Immerse yourself in southern China’s most iconic scenic landscapes on this 5-day Essential Guilin Experience Tour, a handpicked itinerary that covers all the region’s must-see destinations, including core Guilin highlights and the beautiful natural landscapes of Longsheng. Curated to showcase the absolute best of what Guilin has to offer, this tour delivers unbeatable value for money, with trusted, secure payment processing that makes booking your dream Chinese countryside getaway simple and completely stress-free.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
This 5-day curated journey begins in the scenic heart of Guilin city, winding past otherworldly limestone karst peaks, up to misty mountain rice terraces in Longsheng, then drifting down the legendary Li River to the laid-back riverside town of Yangshuo. Blending postcard-perfect natural scenery, vibrant local ethnic culture, and hands-on outdoor adventures, this route is designed to let first-time visitors experience the very best of the Guilin region without rushing, capturing every iconic view and authentic local moment along the way.
Kick off your adventure with a warm welcome meeting with your expert tour leader at 4pm, before setting off on a leisurely stroll through Guilin's bustling pedestrian streets to soak up local city life. After exploring the city center, board a luxury boat for a scenic cruise along Guilin's Two Rivers and Four Lakes, gliding past iconic landmarks including Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Mountain, Diecai Mountain, LoYan Hill, Baoji Mountain, plus historic sites like the ancient relics pagoda, Hongqiao Dam, and Zhuzi Memorial Archway. You'll also pass a series of stunning themed green spaces, from traditional Chinese classical gardens to the Song Dynasty Historical and Cultural Park, before wrapping up the day with an evening of incredible local performances: traditional Guiju Opera, folk art displays, the famous Guihu Fishing Fire show, and the Lefang Yao Long Hair Dance. 🍽️ Included: Welcome dinner | 🏨 Overnight at Guilin Bravo Hotel
After a filling breakfast at your Guilin hotel, set off on a full-day excursion to the breathtaking Longji Rice Terraces, one of Guilin's most beloved natural-cultural landmarks. Wander the rolling terraced slopes carved into the mountains over hundreds of years, then visit nearby traditional villages of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities to get a glimpse of their unique ancient customs and daily way of life. You'll return to Guilin in the evening to rest. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Overnight at Guilin Bravo Hotel
Today you'll travel from Guilin to the scenic riverside town of Yangshuo, starting with a delicious breakfast before boarding a comfortable 4-star cruise along the world-famous Li River. Drift slowly downriver past towering, jagged karst peaks, passing through the scenic stretches of Yangdi, Jiu Ma, and Xingping, taking in the postcard-perfect views that have made the Li River one of China's most iconic landscapes. Once you arrive in Yangshuo, stretch your legs with a leisurely walking tour of Yangshuo Park and lively, iconic West Street, perfect for browsing local shops and soaking up the town's laid-back vibe. 🍽️ Included: Breakfast | 🏨 Overnight at Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel
Get ready for a day of outdoor adventure in Yangshuo's stunning countryside! Start by hopping on a bike for a leisurely cycling tour through winding country lanes, passing green rice paddies and dramatic karst outcrops along the way. Next, experience the quiet magic of the Yulong River with a gentle bamboo rafting trip down its clear, calm waters, taking in the unspoiled beauty of the surrounding scenery. After a day of exploring, you'll sit down to a delicious homemade meal at a local farmer's house, featuring fresh, locally grown produce straight from the surrounding fields. 🍽️ Included: Farm-to-table lunch at a local farmer's home | 🏨 Overnight at Yangshuo Elite Garden Hotel
After 5 days of exploring Guilin's most iconic natural and cultural wonders, your curated Guilin experience comes to an end. Enjoy your morning at leisure in Yangshuo before departing, taking home lifelong memories of southern China's one-of-a-kind beauty and warm hospitality.
April 1, 2026
I came to China specifically to see Guilin’s famous landscapes, and this tour delivered everything it promised and more. The 5 day length was just right, long enough to see all the key areas without dragging on too much. I especially loved the visit to the ancient water towns near Yangshuo, where we got to experience a bit of local life away from the main tourist areas. I would 100% book this tour again if I ever bring my family back to Guilin.
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As someone who loves nature photography, this tour was a dream come true. Our guide made sure we were at all the best viewpoints at the perfect times of day for catching the light on the mountains and river.
Worth every penny, this is the best way to see all of Guilin’s top sights.
My partner and I did this tour for our anniversary trip and it exceeded every expectation we had. We loved that the tour gave us just enough free time to wander small towns on our own after seeing the main attractions, rather than packing every minute full. The karst landscape views that we’ve only ever seen in photos completely blew us away in person. We’ve already recommended this tour to all of our friends who are planning a trip to China.
I booked this 5-day Essential Guilin Experience through HelloChinaTrip and consultant Ethan answered all my random questions before the trip even started. Every must-see spot was included, from the stunning Longji Rice Terraces to the Reed Flute Cave, and our guide knew all the best hidden photo spots that most tourists miss. The local food stops along the way were such a nice bonus too, we got to try authentic Guilin rice noodles that were way better than any I’ve had back home. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Guilin’s beauty.
I traveled solo on this tour and felt completely safe and welcome the entire time. The group size was small enough that it never felt crowded, and we got to meet other fun travelers from around the world. Every stop was clearly the must-see that everyone visits Guilin to see, so I didn’t waste any time figuring out logistics on my own.
The itinerary and stops were perfectly planned, and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the local area. We knocked off one star because we had unexpected heavy rain the day we cruised the Li River, which blocked some of the iconic mountain views, but that’s just bad luck with the season, not the tour’s fault.
Every view in Guilin felt like a living painting, this tour was perfect.
I’ve been on dozens of group tours and this is easily one of the best organized I’ve ever done.
The itinerary was perfectly paced so we never felt rushed between spots. We got to hike through karst mountains and cruise the Li River at golden hour, which was absolutely magical.
