5 days The comprehensive regional journey combining high-speed rail, tranquil Yulong River cycling, dramatic karst sunrises, and ethnic minority mountain villages.
5 Days in Guilin, Yangshuo & Longji Terraces in Guilin
A 5-day journey curated for a couple who appreciate slow mornings, regional Guangxi flavors, and comfortable pacing. Travel smoothly from downtown Guilin's lakes and noodle stalls to peaceful rural cycling along the Yulong River, ending high among the ethnic Yao villages of the Longji Rice Terraces.
Who this is for
The comprehensive regional journey combining high-speed rail, tranquil Yulong River cycling, dramatic karst sunrises, and ethnic minority mountain villages.
Why this itinerary works
The comprehensive regional journey combining high-speed rail, tranquil Yulong River cycling, dramatic karst sunrises, and ethnic minority mountain villages.
This itinerary hits an exceptional score for a couple wanting an unhurried, comfortable pace. It gives you both signature sights and tranquil rural escapes without over-scheduling.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
5
Balanced
$1,420
$284
6
5
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
CENTRAL GUILIN & TWO RIVERS LAKES
Arrival, Iconic Lake Panoramas & Traditional Guilin Noodles
Chongshan Rice Noodles (Yilu Branch)
Xiangshan, Xiangshan District, Guilin
A relaxed late morning start with authentic Guilin mifen. You get your noodles dry with braised beef, crispy pork, and house-made pickled cowpeas, then finish with a bowl of warming bone broth.
Leisurely Stroll & Lunch at Chunji Roasted Goose
Xiangshan, Zhongshan Middle Road, Guilin
Famous throughout the province for crisp roast goose, taro patties, and steamed fish, offering a sit-down meal that balances authentic Guangxi flavors with comfortable dining.
Elephant Trunk Hill & Rongshanhu Lake Walk
Xiangshan, Elephant Trunk Hill Park, Guilin
The iconic symbol of Guilin where the karst formation drinks from the Li River. Elephant Trunk Hill is free to access and connects directly into the shaded banyan walks along the Twin Pagodas of Shanhu Lake.
Dinner at A-Gan Restaurant & Sun and Moon Pagodas Illuminated
Xiangshan, Shanhu North Road, Guilin
Serves traditional slow-simmered Lipu taro and pork belly along with stir-fried river snails. After dinner, walk 3 minutes to view the Sun (copper) and Moon (glass) Pagodas glowing gold and silver over Shanhu Lake.
Day 2
LI RIVER CRUISE & XINGPING ANCIENT TOWN
Scenic Karst Waterway Drift & Sunset over the 20 Yuan Viewpoint
4-Star Li River Scenic Cruise (Mopanshan to Xingping)
Mopanshan, Mopanshan Pier, Guilin
The premier, peaceful way to travel between Guilin and Yangshuo. The 4-star boat features spacious seating, panoramic open decks, and a buffet lunch, drifting directly past the dramatic karst pinnacles.
Buffet Lunch Onboard the 4-Star Cruise
Li River, Onboard Li River Cruise
Included with the 4-star ticket; provides fresh Guangxi seasonal stir-fries, dim sum, and soups while floating through the Yellow Cloth Shoal.
Xingping Ancient Town & 20 Yuan Banknote Viewpoint
Xingping, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County
Disembark in Xingping and wander past stone-paved alleys and historic courtyards before an easy stroll to the riverbank matching the landscape painted on the 20 RMB note.
Yangshuo Beer Fish Dinner at Master Xie's Countryside Kitchen
Yulong River Valley, Chaoyang Village, Yulong River, Yangshuo
Taste the region's hallmark dish: fresh river carp simmered in local Liquan beer, fresh tomatoes, green chilies, and ginger. Dining out in the Yulong Valley ensures tranquility away from West Street's thumping bars.
Day 3
YULONG RIVER VALLEY & COUNTRYSIDE
Hand-Poled Bamboo Rafting, Rural Cycling & Moon Hill
Private Two-Seater Bamboo Rafting (Shuixi to Gongnong Bridge)
Yulong River Valley, Yulong River, Yangshuo
Unlike motorized Li River cruises, Yulong River rafts are quiet, non-motorized, and poled by hand over gentle stone weirs. It provides a peaceful, intimate perspective of the emerald water and limestone cliffs.
Farm-to-Table Lunch at The Village Cafe (Moon Hill)
Moon Hill / Fenglou, Fenglou Village, Yangshuo
Run in an open courtyard near Moon Hill, serving garden-grown stir-fried eggplants, home-cured pork with wild mushrooms, and refreshing iced ginger-lemon teas.
