8-Day Guilin, Yangshuo and Guizhou Relaxation Tour

Picturesque Karst Scenery and Idyllic Countryside

Day 1–2 Guilin

Guilin City Highlights, Daxu Ancient Town

Day 3 Yangshuo

Li River Cruise, Bamboo Rafting

Day 4-7 Guizhou

Rice Terrace Hiking,Minority Crafts Experience

Day 8 GuiYang

Guiyang Departure

Highlights

  • Relax on a Li River cruise and view the natural art of karst landscape.
  • Cycle along the river in the most beautiful countryside around Yangshuo.
  • Hike through cloud-wrapped rice terraces and green paddy fields.
  • Make a piece of paper in the original way in a distinctive minority village.
the intinerary of China golden triangle Tour

Itinerary Details

This tour promotes a leisurely transfer from picturesque karst scenery in China's most beautiful countryside near Guilin, to diverse minority cultures in Guizhou, the provincial home of many of China's of ethnic minorities. Wonderful landscapes and cultures are combined.

Day 1Arrival in Guilin

Welcome to Guilin! Your private guide will meet you at the airport/train station arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel in a private car.

Tailor-Made Idea:

The night scenery in Guilin is beautiful and it makes a great way to unwind after a flight. The 'Two Rivers and Four Lakes' in the downtown area provide pleasant lakeside walks and night cruises.

Hotel options:
Lijiang Waterfall Hotel
Sheraton Guilin

Day 2Daxu Old Town and Guilin Highlights

breakfast & lunch

Daxu is an old town along the Li River and used to be the busiest bazaar in Guangxi. Popularity comes and goes, however, but the older generation still living there bears ongoing witness to the history of the old town. Today, discover the forgotten stories of Daxu.

After lunch, start sight-seeing in the city from Guilin's landmark, Elephant Trunk Hill. The name comes from the hill's shape. Seen from afar, it looks like an elephant drinking from the Li River.

Admire the natural art in Reed Flute Cave, a famous and massive limestone cave, with multicolored lighting, which casts intriguing shadows on the water.

Daxu Ancient Town Daxu Ancient Town
Day 3Li River Cruise and the Idyllic Yangshuo

breakfast & lunch

Feast your eyes on picturesque views either side of the Li River, as you enjoy the highest-standard cruise, to ensure your comfort. Your guide will show you the best spots for taking photos.

The cruise arrives in Yangshuo at noon and you will be welcomed by the sight of the most beautiful countryside in China.

Pick the transport of your choice, whether private car, bicycle, or moped, to embrace and enjoy these natural surroundings.

Hotel options:
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Alila Yangshuo

the Li RiverThe Li River
Day 4Bamboo Rafting and High-Speed Train to Zhaoxing

breakfast & lunch

After a good night's sleep, start your day with a bamboo-rafting tour. One great way of enjoying the rural view and tranquility is to sit back on a non-motorized raft that's steered along the Yulong River by a gondolier.

Your private guide and driver will transfer you to Yangshuo Railway Station. Take a rest on the easy journey of 1.5 hours. Your Guizhou guide will pick you up at Congjiang Railway Station and help you check in to your hotel.

Hotel options:
Indigo Lorge Zhaoxing (Boutique)

Bamboo RaftingBamboo Rafting
Day 5Rice-Terrace Hiking and Dong Village

breakfast & lunch

The rice terraces in Guizhou are impressive for their altitude and wildness. Today you will hike round some of them.

The hike will be a 2.5-hour walk on solid flagstone, combined with morning rice-terrace viewing. You'll walk down from the top of the mountainside on paths through refreshing paddy fields. You will be guided through small yet unspoiled villages.

Freshen up and have lunch at our chosen restaurant, then have a free afternoon at Zhaoxing, one of the biggest Dong villages in China.

Zhaoxing Dong VillageZhaoxing Dong Village
Day 6Ancient Handmade Paper Experience

breakfast & lunch

Guizhou is home to many ethnic minorities. The Miao and Dong are large ancient groups with different subgroups, representing different cultures.

Settled deep in the mountains and with limited resources, rural people have a knack of making ends meet: for example, making paper from wood pulp. Visit a village where people still today carry on their forbears' trade of papermaking.

Learn how to make a piece of paper with a respected expert, step by step. Use your imagination to make a unique paper craft with your own hands, under the guidance of an experienced natural-paper maker.

Have lunch in a farmer's house, cooked with fresh local ingredients. Then visit a small yet unspoiled village famous for its dustpan-like shape. Stroll along the bluestone path, and observe close-up the daily lives of minority people.

Handmade PaperHandmade Paper
Day 7Batik-Making and Mini-Skirted Miao

breakfast & lunch

The village you are going to visit this morning is quite a special one.

The villagers dress differently. Females used to join the army, and their costumes still resemble army-uniforms. They are also renowned for their batik work. Villagers hang a pair of dyed cloths on the door, instead of the usual antithetical couplets written on red paper.

You will have an opportunity to step into the dye-house and see how to make a fine batik. Participate in the batik-making process.

After lunch, visit another special Miao village, famous for its females' gorgeous mini-skirt costumes and unique creative centuries-old way to store food.

Minority BatikMinority Batik
Day 8Departure from Guiyang

Your guide will transfer you to Guiyang Airport and help you to check-in.

Trip Notes

Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.

1. Extend the Tour

  • Zhenyuan:Add a day to take a relax gorge cruise and peaceful ancient town.
  • Anshun:Add a day for China's biggest waterfall and karst park.
  • Guilin and Yangshuo: Add 2-3 days for Li River Cruise and Yangshuo countryside.
  • Zhangjiajie:Add 2-3 days to Zhangjiajie.
China golden triangle tour extensions

2. Hotels and Meals in Remote Areas

In remote areas, such as Zhaoxing, star-rated hotels might not be as good as the same standard of hotels in big cities.

China Highlights has carefully selected the best restaurant and hotel available, based on criteria like location and environment. Your private guide will assist you in ordering the dishes you like and will accompany you to check in to your room.

3. Transportation

As China's new big data valley, the network of Guizhou high-speed rail now links to many directions over the country.

Guizhou is a mountainous province but roads to every villages are accessible. So car is a ideal vehicle when transferring between villages. To provide you with a comfortable experience, private car is provided.

Tour Price

FromUSD 1,309p/p Based on a private tour for 2 people. Price varies depending on program, travel date, number of people and chosen hotel

Price includes:

  • Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
  • English speaking local guide
  • Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
  • 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling

Tour code: gy-4

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