Guilin

Ni Hao! Welcome to Guilin, a city known for its breathtaking natural beauty, history, and culture. As the saying goes, "East or west, Guilin scenery is the best." With over 2,000 years of history, Guilin is a historic and cultural city situated in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, covering an area of 27,800 square kilometers (10,734 square miles) with a population of 5 million.

Guilin

The stunning landscape in Guilin is like poetry: "The rivers are blue satin ribbons, the hills ornaments of green jade, secluded are the caves deep and dewy, everywhere a glorious gorgeous sight." This landscape is often described as "verdant hills, crystal-clear water, pretty rocks, and grotesque caves." Of the hills and caves in Guilin, the most famous ones are Elephant Trunk Hill, Wave-Subduing Hill, Folded Brocade Hill, Reed Flute Cave, and Seven-Star Cave. The amazing Li River Cruise is the highlight of Guilin that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. And that's not all, as there are many more places to visit in Guilin, such as Seven-Star Park, Crown Cave, and Four Lakes, making your Guilin journey unique and unforgettable.

Guilin

Your 5-day private tour of Guilin begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. At the meeting, you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travelers. We will collect and check your passport, insurance, and next of kin information at the group meeting, so please have these on hand. After the meeting, you can explore the pedestrian streets. With your hotel centrally located, a walk in any direction will unveil all sorts of wonderful surprises. Perhaps kick off your Guilin adventure with a taste of the iconic dish - Guilin rice noodle.

Guilin

Later in the evening, we will take a boat trip to "Two Rivers and Four Lakes." Guilin's "Two Rivers and Four Lakes" refer to Minjiang River, Taohua River, Mulong Lake (including Tiefotang), Guihu Lake, Wuhu Lake, and Shanhu Lake. This water system is 7.33 kilometers long, covering an area of 385,900 square meters. The project was first completed during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) when the Wuhu, Shanhu, and Guihu lakes were very busy. Due to the long period, some lakes had been filled. In order to reproduce the prosperity of Guilin's "Water City" and restore the urban tour mode of the upper reaches of the Song Dynasty in Guilin, the Guilin "Two Rivers and Four Lakes" project was first proposed by the Guilin Municipal Government on September 18, 1998. After more than 1,000 days and nights of hard work by the builders, Guilin's "Two Rivers and Four Lakes" was opened on June 2, 2002.

Guilin

You'll spend the night at the Guilin Bravo Hotel, where you'll have a comfortable stay. There are no meals included on this day, but you can explore the local cuisine on your own. If you wish to arrive a few days early in Guilin, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). A Single Supplement for an adult to have their own room is bookable on this trip, with the exception of the overnight train, subject to availability. Get ready to discover the essence of Guilin in the next four days, where you'll visit some of the most picturesque landscapes and historic landmarks in China.

Longji Mountain

Your day will begin with an exciting excursion to the Dragon Backbone’s Rice Terraces, considered to be the most incredible terrace in China. After breakfast, the guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at 08:00. Construction of the terraces began during the Yuan Dynasty and continued until the early Qing Dynasty, making it a testament to the profound wisdom and strenuous labor of the Zhuang people.

Longji Mountain

The linked rice terraces offer a stunning natural landscape that varies from season to season. In spring, the fields are irrigated with water, and the terraces take on the appearance of great chains or ribbons hung on the hillsides. During summer, green waves rush down the mountainside, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Autumn is the time of harvest, and the mountainside is adorned with the gold of ripened millet. In winter, the entire mountain is covered with white snow, resembling dragons playing with water.

Longji Mountain

In addition to its breathtaking scenery, Longji is the perfect place to immerse yourself in China's ethnic minorities' culture. The Zhuang and Yao nationalities predominantly reside in the area, with women dressed in unique and colorful costumes, singing and dancing. Visitors can join them to enjoy the original Zhuang life and culture or stay with local families, experiencing Longji tea and Longji wine. After the excursion, you'll return to your Guilin hotel in the late afternoon. The itinerary includes a one-night stay at a 4-star hotel and a trip to Longsheng - Longji Rice Terraces, with the option to explore the Minority Yao Village and enjoy an ethnic-style performance of ethnic minorities’ culture. Breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner are not provided.

