"East or West, Guilin's Landscape is the best!" This 3 days Guilin Yangshuo tour is perfect for families, nature lovers and photographers. We'll showcase the region's beauty from three perspectives: cruising the grand Li River, rafting the tranquil Yulong River, and exploring the illuminated "underground palace" of Reed Flute Cave.
From the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill to the vibrant backstreets of West Street, you'll experience the perfect balance of scenic relaxation and cultural discovery. This private tour handles all logistics, ensuring you spend less time planning and more time soaking in the "best landscape under heaven."

| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guilin | Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Guilin downtown area |
| 2-3 | Yangshuo | Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Countryside, Yulong River (biking, bamboo rafting experience), West Street |
Ni Hao! Welcome to Guilin. Our team will meet you at the airport or train station and take you to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore.
Arrival Ideas:
Guilin is easy to reach. Fly direct from Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Hong Kong. High-speed trains connect Guilin to Guangzhou (3 hours), Hong Kong (4 hours), Chengdu (5.5 hours), and Zhangjiajie (7 hours).
If you arrive early, here are a few places within easy reach:


After breakfast, your guide will take you on a 1-hour drive to Mopanshan Pier. From here, embark on a relaxing 4-hour cruise down the 83-kilometer Li River to Yangshuo.
As you sail, you will see iconic sights like the Nine-Horse Fresco and the Yellow Cloth Shoal. Keep your camera ready for the scenery featured on the back of the 20 RMB note.
A simple Chinese-style lunch is served on board. Alternatively, we can arrange a packed lunch with grilled sausages, sandwiches, milk, coffee, and fruit. Please book at least 2 days in advance. Fruit selection may vary by season.
Upon arriving in Yangshuo, your driver will transfer you to your hotel for a short rest. Once refreshed, head out to explore the stunning Yangshuo countryside.
You will see vibrant rice fields and misty karst peaks reflecting in the tranquil Yulong River. It is a peaceful landscape that feels like a living Chinese scroll painting.
Choose your exploration style: You can discover this rural paradise by private car and walking, by bicycle, or by scooter (additional costs may apply for scooters).
The route offers a close look at local life. You’ll pass farmers tending to their fields, water buffalo grazing by the river, and quaint stone houses with traditional slate roofs.
Next, board a hand-cranked bamboo raft for a quiet journey down the Yulong River. Float past ancient bridges and glide through small dams that create gentle, cooling rapids.
The water is so clear you can see river grass dancing below. It is the perfect way to become part of the serene scenery while drifting through the valley.
In the late afternoon, stroll along West Street, the heart of Yangshuo. This 1,400-year-old street is a vibrant mix of traditional Chinese culture and modern Western cafes and bars.
It is the best place to enjoy the local nightlife, try authentic snacks, or simply soak in the lively atmosphere as the town lights up.
Watch the Impression Liu Sanjie show, directed by Zhang Yimou. This world-famous performance uses the actual river and mountains as a stage for a spectacular display of light and folk music.


After breakfast, take a final stroll through the quiet Yangshuo countryside before the drive back to Guilin.
Your first stop in the city is Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic symbol of Guilin. Located where the Li River meets the Peach Blossom River, this limestone formation looks like a giant elephant drinking from the water.
Explore Water-Moon Cave, the 12-meter-high semicircular opening between the "trunk" and the "legs." Look for the ancient poems from the Song and Tang dynasties carved into the rock walls.
Next, visit Reed Flute Cave, known as the "Palace of Nature's Art." This limestone cavern is filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars in unique shapes like Lion Peak and the Primitive Forest. Multi-colored neon lights illuminate the formations, creating a vibrant underground world. Don't miss the Crystal Palace, where the calm water creates a perfect mirror reflection of the cave walls. You can also watch the Water Curtain Movie to see how these geological formations grew over millions of years.
After the tour, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or railway station for your departure.
Trip Extension Ideas: If you would like to explore more of China or Asia, we can help you customize an extension. Thank you for traveling with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) - we look forward to seeing you again!


It is very simple to book a private China tour. Select the tour you are interested in, and click "Make an Enquiry for Free". Tell us your demands and likes while submitting the form.
During this process, you don’t need to pay immediately. After sending us your requirements, one of our professional travel experts will get back to you within 0.5 to 24 hours. When all the information has been confirmed, then you make the deposit. Please feel free to contact the travel expert directly if you have any questions prior to booking.
The above itinerary is a sample that most travelers prefer. However, the tour can be fully customized based on your likes, interests, and budget.
If you want to extend this tour, just tell us your favored destinations and things to do. Our professional travel experts will redesign the trip totally for you and your group at the best price.
In-city Transfer: You will travel in a private, spacious, comfortable, and air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
Inter-city Travel: We use domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class seat, usually less than 6 hours).
Arrival/Departure: Local guides and drivers will pick you up at the airport or train stations and escort you directly to your hotel.
“B” (Breakfast): Included at your hotel each morning.
“L” (Lunch): Arranged at designated tourist restaurants approved by the local administration, ensuring good sanitary conditions. Your guide will assist with ordering.
“D” (Dinner): Usually excluded, giving you the chance to taste authentic local food and snacks at your own pace.
Special Diets: If you are vegetarian, halal, kosher, or have gluten-free requirements, please let us know before booking. We will do our best to accommodate you.


A good night's sleep is essential during your China tour. In our private tours, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred hotel class—whether it's luxury 5-star, comfortable 4-star, or economic 3-star accommodations.
We carefully select hotels in prime locations, situated close to vibrant commercial streets or major tourist attractions. All our partner hotels maintain long-term relationships with us and are equipped with essential amenities including windows, air-conditioning, hot water, showers, and Wi-Fi (with the exception of basic conditions at Mount Everest) to ensure a comfortable stay.
The hotel staff are proficient in English and dedicated to providing high-quality service. Should you have any special requirements during your stay, they are always available to assist you to ensure a truly pleasant experience.











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