Major sporting events in Guilin - from world-class marathons to international tournaments. Complete guide with past results and future outlook.
One of China's most scenic marathons in November. Course winds through karst mountain scenery along the Li River. Full marathon, half marathon, and fun run. The limestone peak backdrop makes this one of the world's most photographed marathons.
Full name: Guilin International Marathon (桂林马拉松)
UCI WorldTour race through Guangxi including Guilin. Multi-stage race through karst landscape. Usually October. Top WorldTeams and national teams compete. One of only two UCI WorldTour events in China.
Full name: Tour of Guangxi (环广西公路自行车世界巡回赛)
Mountain bike race through dramatic karst terrain between Guilin and Yangshuo. Technical single-track through rice paddies and limestone peaks. Popular with Asian mountain biking community. Usually April.
Full name: Guilin-Yangshuo Mountain Bike Challenge
Organized open water swimming in the Li River near Guilin city. Swimmers pass iconic karst mountain scenery while competing. Usually held in warmer months with beautiful natural backdrop.
Full name: Li River Open Water Swimming Event (漓江游泳赛)
Multi-day running event combining marathon with cultural site visits. Participants run through Longji Rice Terraces and rural Guangxi villages. Combines endurance with cultural immersion.
Full name: Guilin Li River Stage Race
Trail running event through Guilin karst landscape. Multiple distances from 10km to 100km ultra. Some of China's most spectacular trail running scenery with karst peaks as backdrop. Usually October.
Full name: Guilin Karst Trail Running Festival
Looking back at recent years and what to expect in 2026-2027
Guilin Marathon 2026 attracted 25,000 runners including record international participation. The Tour of Guangxi 2026 featured all 18 UCI WorldTeams for the first time since 2019. The karst trail running festival had 3,000 participants across all categories.
Guilin Marathon 2026 continues to grow as one of China's most scenic running events. The Tour of Guangxi 2026 will feature the full UCI WorldTour calendar with top international teams. New mountain bike routes are being developed in the Yangshuo area.
Guilin is establishing itself as China's adventure sports capital. New ultra-trail events are planned in themao Mountain area. The Li River swimming event is seeking international open water federation recognition as a formal competition.
Our licensed English-speaking Guilin guides can help you attend major sporting events, navigate venues, and combine sports with cultural tours.
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