Dongshan Free Garden

Sixteen rooms tucked into a garden property on East 6th Road in Guilin, Dongshan Free Garden draws a 9.4 rating from 72 guests — a score that points to hosts who run the place personally rather than by committee.

Mountain views frame the upper-floor rooms, reached by stairs only; the tradeoff is a direct sightline toward Guilin's karst ridgeline. A BBQ terrace and working garden anchor the outdoor space, while bicycle rental lets guests reach the Li River bank without flagging a taxi.

Rooms are simply fitted — flat-screen TV, private bathroom, air conditioning, slippers — with the free garden and on-site parking covering the basics that most Guilin guesthouses charge extra for.