- Highlights
- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Inclusions/Exclusions
- Important Info
Highlights
From bustling Hong Kong to the stunning karst mountain landscape around Guilin, the highlights of these two destinations are well known, yet there is always more to uncover. This 6 day snapshot tour reveals the essence of what’s behind a city with ancient history that extends back millennia and modern history that has seen strong English, French, and Japanese influences. Enjoy highlights including Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay, Stanley Market, and Aberdeen Village. Take time to explore solo too, adventuring through local street markets, food stalls, and more. Balance the senses when you travel to Guilin, home to some of China’s most iconic and recognizable landscapes. The karst stone mountain backdrop visible from your half day Li River cruise will send you back in time, as will a visit to Yangshuo, a small rustic town located downstream from Guilin. Savor every minute of the day trip to the awe-inspiring Longji Rice Terraces where you’ll come face to face with traditional agriculture and the local Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities who’ve built their lives in the region. Truly eye-opening, you’ll be moved by the simplicity, character, and nature of these people. Including 5 nights accommodation, local guides who love their work, transfers, daily breakfasts, and the opportunity to experience diverse parts of China, you’ll love where this tour takes you.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Hong Kong
Arrive in Hong Kong and be ready for adventure when you are greeted at the international airport by your local guide. Enjoy the drive to the hotel, as your driver navigates the traffic and you learn a little about the history and allure of Hong Kong. Once checked in, spend the rest of the day exploring this incredible city. Take advantage of the myriad of food options available to you, including traditional street food, upmarket restaurants, or local foodie haunts. Simply ask your guide for advice.
Meals included: None
Day 2 – Hong Kong Island half day tour
Enjoy the excitement of the city after you’re collected from the hotel and taken to Victoria Peak. As the highest point in Hong Kong, the visibility from Victoria Peak is outstanding – you will literally feel you’re high amongst it and looking directly out over Hong Kong’s incredible cityscape. No stop at the Peak is complete without a ride on the Peak Tram and a wander along the Sky Terrace (both included). Journey on to Repulse Bay, a typical Hong Kong beach that is now famous for its eye-wateringly priced real estate – reputed to be the most expensive in Hong Kong. After soaking in the vibe of the bay, you’ll be transported to Stanley Market, the quintessential Hong Kong street market. Known for its collection of typically Chinese curios, collectibles and souvenirs, you’ll have the opportunity to make a purchase or two without the hassle of haggling. Dive into Hong Kong history with a visit to the water-based Aberdeen Fishing Village, an enduring example of Hong Kong’s traditional fishing culture. It’s a great place to try fresh, delicious seafood dishes too, so be sure to ‘save yourself’ for a memorable meal here. Top off the day’s adventure with a Sampan ride on the water. Cruise past the impressive yachts and smaller boats moored on the water while taking in busy harbour life.
Note: Today’s activities are a half day and will be conducted in the morning, however an afternoon Hongkong Island half day tour is also available on request allowing you to adjust to local time. Your local guide can provide advice on lunch, and afternoon and evening activities, including a street or local cuisine food tour and night view of Victoria Harbour. Just ask us!
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 – Hong Kong - Guilin 
Enjoy vibrant Hong Kong in the morning, perhaps sharing a morning coffee among locals or visiting one of the many famous street markets in proximity to your hotel. With help from your local guide, you’ll be escorted to Kowloon Station to board the high speed train to Guilin. Sit back and relax as the train travels the nearly 600 kilometers at speeds up to 300 kilometers per hour. Catch your breath in Guilin where you’ll be welcomed by the local guide. Appreciate their sharing of knowledge and history associated with the beautifully eerie Reed Flute Cave, famous for its ancient stalactite formations and modern clever lighting used to profile the unusual shapes. From there you will be taken to your hotel where you can relax into the evening or ask your guide for tips on the best local food.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Guilin – Longsheng – Guilin 
Guilin is a distinctive destination in China, not least because of its natural beauty. It is ideally located in proximity to the stunning Longji Rice Terraces and its here you’ll spend your day, commencing with collection from the hotel by your guide and driver. The Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng are both impressive and humbling in the size and ingenuity and you will feel this the moment you arrive. Marvel at the centuries of rice farmers who built the paddies to make best use of scarce arable and water resources in this beautiful mountainous area. Climbing up the rice terraces takes you to breathtaking views that seem to go on without end. Delve deeper into the community with a visit to the minorities culture of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic groups, who work the rice terraces. A stark constrast to the pace and energy of China’s big cities, today is a special opportunity to connect directly with a local minority group. A firsthand experience of the distinctive colourful clothing, architecture, customs and festivities make this a travel memory to savor. At the end of the day you will be transferred back to your hotel in Guilin where you can relax and reflect on the day’s events.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 - Guilin – Yangshuo 
Today enjoy more of Guilin’s natural appeal with a leisurely cruise on the Li River after checking out from your hotel. Leave with your guide from Mopanshan Pier and wind back time as you float past the magical Guilin landscape of karst mountains until you reach Yangshuo. On arrival, appreciate the slower pace and rustic feel of this smaller rural town (by China’s standards). Enjoy a free night and dine with the locals on West Street.