Yangshuo County

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel by the guide and driver, and driven to Li River pier (about 60 minutes drive). From there, you will board a three-star cruise to explore the stunning Li River, passing by Guilin Mopanshan dock, Yangdi, Jiu Ma Painting Mountain, Xingping Ancient Town, and Yangshuo for about 4 hours. The Li River is like a jade-green belt, winding its way through countless magnificent mountains. The picturesque scenery along the river includes the green reflections in the water, clear pools, fantastic waterfalls, and other beautiful landscapes that create a stunning picture scroll on both sides of the river.

Yangshuo County

Li River is often compared to a colorful gallery due to its different beauties in different weather conditions. On sunny days, visitors can take a raft in the river and enjoy the clear water with countless fishes swimming leisurely. On cloudy days, the mist and clouds around the mountains by the river add incredible charm to Guilin. However, the most attractive date is a rainy day, as the hazy clouds and mist rising on the river make the mountains appear through the rain curtain, creating a traditional Chinese ink painting with a perfect combination of static mountains, dynamic water, and floating clouds.

Yangshuo County

Upon arrival at Yangshuo pier, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, you can take an optional drive through the rugged mountains to explore the dramatic countryside surrounding Yangshuo. You can pick tea leaves, make tea, drink tea, and listen to the rhyme leisurely at the Seven Fairies Peak tea plantation, stand by the first bay of Li-River to view Li-River meandering, and discover the mystery of the Ancient Stone Village. The evening is free time for you to explore on your own. We highly recommend the spectacular outdoor light show/culture show - Impression Sanjie Liu, staged by Zhang Yimou, the director of Beijing's Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Accommodation will be at the Yangshuo New Century Hotel for one night.

Yangshuo County

Included activities on this day are the Guilin/Yangshuo Li River Cruise, and optional activities include the Seven Fairies Peak Tea Plantation, Xianggong Hill, Ancient Stone Village, and Impression Sanjie Liu/Culture Show. Breakfasts are included, but there are no lunch and dinner options included on this day.

Yangshuo County

Today in Yangshuo, you have a free day to explore the stunning region at your leisure. Every turn in the road reveals another postcard-perfect spot, so there is no shortage of things to do. You could rent a bike and pedal through the countryside, take a relaxing bamboo raft ride along the Yulong river, climb to the top of Moon Hill, explore the Karst formations in the Gold Water Cave, or attend an early morning Tai Chi or Kung Fu class. Alternatively, you can sample the local specialties such as beer fish, or visit the market to learn about local produce and attend a Chinese cooking class at the Yangshuo Cooking School. The recipes are easy to follow, and the ingredients are readily available outside of China, so you can impress your friends and family with your newly acquired culinary skills when you return home.

Yangshuo County

Accommodation Yangshuo New Century Hotel (1 night) Optional Activities Yangshuo - Countryside Cycling Tour + Yulong River Bamboo Rafting + Moon Hill + Gold Water Cave Meals Included Breakfasts are included, there are no lunch and dinner included on this day.

Yangshuo County

Your Guilin tour comes to an end this morning. There are no activities on the final day and you are free to leave your accommodation at any time before 12:00am. Kindly Reminder: the check out time normally is 12:00. If you have booked departure transfer through Truly China Travel, please confirm the pick up time with your tour leader in advance. If you wish to leave a few days later in Yangshuo, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Optional Activities Yangshuo - Taichi or Kungfu Lesson Yangshuo - Chinese calligraphy or traditional Chinese water colour painting lesson Meals Included Breakfasts are included, there are no lunch and dinner included on this day.