5 Days Guilin Family Tour: Kids-friendly Experience in Yangshuo, Longji & Xingping

This morning, drive about 77km (2 hours) from Guilin (altitude of 100m) to the Longji Terraces Scenic Area (altitude of 300-1,100m). Inside the scenic area, the winding mountain roads will lead you to the incredible Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng Rice Terraces) that were created by the ancient Zhuang and Yao minority peoples 2,300 years ago.

Upon arrival, enjoy hiking in the Longji Rice Terraces around Ping'an Village. The Longji Rice Terraces are one of the top ten most beautiful terraced fields in the world and the closest terraced fields to a major city. With a history of at least 2,300 years, Longji Rice Terraces are hailed as the "Birthplace of Terraced Fields Worldwide" and a "Globally Significant Agricultural Cultural Heritage". It has not only been included in the list of National Wetland Parks but also represents an important heritage of ancient Chinese water management wisdom and agricultural civilization that has been passed down to this day by ancient Zhuang and Yao peoples. As you walk across the cobbled paths of the Ping'an Rice Terrace Fields, you can reach its famous viewing platforms, such as the Seven Stars Accompany the Moon (880m, Sunrise Viewing Spot) and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers (980m, Sunset Viewing spot). At the Nine Dragons and Five Tigers viewing platform (九龙五虎), you will see why it is named Longji Rice Terrace (Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces).

Afterward, enjoy lunch in Ping'an Village and visit a local villager's home. Here, you can sample local Rice Wine and learn to cook popular local dishes, including Bamboo Rice (rice cooked in bamboo tubes), Bamboo Tube Chicken (bamboo-stuffed chicken), and Chinese Smoked Pork (smoked Chinese bacon).

While in the village, you can get a close-up view of the Zhuang people's distinctive stilted houses, known as "Diaojiaolou," nestled in the mountain valley. You may also have the chance to meet local Zhuang villagers, taste or even make unique Zhuang People's food like oil-tea (optional experience), and learn more about Zhuang ethnic customs and culture.

This afternoon, it's family time with a unique experience of “dancing with fish in the terraced fields” and enjoying the fun of nature farming. You and your kids can catch fish in the soft soil and green rice fields, experiencing the natural coexistence of fish and rice. After this happy time, it's time to head back to Guilin.

On this delightful day, you will enjoy a scenic journey from Guilin downtown to the charming Huixian Town (about 1.5-2 hours’ drive).

Upon arrival, it is time for an exciting exploration of a wild cave. This cave offers the ultimate experience in cave spelunking, transporting you to a dreamlike space that feels as if you've stepped into another world at the center of the Earth. The Karst landscape, shaped over thousands of years, narrates the tale of flowing water and the passage of time. Concealed underground labyrinths, tumultuous underground rivers, and dimly lit caves that have never been illuminated by carbide lamps... all await your exploration.

First, follow the guidance of the professional leaders, carefully listen to the safety instructions, and equip yourself with the necessary cave exploration gear, including helmets with headlamps, gloves, and cave exploration suits. Now, you are ready to embark on an adventure. As you enter this mystical underground wonderland, you will unveil its enchanting beauty with every step. Inside, you will witness stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years, adorning the cave's interior and creating a spectacle of natural splendor. The ethereal atmosphere, combined with these captivating formations, will transport you to a world untouched by time. One of the most thrilling highlights awaits as you prepare yourself for a personal challenge - rappelling down to the flat ground, approximately 20 meters below. After the exhilarating descent, continue your journey through the cave chamber, where a breathtaking sight unfolds before your eyes - an abundance of impressive stalagmites. These unexplored sections of the cave hold a myriad of fascinating and enchanting discoveries, enticing you to uncover their mysteries! (Kindly note: 1. You will have lunch in the cave, so please remember to bring some food with you. 2. If you are interested, we can arrange accommodation in the cave through camping, providing a unique and marvelous experience. Please communicate your preferences to your travel consultant.)

In the afternoon, you will be transported to a beautiful hill for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Li River. From this vantage point, you can witness the meandering Li River as it gracefully embraces rolling hills on both banks, forming a magnificent 180-degree bend in the river. This hill is renowned as a paradise for photographers, offering stunning views of the surrounding karst landscape and the iconic fisherman using cormorant birds to catch fish. You can take a short hike up the hill to reach the viewing platform and enjoy the beautiful sunset view, overlooking the sinuous Li River that creates an idyllic painting where land and water harmoniously converge beneath the vast and open sky.

After the tour, be escorted to a comfortable hotel in a peaceful village facing Xingping Town across the Li River. This location is renowned as one of the best spots for capturing breathtaking pictures, as the Li River graciously presents its most stunning river bend here.

After breakfast, you and your kids will take some time to hike along the banks of the Li River and relish the renowned scenery, including the captivating Nine-Horse Fresco and the mesmerizing reflection of the Yellow Cloth Shoal. And then, take a ferry across the Li River to Xingping Ancient Town. The ancient town has a history of more than 1,700 years. The town, which thrived because of its proximity to the river, has always been a bustling center for merchants and various trades throughout history. Today, Xingping still retains its ancient charm with Ming Dynasty houses, Qing Dynasty stages, and old streets and alleys where generations of town dwellers have continued their traditional ways of life, enjoying the tranquility of passing years. As you wander through the town, you'll be transported back in time. Walking along the old streets and narrow alleys, you'll get a feel for the traditional lifestyle that generations of town dwellers have maintained, and you can enjoy the serene tranquility that comes with time.

