutique-style rooms. They feature a classy decor of traditional adornments, modern bathrooms...

What makes Tea Cozy a true winner is not the 18 traditional-style balcony rooms (though these are wonderful in themselves), but the exceptional service by the English-speaking staff. Also laudable are the...

The 12 rooms here have wide balconies overlooking the hills, furniture made from local materials, wi-fi and no TV. The Taiwanese owner Jerry has tips on hiking and biking. It's around a ¥40 taxi ride from...

Offering a chilled-out and less touristy alternative to Xingping is this relaxed guesthouse set in the countryside on a small, organic permaculture farm. It's the site of a former primary school, of which the...

The White House is decked out in all manner of period (some genuine, some perhaps not) trappings reflecting the building it's in – part of the former residence of General Bai Chongxi (白崇禧), a powerful regional...

One of Longji's most social hangouts is this friendly backpacker in the hilltop village of Tiantouzhai. It's a scenic spot, with each of the rooms in the sprawling, creaky wooden inn featuring fabulous...

This popular inn, run by friendly, English-speaking owner Michael Yang, is superbly located right by the bridge. Rooms, connected by a creaking staircase, are spacious and attractively decorated and come with...

One of the first accommodation options you find walking into Ping'an, this thoroughly pleasant, friendly and amenable hostel has decent rooms in a kind of Twin Peaks wooden surrounds setting. Aim for one of the...

This popular and centrally located backpackers offers clean and comfortable dorms, along with beautifully decorated, spacious and bright private rooms, many featuring wood trim. There's an in-house...

This cosy place in Ping'an is run by a pleasant Zhuang woman called Yanmei and her brother. Spacious tiled rooms sport sharp colour coordination, a display of Zhuang artefacts, pretty lights, sinks and showers,...

One for budget travellers who aren't into the whole backpacker scene is this stylish guesthouse run by the friendly, English-speaking Bella. Rooms are sparsely furnished with polished concrete floors and have...

Hidden away in a back alley of Daxu's old town is this super relaxed guesthouse within a small traditional house. Its three upstairs rooms are simple but spacious and feature stylish homely touches. It's run by a...

Simply lovely rooms in a beautiful countryside setting are what's on offer at the Giggling Tree, an old 24-room farmhouse, just 7km from Yangshuo. Delightful rooms, with an abundance of polished wood and blue...

Run by the ever-helpful Lily is this aptly named guesthouse that's the place for climbers to stay in Yangshuo. Here you'll get the lowdown on everything about the local rock-climbing scene and get to hang out...