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4 Days Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces Classic Tour

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Private tour
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No Shopping Stops
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Tour Guide Included
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Low Intensity
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Karst Peaks, Rice Terraces, and Rural Yangshuo

This 4-day Guilin Yangshuo and Longji Rice Terraces tour is ideal for families, nature lovers and minority culture seeker. We've combined the massive scale of the Longji rice terraces with the serene beauty of the Li River and the rural charm of Yangshuo.

Start in Guilin, then head north to the Longji Rice Terraces for hiking and visits to Yao and Zhuang villages. Cruise the Li River to Yangshuo, bike through countryside, and raft the Yulong River. End back in Guilin with Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave. Three landscapes, four days, one trip.

What Makes Our Trip Different
Kiko, Travel Consultant at Asia Odyssey Travel
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From our load guide Kiko: "I've been guiding this route for over 10 years. I know exactly when to arrive at Longji to catch the morning light on the terraces, which village has the best bamboo rice, and where to stop on the bike ride for photos."

You Can Experience “Must-see & Must-do” with This Tour

Highlight 1
Explore the 'Dragon's Backbone' and meet the Red Yao women, known for their ancient long-hair traditions and vibrant ethnic culture.
Longji Ethnic Groups
Highlight 2
Sail from Guilin to Yangshuo on a 4.5-hour journey past iconic karst peaks and traditional fishing villages.
Fishermen with their cormorant birds and lanterns
Highlight 3
Choose your style of adventure- bike through lush rice paddies or steer a bamboo raft down the tranquil Yulong River.
Exploring Yangshuo's Countryside by Bike
Highlight 4
Visit the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill and explore the stalactites of Reed Flute Cave, an illuminated "underground palace."
Elephant Trunk Hill, a famous landmark in Guilin

Itinerary at a Glance

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Start Point
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) or Guilin train station
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End Point
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) or Guilin train station

Itinerary Summary

Day Place Highlights
1 Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Li River Cruise
2 Longsheng Huangluo Yao Village, Ping'an Village, Longji Rice Terrace, Dazhai Village
3-4 Yangshuo Yangshuo Countryside, West Street, Bamboo Raft along the Yulong River
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4 Days Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terraces Classic Tour
Destinations
    • Guilin
    •  
    • Longsheng
    •  
    • Yangshuo
Tour Information

Itinerary Day by Day

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Day 1 Arrival in Guilin | Airport Pick-up and Hotel Check-in

Welcome to Guilin. Our team will meet you at the airport or train station exit to escort you to your downtown hotel and assist with check-in.

Travel Logistics: Guilin Lijiang Airport (KWL) connects to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. If arriving by high-speed train, the city is accessible from Hong Kong (4h), Guangzhou (3h), Changsha (2.5-3h), and Zhangjiajie (7h).

iFree Time Suggestions:

If you arrive early, consider exploring these nearby sites on your own:

  1. Jingjiang Prince’s City Built in the late 14th century, this royal complex is older than the Forbidden City. You can explore the historic halls or climb Solitary Beauty Peakfor a panoramic view of the city.
  2. East West Alley This Tang Dynasty district offers a look at 1,400 years of Guilin's history. It is a great place to try local Guilin Rice Noodlesor experience traditional fan-making and Hanfu dress.
  3. Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise In the evening, take a 1-hour cruise through the city’s illuminated waterways. The route passes ancient bridges and pagodas reflecting in the calm water.

Note: After check-in, your guide will provide tips for local dining and help you prepare for the following day's tour.

DiningDining:
None
AccommodationAccommodation:
Hotel in Guilin downtown
PacePace:
Easy
Day 2 Guilin to Longji Tour | Huangluo Yao Village, Ping'an Village (Zhuang Minority), Longji Rice Terraces Hiking

This morning, take a 2-hour drive (77km) from Guilin to the Longji Rice Terraces. The altitude rises from 100m to over 1,100m as you follow winding mountain roads into the heart of the scenic area. These terraces were carved into the hills by the Zhuang and Yao people over 2,300 years ago.

Huangluo Yao Village (Long Hair Village)

Your first stop is Huangluo Yao Village, famous as the "World's Longest Hair Village." It is home to over 70 women with hair longer than 1 meter—the longest recorded at 2.72 meters.

You can watch an optional 45-minute performance featuring folk songs, drum dances, and traditional wedding customs. You’ll also learn their secret to keeping hair jet-black and healthy: washing it with fermented rice water.

Authentic Local Lunch

Next, head to Ping'an Village for a local lunch. At a villager’s restaurant, you can try traditional Bamboo Rice (rice cooked inside bamboo tubes), Bamboo Tube Chicken, and smoked Chinese bacon. Your guide can show you how these dishes are prepared over an open fire.

Hiking the Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng Rice Terrace)

Spend the afternoon hiking through the Longji Rice Terraces. This site is recognized as a "Globally Significant Agricultural Cultural Heritage" for its ancient water management and 2,300-year history.

Follow the cobbled paths to the two most famous viewing platforms:

  • Seven Stars Accompany the Moon (880m): A famous spot for sunrise photography.
  • Nine Dragons and Five Tigers (980m): The best location for sunset views. From here, you can clearly see why the area is named "Longji" (Dragon’s Backbone).

Zhuang Minority Culture Walk into Ping'an Village, home to over 170 households of the Zhuang ethnic group. Everyone here shares the surname "Liao." You will see their traditional stilted houses, known as Diaojiaolou, built into the valley walls.

You may see villagers in traditional dress—white shirts and brightly colored headwear—and have the chance to taste local oil tea. After the hike and plenty of time for photography, you will be driven back to Guilin.

