You're the one who asked for "thoughts and advice" and that is what you got. Given the brevity of your original question and the information we had to go on at the time, your question was answered fairly clearly--set things up locally. Sorry if it wasn't the answer you wanted.

On the China forum, many of the regular contributors have found that other readers have similar questions and concerns to those of the Original Poster. However, experience in China of these readers varies all over the map. So in an effort to get additional information and context out there, China threads often are answered rather expansively rather than narrowly focused to just suit the Original Poster. Again, sorry if this offends you. Have fun in Guilin.

None of this offends me - but you have diminished the joy and excitement I was feeling about my trip by rubbishing my holiday choices in pretty strong language, because you assumed that my options were flexible/changeable, and you didn't try to find out if your assumption was correct before deciding to offer me unasked for advice. If I'm disappointed that the question I sought the answer to - which thanks to PTravel was actually answered at least once - was lost in the 'DON'T GO TO GUILIN!!!!!' responses on this thread, then I would hope you would realise that is a rather human reaction, and a normal response. I understand you tried to help me - I am trying to be grateful - but someone who dismisses my question as being 'narrowly focussed to just suit the OP' kind of misses the point of why I, and many others start threads - strangely, it is to find the answers to the questions we ask, not necessarily to find the answers to the questions we don't ask.

I'm sure others may find this thread useful - sadly, it's utilty to me, as the person who actually started the thread to find out experiences of tours in and around Guilin, has been limited to the most basic answer I could wish for. We know that we are better to get them there now. And that's about it. Oh yes, and our holiday choice is rubbish, it's the worst place in all of China (althuogh I retain optimism it will be better than Shenzen, which you would have to pay me quite a large sum of money to return to) and we're going to hate it

You can still fly to Guilin; just spend more time in Yangshuo. I actually kind of liked jiejie's edgy post. She wants you to have the best trip possible.

When my folks have "talked" about Guilin, I have always sensed they were being nostalgic. --China keeps growing and changing at a fast pace. When and if I get to Guilin, I'll be focusing on the rice noodles. --

From the few trips I've made to China, I have come to dread the "tarted up" rock formations. Also was startled to see in the middle of nowhere/farm lands/ rice paddies, a water-world complex. Hmm, thinking about it, I haven't been back to Florida and its myriad of theme parks. Then again I can't discount those "Great Malls"/ factory outlet complexes that dot California. All in all, we Americans are still lucky to have nice national parks. Oh and blue skies!

Check out the shoppers now at the outlets. Mainly Chinese

It has been awhile since I've headed to the malls. That many Chinese!...I won't need to visit China and I'll save on getting a visa. It has crossed my mind to go grocery shopping and "trinket" souvenir cruising in SF Chinatown before an Asian trip for acclimation to "jostling crowds."

Very useful read.
Am arriving on the latenight CZ flight from WUH (planning on taking the HSR for some 300km/h goodness from CAN) so thinking first night at Sheraton Guilin, then based on the above maybe move to Yangshuo.

A few questions.
1. Would you book boat tour in advance or when I arrive (noting I won't get to Sheraton till near midnight and want to travel the next day)
2. Can you take luggage on the boat tour (ie use it as the transfer from Guilin to Yangshuo)
3. Any recommendations for accomodation in Yangshuo
4. What is best transport Yangshuo to Guilin Airport.

The scenery on the boat ride to Yangshuo is quite pretty.
I like it.
Lots of boats on that Li river and on warm summer days, locals and tourists can also swim in it.

If u take the bigger boats to Yangshuo, u can probably bring your luggage onto the boat.

We took a boat ride to Yangshuo and cycled back to Guilin.

I feel that the Guilin people are not hostile and they are just as friendly as any other people in China.
When I was there, I didnt feel any hostility at all.

There is a nice river/lake in Guilin that is quite pretty and u can walk along the river banks.

Yangshuo is more touristy and geared more towards the western tourists.
It is also prettier than Guilin city itself.

Guilin mifen(rice noodles) is yummy and cheap!

We stayed at the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat. It's very basic but we had a room with a balcony and the view was spectacular. The lodge arranged for drivers to the airport and elsewhere; I think most of the Yangshuo area lodges can readily do this for you. There may be a better or cheaper way, but we were short on time and it worked for us.

OP: you might consider a day trip to the Longsheng Rice Terraces (you can get a driver to take you to Ping An and wait for you). We enjoyed our hike there. There's also a hiking or biking trail along one segment of the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo that we heard about but didn't do. In addition to the big boat trip to Yangshuo, you can arrange for much smaller boats on shorter segments of the Li (we took a small boat from Yangdi to Xingping and loved it).

Unless you are really compressed on time, best to do Lonsheng or Longji for at least 1 overnight. That way you enjoy a great treat for the eye, that being the sunset and sun rise scenes.

Bump this thread instead of starting a new one.

My wife and I are not into hiking, long walks into wilderness and to convene with nature but we want to see the scenery in Guilin/Yangshou.

We are looking for a full service hotel with good restaurants in walking distance. If it has a great view - great but not essential. More important is a good bed and international TV and a nice bathtub.

What would be our options? Shangrila or Sheraton in Guilin? Many have suggested to stay in Yangshou but they also all highlight how quiet it is, beautiful scenery waking up and how they have to bicycle everywhere. Not sure we are the bicycling type of people. It sounds rustic and that is not what we want.

The Sheraton has a reasonably restaurant across the street. We did not have good luck with local restaurants when we were there -- our off-the-beaten-path selection gave us a pretty good case of food poisoning that hit us when we returned to Hong Kong. As for seeing the scenery, take a river cruise -- relaxing, great views and opportunity to sample she jiu (snake wine). Hmmmm. Meaty!

We will be arriving Guilin by train from Guangzhou end January. From above posts it seems most interesting exploration is to connect directly to Yangshou by bus. (avoid Guilin)
1) Does anyone have the bus schedule website in English?
2) If I do not ride a bike or moped and prefer no taxis, is seeing the Yangshou area doable ourselves or must we book a tour?
3) Dont mind renting a car in Guilin and driving to Yangshou, (or renting in Yangshou) using car there. But I dont see any international car rental agencies in Guilin. Dont trust local Chinese car rental company. Any recommendations?
4) Any hotel recommendations in Yangshou, nice hotel or resort with local color and location based on above parameters (no bike, moped, taxis if possible). Doesn't have to be luxurious but adequate amenities, 2 beds, nice view. Luxury ok too. Price not an issue.

Any updates on Yangzhou and things to do welcomed as well.

Thanks in advance.

Not sure how you can hire/rent a car on your own without a valid Chinese drivers licence, as the PRC does not recognise the IDP.

A lot car rental companies, especially in places like Guangxi, don't seem to care.