Sophie Dubois
March 4, 2026
Experience the breathtaking karst scenery and rural charm of southern China on this fully customizable 4-day Guilin tour, with convenient daily departures to fit any travel schedule. Your trip includes an exclusive private guide, access to top regional spots like central Guilin and Longsheng’s iconic terraced rice fields, and a memorable scenic cruise along Guilin’s most beautiful waterway. This curated package delivers great value with competitive pricing and secure, trusted payments, letting you craft your ideal Guilin getaway with total peace of mind.



This 4-day immersive journey starts in central Guilin, where you’ll check into your accommodation and explore the city’s most iconic landmarks and lively streets before heading out to the misty mountain slopes of nearby Longsheng to see thousands of years of agricultural heritage and connect with local ethnic minority culture. After returning to Guilin, you’ll sail the legendary Li River through postcard-perfect karst peak landscapes to the charming riverside town of Yangshuo, where you’ll explore sun-dappled countryside and ancient villages before wrapping up your trip back in Guilin. Blending natural wonder, cultural connection, and fully customizable pacing, this route delivers the ultimate Guilin experience for any type of traveler.
🌟 Day 1: Guilin Kick off your Guilin adventure by checking into your preferred accommodation, then head straight to the city’s most recognizable landmark: Elephant Trunk Hill. Wander along the tree-lined river banks to snap photos of the one-of-a-kind natural rock formation that looks just like a giant elephant sipping water from the Li River, then meander over to bustling East West Street to soak up the local vibe, browse unique shops, and try signature Guilin snacks like rice noodles at your leisure. End your first day settled in for the night at either Guilin Bravo Hotel or Shangri-La Hotel, your choice of premium accommodation. 🏨
🌟 Day 2: Guilin → Longsheng → Guilin Today you’ll trade Guilin’s city streets for a full day of mountain scenery at the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, a centuries-old man-made landscape carved into rolling mountain slopes. After arriving, you’ll take a gentle scenic hike up to the panoramic viewing point, where you can gaze out over layered terraces that shift from emerald green in summer to golden yellow in autumn. Next, you’ll wander through a traditional Zhuang Minority village, meet local residents, and learn about their unique cultural traditions and daily life. A hearty Western buffet breakfast is provided to fuel your day of exploring 🍽️, and you’ll return to Guilin in the evening to stay another night at your chosen premium hotel. 🏨
🌟 Day 3: Guilin → Yangshuo Today brings the iconic highlight of any Guilin trip: a full leisurely cruise down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. Sit back and relax on deck as you glide past towering karst peaks that rise straight out of the calm, green river, the same otherworldly view that inspired thousands of years of Chinese landscape art. After disembarking in Yangshuo, explore the quiet countryside at your own pace: choose between a casual bike ride along winding country lanes or a comfortable ride in a private car, then stop to visit a local farmer’s home to learn about modern rural life in southern China. As the sun sets, head to lively West Street to browse night markets and soak up Yangshuo’s laid-back atmosphere. A Western buffet breakfast and simple Chinese lunch box are included for the day 🍽️, and you’ll stay overnight at either Amari Yangshuo Hotel or Green Lotus Hotel. 🏨
🌟 Day 4: Yangshuo → Guilin Wrap up your 4-day Guilin adventure with a quiet visit to Xiongcun, a well-preserved ancient village tucked away near Yangshuo. Wander through centuries-old stone alleyways, past traditional courtyard homes and historic ancestral halls, and get a genuine glimpse of what village life in Guangxi was like hundreds of years ago. After exploring the village, you’ll drive back to Guilin where your custom tour comes to an end. A filling Western buffet breakfast is included to fuel your morning of exploration 🍽️.
Min 2 · Max 20 people per group
Traveler reviews
March 4, 2026
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful or well-organized introduction to Guilin.
February 17, 2026
I was nervous about booking a custom tour as a solo female traveler, but this experience was completely seamless from start to finish. I was able to adjust my itinerary the night before to add a visit to a local tea plantation, and the team accommodated my request right away. My guide was great at giving me space when I wanted to explore on my own, and answered all my questions about daily life in Guilin. The sunrise over the karst mountains from our viewpoint is a memory I’ll carry with me forever.
January 10, 2026
Worth every penny for the private guide and flexible schedule.
July 19, 2025
I’ve traveled all over China, and this Guilin tour is one of the best I’ve ever taken. Being able to customize the itinerary meant we skipped the overhyped tourist traps that I hated on other group tours, and focused on the scenery and culture that we actually cared about. Our driver was on time every day, and our guide knew all the best hidden photo spots that no other tourists were at. If you’re on the fence about booking this, just do it.
May 30, 2025
I loved that this tour departs daily, so I could easily fit it into my loose travel schedule around southern China. The rural villages we visited were so charming, and it was lovely to slow down and experience local life away from crowded big cities. The karst scenery honestly took my breath away at every stop.
May 2, 2025
The tour itself was perfectly organized and our guide was fantastic, but we visited during Chinese Golden Week and the Li River cruise was much more wonderful than we expected. That’s the only reason we’re not giving 5 stars, the overall experience was still incredible.
April 21, 2025
I worked with Ethan from HelloChinaTrip to customize this tour for my family of four, and he hit every single request we had. We wanted extra time hiking in the countryside instead of unnecessary shopping stops, and the itinerary was adjusted perfectly with no extra hassle. Our guide was friendly, our driver was safe, and the Li River cruise had amazing views of the karst peaks that look like they’re straight out of a traditional Chinese painting. This custom tour was way better than any group tour we’ve taken in the past, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to explore Guilin.
February 18, 2025
Every minute of this tour was absolutely magical.
December 28, 2024
The 4-day length was perfect for seeing all the highlights of Guilin without feeling rushed. The cruise along the Li River was the highlight of my entire trip to China.
December 5, 2024
Our private guide was so knowledgeable about the local karst formations and rural culture. He even took us to a hidden noodle shop that none of the big tour groups go to. The Li River cruise was everything I dreamed it would be.