A truly child-friendly trip goes far beyond just seeing the sights - it's a deep, hands-on experience that sparks curiosity and connects children with the natural world. We believe the best family trips let kids take on safe, fun challenges. They get to touch, join in, and really immerse themselves. Along the way, they build creativity, practical skills, and even courage.
Guilin is exactly such a "natural outdoor classroom" for family travel. Here, your children can climb karst cliffs with their own hands, touch real stalactites in ancient caves, or step into the countryside to experience traditional Chinese farming.
As a local travel agency with over 20 years of expertise in Guilin, we understand how to make family trips both enriching and interesting. We have developed a series of activities designed to encourage participation and engagement. All are suitable for kids aged 8 and above.
1. Experience Traditional Farming Amidst Scenery
Experience Traditional FarmingGuilin's countryside is like a tapestry of paintings, stitched with karst peaks and pastoral scenes. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is an ideal place for children to experience traditional farming activities.
In these traditional villages, your kids can immerse themselves in authentic rural life:
- Spring (late April to early May): Watch farmers plow fields and transplant rice seedlings. You can even step into the fields yourself and experience the joy of traditional farming.
- Summer (June to August): Pick local fruits like wampee, passion fruit, longan, or dragon fruit in orchards.
- Autumn and Winter (November to December): Join activities such as harvesting rice, digging sweet potatoes, or cutting sugarcane in villages like Xiatangzhai and Jiuxian, and feel the happiness of a bountiful harvest.
Rice Harvest in YangshuoYou can also learn to make bamboo-tube rice, craft pine-patterned candy, weave farming tools, or catch fish in the fields under the guidance of a local expert. Every experience is a precious gift from both culture and nature.
2. Explore Guilin's Landscapes by Bike or on Foot
Yangshuo biking The best way to deeply explore Guilin with your children isn't through a car window. It's by walking or cycling through its pastoral scenes at your own pace. You can also choose a cool vintage sidecar tour for a fun, driver-led ride with stops whenever you wish.
Recommended routes:
- Yulong River biking/hiking: Yulong Bridge → Jiuxian Village → Xiatang Village → Yangshuo Mountain Retreat Hotel (approx. 13 km, 1.5 hours by bike, 4-5 hours on foot). With gentle breezes, stunning karst peaks, and green rice fields, it's a moving visual feast.
- Li River hiking: Quanjiazhou to Xingping (12 km, ~4 hours). This route follows gravel riverbank paths with beautiful views.
- Longji Terraces hiking: Choose from Ping'an Village to viewing platforms (1-2 hours) or to Ancient zhuang Village (2-3 hours). Click for details on Longji hikes.
3. Try World-Class Rock Climbing / Via Ferrata
Rock Climbing in YangshuoAmong Yangshuo's many outdoor activities, I believe rock climbing is the best one to develop children's courage and perseverance. Yangshuo, meanwhile, is world-famous for its natural rock faces.
With one-on-one guidance from certified coaches, your child will learn to climb safely while building coordination, focus, and courage. Reaching the top and looking out over the poetic landscape offers an incredible sense of achievement.
Yangshuo is home to numerous well-established climbing sites. Here are some highly recommended ones:
- Swiss Cheese Cave: Located about 4 km from Yangshuo West Street, this site is named for the cheese-like holes covering its rock surface, offering ideal grips and footholds for children. Its relatively gentle slopes reduce both physical difficulty and psychological fear, making it especially suitable for younger climbers (ages 6-10).
- Liquor Bottle Hill: Situated approximately 5 km from Yangshuo West Street, it is known for its steep limestone walls and diverse route variations. It is particularly popular among intermediate and advanced climbers. With more challenging inclines, it is better suited for older children (ages 10+).
- Via Ferrata & Zipline Base: Just 3 km from Yangshuo West Street, this site combines rock climbing with ziplining, perfect for those seeking low-intensity vertical adventures. Children must be at least 1.2 meters tall.
These facilities are operated by professional climbing clubs. They provide full sets of safety equipment for children and internationally certified bilingual instructors.
4. Explore a Semi-Developed Cave: Moon Water Cave
Moon water cave in YangshuoGuilin is home to numerous natural karst caves. Some, like Reed Flute Cave and Seven Star Cave in the urban area, are fully developed with lighting and paved pathways. They are offering comfortable and visually stunning tours.
