Description
Day 1: Arrival in Guilin · First Glimpse of the Ancient Landscape City
Trip Highlights
- Private transfer directly to the city hotel, seamlessly connecting your journey and relieving travel fatigue
- Freely explore the “Source of Guilin’s City Emblem” and thousand-year-old historical alleys
- Night cruise on “Two Rivers and Four Lakes” to experience the dreamy night view of the “Venice of the East”
Detailed Schedule
14:00-15:30 Pickup and Check-in
- Our Arrangement: The tour guide will wait at the exit of Guilin Liangjiang International Airport/Guilin Railway Station/Guilin North Railway Station with a pickup sign. A private car will take you to a downtown hotel (such as Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel/Guilin Hotel, subject to actual booking).
- Your Choice: If your flight/train arrives early, you can inform the guide in advance to coordinate the pickup time.
15:30-18:00 Free Activity (Choose one of three)
- Jingjiang Princes’ City (Recommended Index ★★★★★)
- Historical Background: Built in the 5th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1372), it was the palace of the vassal prince when Zhu Yuanzhang enfeoffed his grand-nephew Zhu Shouqian as the Prince of Jingjiang. With a history of over 650 years, it is the most complete Ming Dynasty vassal palace site currently existing in China.
- Architectural Features: Adopting the layout of “court in front, residence in back,” the Chengyun Gate, Chengyun Hall, and Bedchamber are arranged along the central axis. Red walls, yellow tiles, and carved beams reflect the majesty of Ming Dynasty official architecture.
- Scenic Highlights: Climb Solitary Beauty Peak (altitude 216 meters) to overlook the panoramic view of Guilin city where “thousands of peaks stand around, and a river embraces the city”; visit the site of the Imperial Examination Hall to experience ancient examination scenes (extra ticket required, about 10 yuan).
- Practical Information: Opening hours 8:30-17:30 (last entry at 16:30), ticket 100 yuan/person (including audio guide); Address: No. 1 Wangcheng Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin.
- East and West Alleys (Recommended Index ★★★★☆)
- Historical Background: The central commercial street of Guilin from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the Republic of China era. The existing building clusters of blue bricks and grey tiles witness the nearly 1400-year urban history of Guilin.
- Ways to Experience: Stroll along the bluestone paths, visit the “Jiangnan Guild Hall” and “Guiju Opera Museum” (free), and experience intangible cultural heritage handcrafts (such as round fan painting, approx. 50 yuan/time, address: “Liyun Workshop” in the alley).
- Food Recommendations: Beef Rice Noodle Rolls at “Haitian Changfen” at the entrance (8 yuan/portion), freshly steamed Water Chestnut Cake at the middle section “Laozihao Mashigao” (5 yuan/piece).
- Cruise on Two Rivers and Four Lakes (Recommended Index ★★★★☆)
- Scenic Highlights: Connects Li River, Taohua River, Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake. Take a boat at night to appreciate the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas (the world’s tallest copper Buddhist pagodas) and the Glass Bridge light show.
- Practical Information: Night cruise flights 19:30-21:30 (every 30 minutes), duration 70 minutes, boat ticket 210 yuan/person (including commentary); Pier: Wenchang Bridge Pier/Jiefang Bridge Pier (10-minute walk from East and West Alleys).
18:00-20:00 Dinner (On your own)
- Recommended Restaurants:
- Chunji Roast Goose (Zhongshan Middle Road Branch): Signature Roast Goose (half 78 yuan), Custard Buns (12 yuan/basket), average 80 yuan per person, Address: No. 2 Zhongshan Middle Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin.
- A Gan Restaurant (Wenming Road Branch): Lipu Taro Braised Pork (48 yuan), Li River Beer Fish (small portion 68 yuan), average 60 yuan per person, Address: No. 8 Wenming Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin.
20:00 Hotel Rest
- Accommodation: Guilin downtown hotel (Standard twin room, includes double breakfast).
