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This 8 days South China Tour from Hong Kong to Guilin, Yangshuo, Shanghai, and Hangzhou is very classic and popular for the ones who love the Chinese painting-like (Shanshui) scenery. This Shanshui tour includes China's Top 3 tourist destinations that are located near the seas, rivers, and lakes. Hong Kong is located at the mouth of the Pearl River, bordering the South China Sea. Li River of Guilin belongs to the Pearl River system. Shanghai, is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, bordering the East China Sea. West Lake of Hangzhou is near the Qiantang River and its water is introduced from the Qiantang River. You will love this South China tour that shines with water.
Hong Kong is the Pearl of the Orient that weaves Western and Asian culture. You can explore Hong Kong freely like Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen, Star Ferry on your own as it is English-friendly. East or west, the Guilin scenery is the best. In Guilin, you will marvel at the incredible winding and clean rivers, beautiful karst landscapes,ever green mountains... Yangshuo is a typical rural Chinese countryside. In Yangshuo, you will love the breathtaking scenery, bamboo rafting on the Yulong River (Little Li River), peaceful Yangshuo countryside cycling... Shanghai is China's Economic Capital and the biggest city in China. In Shanghai, you will read about this Magic City through the places of interests like Yu Garden, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Tower, and Jade Buddha Temple. Hangzhou is well-known for the picturesque West Lake and Wuzheng Water Town of long history. Walking in one of the most beautiful sights like a Hangzhounese and learn more about Chinese tea.
Contact us for a beautiful South China Tour with Chinese painting-like scenery, have a relaxing holiday in Chinese Shanshui.
View Destinations
Hong Kong (1 Days)
Free trip on your own. Options: Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Stanley Market
Guilin (1 Day)
Li River Cruise, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave
Yangshuo (2 Days)
Yangshuo Countryside, West Street, Bamboo Raft along the Yulong River
Shanghai (2 Days)
Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Shanghai Tower, Jade Buddha Temple, Tianzifang
Hangzhou (2 Days)
West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Six Harmonies Pagoda, Tea Museum, Hefang Street, Wuzhen Water Town
Hong Kong is a great starting point for you to enter China and the rest of Asia. Attracts over 65 million tourists yearly, Hong Kong is China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! In this English-friendly city, you can explore freely to Victoria Peak, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Stanley Market, etc. on your own according to your time. Then your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby, and escort you to the train station for your high-speed train to Guilin (about 3.5 hours).
Welcome to Guilin, the most picturesque paradise in China! Upon your arrival at the train station in Guilin, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Guilin. Your guide will help you check in at your hotel. Taking a walk along Binjiang Road and tasting the rice noodles are recommended activities for your leisure time. You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.
To Guillin Transfer Options:
1. Hong Kong - Guilin by direct train or flight
2. Hong Kong - Guangzhou South Station - Guilin by train transfers
3. Hong Kong - Shenzhen North Station - Guilin by train transfers
It is said that “The landscape in Guilin is the best under heaven”. Time for you to visit the place and check if it is really worthy of the reputation. After breakfast, you will go to explore the most stunning natural scenery along the Li River, which is famed as one of the “the world’s top 10 watery wonders” by National Geographic. Drive about 1 hour from your hotel to the pier and start a 4.5-hour relaxing sightseeing Li River cruise trip from Guilin to Yangshuo. Along the 84-kilometer scenic cruise, you will feast your eyes with endless Chinese paintings of winding rivers, numerous green limestone karst peaks, grazing water buffalo, farmers working in the fertile fields, and idyllic villages nestled at the bases of the hills. (Note: Lunch is served on the cruise with simple local Chinese cuisine.)
After arriving in Yangshuo, the driver will pick you up from the dock and drive to your hotel in Yangshuo town for a short rest. You can either try Chinese calligraphy or a Cooking Class in one of the farmhouses in Yangshuo Countryside.
