3 Days Guilin Yangshuo Tour with Li River Cruise & Yulong River

Ni Hao! Welcome to Guilin. Our team will meet you at the airport or train station and take you to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore.Arrival Ideas:Guilin is easy to reach. Fly direct from Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Chengdu, or Hong Kong. High-speed trains connect Guilin to Guangzhou (3 hours), Hong Kong (4 hours), Chengdu (5.5 hours), and Zhangjiajie (7 hours). iFree Time Suggestions (Self-Guided): If you arrive early, here are a few places within easy reach:Jingjiang Prince's City- a 14th-century Ming dynasty palace, older than Beijing's Forbidden City. Climb Solitary Beauty Peak inside for panoramic views of Guilin.East West Alley- a restored historic district with shops, cafes, and street food. Try Guilin rice noodles or watch local artists paint.Two Rivers and Four Lakes Cruise (optional, evening)- a 1-hour boat ride through illuminated waterways. Ancient bridges, pagodas, and gardens lit up at night.

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a 1-hour drive to Mopanshan Pier. From here, embark on a relaxing 4-hour cruise down the 83-kilometer Li River to Yangshuo.As you sail, you will see iconic sights like the Nine-Horse Fresco and the Yellow Cloth Shoal. Keep your camera ready for the scenery featured on the back of the 20 RMB note. iNote: A simple Chinese-style lunch is served on board. Alternatively, we can arrange a packed lunch with grilled sausages, sandwiches, milk, coffee, and fruit. Please book at least 2 days in advance. Fruit selection may vary by season.Upon arriving in Yangshuo, your driver will transfer you to your hotel for a short rest. Once refreshed, head out to explore the stunning Yangshuo countryside.You will see vibrant rice fields and misty karst peaks reflecting in the tranquil Yulong River. It is a peaceful landscape that feels like a living Chinese scroll painting.Choose your exploration style: You can discover this rural paradise by private car and walking, by bicycle, or by scooter (additional costs may apply for scooters).The route offers a close look at local life. You’ll pass farmers tending to their fields, water buffalo grazing by the river, and quaint stone houses with traditional slate roofs.Next, board a hand-cranked bamboo raft for a quiet journey down the Yulong River. Float past ancient bridges and glide through small dams that create gentle, cooling rapids.The water is so clear you can see river grass dancing below. It is the perfect way to become part of the serene scenery while drifting through the valley.In the late afternoon, stroll along West Street, the heart of Yangshuo. This 1,400-year-old street is a vibrant mix of traditional Chinese culture and modern Western cafes and bars.It is the best place to enjoy the local nightlife, try authentic snacks, or simply soak in the lively atmosphere as the town lights up. iOptional Evening Activity: Watch the Impression Liu Sanjie show, directed by Zhang Yimou. This world-famous performance uses the actual river and mountains as a stage for a spectacular display of light and folk music.

After breakfast, take a final stroll through the quiet Yangshuo countryside before the drive back to Guilin.Your first stop in the city is Elephant Trunk Hill, the iconic symbol of Guilin. Located where the Li River meets the Peach Blossom River, this limestone formation looks like a giant elephant drinking from the water.Explore Water-Moon Cave, the 12-meter-high semicircular opening between the "trunk" and the "legs." Look for the ancient poems from the Song and Tang dynasties carved into the rock walls.Next, visit Reed Flute Cave, known as the "Palace of Nature's Art." This limestone cavern is filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars in unique shapes like Lion Peak and the Primitive Forest. Multi-colored neon lights illuminate the formations, creating a vibrant underground world. Don't miss the Crystal Palace, where the calm water creates a perfect mirror reflection of the cave walls. You can also watch the Water Curtain Movie to see how these geological formations grew over millions of years.After the tour, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport or railway station for your departure.Trip Extension Ideas: If you would like to explore more of China or Asia, we can help you customize an extension. Thank you for traveling with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) - we look forward to seeing you again!