Description
Day 1: Arrival in Guilin | Prologue to the Scenery Journey
- Core Arrangements: Airport/Station Pick-up + Hotel Check-in + Free Time
- 🕘 Morning/Afternoon/Evening: According to your flight/train time, the driver will be waiting at the exit of Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) or the exit of your designated train station (Guilin Station, Guilin North Station, Guilin West Station) holding a sign. You will be transferred to a designated 3-star hotel in Guilin city center for check-in.
- We Arrange: Private car transfer to the hotel.
- You Can Choose (Suggestions for Free Time):
- Relieve Fatigue: Rest at the hotel to adapt to the environment.
- Initial Exploration: Stroll around the hotel to feel the atmosphere of Guilin. The city center area (such as Zhongshan Road and Central Square) is convenient with many restaurants and convenience stores.
- Dining Instructions: Meals at your own expense for the whole day.
- Food Recommendation (Dinner at your own expense):
- Guilin Rice Noodles: A must-try delicacy. It is recommended to try “Minggui Rice Noodles” (multiple branches, such as the Central Square branch) to taste authentic dry-mixed rice noodles with braised meat. Average cost is about 10-15 Yuan. Traditional way to eat: mix and eat dry first, then drink the soup.
- Specialty Restaurants: For a formal dinner, you can go to “Xiaonan Guo” (Wenming branch) or “Chunji Roasted Goose” (Zhongshan branch) to taste roasted goose, beer fish, Lipu taro with braised pork, etc. Average cost is about 60-80 Yuan.
- Food Recommendation (Dinner at your own expense):
- Practical Tips: You can buy drinking water and snacks needed for the next day at the hotel or nearby supermarkets on the night of arrival. Guilin’s weather is changeable, so it is recommended to prepare rain gear.
Day 2: Guilin City Culture and Scenery Tour | Royal Mansion, Ancient Alley, and Wonders
- Core Arrangements: Jingjiang Princes’ City + East-West Alley + Elephant Trunk Hill + Reed Flute Cave
- 🕘 Morning (approx. 08:30-12:00): [Jingjiang Princes’ City] and [East-West Alley]
- We Arrange: After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the tour.
- Attraction Details:
- Jingjiang Princes’ City: Built in the 5th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1372), it was the residence of Zhu Shouqian, the Prince of Jingjiang. It was completed 34 years earlier than the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is a “city within a city,” and at its center is Solitary Beauty Peak, the “King of Mountains” in Guilin. The architectural style is Ming Dynasty official style, and ruins such as Chengyun Gate and Chengyun Hall still exist. You can experience the “Mansion Secret Rubbing” intangible heritage project to learn about ancient rubbing techniques. Visiting time is about 2 hours.
- East-West Alley: Located in front of Zhengyang Gate of the Princes’ City, it is a historical street area left over from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, renovated and opened in 2016. “East Alley” has many characteristic guesthouses and cultural creative shops, while “West Alley” focuses more on food. You can find intangible heritage souvenirs such as Guilin Round Fans and Guizhou Kiln Ceramics here. There are ancient city wall ruins inside the alley that you can touch.
- 🕘 Noon (approx. 12:00-13:00):
- We Arrange: Lunch is included, featuring a characteristic Guilin group meal.
- 🕘 Afternoon (approx. 13:30-17:30): [Elephant Trunk Hill] and [Reed Flute Cave]
- We Arrange: After lunch, continue the itinerary.
- Attraction Details:
- Elephant Trunk Hill: The symbol of Guilin city. Located at the confluence of Taohua River and Li River (Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District). Named after its shape resembling a giant elephant drinking water by the river, it is an outstanding representative of Karst landforms. The best photography point is located on “Love Island” on the opposite bank or by taking a bamboo raft in the scenic area (Self-paid, reference price 50-80 Yuan/person) to view from the river. Visiting time is about 1 hour.
- Reed Flute Cave: Located in the heart of Guangming Mountain by the Taohua River in the northwestern suburbs of Guilin, about 5 km from the city center. The cave is 240 meters deep with a tour route of about 500 meters, known as the “Palace of Nature’s Art.” The cave is filled with stalactites in various shapes, which are colorful and magical under the lights. Classic sights include “Rosy Dawn over Lion Ridge” and “High Gorge and Flying Waterfall.” The temperature inside the cave is constant at about 20°C, cool in summer and warm in winter. Visiting time is about 1.5 hours (including guide explanation).
- 🕘 Evening: Free Time
- Dining Instructions: Breakfast and lunch are included; dinner is at your own expense.