After that, you'll be taken to a special viewpoint to behold the iconic scene depicted on the back of the 20-yuan banknote. The tranquil Li River meanders between towering Karst mountains, their peaks shrouded in a soft mist, creating a painting-like atmosphere. In the foreground, you can imagine a traditional fisherman on a bamboo raft with his trusty cormorants, an echo of the scene on the 20-yuan banknote. You may want to take a moment to draw out a 20-yuan note and compare it with the actual scene before you. Now, it's your opportunity to witness the authentic fishermen with their cormorant birds and lanterns, gracefully navigating bamboo rafts amidst the captivating Karst mountains. You have the option to embark on their bamboo raft and capture memorable photos together, or alternatively, you can opt to photograph them from a distance, cherishing the enchanting scene they create against the backdrop of the Karst mountains.

In this afternoon, set out on a delightful drive from Xingping to Yangshuo and make a stop to explore the captivating Fuli Town, renowned as the premier destination for Chinese painted fans. With a rich legacy spanning over three centuries, "Fuli painted fans" have attained national-level recognition as an intangible cultural heritage project of China. During your visit in this town, you and your children will have the pleasure of meeting a local artist, who will skillfully guide you in the art of Chinese painting. You will then transform your artwork into a stunning paper fan, which will serve as a souvenir to take away.

After the tour, you will be accompanied to Yangshuo Town (about 12 km from Fuli Town). Upon arrival, you can stroll 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. Stay overnight in Yangshuo Town.

Wake up from the tranquility of Yangshuo to start your relaxing countryside tour. After breakfast, once you're ready, step out and let the captivating scenery of Yangshuo's countryside wash over you. Vibrant, green fields stretch out like a sea of emeralds, nestled under a clear, blue sky. The misty Karst mountains rise in the distance, their vast and rolling shapes protecting the serene landscape below.

First, it's time to immerse yourself in this rural paradise up close. You can either hop on a bike or rent a sidecar (optional) 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. At various points, you might also spot locals engaging in their daily chores, farmers tending to their fields, or even children playing along the riverbanks. Dotting the riverbanks are quaint stone houses, their grey slate roofs offering a delightful contrast against the verdant surroundings. You might also encounter a solitary water buffalo leisurely grazing in the fields, adding a heartwarming touch of rural life to the panoramic vista.

Next, board a hand-cranked bamboo raft for a journey down the Yulong River. As you ease into the gentle rhythm of the water, you become one with the serene surroundings. The clear water sparkles as it captures the sun's rays, vibrant green river grass dances with the water's flow underneath the surface, lush bamboos and verdant rice paddies dot the riverbanks, the karst mountains are shrouded in soft mist. As you float downstream, you'll drift past the ancient bridges, a testament to the architectural marvels of yore, and glide through a variety of dams that interrupt the river flow, creating gentle rapids that splash cool water around, enhancing the joy of the journey.

This afternoon, take an exciting adventure with your family and try the thrilling "FERRATA" in the beautiful Yangshuo. The unique Karst topography in this region has created a rock climbing paradise, offering a diverse range of aerial crossings such as a high-altitude monkey bridge, cable bridge, ladder, zip line, and a circular observation bridge. The route spans about 650-700 meters, featuring a maximum drop of 60 meters, and the total experience lasts about 1.5-2 hours. It is highly suitable for visitors aged 6-60, regardless of prior experience in outdoor sports. Be sure not to miss the suspended 40-meter-long wooden bridge erected on the cliff face and the semi-circular observation platform with a diameter of 8 meters, providing a perfect spot to take in the picturesque scenery. And for the ultimate adrenaline rush, try the two zip lines measuring 400 meters long and 50 meters high, allowing you to truly soar above Yangshuo. (Note: There are also other outdoor activities available in Yangshuo, such as wild cave exploration, kayaking, SUP, and rock climbing. Simply inform your travel consultant of your preferences, and we will make the necessary arrangements for you.)

Optional Evening Activity: If you are interested, you can enjoy the amazing evening performance called Impression Liu Sanjie with the Li River directed by the famous director Zhang Yimou. The show uses the natural landscape as its stage, with the karst mountains and river serving as a unique backdrop. It combines traditional folk music, vibrant costumes, and modern theatrical techniques for a fantastic spectacle of light, sound, and color. It is regarded as one of the must-see performances for anyone visiting Yangshuo.

After breakfast, you will have some leisure time to explore Yangshuo at your own pace. Take this opportunity to explore the town or simply relax and soak in the charming atmosphere. Later, your guide and driver will accompany you to the airport or train station in Guilin, from where you will take your flight or high-speed train to your next destination.

If you want to spend more time in Guilin before departure, you can explore the Elephant Trunk Hill and East West Alley in the downtown area.

Suggestions for Further Exploration in Guilin:

1. Elephant Trunk Hill: It is the symbol of Guilin. This natural wonder sits at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River, and resembles a giant elephant drinking water from the river. Be sure to take photos here and also visit the Water-Moon Cave.
2. East West Alley: Step back in time and explore the charming East West Alley, which merges with three ancient streets, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Guilin. Established during the Tang Dynasty, the alley has borne witness to nearly 1400 years of the city's rise and fall. Take a leisurely stroll along the streets and indulge in some local delicacies, such as the famous Guilin Rice Noodles. Immerse yourself in the traditional culture by trying your hand at fan-making, Lijiang River sand and stone painting or even donning a Hanfu, an ancient Chinese costume.

Trip Extension Ideas: If you're interested in exploring other destinations in China and Asia instead of returning home right away, we would be more than happy to assist you with planning an extension trip. Don't hesitate to share your ideas with us! Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your China tour. We are always here to work for you and hope to welcome you back for your next trip to China or Asia.