Sofia Garcia
April 21, 2026
Customized China Tours Tailored Just for You
Discover the breathtaking karst mountain and river landscapes of southern China on this fully custom-tailored 4-day private guided tour covering Guilin and scenic nearby Longsheng. This flexible tour departs daily to fit any travel schedule, and includes a leisurely scenic river cruise to experience Guilin’s iconic postcard-perfect waterside views first-hand. Curated as a top pick for Guilin visitors, this getaway boasts competitive pricing and secure, trusted payments for a seamless, stress-free trip.
This curated 4-day journey winds through the misty, dramatic karst peaks and rolling rural landscapes of southern China’s beloved Guilin region, balancing bucket-list sights and off-the-beaten charm. We start in central Guilin, venture into the mountain highlands of Longsheng to see its world-famous terraced fields, cruise the palm-fringed Li River to the picturesque riverside town of Yangshuo, and end with a quiet visit to a preserved ancient village before wrapping up back in Guilin. The fully private, flexible itinerary is tailored to your pace, with departure dates that fit perfectly into your wider China travel plans.
Kick off your Guilin adventure with a visit to the region’s most iconic natural landmark: Elephant Trunk Hill. Wander along the river banks to snap postcard-perfect views of the one-of-a-kind rock formation, shaped just like an elephant sipping water from the Li River. After exploring the hill, take a leisurely stroll through historic East West Street, where you can browse local craft shops, sample regional street snacks, and soak up the laid-back local atmosphere. At the end of the day, check into your premium accommodation, with a choice between the convenient central Guilin Bravo Hotel or the scenic riverside Shangri-La Hotel 🏨.
Today we leave Guilin’s city streets behind and head up into the mountain highlands of Longsheng to explore the world-famous Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. Watch as layers of rolling green farmland stretch all the way up the mountain slopes, a stunning landscape cultivated by local communities for hundreds of years. We’ll take a gentle hike up to a panoramic viewing point for unbeatable, sweeping views of the terraces, then stop at a traditional Zhuang Ethnic Minority village to wander narrow lanes, meet local residents, and learn about their unique cultural traditions. We start the day with a filling Western buffet breakfast 🍽️ before heading out, and return to Guilin in the evening for another night at your chosen hotel 🏨.
Today brings your tour’s signature highlight: a leisurely Li River cruise that glides from Guilin straight to Yangshuo, with towering karst peaks rising on both sides of the glassy green river the entire way. Once we dock in Yangshuo, we explore the town’s lush countryside: you can choose between a casual bike ride through paddy fields and small villages, or a relaxed ride in a private car to take in the scenery at your own pace. We’ll stop by a local farmer’s home to get an authentic peek into daily rural life in southern China, then end the day wandering lively West Street, Yangshuo’s famous pedestrian hub full of cafes, shops, and street performers. Today we serve a Western buffet breakfast in the morning, plus a simple, tasty Chinese lunch box during your travels 🍽️. Tonight you’ll stay at either the modern Amari Yangshuo Hotel or the scenic Green Lotus Hotel 🏨.
We start our final day with another hearty Western buffet breakfast 🍽️, then head to Xiongcun Ancient Village, a quiet hidden gem nestled between karst hills that retains centuries of traditional Chinese charm. Wander the village’s winding, car-free lanes to explore wooden courtyard homes, ancient ancestral halls, and learn about the village’s long history, before we drive back to Guilin to wrap up your tour.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
April 21, 2026
I’d book this custom tour again in a heartbeat if I ever come back to Guilin.
March 8, 2026
My wife and I booked this tour to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and it was the best decision we made for our China trip. We weren’t sure how much time to spend in each spot, so the ability to customize everything as we went made the trip so much more stress-free. The river cruise on the Li River gave us some of the most memorable views we’ve ever seen on our travels around the world. Our guide even arranged a special anniversary dinner for us at a restaurant overlooking the river, which was such a lovely surprise. If you’re on the fence about booking a private tour instead of a group one, don’t hesitate—this is 100% worth it.
January 15, 2026
The Longsheng rice terraces stop was absolutely worth adding to the tour.
September 22, 2025
The daily departure option made it so easy to fit this tour into our bigger China trip schedule. We loved being able to go at our own pace instead of being herded around with a large group. The food stops our guide picked were all incredible, full of authentic local Guilin flavors.
May 2, 2025
Lynn at HelloChinaTrip helped me craft this perfect 4-day itinerary for my anniversary trip with my husband. We wanted a mix of relaxed sightseeing and light hiking, so she added extra time at the Longsheng terraces that we absolutely loved. The Li River cruise was the highlight of the whole trip, with postcard views around every turn. Our private guide always made sure we had the best seats at local restaurants and knew all the quiet photo spots that weren’t crowded with tour groups.
April 19, 2025
Our private guide shared so many interesting stories about local culture and the history of Guilin that you never get from a guidebook. Everything from transport to restaurant reservations was taken care of, so we got to just relax and enjoy the views.
March 12, 2025
This custom Guilin tour exceeded every expectation I had for seeing southern China’s iconic landscapes.
February 10, 2025
The guide and custom itinerary were fantastic, and the karst views were even more beautiful than I imagined. We visited during the Lunar New Year holiday, so almost every spot was way more wonderful than we expected, which cut into our time at a few stops.
December 28, 2024
I traveled solo on this tour and felt completely safe and well taken care of the entire four days. I customized the itinerary to spend more time photographing the karst mountains, and my guide was more than happy to adjust our schedule to fit that. The Li River cruise was so peaceful early in the morning, and we got incredible photos without other tourists in the frame. I can’t recommend this private custom tour enough for anyone who wants to see the best of Guilin on their own terms.
December 18, 2024
Our private guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the local karst formations and Longsheng rice terraces. We adjusted our itinerary last minute when we wanted more time hiking, and it was no hassle at all.