Day 2: Guilin → Yangshuo · Li River Gallery and Pastoral Poetry
Trip Highlights
- Take a four-star Li River cruise through the “Ten-Mile Gallery” and check in at the 20 yuan banknote background scene
- Yulong River bamboo raft drifting, experiencing the tranquility of “traveling within a painting”
- West Street Nightlife: A collision of Chinese and Western-style bars with local snacks
Detailed Schedule
07:30-08:30 Breakfast (Included)
- Our Arrangement: Hotel buffet breakfast (Chinese congee, Guilin rice noodles, freshly made buns).
08:30-09:30 Drive to Mopanshan Pier
- Travel Time: Approx. 1 hour (Guilin Downtown → Mopanshan Pier), enjoy the Karst peak forests along the way.
09:30-13:30 Li River Cruise (Four-Star Boat · Included)
- Route: Mopanshan Pier → Yangshuo Longtoushan Pier (approx. 83 km, 4-hour voyage).
- Scenic Highlights:
- Nine-Horse Fresco Hill: Natural patterns formed on the riverside cliffs; legend says those who can spot 9 horses will have a successful career (best view: right side of the boat during the middle section).
- Yellow Cloth Reflection: The filming location for the 20 yuan banknote background; the river surface is like a mirror with clear peak reflections (photos can be taken on the stern deck).
- Xingping Ancient Town: Stop for 20 minutes, go ashore to explore Ming and Qing ancient streets, and taste Songhua Candy (5 yuan/bag, at the “Lao Difang” stall at the entrance of the town).
- Catering: Western simple meal (pasta + fruit) and Guilin Rice Noodles (choose one) included on board; to upgrade to the four-star luxury package (+50 yuan/person), you can enjoy freshly made steak + Li River fish soup.
13:30-14:00 Transfer to Yangshuo Hotel
- Our Arrangement: Driver will pick you up at the pier and send you to your Yangshuo hotel (such as Banyan Tree Yangshuo/Alila Yangshuo, subject to actual booking).
14:00-16:00 Yangshuo Countryside Roaming (Optional Experience)
- Route: Yulong River Trail (Gongnong Bridge → Jima Pier section), total length approx. 5 km.
- Ways to Experience:
- Cycling (Recommended): Rent a mountain bike (20 yuan/bike/day, can be booked through hotel front desk), ride along the Yulong River, passing rice fields and ancient bridges (such as Fuli Bridge, free).
- Walking: Take a taxi from the hotel to Jima Pier (starting price 8 yuan), walk south along the trail, encountering scenes of villagers drying grain or herding cattle.
- Scenic Highlights: Karst peaks reflected in Yulong River, lotus ponds fragrance in summer, golden rice fields in autumn.
16:00-17:30 Yulong River Bamboo Raft Drifting (Jinlong Bridge – Jiuxian Section)
- Our Arrangement: Includes 1 raft (2 persons/raft) fee, duration approx. 90 minutes.
- Experience Highlights: Manually punted rafts crossing 8 dams with splashing water; passing distant views of “Camel Crossing the River” and “Moon Hill,” photos can be taken on the shore (free).
- Tips: Wear sandals to prevent wet feet, prepare a waterproof phone bag (5 yuan/piece at the pier); children must share a raft with an adult.
18:00-19:30 Dinner (On your own)
- Recommended Restaurants:
- Xie Dajie Beer Fish (West Street Branch): Signature Catfish Beer Fish (small portion 88 yuan, mildly spicy), paired with Stuffed Snails (38 yuan), average 70 yuan per person, Address: No. 79 West Street, Yangshuo County.
- Master He Gold Medal Beer Fish (Diecui Road Branch): Popular among locals, Beer Duck (68 yuan) is also excellent, average 65 yuan per person, Address: No. 18 Diecui Road, Yangshuo County.
19:30-21:00 West Street Exploration (Free Activity)
- Cultural Features: A century-old bluestone street gathering backpackers from all over the world, with bars (such as “Xiao Ma De Tian” folk bar, minimum consumption 50 yuan/person) and handicraft shops (such as “Moon Mama” ethnic clothing store).
- Night Activity Recommendation: “Impression Liu Sanjie” live performance (optional, standard seat 198 yuan/person, VIP seat 298 yuan/person, show time 20:00-21:00, Address: No. 1 Tianyuan Road, Yangshuo County).