Later, you will stroll leisurely along West Street, which is the most prosperous area in Yangshuo. Restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops along the street are always full of guests. It is a fusion of western culture and Chinese culture and it is the best place to spend your nightlife here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of coffee, taste some local food or just throw yourself into the vivid atmosphere... all you can get.
In the evening you can enjoy the musical night show of Impression Sanjie Liu which is directed by Zhangyimou. This light show is actually performed on the Li River in Yangshuo showing the beauty of the folk songs and love story of Sanjie Liu.
Today you will explore Yangshuo Countryside by bike and experience the traditional bamboo boat along the Yulong River (Little Li River). It's a relaxing moment for an impressive exploration of the Yangshuo Countryside with its beautiful rural landscape.You can either hop on a bike (about 13km, 2hours) or rent an electric scooter to explore the postcard-like karst hills and rice paddies and pass by some tranquil villages. Let all the picturesque scenes please your eyes and your souls to the maximum for total relaxation.
In Yangshuo, you should not miss the Bamboo Rafting along the Yulong River. The Yulong River is a small tributary of the larger Li River. It is a unique way to sit on the bamboo boat and appreciate its beautiful natural landscape of Karst hills, clean and bright river, lush bamboo along the riverbank, harmonious villages, and quiet countryside. After enjoy the relaxing moment on Yulong Bamboo Rafting (about 40min), you will go back to hotel for a good rest. (Tips: Each Yulong bamboo boat can take 2 people. If there are 3 people, it means need 2 bamboo boats.)
After breakfast, transfer back to Guilin for further exploration. Start your visit to the Symbol of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill. Located on the intersection of Li River and Peach Blossom River, the Elephant Trunk Hill looks like a huge elephant drinking water in the river. And then you will pay a visit to the Reed Flute Cave, which is a classic scenic spot of karst landform. The amazing stalactites and stalagmites in the cave look like animals or plants. When the colorful neon lights are on, you will feel like walking in a crystal palace. Then you will head to the airport for your flight to Shanghai (about 2.5 hours).
Welcome to Shanghai, China’s most internationalized and vibrant city! Shanghai's long-term fusion of Eastern and Western cultures has contributed to Shanghai's unique culture. Upon your arrival at the airport in Shanghai, the tour guide and driver will meet and greet you at the exit, and then escort you to the well-selected hotel in downtown Shanghai. The rest of the day is free on your own so you can have a good rest or explore by yourself around your hotel. You are welcome to ask your tour guide for some useful tips to spend your free time based on your time and interest.
Today you will spend the whole day feeling the perfect blend of the West and East in this “Paris of the East” by visiting brilliant museums, traditional Chinese-style gardens, modern skyscrapers, and exotic architecture.
First, head to Shanghai Museum for an awe-inspiring visit to view the finest collection of art and learn about profound Chinese history. Built in the shape of an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a ding, Shanghai Museum has a round top and a square base, symbolizing “round sky, square earth”. It contains 120,000 cultural relics which showcase incredible artifacts of Chinese art throughout 5000 years’ history. Immerse yourselves in the Exhibition Hall of Bronze and Ceramic to appreciate the elaborate bronzes and exquisite artifacts. You won’t miss the chance to enjoy the top treasures - Da Ke Ding (bronze food vessel over 3000 years ago), and Bianzhong of Marquis Su of Jin (ancient musical instruments). Next, move to Yu Garden, the most celebrated classical Chinese garden hidden in the bustling Shanghai downtown area. Enjoy a leisure walk and visit the Chinese architecture, and feast your years with exquisite sculptures and carvings. Yuyuan Bazaar outside the garden is a fun place to taste some local snacks as well as buy some traditional Chinese handicrafts and artworks.
After that, you will take a stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, where lots of well-known brands, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and towering buildings stand on both sides. Continue your walk to the Bund, the top 1 place to visit on the Shanghai bucket list. Reputed as “An Exhibition of International Buildings”, the Bund is a collection of 52 buildings in various international architectural styles. Overlook the amazing skyline and skyscrapers of the Pudong Area from the Bund. The last stop today is the Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China and the second in the world, at a height of 362 meters. Ascents up to 546 meters over the 118th floor for a breathtaking panoramic view of modern Shanghai.
