5 Days Amazing Guilin Tour with Moderate Hiking Experience

Ni Hao! Welcome to Guilin, the most picturesque paradise in China! Upon your arrival at Guilin airport/train station, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit, greet you, and escort you directly to the downtown area, where they will help you check in at your hotel.

Arrival Options: Travelers can reach Guilin by taking a flight or a train. Guilin Lijiang Airport has flights connecting to major cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Hangzhou, among others. Guilin has three main train stations in the downtown area: Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North, and Guilin West. Travelers can take high-speed trains to Guilin from Hong Kong (4 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours), Chongqing (4.5-5 hours), Chengdu (5.5-6 hours), Changsha (2.5-3 hours), Zhangjiajie (7 hours), and other cities.

Free Time Suggestions:

If you happen to arrive early, you can explore on your own to some of the easily accessible nearby sites. We highly recommend visiting:
1. Jingjiang Prince’s City: It boasts a rich history dating back to the late 14th century, making it older than Beijing's Forbidden City. Once the official residence of Zhu Shouqian, a great-nephew of the first Ming Dynasty emperor, it served as a haven for scholars who achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations. Immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of its past by exploring the historical buildings, or ascend to the top of Solitary Beauty Peak for a breathtaking panoramic view of Guilin.
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.
3. Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise: When night falls, take a relaxing cruise to sail through the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area. It takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on the route you choose. Sit back, relax and take in the stunning views of the tranquil waters and illuminated landmarks, including ancient bridges, pagodas, and lush gardens.

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. You will make a stop at Huangluo Yao Village (Long Hair Village) to learn more about the culture of the Yao minority through a performance by local Yao women. After a unique lunch featuring bamboo rice, you will begin hiking in the brilliant Longji Rice Terraces around Ping’an Village.

In the morning, you will arrive at the Huangluo Yao Village (population of over 400) which is famous as “the World's Longest Hair Village”. You will marvel at the dramatically long and pitch-black hairs worn by its women of the Yao ethnic group. The village has over 70 Yao women with hairs over 1 meter (the longest hair of 2.72 meters) which has been listed by Guinness World Record as the “longest hair group”. By watching the performances of villagers (45min, optional), such as folk songs, drum dances, Red Yao wedding customs, sunning red clothes, and combing long hair, you will learn about the history, traditions and way of life of the Red Yao people, such as customs like spinning and weaving. You can even ask Red Yao women to share their secrets on how to take care of their long hair and how to make their Rice Water Shampoo.

Next, head to Ping'an Village for lunch. You'll visit a local villager's restaurant where you can try some local Rice Wine and learn to cook some popular local dishes, such as Bamboo Rice (rice cooked in bamboo tubes) Bamboo Tube Chicken (bamboo stuffed chicken), and Chinese Smoked Pork (smoked Chinese bacon).

In the afternoon, enjoy hiking in the Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng Rice Terrace) 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).

You can also walk into Ping'an Village along the stone-paved road, where you will find 170 households and over 700 people, all belonging to the Zhuang ethnic group with the surname "Liao". Men wear short gowns made of hand-loomed cloth, while women wear white shirts, black pants, and brightly colored cloth on their heads. Here, you can have a close-up view of the Zhuang people's distinctive stilted houses called "Diaojiaolou" (吊脚楼) in the mountain valley. You may encounter local Zhuang villagers, taste or make unique Zhuang People's food like oil-tea, have the opportunity to learn more about Zhuang ethnic customs and culture, as if you are transported to ancient times.

Take your time to find the best viewpoints to capture the beauty of the incredible terrace fields that exist since ancient times. After the hiking, go back to Guilin.

On this delightful day, you will enjoy a scenic journey from Guilin downtown to the picturesque Li River (about 1-1.5 hours’ drive). First, you will be transported to a beautiful hill for a 360-degree panoramic view overlooking 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. Renowned as a paradise for photographers, this hill offers stunning views of the surrounding karst landscape and the iconic fishermen who use cormorant birds for fishing. You can take a short hike up the hill (about 15 minutes) to reach the viewing platform, overlooking the meandering Li River that creates an idyllic painting where land and water harmoniously converge beneath the vast and open sky.

After the panoramic view from a Karst hill, it is time to enjoy a 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.

After that, 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.

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 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 by hiking. You have the option to walk the full length of the Yulong River or choose a specific section to explore. The most popular hiking route is from Yulong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge. Allow the picturesque scenes to delight your eyes and uplift your soul, providing a sense of ultimate relaxation. Along the way, you may witness locals immersed in their daily routines, diligent farmers tending to their fields, and children joyfully playing along the riverbanks. Scattered along the riverbanks are charming stone houses with grey slate roofs, providing a delightful contrast against the lush green surroundings. You may even come across a solitary water buffalo leisurely grazing in the fields, adding a heartwarming touch of rural life to the already captivating panoramic vista. (Note: This recommended hiking route is also very popular for bamboo rafting tours. You can opt for bamboo rafting instead of hiking.)

In this afternoon, you can choose to do cave exploration, rock climbing or try SUP in Yangshuo (Note: Tell us your interests and we can arrange the activities 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.

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.