21:00 Hotel Rest
- Accommodation: Yangshuo hotel (Standard twin room, includes double breakfast).
Day 3: Yangshuo → Guilin · City Emblem Landscape and Cave Wonders
Trip Highlights
- Check in at Elephant Trunk Hill, the city emblem of Guilin, and reveal the legend of “Water Moon Cave”
- Explore the “Underground Palace” at Reed Flute Cave and admire billion-year-old stalactite wonders
- Private transfer to the station, seamlessly connecting your return transportation
Detailed Schedule
07:30-08:30 Breakfast (Included)
- Our Arrangement: Hotel buffet breakfast (Guilin rice noodles, oil tea, pastries).
08:30-10:00 Drive back to Guilin
- Travel Time: Approx. 1.5 hours (Yangshuo → Guilin Downtown), enjoy the Karst peak forests along the way.
10:00-11:30 Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area
- Historical Background: Named for its resemblance to a giant elephant drinking water, it is the city emblem of Guilin and has been a popular tourist destination since the Tang Dynasty. Water Moon Cave (between the trunk and the body) is where the Li River and Taohua River meet.
- Scenic Highlights:
- Water Moon Cave: More than 50 inscriptions on the cave ceiling, including Fan Chengda’s “Record of Chaoyang Pavilion” from the Song Dynasty; the reflection in the cave is like a bright moon floating on the river (“Elephant Hill Water Moon” is one of the Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Guilin).
- Puxian Pagoda: A lamaist pagoda on the elephant’s back, 13 meters high, built in the Ming Dynasty, symbolizing “good fortune and prosperity.”
- Practical Information: Opening hours 7:00-21:30, ticket 55 yuan/person (including audio guide); Address: No. 1 Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin (near Two Rivers and Four Lakes Pier).
11:30-13:00 Lunch (On your own)
- Recommended Restaurants:
- Xiao Nan Guo (Wenming Road Branch): Guilin home-style cooking, Vinegar Blood Duck (58 yuan), Li River Shrimp (68 yuan), average 60 yuan per person, Address: No. 8 Wenming Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin.
- Tong Lai Guan (Jiefang West Road Branch): Time-honored rice noodle shop, Marinated Meat Rice Noodles (8 yuan/bowl, add Crispy Pork +2 yuan), Address: No. 3 Jiefang West Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin.
13:00-15:00 Reed Flute Cave Scenic Area
- Geological Background: Formed about 100 million years ago, named after the reed grass growing at the cave entrance. It is praised as “Nature’s Palace of Art” and has hosted heads of state from many countries.
- Scenic Highlights:
- Crystal Palace: Stalactites sparkle like ice crystals under the lights, with shapes like “Snow Mountain Reflection” and “Lingzhi Fairy Mountain.”
- Lion Ridge at Morning Glow: Stalagmite groups shaped like lions, with red lights at the top simulating sunrise, creating a majestic atmosphere.
- Hidden River Exploration (Optional): There are underground river sections in the cave; non-slip shoes are required (shoe rental 10 yuan/pair), and you can experience boating (50 yuan/person, 30 minutes).
- Practical Information: Opening hours 8:00-17:30, ticket 90 yuan/person (including guide); Address: No. 1 Ludi Road, Xiufeng District, Guilin (approx. 7 km from downtown, taxi 15 yuan).
15:00-17:00 Transfer to Station/Hotel
- Our Arrangement: Private car transfer to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (approx. 40-minute drive), Guilin Railway Station (20 minutes), or Guilin North Railway Station (30 minutes), or back to a Guilin downtown hotel (if continuing your stay).
End of Trip
- Friendly Reminder: If you need to extend your trip (e.g., to Longji Rice Terraces, Beihai Silver Beach), please contact the tour guide to assist with subsequent transportation and accommodation bookings.
Yangshuo — Practical Information
Tickets & Booking
- Silver Cave (Lipu city, on the Yangshuo border): Adult CNY 65 per person; children aged 6/under 1.2 m, seniors over 65, disabled persons and active-duty military personnel free; no booking required[src]
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]