This morning, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to a peaceful walk in the Jade Buddha Temple in bustling Shanghai, among the modern blocks and mansions. It is one of Shanghai's few active Buddhist temples with about 70 resident monks. In this Shanghai must-see attraction, you will see the largest Jade Buddha in the world and local people throng to pray for prosperity. If there is still some time, you can transfer to Tianzifang in the former French Concession area of Shanghai. It is a place to find tourist arts and crafts, appreciate the preservation of local Shikumen architecture, and watch the daily life of local Shanghai people.
Then take the bullet train to Hangzhou (about 1.5 hours). Upon arrival in Hangzhou, your guide and driver meet you at the train station and transfer you to your sweet hotel.
It is a full day to follow your tour guide to discover Hangzhou, Heaven on Earth. In the morning, stroll along the charming West Lake (Xi Hu) like locals, you can use your camera to record the classical beauty of China no matter if it is rainy or sunny. West Lake has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for its natural beauty and historic relics. In all four seasons, you can admire West Lake through its beautiful stone bridges, unique pavilions, green tree-lined causeways, and leisurely boats on the lake.
After that, head to Lingyin Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple with a history of about 1,700 years. As the oldest and most famous temple in Hangzhou and one of the Top 10 ancient temples of Chinese Buddhism, you will listen to stories and history behind the towering trees, numerous pagodas, and Buddhist grottoes. With impressive landscape and Buddhist culture, you will see the largest statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the lotus position, and believers light the incense for praying. Then move to Six Harmonies Pagoda (Liuhe Pagoda), a representative ancient pavilion-style tower in China. Located on Yuelun Mountain overlooking the Qiantang River to and south of the West Lake, it is one of the true masterpieces of ancient Chinese architecture. It is said that the reason for building this pagoda is to calm the tidal waters of the Qiantang River.
Next, pay a visit to China National Tea Museum, the only national museum focusing on tea and tea culture in China. You can learn about China's tea history and various tea customs in China, the tea production process, and all kinds of tea wares. At last, you can walk at Hefang Street which is the most prosperous place in Hangzhou since ancient times. After the tour, have a nice rest at your hotel.
This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Wuzhen Ancient Town to explore the water town of Wuzhen.
Wuzhen Water Town (Wuzhen Ancient Town) is about 90km (1.5 hours’ drive) away from Hangzhou. It is one of the six famous ancient water towns south of the Yangtze River with a history of 1300-year-old. As one of China's top ten historical & cultural towns, it is a wonderful place to learn more about its restored architecture and canals, well-preserved lifestyle, and special folk customs. You can see the houses lining the waterways and the bustle of traders near bridges and ports and piers. Through its ancient docks, pavilions, and corridors, you will fall into a romantic atmosphere that hails old China.
After the tour, it is time to end your 8-day South China tour. Your guide will escort you to the airport/train station for your flight or high-speed train to your next destination.
Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia.
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George
Romania
I did a 2-week tour in China, in Dec24/Jan25 and I was very pleased with Asia Odyssey. They handled everything very professionally, from the good accommodations to the great tour guides we had. I totally recommend this company for China tours.
Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu/Sichuan, Guilin/Yangshuo, YangtzeRiver
Date of Experience: Jan 01, 2025
Tour Customized by: Catherine
You May be Interested in This Tour: Customized Tour
Ilwad
Australia
Tour name: Line B2, 8 days Lhasa-Yamdroktso-Shigaste-Mt.Everest tour.
Key people: Bob (local Tibetan tour guide), Catherine Wang (travel consultant), Mr. Yu. Jian (driver).