Countryside E-Bike Loop & Moon Hill Vista
Ten-Mile Gallery, Ten-Mile Gallery & Yulong Valley Paths
Cycle along the paved back-roads through pomelo groves and lotus ponds, avoiding the main highway traffic. Stop to view Moon Hill's natural rock arch from the viewing deck before a relaxed ride back.
Riverside Dinner & Casual Drinks at Secret Garden Jiuxian
Jiuxian Village, Jiuxian Ancient Village, Yangshuo
Housed in restored Qing dynasty stone residences in a centuries-old village. Enjoy claypot chicken, stir-fried local river greens, and a craft beer or Osmanthus spritz on the quiet outdoor stone patio.
Day 4
LONGSHENG / LONGJI RICE TERRACES
Mountain Ascent, Zhuang & Yao Heritage, and Bamboo Rice
Scenic Private Drive from Yangshuo to Longji Terraces (Ping'an)
Ping'an Village, Longsheng County
Direct private car transfer is the most comfortable and stress-free way to reach the mountain villages of Longji, climbing from river valleys through mist-shrouded bamboo forests.
Authentic Bamboo-Tube Rice & Smoked Pork at Star & Moon Restaurant
Ping'an, Ping'an Village, Longji
Sticky rice packed into fresh green bamboo stems with sweet corn, taro, and local bacon, roasted directly over wood coals. Paired with wild mountain greens and handmade chili dip.
Hike to 'Seven Stars with Moon' & 'Nine Dragons and Five Tigers' Viewpoints
Ping'an, Ping'an Terraces, Longji
Walk along the stepped stone trails weaving between centuries-old irrigation channels. The views over the steep terraced amphitheater showcase southern Chinese agricultural engineering at its grandest.
Sunset Dinner & Yao Rice Wine on the Terrace Deck
Ping'an Village, Ping'an Village Upper Ridge
Unwind as dusk settles over the mountains with local claypot chicken with wild mountain mushrooms, fresh stir-fried greens, and warm sweet rice wine brewed by the village matriarchs.
Day 5
LONGJI SUNRISE & DEPARTURE VIA GUILIN
Terrace Mist, Red Yao Craftsmanship & High-Speed Return
Morning Coffee & Mist Clearing Over the Rice Terraces
Ping'an, Ping'an Village Balcony
Watch the morning mist rise out of the valley while enjoying freshly brewed pour-over coffee and local honey toast from the village lodge, soaking in the mountain air without any rush.
Huangluo Yao Village Cultural Stop & Mountain Herb Lunch
Huangluo Yao Village, Huangluo Village, Longsheng
Meet the Red Yao women, renowned for their hair-care traditions using fermented rice water. Enjoy a lunch of stir-fried mountain chicken and wild fern roots before continuing to Guilin.
Return Transfer to Guilin Railway Station / Airport & Tea Tasting
Xiangshan / Station Area, Guilin Railway Station Area, Guilin
Relax during the smooth private drive back into Guilin. Wrap up your trip with a brief, quiet tea tasting of Guangxi Osmanthus black tea and Liubao fermented tea before boarding your bullet train or flight.
Budget
UNDER BUDGETTarget
$2,000
Estimated
$1,420
Difference
$580
Trip Balance Score
How well this trip will actually work
Heavily weighted toward Traveler Fit and Experience Mix for a couple seeking comfortable pacing and memorable dining, while strictly auditing logistical transfers between Guilin, Yangshuo, and Longji.
What works well
- Avoids noisy West Street completely by anchoring rural nights in the tranquil Yulong River Valley.
- Balanced transport strategy using private drivers for rural connections and high-speed rail where optimal.
- Protects mornings with realistic 9:30am starts rather than standard 7:00am tour bus schedules.
What we would improve
- The transfer from Yangshuo up to the Longji Terraces on Day 4 requires a 3-hour drive along winding mountain roads.
- Alipay or WeChat Pay must be set up and linked to an international credit card prior to arrival as cash is increasingly inconvenient.
Use this as your starting point
We already planned a great Guilin, Guangxi, China trip. Copy it into your account, then make it yours — change your dates, group, budget, or pace and we'll reshape the days.
Opens in the planner with the full day-by-day plan, budget, and score already loaded — then you edit.
Get better at planning trips like this
Occasional notes on planning smarter — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Use this as your starting point
Copy the plan, then edit dates, group, budget & pace — free.