- Highlights
- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Inclusions/Exclusions
- Important Info
Highlights
Discover why Guilin and Yangshuo consistently rate as must-see destinations in China with this four day mini tour.
Start your adventure in Guilin, home to some of China’s most iconic landscapes. With karst limestone formations visible in all directions you’ll understand why it’s been a feature of the work of poets, painters and philosophers over centuries. Visit one of the city’s highlights when you find what lies beneath in the Reed Flute Cave. Formed over 180 million years ago and illuminated to tell stories today, the cave is a sight to behold. Enjoy a rural escape to the Longji Rice Terraces, where you’ll find vistas of rice paddies that appear to form rivulets and streams down the mountain. Be introduced to the local minority groups, the Zhuang and Yao people, and acquaint yourself with their traditional clothing, architecture, and customs. Meander down the Li River on a half day cruise and savor the karst limestone landscape up close. You’ll be spoilt for photo opportunities. Make the most of your time in the town of Yangshuo, a welcome relaxed change from China’s big cities. Including all accommodation in four and five star hotels, transfers, daily breakfasts, a local English-speaking guide, and the opportunity to capture beautiful travel memories in a special corner of China, this tour is a delightful four day break from the everyday. Why not book it today and coordinate with any of our other small group or private tours?
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Guilin
A warm welcome awaits you in Guilin when your guide greets you at the airport baggage claim area or the train station. Sit back and enjoy the drive to your hotel located in the heart of Guilin, a city with a reputation for being home to one of China’s most iconic natural landscapes. As a genuine local, your guide will share a brief history of the city, including key points of interest along the way. After check in, take time to enjoy the rest of the day, wandering around in the precinct close to the hotel or relaxing in the hotel itself.
Meals included: None
Notes: Remember your guide is the perfect local expert on where to eat and what to see in your free time, including making recommendations and bookings for dining, if required. Guilin offers many unique experiences and we’re happy to share our insider tips for making beautiful travel memories in this unique destination in China. You only need to ask!
Day 2 - Guilin – Longsheng – Guilin 
Enjoy the hotel breakfast and then join your guide for the first destination of the day, the Reed Flute Cave. Visited by locals for centuries, you’ll walk in their footsteps as you traverse the pathway through the unusual stalactite formations which have formed over 180 million years. Considered a “Palace of Natural Arts”, locals have sought to highlight the many grotesque and curious shapes formed by the stalactites with artistic lighting.
From here you’ll have the chance to absorb the local country and culture as you drive to the Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng for a genuine rural escape. Famous, beautiful, and practical, the rice terraces will astonish you, with the magnitude of such large scale rice paddies enough to inspire wonder. Built to make the best use of scarce arable and water resources in this mountainous area, the rice paddies have served generations of locals. Climbing up the rice terraces takes you into a breathtakingly beautiful view of the paddies and surrounds. Another significant highlight of the area is the minority culture of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, who work the rice terraces. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the distinct colourful clothing, architecture, customs and festivities of each minority group.
Reflect on today’s adventure on the return drive to your hotel in Guilin (approximately 90 minutes). Your guide can assist with recommendations for dinner, if required.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 - Guilin – Yangshuo 
Check out from your hotel this morning and prepare yourself for a relaxing half day river cruise that departs from Zhujiang Pier. The Li River has inspired poets, philosphers, scholars, and peasants with its remarkable karst landscape. Meader past these unique limestone formations that conjure up images of China from a bygone era. There will be ample opportunities for photos as you cruise to Yangshuo.
On arrival in Yangshuo, you’ll appreciate the slower pace and country feel of this small rural town. Enjoy a free night, perhaps taking advantage of the opportunity to wander through West Street, reputedly the oldest in Yangshuo. Here you can dine with the locals, and if you’re game enough, sample the local favourite, beer fish!
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Note: Although lunch is included in the Li River cruise ticket, your local guide can help you arrange an alternative before boarding the boat.
Day 4 – Yangshuo – Guilin and Departure
Following breakfast and check out from your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the train station/airport in Guilin for travel to your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: If you would like to continuing making beautiful travel memories in China, please let us know. Our expert travel consultants can assist with travel bookings and arrangements, including the purchase of the tickets for your departure train or flight from Guilin. We offer custom, private and small group tours, with opt in and out flexibility. And we take care of every detail, so there’s no need to worry about a thing.
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Activities specified in the itinerary
- Excellent professional English-speaking guide
- Ground transport in air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver as specified
- Accommodation: 4-Star or 5-Star hotel with breakfast, based on double/twin occupancy as specified
- Boat trip on the Li River including lunch
- Travel agency liability insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions:
- International/domestic flights and trains to/from Guilin
- China visa
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature
- Meals: With the exception of lunch on the Li River cruise, lunches and dinner are excluded allowing you to flexibility around meal choices. Your guide will make recommendations and order for you, if required.
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances
Important Information
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It’s always available for your schedule.
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown above are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival etc.).
Joy was an absolute Joy