Others, such as Yangshuo's Moon Water Cave, retain much of their wild and adventurous character. To give children a real "journey to the heart of the earth" experience and spark their curiosity and courage, I recommend exploring this semi-developed cave with our guides.
Equipped with headlamps and led by professional guides, your children will follow natural paths, touch stalactites formed over millions of years, and observe traces of underground rivers. You can even use the headlamps to play light-off or shadow games with them in the dark.
Moon Water Cave is located in southern Yangshuo, about a 30–40 minute drive from Yangshuo West Street. The caving experience typically lasts 2–3 hours. After the adventure, you can continue to the Yulong River to enjoy its peaceful landscape, or cycle through nearby villages. Then try to recharge with authentic beer fish at a local countryside restaurant.
5. Enjoy Stand-Up Paddleboarding on the Yulong River
Stand-Up Paddleboarding on the Yulong RiverAs one of Yangshuo's most famous scenic destinations, the Yulong River is well-known for its bamboo raft tours. However, during summer vacations or holidays, the raft docks often become crowded with long waiting times. And the hot weather can make the experience rushed and uncomfortable.
Rather than spending time waiting, we highly recommend trying a freer and more fun alternative with your children - stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)!
Unlike being confined to a raft, your small ones can stand on a paddleboard and be the little captains of their own adventure. They can paddle leisurely at their own pace through the ink-painting-like landscape and even jump into the clear river to play whenever they wish.
We would arrange SUP activities in designated calm and shallow sections of the Yulong River or its tributaries. All activities are led by experienced instructors who provide basic training and safety guidance.
6. Try Horseback Riding Amidst Scenic Landscapes
Horseback ridingImagine riding gentle horses with your children along the paths beside the fields, with verdant karst peaks in the distance. This is not only a fun outdoor activity but also helps your kids develop courage, balance, and a sense of confidence.
To ensure safety, a professional handler will accompany each rider one-on-one, keeping the horse under control and maintaining a steady pace. Your child will be equipped with a professional helmet and protective gear. All children will be matched with a suitable gentle horse based on their age and height.
The Flower Fairy Valley riding site is located in northern Yangshuo, about a 20-minute drive from Yangshuo West Street. After the ride, it's easy to combine this experience with other nearby activities such as a leisurely bike ride along the Yulong River, or a family-friendly exploration of karst caves. All these are making for a fulfilling day trip.
7. Learn Fan Painting / Chinese Calligraphy in Fuli Ancient Town
Fan Painting in Fuli Ancient TownAfter a half-day of outdoor exploration in Yangshuo, you might prefer a more relaxed cultural experience. In that case, the fan-painting activity in Fuli Ancient Town is highly recommended. The town is renowned as the "Hometown of Chinese Painted Fans."
With arrangements by our guide, you and your child will visit a local intangible cultural heritage workshop.
Here, your child can paint Guilin's landscapes or write Chinese characters on a plain fan, under the guidance of an artist. This hand-painted fan, created by your child, will become a deeply meaningful cultural souvenir. You could keep as a personal treasure or a gift to friends and family.
8. Enjoy Water Fun & Waterfall Climbing in Summer
Waterfall Climbing in GudongIf you're traveling to Guilin with children during summer break, a cool and refreshing water experience is absolutely worthy! Beyond the Li River, there are many hidden water spots loved by locals. The water here is crystal clear, shimmering with a "jelly-like" glow under the sunlight.
The following are some of the recommended spots for water fun:
- Hongxi Waterfall: Located about 40 km from downtown Guilin (around 1.5 hours by car). With exposed stream rocks and clear cascades, you can hike along the trail to enjoy the waterfall views, and even try waterfall climbing or via ferrata. Since it's on the way to the Longji Terraces, you can visit Hongxi in the morning and then proceed to the Longji Rice Terraces in the afternoon. As a local parent, I bring my kids here every year - it's that close and enjoyable!
- Gudong Waterfall: About 30 km from Guilin (1 hour drive), this is a climbable multi-tiered waterfall. You can wear straw hats and grass shoes, gripping metal chains to climb upstream against the refreshing spray - a fun and exciting adventure!
- Longtan River: Situated 88 km from Guilin (approx. 2 hours' drive), this spot is known for its incredibly clear water and deep valley pools. It's great for family activities like stream trekking, pool jumping, snorkeling, and deeper water exploration.
