Your private bamboo raft drifts through karst peaks at sunrise, before any tour group arrives. The Li River is glass-still, reflecting the limestone mountains like a mirror. Your guide points to a single cormorant fisherman on the bank — one of the last of his generation. By afternoon, you're cycling through Yangshuo's rice paddies framed by limestone peaks, and by evening, watching the sunset from a rooftop you'd never find on your own. Every moment designed around your pace, your interests.
The iconic karst landscapes and riverside experiences that make Guilin one of China's most beautiful destinations.
The 83-kilometer journey from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of the world's most beautiful river trips. Karst peaks rise vertically from the water like green cathedral spires. Your guide arranges a private boat that leaves before the crowds.
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Rent bicycles and ride through rice paddies framed by limestone peaks. Your guide knows a farmhouse where the family serves lunch on a terrace overlooking the Yulong River — and which dirt path leads to a 600-year-old banyan tree.
Explore Yangshuo →
Dragon's Backbone terraces — 650 years of rice cultivation carved into mountainsides. Visit in spring when the terraces mirror the sky, or autumn when they glow gold. Your guide knows a Yao village where you can try bamboo rice.
Visit Longji →
A 180-million-year-old limestone cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites illuminated in rainbow colors. Your guide explains how locals hid here during WWII — and which rock formation looks exactly like the Guilin landscape above ground.
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Guilin's iconic symbol — a limestone hill shaped exactly like an elephant drinking from the Li River. Your guide knows the best viewing angle from a quiet tea house across the river, away from the selfie-stick crowds.
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Meet one of the last cormorant fishermen on the Li River — an 80-year-old master who has trained birds for 60 years. At dusk, his birds dive and return with fish. Your guide translates his stories of a vanishing tradition.
Meet the Fisherman →Anyone can show you karst peaks. We help you experience Guilin — on your terms.
While tour groups board the large river cruisers at 9am, you're already drifting through the karst peaks on a private bamboo raft. The morning mist, the silence, the reflections — the Li River as it was meant to be experienced.
Skip the crowded bike tour. Your guide maps a route through villages that haven't changed in centuries. Stop at a farmhouse for lunch, a 600-year-old bridge for photos, and a riverside café for sunset.
Your guide knows a hiking trail between Ping'an and Dazhai villages that tour groups never use. Along the way, a Yao woman demonstrates her traditional long hair ceremony — her hair has never been cut in 60 years.
Want to spend the morning photographing reflections on the Li River and skip the caves? Done. Rather hike the terraces for 4 hours? Your guide carries water and knows every viewpoint.
Official invitation letter included. Your driver meets you at Guilin Shuangliu or Tianfu Airport with your name on a sign.
Your advisor is on WhatsApp throughout. Craving the best Guilin rice noodles at 10pm? Your guide knows the 24-hour spot locals love.
No fixed schedules. Every itinerary is built around who you are and how you like to travel.
Sunrise bamboo raft on the Li River. Midday at the Longji Terraces when the light hits the water-filled paddies. Sunset at a secret viewpoint above Yangshuo that your guide discovered 15 years ago.
Cycle through Yangshuo's countryside, rock climb a karst peak (beginner-friendly routes), hike the Longji Terraces between villages, and end with a bamboo raft through the Yulong River's gentle rapids.
Morning tea and mahjong in People's Park. Afternoon calligraphy lesson with a local artist. Evening Elephant Trunk Hill. One or two sights per day — deeply experienced, never rushed.
Day 1: Li River cruise at sunrise + Yangshuo bike ride through rice paddies. Day 2: Cormorant Fishing at dusk + farewell riverside dinner. Efficient but never rushed.
Don't just take our word for it — hear from travelers who have experienced our service.
One of best customer service experience and transportation I have ever received. I would have highly recommend using this service for all your needs. Huda deserves a 5 STAR rating ★
Loved my trip to China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing) thanks to HCT. My travel agent, Huda, was responsive and efficient. Everything was organized to perfection including the guides, the drivers, the cars, the excursions. They also provided the invitation letter I needed and were very accommodating whenever plans had to change. Even when something wasn't available, they found great alternatives. I highly recommend them for your visit to China.
First time using this company and arranged a solo trip to Zhangjiajie from 30 Aug to 5 Sept 2025. Making payment with Alipay was easy and itinerary was flexible since I also wanted to travel to Furong Ancient Town because I heard it was very beautiful and Huda helped to arrange for it. It was a well arranged trip and very scenic too. Will use this company again if I visit China next round.
I had just a short stopover in Hong Kong, but HelloChinaTrip organized everything perfectly. From the airport pickup to watching the city lights from Victoria Peak, it all went so smoothly. Our guide also showed us a small local dim sum place that tourists don't usually know about. Perfect!!
Tell us your travel dates and interests. Our Guilin-based expert will design a private itinerary — from a Li River bamboo raft at sunrise to sunset over the karst peaks. Free itinerary draft within 1 business day, no commitment required.
Also explore our private tours in Beijing · Shanghai · Xi'an · Chengdu
