8-day Tour of Guilin&Yangzhuo&Guizhou

Upon arrival at Guilin Airport, meet your private guide and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Take some time to settle in and relax after your journey, or venture out to explore the city's charming atmosphere at your own pace.

In the evening, consider an optional night cruise along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes, one of Guilin's most enchanting nighttime experiences. Admire the illuminated bridges, traditional pagodas, and reflections of the city lights shimmering across the water. This leisurely introduction offers a wonderful first glimpse of Guilin's distinctive blend of natural scenery and urban charm.

Overnight: Guilin.

Begin the day with a visit to Daxu Ancient Town, a historic riverside settlement along the Li River. Wander through its narrow stone-paved lanes, explore traditional wooden houses, and observe the everyday rhythms of local life. The town's old streets and traditional architecture offer a glimpse into the region's trading history and enduring heritage.

In the afternoon, discover two of Guilin's most famous natural attractions. At Elephant Trunk Hill, admire the remarkable limestone formation that resembles an elephant drinking from the river, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Continue to Reed Flute Cave, where dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and other limestone formations create a fascinating underground landscape enhanced by colorful lighting.

Enjoy a day that balances traditional culture with the extraordinary geological scenery for which Guilin is renowned.

Overnight: Guilin.

Set out on a scenic cruise along the Li River, famous for its towering limestone peaks, tranquil waters, and picturesque rural landscapes. As the boat glides downstream, enjoy ever-changing views of mist-covered mountains, riverside villages, bamboo groves, and fishermen at work. The breathtaking scenery that inspired generations of Chinese artists makes this journey one of the highlights of any visit to Guilin.

Upon arrival in Yangshuo, continue into the surrounding countryside, where dramatic karst mountains rise above fields, winding country roads, and peaceful villages. Choose to explore by bicycle, electric vehicle, or private car, depending on your preferred pace and comfort. Along the way, stop for photographs, enjoy the fresh country air, and experience a quieter side of rural China away from the main tourist streets.

Overnight: Yangshuo.

Start the morning with a relaxing bamboo rafting experience on the Yulong River, one of Yangshuo's most picturesque waterways. Drift past green rice fields, traditional villages, and striking karst peaks reflected in the clear river. The gentle pace of the journey provides an ideal opportunity to appreciate the peaceful countryside and capture memorable photographs.

After the rafting experience, transfer to Yangshuo Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Congjiang, the gateway to the traditional Dong communities of southeastern Guizhou. Upon arrival, meet your local Guizhou guide and continue to your accommodation near Zhaoxing. As the landscape changes from Guilin's limestone mountains to Guizhou's lush hills and ethnic villages, prepare for a new chapter of cultural discovery.

Overnight: Zhaoxing or the surrounding area.

Spend the morning on an approximately 2.5-hour guided hike through terraced rice fields, traditional settlements, and scenic mountain paths. Enjoy sweeping views of the countryside while discovering how local communities have adapted their agricultural traditions to the region's mountainous terrain. The walk offers opportunities to observe rural life, photograph the landscapes, and appreciate the close relationship between the people and their environment.

After lunch, explore Zhaoxing Dong Village, one of China's best-known traditional Dong settlements. The village is celebrated for its wooden stilt houses, distinctive drum towers, covered wind-and-rain bridges, and lively network of narrow lanes. Take time to wander at your own pace, visit local craft shops, observe daily village life, and appreciate the architectural traditions passed down through generations.

With its harmonious wooden architecture and mountain setting, Zhaoxing offers an immersive introduction to Dong culture and community life.

Overnight: Zhaoxing.

Today, discover the craftsmanship and everyday traditions of Guizhou's ethnic communities through a hands-on cultural experience. Visit a traditional Dong or Miao village and learn how local artisans transform plant-based raw materials into paper using traditional techniques. Observe the different stages of the process and, where available, try your hand at selected steps under the guidance of local craftspeople.

Enjoy a home-style farmhouse lunch featuring seasonal ingredients and regional flavors, offering an opportunity to experience the warmth of local hospitality. In the afternoon, visit a distinctive village whose layout resembles a traditional dustpan. Walk along its blue-gray stone paths, admire the traditional houses, and observe the details of everyday life that reflect the area's longstanding customs and community traditions.

This day offers a deeper understanding of rural Guizhou through its handmade crafts, local food, traditional architecture, and living cultural heritage.

Overnight: Local area in Guizhou.

Begin the day with a visit to a traditional batik village, where you can learn about the distinctive wax-resist dyeing techniques used to create intricate patterns on fabric. Discover how artisans apply wax before dyeing the cloth to produce detailed designs, and enjoy a hands-on opportunity to try the craft yourself. The experience provides insight into the artistic skills and cultural symbolism preserved through generations of local craftsmanship.

In the afternoon, visit the distinctive Mini Skirt Miao Village, known for its recognizable traditional clothing and distinctive local customs. Learn about the community's clothing traditions, admire the craftsmanship and decorative details of its garments, and discover traditional grain-storage methods adapted to the local environment. Explore the village with your guide and gain a greater appreciation of the diversity of Miao culture in Guizhou.

Conclude your cultural journey with memorable encounters with local artisans, traditional lifestyles, and the living heritage of southwestern China's ethnic communities.

Overnight: Guizhou or the designated departure-area hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport for your onward flight. Depending on your departure time, enjoy a relaxed morning before leaving Guizhou.

As your 8-day adventure comes to an end, take home lasting memories of Guilin's spectacular karst landscapes, Yangshuo's peaceful countryside, and Guizhou's remarkable Dong and Miao cultural heritage.

Tour concludes: Airport transfer in Guiyang.