This tour was sublime, a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! From the very start, I was met with grace and incredible kindness. The driver assigned to me by the company was Susan and greeted me with a smile on her face, as well as the traditional Tibetan scarf she delicately placed around my neck. She then kindly offered to take some photos of me outside of the airport and offered me some water as we drove to the first accommodation in Lhasa. She then sent me a few locations within the city to explore, for shopping and food and shared her experience of living in the region for over a decade.
The following day we met our tour guide Bob, who to date has been my favourite tour guide. He was nothing short of incredible. Not only did he translate everything from Tibetan to Mandarin and English, making the tour accessible to all of us, but went above and beyond for all of us. Whether it was taking extra photos from awkward angles as the photographer to answering our follow-up questions or even giving us his own recommendations i.e. where to rent the traditional Tibetan clothes or shop for souvenirs. He was incredibly knowledgeable and humble- a true mix of wisdom and personal insight. I found his personal experiences and insight made the tour feel more authentic, especially as he had been doing this since 2009. His great anecdotes and true appreciation of the Tibetan culture, as well as his uplifting attitude and great sense of humour made the trip that much more special. Especially on the days when we were on the road for up to 7 hours, as we began the travel towards Everest Base Camp (EBC).
In terms of the people I met on the tour, it was truly a mixed bag in the best way possible! As I was a 22-year-old solo solo-female traveler you might expect that I would want to be around a similar company. In contrast, I had the best time ever with a wildly different demographic！ From middle-aged interracial married couples to retired solo travelers and other solo travelers, my group was made up of people from different neighbouring countries each with their own experiences of travel. As someone who is learning Chinese this was perfect for improving my linguistic skills however most could also speak English so there were no language barriers either.
The people in my group were lovely, kind and interesting characters. Each with open-minds and curiousity about the Tibetan culture. Having people from different walks of life and experiences in my group turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Even with our different backgrounds, we shared laughter, food and stories. I am grateful to have been in the same group as them for those 8 days- it was a true pleasure. Also, the nature of the tour meant that we overlapped with different groups based on both of our itineraries, meaning that we mixed with others for the first few days of the tour. This was a great way to also meet others as some were also staying at the same hotel as us.
The driver Mr. Yu Jian was also incredible. He so kindly brought our luggage in and out of the vehicles and always waited for us patiently in the mornings. Even when we (I) were running late, losing track of the timings and rushing outside with a hastily prepared buffet breakfast to go.
In terms of the tour, my personal highlights were of course seeing EBC and Everest in person, however, the in-betweens were just as remarkable. The 108 zig-zags we had to endure on the way to EBC, the petrol station stops where we’d stretch our legs and interact with the locals (often trying to sell us things) and growing closer and closer to the enchanting Everest. Being able to see the surreal landscape views of Tibet, both in Lhasa and outside, was awe-inducing. As I flew in on 25/03, I was met with the mountainscape being submerged with snow. By the time we made it to EBC, the snow had mostly melted but the rugged mountain view perfectly complemented the seemingly endless holy Yamdrok Lake. It was a nature lover’s paradise through and through, especially with the domesticated and wild animals across the area.
I also thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the locals. They met me with such curiosity, warmth and open-mindedness. I was touched to be perhaps the first black European person they met, and hope that they left our interactions with a new perspective. The first meal I had in Tibet was also sublime (I will put a picture below of the dish and a screenshot of the location I went to, recommended to me by my first driver). There was also a traditional Tibetan musical performance shortly after I had finished my meal, also recommended to me by Susan which began around 8pm!
