8 Days South China Beauty Tour from Hong Kong to Guilin, Shanghai & Hangzhou

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 632 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 meet you at your hotel and take you to Wuzhen Water Town (Xizha Scenic Area, 西栅景区). It is located about 80 km northeast of Hangzhou (around 1-1.5 hours by car). Known as one of the most popular and best-preserved ancient water towns in the Jiangnan region, Wuzhen stands out even among the famous “Top Six Water Towns” such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Luzhi, Xitang, and Nanxun.

Wuzhen perfectly embodies the classic charm of a Jiangnan Water Town, with its well-preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, flowing canals, graceful arched bridges, ancient docks, riverside pavilions, stone-paved alleys, and traditional teahouses. The local residents still enjoy an authentic waterside lifestyle and unique folk customs, creating a landscape often described as a Chinese ink-painting come to life. It’s no wonder people say, “Once you come to Wuzhen, you’ll never want to leave,” as the town’s romantic, nostalgic atmosphere captures the essence of old China.

Xizha Scenic Area is composed of twelve small islands connected by more than seventy bridges and waterways, forming a well-designed, immersive experience. Upon arrival, you will stroll along the riverside and main streets - plan to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring this large area. Take your time to enjoy its beauty and local culture.

You won’t miss the charming attractions (passing by or visiting as many as possible. To save time, not every minor stop will be included) such as Indigo Fabric Workshop (草木本色染坊), Zhaoming Academy (昭明书院), Foot-binding Culture Museum (三寸金莲博物馆), Wuzhen Old Post Office (乌镇邮局), White Lotus Pagoda (白莲塔), and Guandi Temple (关帝庙), along with lively highlights like the Water Theatre (水上戏台), Xuchang Sauce Garden (叙昌酱园), and the Water Market (水上集市). As you wander through the canals and alleyways, your guide will share the stories, history, and traditions that make this region so culturally rich. Relax and enjoy the slow rhythm here.

After your visit, you’ll return to Hangzhou to conclude your 8-day South China tour. Your guide and driver will then escort you to the airport or train station for your flight or high-speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next trip to China or Asia!