Guilin & Yangshuo — The Karst Escape

Limestone peaks, river mist, and countryside that looks Photoshopped. 4 private days on the Li River.

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4 Days · Private · Guilin + Yangshuo

Highlights

  • Li River cruise, Guilin to Yangshuo — 4 hours through the famous karst landscape
  • Yangshuo countryside by bike: rice paddies, water buffalo, village lanes
  • Yulong River bamboo raft drift — the quiet, postcard version of the Li
  • Xingping old town and the "20 RMB note" viewpoint

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Guilin

Transfer to hotel. Afternoon: Reed Flute Cave (a kilometer of lit limestone caverns) and Elephant Trunk Hill on the river. Evening: walk the lakes and illuminated pagodas of central Guilin.

Day 2

Li River Cruise to Yangshuo

Board the 4-hour cruise downstream — the karst peaks do the entertaining. Disembark in Yangshuo, check in, evening on West Street (touristy, fun, great for dinner).

Day 3

Yangshuo Countryside

Morning: bike through the countryside — rice fields, karst towers, villages. Afternoon: bamboo raft on the Yulong River (quieter than the Li). Evening option: the Liu Sanjie light show on the river, or a cooking class.

Day 4

Xingping & Departure

Morning: Xingping old town and the famous viewpoint from the back of the 20 RMB note. Afternoon transfer to Guilin airport/railway station.

What's Included — and What Isn't

✓ What's Included

  • Private English-speaking guide and driver for all 4 days
  • Li River cruise tickets (4-star boat) + Yulong River bamboo raft
  • All entrance tickets in the itinerary
  • Bike rental for the countryside ride
  • 3 breakfasts + 1 dinner
  • All transfers including Guilin airport/railway

✗ Not Included

  • Flights/trains to Guilin
  • China visa fees
  • Most lunches and dinners, personal expenses, tips (optional)
  • Liu Sanjie show tickets (optional evening — we book on request)

Who This Trip Is For

👍 Good fit if you…

  • Landscape lovers and photographers — this is China's most painted scenery
  • Couples — the Li River at dawn is hard to beat for romance
  • Families — gentle activities, no forced marches

🤔 Probably not if you…

  • Nightlife seekers — Yangshuo's West Street is lively, not wild
  • Travelers expecting wilderness — it's cultivated countryside, beautiful but not remote

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best season?
April–October for green paddies and full rivers; November–March is mistier and quieter (and cheaper). We run year-round.
Is the Li River cruise touristy?
The big boats are. We book the smaller 4-star boats and time it to avoid the worst crowds — and the Yulong raft is the antidote.
Can kids do this trip?
Very kid-friendly — the cruise, caves, and bike ride all work for ages 5+.

Get This Tour, Your Way

from $449/person · itemized quote in 24 hours

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  • Licensed English-speaking guide
  • All entrance tickets pre-booked
  • No forced shopping — in writing
  • 24-hour support before & during your trip
  • Unlimited free itinerary revisions

Chasing that landscape?

Tell us your dates — we'll match them to the light, the water levels and a boat with good seats.

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