- Activity Recommendations:
- Night Cruise of Two Rivers and Four Lakes (Self-paid): Take a boat to tour Guilin’s urban water system and enjoy the bridges, pagodas, and Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas under the bright lights. This is a classic way to enjoy Guilin’s night view. Visiting time is about 90 minutes, reference price is about 200 Yuan/person.
- Continue Exploring East-West Alley/Zhengyang Pedestrian Street: The alleys are more vibrant at night. You can find a quiet bar to sit in or taste Gongcheng Oil Tea (a specialty tea drink with a slightly bitter and spicy taste).
- Accommodation: Original 3-star hotel in Guilin city center.
Day 3: Li River Gallery and Yangshuo Countryside | From Guilin to Yangshuo
- Core Arrangements: Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo) + Yangshuo Countryside Experience + West Street Night Tour
- 🕘 Morning (approx. 08:00-13:30): [Li River Essence Cruise]
- We Arrange: After breakfast at the hotel, drive for about 1 hour to Mopanshan Pier (or Zhujiang Pier). Take a 4-star cruise (reference departure time 09:30-10:00) downstream to Yangshuo. Enjoy a customized Western-style lunch prepared for you on the boat.
- Itinerary Details: The journey takes about 4 hours, sailing through the hundred-mile gallery. Famous spots along the way include: Aspiration-for-Husband Rock, Crown Cave, Nine-Horse Fresco Hill (it is said that those who can see nine horses are either rich or noble), and Yellow Cloth Reflection (the setting for the pattern on the back of the 20 Yuan banknote). The guide will provide explanations. The deck is an open viewing platform, please do not miss it.
- 🕘 Afternoon (approx. 14:00-18:00): [Yangshuo Countryside Scenery Experience]
- We Arrange: After arriving at Yangshuo Longtoushan Pier, the driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Yangshuo hotel to freshen up.
- You Can Choose (Free Afternoon Activities, Optional Items):
- Cycling/Scooter Tour (Recommended): Rent a bicycle (about 20-30 Yuan/day) or an electric scooter (about 50-80 Yuan/day) near the hotel or West Street. Classic route: Depart from Yangshuo town, head towards Ten-Mile Gallery, and ride to the Yulong River bank (such as near Gongnong Bridge or Jima Pier). Along the way, you can see Karst peaks, rice fields, and villages, feeling like “traveling in a painting.” Duration: About 2-3 hours.
- Yulong River Manual Bamboo Rafting (Self-paid, Highly Recommended): Choose essence sections such as Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian or Shuiedi to Wanjing to experience the tranquil scenery. Ticket prices vary by section, about 160-400 Yuan/raft (for 2 people). Duration: About 1-1.5 hours.
- 🕘 Evening: [Yangshuo West Street]
- We Arrange: No unified arrangement; free time is reserved for your own exploration.
- Activity Details: West Street is a bluestone street about 800 meters long, full of Chinese and Western fusion charm. It is most lively at night. You can:
- Food Exploration: Taste Master Fu Beer Fish (multiple branches on West Street, average 80-100 Yuan), Guilin Rice Noodles, and Stuffed River Snails.
- Leisure and Relaxation: Find a quiet bar with a live singer, order a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Cultural Experience: Watch “Impression Liu Sanjie” (a large-scale landscape real-scene performance directed by Zhang Yimou, self-paid, reference price for ordinary tickets is over 200 Yuan, performance time is about 70 minutes). Tickets need to be booked in advance.
- Dining Instructions: Breakfast and cruise lunch are included; dinner is at your own expense (can be settled at West Street).
- Accommodation: Designated 3-star hotel in Yangshuo County.
Day 4: Farewell to Yangshuo | Return to Guilin, Journey Ends
- Core Arrangements: Airport/Station Drop-off Service
- 🕘 Morning:
- We Arrange: After breakfast at the hotel, according to your flight/train time, the driver will pick you up from the Yangshuo hotel and drive back to Guilin (about 1.5 hours) to deliver you to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or your designated train station. The journey ends.
- Time Suggestion: Please make sure to reserve enough time. It is recommended to depart from Yangshuo at least 3 hours before flight departure and at least 2.5 hours before train departure.
- You Can Choose (If flight/train time is late):
- You can have a short stroll in Yangshuo in the morning or buy some souvenirs (such as kumquats, chili sauce, pastries, etc.).
- Dining Instructions: Breakfast is included; lunch and dinner are at your own expense.
Yangshuo — Practical Information
Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby
- Yangshuo West Street | Room tip: Lively with convenient food and shopping, but loud bar noise | Nearby add-ons: West Street night market, the Li River bank[src]
- Xingping Ancient Town | Room tip: Quiet, close to the CNY 20 banknote backdrop spot | Nearby add-ons: Xingping Ancient Town, Laozhai Mountain, the CNY 20 backdrop spot[src]
