7 Days Guilin Mountain and Rural Scenery In-Depth Tour
The Happy Family Time in Idyllic Countryside in Guilin
Guilin is renowned worldwide for its distinctive karst topography and picturesque rural landscapes. Guilin is also a southern Chinese city with a slow pace of life. If you want to take a family vacation in China, Guilin should definitely be on your destination list.
This seven-day journey, at a leisurely pace, includes classic routes such as a cruise on the Li River, cycling along the Yulong River in Yangshuo, and hiking in Longji Terraces in Longsheng, as well as unique activities such as exploring karst caves and experiencing the creation of traditional Chinese calligraphy and paintings.
Your family will experience the peaceful and serene countryside of Guilin while also gaining rich Chinese cultural experiences.
Itinerary List
| Day | Place | Itinerary | transportation | accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LongSheng | Guilin arrival,straight to LongSheng | Private Car | LongSheng |
| 2 | LongSheng | Longji Rice Terraces | Private Car | Guilin |
| 3 | Guilin | Elephant Trunk Hill/Reed Flute Cave in Guilin City | Private Car | Guilin |
| 4 | Xingping | Li River Cruise/ Xingping Ancient Town | Cruise | Xingping |
| 5 | xingping | Li River Hiking/Xinggong Hill | Private Car | YangShuo |
| 6 | YangShuo | Yulong River | Private Car | Yangshuo |
| 7 | Guilin | Departure |
Tour Highlights
The World's Amazing Man-made Terraces
The spectacular terrace landscape created by Chinese peasants through their diligence and wisdom in China's millennial agricultural civilization. Make ethnic-specific bamboo-tube rice with local people.
Free Cycling through the countryside and bamboo rafting on the Yulong River in Yangshuo.On the cruise boat on the Li River, we viewed the karst landscape from a distance. In Yangshuo's countryside, we walked right into the scenery and experienced it up close. Sailing on a bamboo raft down the tranquil Yulong River is very relaxing.
A panoramic view of Guilin's scenery from Xianggong Peak
Xianggong Peak offers us a panoramic view, and the magnificent karst landform is all within our sight.
Learn to make your own Chinese folding fan with local artists.
Get hands-on with your family and experience Chinese culture and art.
Itinerary Overview
This is a suggested itinerary. We are glad to customize a tour according to your interests.
Day 1 Guilin Arrival, Guilin to LongSheng.
After you arrive in Guilin, your tour guide and private car will meet you and take you directly to Longsheng county. The total driving time from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or Guilin city center to your accommodation in Longsheng is about 2 hours.
It is best to arrive in Guilin before 2:00 PM.
Day 2 Longsheng to Guiiln, Take a leisurely walk through Longji Terraces and experience making bamboo-tube rice.
Construction of the rice terraces began about 600 years ago and now the ethnic minorities who live in Longsheng are still very dependent on this massive farming project.
You can walk or take a cable car to the top of the terraces, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountain shape outlined by the terraced fields, the different colors of rice plants in different seasons, and the distant Yao village.
Then, after descending from the terraces, you can visit a Yao’s home, where the host will introduce you to their special bamboo tube rice and oil tea making. You can make bamboo tube rice with their guidance.
In the afternoon later, your guide and private vehicle will take you back to Guilin city and check into your hotel.
Day 3 The symbols of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave
After breakfast in the morning, head to the iconic landmark of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill, where you can take a family photo and listen to the mythical story of how a living elephant turned into a stone hill by the Li River.
After lunch, we set out for the most beautiful karst cave Reed Flute Cave which located in the suburbs of Guilin.
Karst caves, a unique karst geological formation, are the result of the skillful handiwork of nature. Reed Flute Cave is one of the thousands of underground caves in Guilin and is renowned for its breathtaking stalagmites, columns, and natural geological formations, which are illuminated by a variety of colored lights, creating an imaginative and dreamlike atmosphere.
After returning from the Cave, it's time for dinner. The rest of the time is at your disposal. Have a good rest tonight and we'll set out for Xingping early tomorrow morning.
Day 4 Guiin to Xingping, Li River Cruise
Early this morning, we will take a luxury cruise from the dock in Guilin City down the Li River to Xingping Town. The scenery along the way is the essence of Guilin's landscape and can stand up to any praise.
The unique karst geology has formed a variety of limestone peaks. The locals name the mountains based on their shapes, which is very interesting. You may need to use your imagination to understand the fun in that.
After arriving in Yangshuo, it will be the afternoon. Take a walk on the bustling West Street of Yangshuo, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy the afternoon sunshine. Of course, dinner should be spent trying the local delicacy - Yangshuo Beer Fish.
Day 5 Xingping, Li River Hiking and Climb Xianggong Hill.
Wake up early in the morning and breathe in the fresh air. Start your hike before sunrise along the Li River, a total of 5-8 kilometers. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way, including the most famous Li River scenery featured on the 20 yuan RMB note. When you get close to the Nine Horses Hill, climb up to the top of Xianggong Hill along the way. From the top, the view will be so beautiful that you will exclaim again!
Don’t worry about the weather, it's a clear sky with no clouds or it rains, you will see different kinds of beautiful scenery. If it's a sunny day, it's recommended to start early in the morning and ride a bike in the gentle breeze is a very pleasant experience.
After lunch, we drive to Yangshuo to visit local artists living by the Li River. Learn to paint a Chinese ink painting under his guidance. Learn to make a Chinese folding fan panel. You can take them as souvenirs.
Stay overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 6 Yangshuo, Cycling around the countryside, Relax on the Bamboo raft on the Calm Yulong River.
Over the clear river, there is an ancient stone bridge. Under the karst stone peaks, there are vast rice fields. These, along with the winding tendrils of smoke rising from the houses at the foot of the distant mountains, form a pastoral watercolor painting.
Take a bamboo raft ride on the peaceful Yulong River and explore this vibrant painting. It's safe for both adults and children to ride.
Day 7 Yangshuo to Guilin and Departure.
Say goodbye to Yangshuo and transfer to Guilin. Connect with your departure flight or railway.