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 if you’d prefer.
Day 6 - Yangshuo – Depart from Guilin
There is ample time this morning to explore more of Yangshuo, either by bike or boat. Make the most of the available time by hiring a bike to traverse local countryside or even visit the morning market for a firsthand window into local life. If you’re a foodie, we can even arrange an optional cooking class. Leave Yangshuo with lovely memories as you return to to Guilin airport or station to catch your flight/train to your next destination.
Meals included: Breakfast
Travel note: We love helping our customers make the most of their available travel time. Need assistance planning your next destination? We can help with that too. Our travel network spans across every corner of China and South East Asia. With connections like that we can take care of every detail. Kindly note, that a surcharge will apply.
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide
- Transportation: high speed train of Hong Kong/Guilin(First class seat for Luxury tours; second class seat for Superior tours).
- Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- International/domestic flights and trains to Hong Kong/from Guilin
- China visa fees
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
FOR PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart from 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 are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums each Monday.
- Optional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou or nearby Watertown, and other destinations are also available
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
- Entering and exiting China from Hong Kong and Taipei are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
FOR SMALL GROUP TOUR
- This is a small group tour with fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
You’ll travel with other like-minded people. - Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerary due to closure of the museums on each Monday
- A transfer from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport in Shanghai is available upon request at a surcharge.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei) can be extended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy.
- The prices shown are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival).
- The maximum number of passengers in a small group tour is 12 people.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.
Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.
Cities for Commencement of Tours
Beijing is the city in which multi-day small group tours start. Multi-day tours with set itineraries booked as a private tour, commence in Beijing, unless otherwise arranged with ChinaTours.com. Tours booked as custom tours can start in any destination listed on the ChinaTours.com website.
Flights
Full service flights included, where applicable. For international flights: full service flights included only if tour includes travel to/from Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, or as part of Indochina tour packages. Domestic flights included as part of a tour package are provided by select Chinese domestic airlines. Flight carrier will be specified in itinerary provided on finalization of booking. Note: the maximum baggage allowance for domestic in China is 20 kilograms for economy class domestic flights, 30 kilograms for business class, and 40 kilograms for first class. Flight class upgrades are available on request at an additional charge.
High Speed Trains
First class seat for five star (Luxury) tour packages and second class seat for four star (Superior) tour packages.
High Speed Train Seat Upgrades
Seat upgrades are available on high speed trains on request at an additional charge and subject to availability. A limited number of first class seats are available on high speed trains. ChinaTours.com cannot guarantee high speed train seat upgrades due to third party or supplier’s shortage.
Destination Transfer
Transfers from airport to hotel provided as air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
Post Tour Airport Transfer
At the completion of your tour, a transfer service from your hotel to Hongqiao or Pudong Airport can be arranged on request. Additional charges apply.
Arrive Early
Accommodation options for early arrival prior to commencement of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Stay Behind
Accommodation options for stay behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Tour Guide
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops. Small group and private tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.
Small Group Size
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.
Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.
Accommodation
ChinaTours.com selects international four star and five star hotels located in the inner city centre. In small, regional destinations, ChinaTours.com selects the best available hotel.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Child/Infant Policy
Pricing for child and infant can be quoted separately.
Infant price is valid for children 0 to 2 years. Child price is valid for children aged 2 to 11 years. Adult pricing apply for passengers aged 12 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 years or over. No unaccompanied minors allowed.
Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing passengers to make their own selection for lunch and dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided on the Yangtze River Cruise only. Lunch provided on the Li River Cruise. Local guides can be consulted to provide recommendations and assist with eating arrangements on request.
Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months for entering China.
Visas
A tourist visa for China is a strict requirement if travelling on a foreign passport.
Please make arrangements for your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours and visa processing times.
From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from 38 countries can be exempted from Visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes. Those who do not meet the purposes of visit and time limit for visa free policy are still required to apply for Visas to China.
List of 38 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.
Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:
- First change – No charge.
- For all subsequent changes – USD50.
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived.
Cancellation
For China tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:
- More than 60 days prior to tour start date: 15 percent cancellation fee
- 45 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 20 percent cancellation fee
- 30 – 44 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
- 15 – 29 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
- Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider, credit card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.
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