DiningDining:
Breakfast, Lunch
AccommodationAccommodation:
Hotel in Guilin downtown
PacePace:
Active
Day 3 Guilin to Yangshuo Tour | Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Countryside, West Street

After breakfast, take a 1-hour drive to the pier to begin your 4.5-hour Li River cruise to Yangshuo. This 84-kilometer journey is ranked by National Geographic as one of the world's top "watery wonders."

As you sail, the landscape unfolds like a traditional Chinese scroll painting. You will see limestone karst peaks, water buffalo grazing by the river, and local farmers working in lush fields.

iNote:

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 reaching Yangshuo, your driver will meet you at the dock and escort you to your hotel for a short rest. Afterward, it’s time to explore the Yangshuo countryside up close.

Choose your exploration style: You can discover the rural scenery by private car and walking, by bicycle, or by scooter (additional costs may apply).

The route takes you past quaint stone houses with grey slate roofs and peaceful emerald fields. You’ll see the authentic side of rural life, from children playing by the riverbanks to farmers tending their crops against a backdrop of misty mountains.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a stroll along West Street, the vibrant heart of Yangshuo. This area is a famous fusion of East and West, packed with local restaurants, craft shops, and lively bars.

It is the perfect place to grab a coffee, sample authentic snacks like "Beer Fish," or simply soak in the energetic atmosphere as the street lights up for the night.

iOptional Evening Activity:

You may choose to watch Impression Liu Sanjie, a world-class performance directed by Zhang Yimou. The show uses the actual river and karst mountains as a stage, combining folk music with spectacular light effects.

DiningDining:
Breakfast, Lunch
AccommodationAccommodation:
Hotel in Yangshuo town
PacePace:
Moderate
Day 4 Yangshuo to Guilin Tour | Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave

Morning: Return to Guilin

Wake up in Yangshuo. After breakfast, take a short walk through the countryside—one last look at the rice paddies and karst peaks before you leave. Then drive back to Guilin, about 1.5 hours.

Elephant Trunk Hill

First stop: Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin's symbol. It sits where the Li River meets Peach Blossom River. The shape is exactly what it sounds like—a giant elephant drinking from the water.

The hill is limestone, carved by millions of years of rainwater. Walk to Water-Moon Cave, the round opening between the elephant's trunk and body. It's 12 meters high. Inside, you'll find Tang and Song dynasty poems carved into the stone walls.

Locals say: "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven." This hill is why.

Reed Flute Cave

Next, visit Reed Flute Cave, sometimes called the "Palace of Nature's Art." The cave runs 240 meters underground.

Inside, you'll see stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations in every shape. Colored lights make them glow - purple, blue, green, red. Look for:

  • Lion Peak at Dawn
  • Primitive Forest
  • Dragon and Elephant Peak
  • Mountain of Fruits and Flowers

The Crystal Palace is the largest chamber. Water on the floor reflects the rock walls - lights and shadows bounce everywhere. They also project a short "Water Curtain Movie" here, showing how stalactites grow over time.

The cave stays cool year-round, around 18-20°C.

Afternoon: Departure

After the tour, our team will take you to Guilin airport or train station for your next flight or train.

iTrip Extension Ideas:

If you want to keep going, we can add more stops - Xingping Ancient Town, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, or Zhangjiajie. Just tell us what you have in mind.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Guilin tour. Safe travels, and hope to see you again.

DiningDining:
Breakfast, Lunch
AccommodationAccommodation:
PacePace:
Moderate
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Price: What’s Included & What’s Excluded

What is included in this tour
iconVehicle & Driver Service
  • Experienced drivers & air-conditioned vehicles
iconProfessional Guide Service
  • Professional licensed English-speaking local guide
iconAccommodation
  • Hotel accommodation with breakfasts
Detailed Pictures >>
iconDomestic Transportation
  • Domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class) listed in the itinerary
iconAdmissions & Meals
  • Admission tickets, activities, and meals listed in the itinerary
iconInsurance
  • Accident insurance
iconComprehensive Service
  • Our service from tour planning, handling, operational and finishing your trip
What is Not Included in this tour
iconInternational Airfares
  • International airfares to/from China
iconChina Visa Fee
  • Entry visa fees
iconPersonal Expenses
  • Any personal expenses (laundry, drinks, etc.)
iconRoom Supplement
  • Single room supplement
iconOptional Activities
  • Recommended optional activities not listed in the itinerary
iconArrival & Departure Transport
  • Arrival/departure flights or train on the first and last day
iconTips for Guide and Driver
  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

Expert Advice and Ideas for Extending Your China Trip

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a private China tour?+

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.

Can I customize or extend my China tour?+

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.

Tell us your ideas now

What kind of transportation is used during the tour?+

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.

How are meals arranged and can you handle dietary needs?+

“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.

Where to Stay: Handpicked Hotel Options for Your China Tour

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.

Photo Gallery for This Itinerary

Cruise along the Enchanting Li RiverBoard Li River Cruise in GuilinExploring Yangshuo's Countryside by a SidecarBamboo raft on Yulong RiverElephant Trunk Hill, an elephant drinking water from the Li RiverElephant Trunk Hill Autumn ViewReed Flute Cave, a fascinating limestone cave located in GuilinReed Flute Cave, Magical Underground in GuilinRed Yao MinorityLongji Rice Terrace - Yao peopleLongji Rice Terrace - Ping'anLongji Rice Terrace - Ping'anGuilin City Panoramic ViewPanoramic View of Jingjiang Prince’s City in GuilinHave a Walk at East West Alley, Guilin

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