Guilin, ChinaSmoking policy at Guilin, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)
Warnings & Caveats
As of April 2025, smoking after security for domestic flights has been removed at KWL. No smoking room has been confirmed in the international departure area either. Older reports of a smoking zone near Gate 225 in Terminal 2 domestic departures appear to be outdated.
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) has very limited smoking options, and as of April 2025, there are no designated smoking areas after security for domestic flights. Your best bet is to smoke outside the terminal before you go through security checks.
Before Security
Smoking before security is straightforward. Designated outdoor smoking areas are available outside the terminal building on the landside. These are the standard outdoor spots you'll find at most Chinese airports, and they're your only realistic option at KWL.
Head outside the terminal entrance before checking in or going through security.
No specific named zones have been reported, but outdoor smoking is permitted in designated spots near the terminal exterior.
After Security
This is where things get tight. The situation has changed over the years:
As of April 2025, a traveler (Simon K.) confirmed there is no smoking after security for domestic flights at Guilin.
An older report from November 2019 (Raphael) described a small smoking zone on the 1st floor of Terminal 2, domestic departures, near Gate 225. That area appears to no longer be available.
For international departures, no smoking room has been confirmed inside the terminal, and no current reports indicate one exists.
In short, once you pass security at KWL, you should not count on finding anywhere to smoke. The 2025 update is the most recent information available, and it points clearly to no airside smoking.
Vaping Rules
No specific vaping policy for KWL has been reported in available sources. China broadly restricts e-cigarettes in many public spaces, so treat vaping the same as smoking and only use designated outdoor areas before security.
Transit and Layovers
If you are transiting through Guilin and need a smoke, you would need to exit the secure area, smoke outside the terminal landside, and then re-enter through security. No information is available on whether this is permitted or practical at KWL, so factor in extra time if you plan to try it.
Bottom Line
Smoke outside before you go through security, because there are currently no confirmed airside smoking areas at Guilin Liangjiang Airport. Plan accordingly, especially on longer layovers.
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