Li River Cruise & West Street

Tour Type: Small Group of max 15, guaranteed departures

Guide: Professional English-speaking tour guide in each city

Transportation: Spacious air-conditioned coach with experienced driver

Accommodation: 6 nights at good 5-star & 4-star hotels

From USD1856.00USD1734.00 Free Inquiry

Itinerary
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Longji Terraces & Zhuang Village + Sanjiang: Marvel at Longji’s iconic layered rice terraces (a UNESCO agricultural heritage) and experience Zhuang village life; later travel to Sanjiang for Dong ethnic culture.

Dong Village & Drum Tower + Return to Guilin: Visit well-preserved Dong villages, admire the distinctive Dong Drum Tower (a cultural symbol), then head back to Guilin.

Li River Cruise & West Street: Take the classic Li River cruise to enjoy karst mountains and clear waters; wander Yangshuo’s West Street for local snacks and lively vibes.

Ten-mile Gallery & Bamboo Rafting + Silver Cave: Explore Ten-mile Gallery’s scenic road with stunning mountain views, go bamboo rafting for a peaceful experience, and visit Silver Cave (a magnificent karst cave with stalactites).

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Day 1 guilin

National-Guilin-Longsheng

When you arrive at Guilin Airport, you will find your local guide waiting for you outside the baggage claim area with a welcome sign with your name on it.

Day 2 guilin

Longji Rice Terraces-Zhuang Village-Sanjiang

Longji Rice Terraces
A masterpiece of ancient Chinese agriculture in Longsheng County, Guangxi. With a history spanning over 2,000 years, these terraces wind across hillsides like giant green ribbons. They shine most vividly when filled with water (reflecting skies and peaks) or during harvest season (golden with ripe rice), showcasing the Zhuang people’s extraordinary farming wisdom.

Zhuang Village
Scattered around the Longji Terraces, villages like Ping’an and Dazhai are living museums of Zhuang culture. Here, you’ll find traditional stilt houses with wooden eaves, locals in bright embroidered costumes, and hear folk songs echoing through the mountains. Sampling sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves or homemade rice wine adds to the authentic rural experience.

Sanjiang
A county in northern Guangxi, celebrated for its Dong ethnic culture and unique architecture. Its star attraction is the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge—a 100-year-old wooden bridge with intricate carvings, serving as a social hub for villagers. Sanjiang also boasts drum towers (symbolic of Dong communities) and vibrant festivals, making it a cultural complement to the natural beauty of Longji.

Day 3 guilin

Dong Village-Drum Tower-Guilin

Dong Village
Scattered across northern Guangxi (near Sanjiang County) and southern Guizhou, Dong villages are idyllic hubs of ethnic culture. Characterized by stilted wooden houses (built to adapt to mountainous terrain), lush surrounding forests, and clear streams, these villages preserve age-old traditions—from “Grand Song of the Dong” (a UNESCO-listed polyphonic folk singing without accompaniment) to communal activities like rice planting and hand-weaving. Villages like Chengyang (near Sanjiang) are particularly famous, offering a glimpse into slow, community-focused rural life.

Drum Tower
The spiritual and social heart of every Dong Village, this iconic wooden structure is a masterpiece of traditional Dong architecture—no nails or screws are used in its construction, relying instead on interlocking wooden joints. Typically with multiple tiers of curved eaves (resembling a pagoda), the Drum Tower serves as a gathering place: villagers meet here to discuss community matters, celebrate festivals, or listen to elders share stories. At night, the tower’s drum (hung at the top) was historically used to alert villagers to news or dangers, making it both a cultural symbol and a functional landmark.

Day 4 guilin

Li River - West Street

Li River
The soul of Guilin’s landscape and one of China’s most iconic waterways, winding through northern Guangxi’s karst terrain. Stretching approximately 437 kilometers, its most renowned section (and top tourist route) runs from Guilin to Yangshuo—a 4-5 hour cruise that unveils postcard-perfect scenery: jagged limestone peaks rising abruptly from mist-shrouded waters, bamboo groves swaying along the banks, and traditional fishing boats where cormorants (trained by fishermen) dive for fish.
West Street (Yangshuo)
Tucked in the heart of Yangshuo County (the endpoint of the classic Li River Cruise), West Street is a vibrant blend of ancient charm and modern energy—often called “Yangshuo’s Living Museum” and “the First Street of Guilin.” With a history dating back over 1,400 years, this pedestrian-only street retains its traditional layout: flagstone paths, low-rise brick-and-wood buildings with tiled roofs, and storefronts adorned with red lanterns.

Day 5 guilin

Ten-mile Gallery-Bamboo Rafting-Silver Cave

Ten-mile Gallery (Yangshuo)
A 5km scenic road in Yangshuo, known as a "moving karst painting." It’s lined with uniquely shaped limestone peaks (e.g., "Pillar of the South Sky") and best explored by bike or electric cart—ideal for savoring misty mornings or sunlit afternoons with rural charm.

Bamboo Rafting (Yangshuo)
A serene way to experience Yangshuo’s waters, mainly on the Yulong River. Reinforced bamboo rafts (2-4 people) drift over clear water, passing stone bridges and water buffalo. No loud engines—just nature’s sounds, perfect for a calm escape.

Silver Cave (Yangshuo)
A stunning 5,800m-long karst cave ("Underground Art Palace"). Its highlights include the "Silver Rain Tree" (a glittering stalagmite) and vast halls with colored-lit formations. It stays around 20°C year-round, great for all seasons.

Day 6 guilin

Daxu Ancient Town - Airport Drop-off - Warm Home

Daxu Ancient Town
A quiet 1,700-year-old town in Guilin, with well-preserved Ming-Qing buildings, stone bridges, and slow local life. It’s ideal for a peaceful final cultural stop.

Airport Drop-off
Guilin’s main airport (KWL) is ~28km from downtown/80km from Yangshuo. Choose private cars, shuttles, or buses for a smooth departure.

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This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!

Price Includes

Domestic high-speed rail

Hotel accommodation with breakfast

A la carte lunch

Professional English-speaking tour guide

Driver and air-conditioned vehicle

Entrance fees to tourist attractions

Hotel porter tips

Price Excludes

International airfares

Entry Visa fees

Personal expenses

Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

Li River Cruise & West Street

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Li River Cruise & West Street

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