Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Price Per Person
Destinations

The Guilin and Longsheng regions of southern China provide two of the most stunning and iconic landscapes in all of Asia. With this five-day itinerary, you will experience the best that each region has to offer, including the staggering, jagged, and beautiful karst formations of Guilin and the vibrant green, tapered rice terraces of Longsheng. The landscapes are each extraordinarily beautiful, but in very different and unique ways. Spend time with the locals who call these remote places home and learn of the great diversity that exists just in the south of China. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Bamboo Raft Cruising: Board a traditional bamboo raft and slowly drift through the beautiful valleys of the Guilin area. Take in the impressive scenery of monolothic karst structures which have been inspiring poets for centuries.
  • Long-Hair Village: Visit the Xiaozhai village, home to the Yao minority, and find out why the local women cut their hair only twice in their lifetimes.
  • Dragon's Backbone: The poetic name describes some of the most scenic terraced rice fields in the country, dotted with ancient villages. Enjoy long treks in this magical landscape.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Guilin & Yangshuo

After arriving in Guilin, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Yangshuo. Guilin City and the nearby town of Yangshuo are often said to be two of the most beautiful places in China. You will have the chance to see some stunning scenery, ranging from the Li River to the hundreds of limestone karst formations, all of which have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These special rock formations are formed from prehistoric sea floor sediment, which rose up to the surface due to erosion by streams. These unique peaks seen throughout the region were shaped by rainfall eroding away the soft sediment. Experience a local lunch in either town of your choice - your knowledgeable guide will recommend the best spot. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The limestone mountains of Guilin form one of China’s most magical landscapes.

History: The Shangri-La’s traditional Chinese-style architecture allows guests to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Guilin.

Service: Round the clock service is provided to all guests, with suite guests and Horizon Club guests assigned a personal butler.

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Shangri-La Guilin Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Guilin & Yangshuo

Today will be an exciting day of touring around Yangshuo. Meet your personal tour guide at 9am before driving 30 minutes to the Yulong River, where your private 90-minute bamboo raft cruise will begin. Sit down to lunch with your English speaking guide. Your guide’s family will cook using fresh ingredients straight from their garden and host an interactive, hands-on cooking demonstration. After a delicious meal, get back into the countryside. Visit Bilian Peak, which offers panoramic views of the Li River and the Silver Cave. Next, visit Moon Hill, a famous limestone rock formation with a large moon-shaped hole in the middle. Return to the Yangshuo Resort for dinner, or if you’re up for some more action, head along to the bustling Xi Jie (West Street), a walking street full of delicious Chinese cuisine.

Guilin & Yangshuo
Guilin & Yangshuo

Day 3

Ping An

Wake up early and make your way to Ping An, a three hour drive. Check in to your accommodation - the charming Li An Lodge, located in the Old Town area. Ping An is set on the famous Dragon’s Back Rice Terraces, also known as longji titian, in Longsheng. These gracefully-tiered platforms become narrower the higher they are, giving them the appearance of a huge snail when seen from afar. The village is mostly populated by the Zhuang minority, the largest ethnic minority in China. The Zhuang people are famous for their impressive mural paintings, the most famous of which is 328-feet-long and 131-feet-wide, located in the southwest along the cliff faces of Zuojiang. Spend a relaxing day in the city and experience a local Chinese massage or have a health check by a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Nature-loving guests will be taken aback by the hotel’s dramatic location, situated on the top of a mountain, surrounded by mesmerising rice paddies for miles upon miles.

History: It was back in 1997 that a man named Keren Su discovered a picturesque plot of land was for sale while he was photographing the region’s stunning panoramas. He bought the land and created the Li-An Lodge using traditional Chinese building methods, without the use of a single nail.

Service: Nestled into remote rice paddy fields in rural China, one wouldn’t expect to have access to such luxuries as WiFi and drinkable tap water, but at the Li An Lodge, these are standard features that all guests can enjoy.

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Li-An Lodge Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Ping An

Day four is another exciting day of touring, starting just after breakfast. Drive approximately one and a half hours on a slightly bumpy road before reaching the Xiaozhai village, home to the Yao minority. Here, you’ll be greeted by villagers performing a traditional singing ceremony and find out why Yao women only cut their hair twice in their lives - first as a teenager and again after they marry. Enjoy a packed lunch and walk 15 minutes uphill before arriving at the heart of the village, where you will be met by the remainder of the villagers. Chit-chat over a cup of tea before heading back to Li An Lodge.

Ping An
Ping An

Day 5

Departure

Take a refreshing morning hike through the terraces before driving back to Guilin and flying out to your next destination. 

Suggested Hotel For Days 1–2

Shangri-La Guilin
Preferred Hotel

Shangri-La Guilin

Set amidst the finger-like, limestone karsts overlooking the placid waters of the Li River, the Shangri-La Guilin offers unparalleled comfort in one of China’s most scenic cities. Each room features complimentary Internet access, tasteful furnishings and décor, and a view of either the surreal scenery of the Li River or the hotel’s verdant, expansive grounds. Dining options include the signature Shang Palace, featuring various regional specialties from Cantonese, Hunan, and Guilin cuisines; the elegant Li Café, which features a modern take on Asian cuisine; and finally, U Bar, which offers authentic western food and a view of the surrounding countryside. Drinks can also be had at the tasteful Lobby Lounge, or at the leisurely, relaxing poolside bar. Amenities include a comprehensive spa, as well as a health club with exercise facilities, swimming pools, and massage services. Nearby lies the famous Diecai Mountain, an iconic landmark that has long occupied many a Chinese painting, while steps away, guests can find bustling street markets packed with products of silk, crystal, and jade. The Shangri-La Guilin is about thirty five minutes away from Guilin’s Liangjiang International Airport (KWL).

Suggested Hotel For Days 3–4

Li-An Lodge
Preferred Hotel

Li-An Lodge

Li-An Lodge is the culmination of artist and traveler Keren Su’s decade-long quest to build a unique, luxurious lodge amidst the gorgeous Longsheng rice terraces. Su first discovered this area on a photography trip in 1997 and finally opened Li An eight years later; the entire lodge is built without nails and instead uses a traditional Chinese construction technique of fitting pegs into grooves to secure joints. There are 16 rooms, each with unparalleled views of the terraces and their own specific themes and designs. For example, the Harvest room features farming tools used by the local Zhuang minority in addition to other Zhuang-specific pieces, and the Rock room fitted with intricate stone carving and furniture. Although the rooms do not have Internet access, there is a high-speed connection in the business center. Li-An Lodge also has a restaurant that serves Western and Chinese food, as well as a bar and sitting room decorated with Su’s photography and other work.

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