In terms of experiences, Hongxi and Gudong Waterfall are better for waterfall climbing and creek tracing, whereas Longtan River is more suited for swimming, drifting, and diving.
9. Cook a Delicious Chinese Dish with Your Child
Making traditional rice cakeTo enhances children's hands-on skills, taking a cooking class in Yangshuo is recommended. Our cooking classes are set in picturesque countryside. Here, you'll not only use freshly picked local vegetables and traditional ingredients but also enjoy views of rice fields and karst mountains outside the window.
In this immersive culinary journey, you'll first follow your guide to explore a vibrant local market in Yangshuo. The guide will introduce your child to fresh vegetables, unique seasonings, and teach them how to identify high-quality ingredients while completing the shopping together.
Then, in an open kitchen, under the step-by-step guidance of a professional chef, your child can try chopping, seasoning, and stir-frying to create dishes themselves. The process is not only fun but also helps children truly understand "where a dish comes from".
Additionally, if you plan to visit the Longji Terraces, you can opt to learn how to prepare ethnic minority specialties - such as bamboo-tube rice or bamboo-tube chicken, roasted in fresh bamboo tubes over an open fire.
10. Enjoy Family Time by the Li River: Picnic / Afternoon Tea
Enjoy an Afternoon Tea and Playing with Animals on a Mini FarmOn the beach of the Li River, you can spread out a mat, brew a pot of tea or pour a drink, and unwind in the gentle afternoon sun and river breeze. This is what I often do with my family on weekends.
There are many spots along the Li River ideal for family time, with wide, accessible shoals and flat grassy areas perfect for children to play. Below are some places I've personally visited and highly recommend:
- Xingping Goudan Farm: Located about 30 km from Yangshuo (1 hour by car) and just 2 km (a 20-minute walk) from Xingping Ancient Town. This mini farm offers well-maintained lawns, basic facilities, and local food options. Try to combine your picnic with a cultural experience by visiting a traditional fishing village nearby, where you might even see cormorant fishing in action.
- Wujiu Beach: About 30 km from downtown Guilin (1 hour by car). In autumn, large areas of the riverbank are exposed, making it an ideal spot to sit by the water, enjoy afternoon tea and a picnic, and take in the views of the Li River.
- Near Yushan Bridge: If you're staying in Guilin city, the area around Yushan Bridge offers flat riverbanks and grassy spots where many local families gather on weekends for picnics, barbecues, or afternoon tea.
If you're looking for a convenient meal without the hassle of self-catering, head to Xingping Goudan Farm. For a DIY picnic, you can bring your own supplies to Wujiu Beach or Yushan Bridge.
11. Experience Exciting ATV Adventure along the Li River
ATV Adventure in YangshuoIf you and your child are looking for a thrilling outdoor adventure to witness the magnificent karst peaks of Yangshuo, exploring on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is an exciting and unforgettable option.
During this exhilarating ride, you'll drive through Yangshuo's picturesque countryside and wilderness, splash along the banks of the Li River. And you can even engage in a playful water fight with your companions.
If you have no prior experience driving an ATV or motorcycle, we recommend having our professional driver take the wheel. You can simply relax in the passenger seat and enjoy the freedom and excitement of the adventure.
12. Try Natural Nail Art or Traditional Chinese Head Spa
After enjoying the outdoor exploration, it is time to relaxed with a unique and fun cultural experience - natural plant-based nail art or a traditional Chinese head spa.
Our guide could take you to a local specialty nail salon. Here, nail artists will use plant-based dyes to create artistic designs featuring local landmarks such as Elephant Trunk Hill, the Li River, or karst mountain peaks on your nails. This experience is particularly suitable for beauty-loving mothers and daughters to enjoy together.
Alternatively, opting for a Chinese head spa offers a gentle scalp massage with refreshing herbal aromas. This will help you relax while gaining understanding of traditional Chinese wellness practices.
For nail and head spa shops or studios, you could find many of them in downtown areas like East West Alley, as well as on Yangshuo's West Street.
Plan a Trip to Guilin with China Highlights
We are a local travel agency based in Guilin, with over 20 years of experience providing professional customized tour services. With us, you don't have to worry about planning activities for your children. Our one-on-one consultants will design a personalized itinerary based on your child's interests, along with thoughtful driver and guide services to make your trip to China truly enjoyable. Contact us now to book your tour!
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