4 Days · Guilin · Single-City
Villages, Cruise, Pastoral Scenery, Karst LandformsDeparture
Welcome to Guilin! Our driver will greet you at the exit of the airport/train station and transfer you to the hotel for check-in and rest. For the rest of the day, you can relax at the hotel to relieve travel fatigue or wander around the surrounding area.
Recommended Arrival Methods:
By Air: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) operates numerous direct domestic flights, including routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, etc., offering extremely convenient transportation.
By Train: Guilin has 3 railway stations. You can take high-speed trains to Guilin from cities such as Changsha (2.5-3 hours), Hong Kong (4 hours), Chengdu (5.5-6 hours), Chongqing (4.5-5 hours), Guangzhou (3 hours), Zhangjiajie (7 hours), etc.
Today, you’ll explore four top-rated scenic spots in Guilin. First, visit Prince Jingjiang’s Mansion – the best-preserved and longest-standing remains of a feudal lord’s residence from the Ming Dynasty in China. Here, you can admire exquisite ancient architecture, picturesque garden designs, and precious historical relics while learning about Guilin’s history and culture.
Next, head to East-West Lane, a famous historical alley in Guilin. Wander leisurely through it to appreciate ancient-style buildings and cultural relics, taste authentic local snacks, or browse shops selling characteristic handcrafted artworks. You can also experience Guilin’s intangible cultural heritage, such as round fans and sandstone paintings.
In the afternoon, visit Guilin’s iconic landmark – Elephant Trunk Hill. Located at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River, it gets its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant drinking water in the river. This uniquely shaped hill and the clear surrounding rivers form a spectacular scenic view, leaving a deep impression from any angle.
Finally, travel to Reed Flute Cave, known as “Nature’s Art Palace”. As one of China’s most renowned tourist caves, it boasts numerous stalagmites, stalactites, stone pillars, stone curtains, and stone flowers. Illuminated by colorful lights, these formations shine brightly like a dreamy wonderland. Follow the guide’s explanation to learn about the formation process of the stalactites and the stories behind them.
After breakfast, depart from the hotel and drive to the pier (about 1 hour). Then take a Li River cruise to explore the most beautiful section of the Li River – from Guilin to Yangshuo. The whole journey is approximately 84 kilometers and takes about 4 hours. As the saying goes, “Guilin’s mountains and rivers are the finest under heaven, and Yangshuo’s are even finer than Guilin’s.” On this cruise, you can personally experience Guilin’s landscape that resembles an ancient painting or a fairyland. You’ll also learn the legendary stories behind scenic spots like Wangfu Stone (Widow’s Peak) and Guanyan Cave, and enjoy the wonderful feeling of “traveling within a painting.” (Lunch Upgrade: We have carefully prepared a customized Western-style lunch for you. The guide will bring the freshly cooked meal in the early morning for you to enjoy on the boat.)
Upon arrival in Yangshuo, the driver will pick you up from the pier and take you to the hotel for a short rest. Afterwards, you can explore Yangshuo and admire Guilin’s most stunning pastoral landscapes. You can choose from the following ways to travel: (1) Drive + Walk; (2) Bicycle; (3) Motorcycle (additional fee may apply). No matter which option you choose, you can wander through country roads, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way – karst mountains, rice fields, villages, rivers, and more. You may also witness scenes of daily life, such as farmers working in the fields, children playing by the river, and cattle grazing in the fields.
In the evening, head to West Street, Yangshuo’s busiest district. It’s a street that perfectly blends Eastern and Western elements, and the best place to experience Yangshuo’s nightlife. Whether you want to taste local delicacies, find a small shop for a drink, relax, or enjoy a rare leisure time, this street can meet all your needs.
After breakfast, depart from the hotel in Yangshuo and drive back to Guilin. This wonderful 4-day Guilin tour will come to an end here. Our driver will transfer you to the airport or train station for your next destination. If you wish to extend your trip and explore more destinations in China, feel free to contact us for arrangement.
Cost Explanation
Our 4 days was first class in every way. Tony read our energy perfectly and adjusted the days to suit us. Seeing cycling through the karst countryside was worth the trip on its own. Every transfer was punctual and completely stress-free. Xie xie, BookInChina!
Still buzzing about this one weeks later. We were lucky to have Amy, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. The kids' favourite was the Li River cruise to Yangshuo, while we adored the Longji rice terraces. Already telling all our friends about it.
We had a lovely time and would mostly recommend it. We loved cycling through the karst countryside, and our guide knew exactly when to go to beat the crowds. The weather was not kind to us, though the team adapted brilliantly.
Solid, well-run tour with a few minor hiccups. The Li River cruise to Yangshuo was even more memorable than we had expected. The only small niggle was one slightly dated hotel, but it did not spoil anything.
We travelled as a group of old friends and had the most wonderful time. We were lucky to have Frank, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. The Yangshuo light show genuinely took our breath away. Communication before the trip was prompt, clear and honest.
This was our first trip to China and we were absolutely blown away. We were lucky to have Grace, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. The Li River cruise to Yangshuo genuinely took our breath away. Communication before the trip was prompt, clear and honest. Highly recommend — you will not be disappointed.
Still buzzing about this one weeks later. We were lucky to have Nina, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. Highlights for us included the Li River cruise to Yangshuo and Reed Flute Cave. They handled all the tickets and logistics so we could just enjoy ourselves. Xie xie, BookInChina!
Booking with BookInChina was the best decision we made. We were lucky to have Kevin, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. Highlights for us included the Yangshuo light show and the Longji rice terraces.
A flawless journey, beautifully organised from day one. We were lucky to have Leo, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. Highlights for us included cycling through the karst countryside and Reed Flute Cave. Every transfer was punctual and completely stress-free. Worth every penny.
A really good trip overall, with just a couple of small things to mention. We loved cycling through the karst countryside, and our guide knew exactly when to go to beat the crowds. The weather was not kind to us, though the team adapted brilliantly. Our guide Coco was outstanding — patient, funny and incredibly knowledgeable.
A flawless journey, beautifully organised from day one. We were lucky to have Helen, who clearly loves sharing the history of their country. The Li River cruise to Yangshuo and cycling through the karst countryside were the absolute highlights for us. Communication before the trip was prompt, clear and honest. Already telling all our friends about it.
Booking with BookInChina was the best decision we made. Sophie spoke excellent English and answered our endless questions with a smile. Seeing Reed Flute Cave was worth the trip on its own. Communication before the trip was prompt, clear and honest. Five stars and then some.
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