My favourite monastery we visited was also the Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Shigatse, which we visited on our penultimate day in Tibet. We went on a Sunday which meant that not many tourists, if any, were there. Especially the tour took place during the off-season (End of March/Early April). As such it was an immersive experience being able to calmly walk through the monastery. With a history dating back to 1447, I felt like I connected to this the most, with there being living trees on the site that had been first planted over 400 years ago! Even seeing locals re-paint some of the religious paintings and the monks ready to enter for their evening classes gave a sense of serenity. It was a wonderful way to end the trip. Also, I would like to highlight seeing the Yamdrok Lake’s deep shades of turquoise from many angles (extraordinary), trying yak meat for the first time (different and at times tasty), seeing the Karola glacier (even when the rest of the landscape was snowless), seeing monks’ daily debates at Sera Monastery, of course climbing and seeing Polata Palace (tip: bring a 50 RMB note with you to take the famed picture outside Polata Palace- a fellow tour member loaned me his, thanks Yuki!), as well as Jokhang Temple and the Tibetan incense making where the activity leader wrote us, upon our request, a sign in the Tibetan language with anything i.e. our name or quotes. Seeing the stars on the first day of the new moon in the village just outside of Everest was also phenomenal (tip: walk 5-10 minutes in the opposite direction of heading into town to escape the light pollution for a better view, we only stayed out for 15 minutes just around midnight due to fatigue but if you really commit to it and maybe even venture further out and perhaps later on in the night around the new moon phase you will be stunned out what will find in the starry night sky.. hopefully the milky way!).
I would also like to give a warm mention to the hotel workers in the first hotel we stayed in Lhasa as they were incredibly kind to me. They were curious to know what my story was and where I had travelled as well as catering to my needs in the mornings (i.e. morning coffee etc.). Though they won’t see this, the woman working at the Tibetan clothes’ rental who helped me take pictures on my phone and conversed with me was also very kind! Even the shopkeeper who gave me a freebie after I bought some goods from his store was patient with me as I perused through the shops looking for instant noodles. Overall, I was met with such kindness from the very start of the trip until the very end!
Regarding altitude sickness, if you are worried about the high altitude, I bought Diamox , also known as Acetazolamide, (250mg per tablet) and got a prescription from a pharmacist. I took 1 tablet the day before I flew into Lhasa (during my layover in Kunming, Yunnan) and took another tablet for the next two days, waiting 24 hours between each 250mg dose. I adjusted well to the altitude and only took another one when we were heading to higher altitudes (particularly the mountain pass that is higher than EBC and the day of EBC). In total, I took 4 tablets on 4 days (the day before landing in Lhasa, days 1 and 2 of the tour as well as day 4 of the tour). I stopped taking it after EBC day and was fine throughout the trip. The tour will provide you with one free bottle of oxygen, as well as an emergency tank of oxygen in the shuttle bus. For reference I didn’t finish the bottle of oxygen throughout the trip but bought a spare one from the supermarket down the road from the hotel in Lhasa and the quality was great for only a few more RMB (lasted the entire trip). With a lot of water for hydration and taking it easy, alongside deep breaths, I think this tour is accessible to anyone without any underlying health conditions.
Finally, I would like to thank my tour agent Catherine Wang who has supported me throughout this trip! From when I first sent an email back in December 2024 to inquire about this tour until present she has supported me and provided me with updates throughout this process. Although I sent persistent emails (regarding the Shigatse earthquake and permit process/progress update) she always kept me in the loop. Even during the trip she had sent me an email to ask how it was going. Thank you very much for your patience and hard work, this trip has been the trip of a lifetime!
TLDR: I would 1000% recommend this trip and tour. All the little moments and cherished memories I have made will last a lifetime. Thank you to Bob, Mr. Yu Jian, Catherine, Susan, my tour group members and all the others who have made this trip so special. I am beyond grateful.
Destination(s): Tibet
Date of Experience: Oct 07, 2024
Tour Customized by: Catherine
You May be Interested in This Tour: 8 Days Lhasa Yamdrok Shigatse Group Tour with Everest Base Camp
Siew Chor
Australia
Liz was prompt with her helpful response. We appreciate her help.
Destination(s): Beijing
Date of Experience: Oct 07, 2024
Tour Customized by: Liz
You May be Interested in This Tour: 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Forbidden City & Great Wall
Price: Request
(Based on a private tour for two people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people.)
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