A Song of Countryside
Slow down and allow yourself to have a relaxing vacation in Guilin. This 6 days tour covers the highlights in Guilin, Yangshuo and the Longsheng Longji Rice Terraces, and allows you to enjoy the peaceful scenery, countryside, and traditional ethnic cultures at a relaxing pace.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Walk on a less-visited rice terrace trail
Witness the incredible terraced fields in the north of Guilin. Get off the paved path, walk into the fields and sit down on the centuries-old levees to enjoy a peaceful moment.
Cycle through Yangshuo's countryside and see locals working in the fields
The scenery of Yangshuo is breathtakingly beautiful, karst peaks, rice fields, clear waters, green bamboos…. During the cycling, your guide will show you around the countryside with the rice paddies and the mountains.
Relax on a bamboo raft on the calm Yulong River
Have a day tour to a non-karst area in the east of Guilin. The bamboo forest, the waterfall, the beautiful valley, and the beautiful valley scenery are hidden gems that have not been spoiled by tourism.
Make bamboo-tube rice with a local family
You will visit a local minority family and learn how to make bamboo-tube rice as well as cook it the local way.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Highly recommend Lele from Guilin China highlights
Guilin is absolutely breathtaking! The incredible views along the li river make those fantastical Chinese landscape paintings come to life. Walked around the rice terraces and rode a bike along the dragon river were unforgettable highlights. Our trip was made even better thanks to our guide, Lele from China highlights , who ensured everything went smoothly. Lele was helpful, professional, and provided just the right amount of insight about the area’s history and culture. more
Mar 2025, Teo O
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Guilin with great Lili from China Highlights
Guilin is a very beautiful city. And our guide Lili from China Highlights made our visit much more enjoyable. She is a very smart and kind lady, who is always looking out for us. She even teached us painting!! She helped us with everything, and gave us very useful advices and suggestions. Lili is also a very good photographer!! Without asking her to do so, she was always taking beautiful pictures of us, and sent them to us. We really apreciatte her attitude toward us. And love the pictures she sent to us. We traveled with her to Yangzhou, and I am sure Yangzhou would not had been so beautiful without her. Thank you Lili!! more
Mar 2025, Cecilia Ly
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Amazing Guilin
Our trip to Guilin with China Highlights was awesome. We did a boat trip on the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo as well as staying in Yangshuo and Xingping. The scenery was absolutely fantastic! There were limestone pillars everywhere and the people were so friendly. Our guide, William took us to all the best spots and gave us excellent historical and cultural information. He was always attentive and engaging with us. We sampled lots of delicious food as well as being introduced to local people - we even got some cooking lessons. Our hotels - Moondance (Yangshuo) and XingPing Island resort were friendly and welcoming family-style boutique hotels. Everything was so well organised we never had to worry about anything. (Thanks also to our CHL consultant, Chandler, who converted our original wish-list into an amazing itinerary). more
Mar 2025, Richard
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Suggested Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests and your schedule
Upon your arrival in Guilin, you will be transferred straight to Longsheng. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the mountain breeze as you clear your head.
Tips to tailor-make your tour:
A one-way transfer from Guilin to Longsheng usually takes about 3 to 4 hours on the mountain road. We will arrange for you to travel on the highway to shorten the journey to 2½ hours.
No time is wasted upon your arrival as we will transfer you straight away. However, it's necessary to spend a night in Guilin if you arrive after 7pm.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Construction of the rice terraces began about 600 years ago and now the ethnic minorities who live in Longsheng are still very dependent on this massive farming project.
You can walk up or take a buggy ride up to the top, providing an awesome view over the rolling mountains laced with lush rice paddies.
Later, walk down to a Yao family's home where the host will introduce you to their unique bamboo rice cooker and oil tea culture. Enjoy a chat with them before lunch.
Gear up for an easy hike along the mountainous trail from Ping'an Village to Guzhuang Village. The former is home to the Yao ethnic minority while you will see different customs of the Zhuang people in the latter.
The hike covers the most picturesque parts of the rice terraces and you will meet some lovely locals along the way.
Your private driver will be waiting for you in Guzhuang Village with your luggage, ready to transfer you back to Guilin where you will enjoy a relaxing evening.
Tips to tailor-make your tour:
The hike from Ping'an Village to Guzhuang Village is about 2 kilometers, mostly on downhill steps and country roads, taking approximately 1½ hours at a slow pace.
We can hire some local porters to carry your bags and the roads are in good condition for hiking.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
An important trading port back in its heyday, Daxu Ancient Town is now almost forgotten by the outside world.
Yet something interesting can still be found here: as you walk around this small town, you will learn about the trading history and, most intriguingly, an old gentleman will show you his fun collection of daily-use items that have been used by others over the last two centuries.
After lunch, visit the landmarks of Guilin: Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
As the Li River weaves its way gracefully through Guilin and down to Yangshuo, the natural landscape is brought closer to you while you enjoy the 4-star Li River cruise (this is the highest level of cruise, offering better facilities and a buffet lunch).
Chinese people are great dreamers and most mountains are named after their quirky appearances.
You might need to use your imagination to see the same shapes; of course, you might just as well kick back and empty your mind while the wind tousles your hair gently.
Arrive at your resort in Yangshuo in time for afternoon tea. Sit back in a relaxed setting with a nice cup of coffee - that's what a vacation should be like. Enjoy a relaxing night in Yangshuo.
Tips to tailor-make your tour:
The Li River cruise normally takes 3 to 4 hours during summer.
You will be in Yangshuo in the early afternoon and we have some options for you to choose from if you'd like something fun to do, such as Chinese calligraphy or a cooking class, among others.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Some claim that whatever Guilin offers, Yangshuo also has it and it's much better. Test this saying with your own experiences.
Before the sun gets too high for a cool ride, explore the countryside by bike. Narrow single-lane trails lead you to secluded villages and boundless fields, and you will pass by locals waving hello to you.
After lunch, get on a traditional bamboo raft with a private punter to sail along the Yulong River.
No noisy motor rafts are allowed on the Yulong River and you can enjoy a tranquil moment while the reflections of the mountains and bamboo groves pass by.
Meal provided: breakfast
Say goodbye to Yangshuo and transfer to Guilin. Connect with your departure flight.
Trip Notes
With so much to offer, it can be difficult for a first-timer to plan a trip that is both relaxing and filled with experiences. The itinerary above can be one possibility and your interests will decide how this trip is to be designed and executed.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Tour Price
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: gl-7