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5-Day Guilin, Ling Canal, Xingping & Yangshuo Private Tour
Li River Scenery, Ancient Waterways & Rural Life in Southern China
This 5-day Guilin tour covers Guilin city highlights, the ancient Ling Canal transport system, a classic Li River cruise, and authentic countryside experiences in Xingping and Yangshuo.
Travel with a private guide and driver, explore well-preserved ancient towns, karst hills, limestone peaks, and peaceful villages—at a relaxed pace designed for travelers who want more than a rushed sightseeing tour.
5 Days / 4 Nights
A well-paced Guilin itinerary with no rushing or backtracking.
Top Guilin & Yangshuo Highlights
Li River cruise, Ling Canal, Xingping Ancient Town, Yangshuo countryside.
Private Guide & Driver
Private vehicle, English-speaking guide, flexible daily schedule.
Nature & Cultural Discovery
Karst hills, ancient waterways, villages, and local life.
What Makes This Journey Different
A Hong Kong–registered travel group
Backed by a Hong Kong group, with local teams across China.
Secure payments
Pay safely by Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, PayPal, or bank transfer.
24/7 support
Real human assistance before, during, and after your journey in China.
Custom experiences
Activities and pacing tailored to your interests and travel style.
5-Day Guilin Off-the-Beaten-Path Itinerary Overview
This overview highlights how the journey flows naturally from mountain landscapes to river scenery and rural life, offering a deeper Guilin experience beyond classic sightseeing routes.
| Day | City | Cultural & Natural Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Guilin → Longji | Longji Rice Terraces, terraced fields, mountain villages, minority culture, scenic hiking paths |
| Day 2 | Longji → Guilin | Ping’an Village, minority villages, local life, short hikes, panoramic views, Guilin city walk |
| Day 3 | Guilin → Xingping | Limestone cave, bamboo forest, valley landscapes, hill viewpoints, countryside walking |
| Day 4 | Xingping → Yangshuo | Li River viewpoints, Xingping Ancient Town, ferry crossing, riverside scenery |
| Day 5 | Yangshuo → Guilin | Yulong River bamboo rafting or countryside tour, West Street stroll, Guilin Airport transfer |
How Your 5-Day Guilin Tour Is Smoothly Arranged
This 5-day Guilin tour is designed with short transfers, flexible pacing, and a dedicated guide and driver—so you can focus on the Li River scenery and countryside experiences rather than logistics.
Private Coach for Scenic Day Trips
Executive Business Vehicle
Tour Highlights & Signature Experiences
This journey is built around what families value most—engaging experiences for kids, relaxed pacing for parents, and moments that create lasting memories together.
Step Inside Real Life in an Ancient Riverside Town
Walk through Daxu Ancient Town, once the richest and busiest town in the Guilin area. Visit a local family, see a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, and—when timing allows—browse a rural market day where nearby villages trade daily goods.
Cruise the Ling Canal — China’s Ancient Waterway
Enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the Ling Canal, one of the world’s oldest canals and a complete ancient canal transport system. Learn how this historic waterway linked central China with southern China, shaping trade, culture, and logistics.
Cycle Through Yangshuo’s Karst Countryside
Take a relaxed bike ride through rice paddies and peaceful villages, surrounded by karst hills and limestone peaks. Cycling along the Yulong River offers close views of rural life and quiet river scenery away from tourist crowds.
Real Traveler Moments
Unscripted moments from real travelers—quiet countryside paths, hidden river viewpoints, and everyday life beyond the tourist routes.
From sunrise walks through rice terraces to drifting along calm rivers framed by karst hills, these moments capture what makes this 5-day Guilin tour feel personal, relaxed, and authentic.
Detailed 5-Day Guilin Tour Itinerary
This itinerary is designed for a smooth and comfortable Guilin journey. All activities can be adjusted based on your interests, travel dates, and comfort level.
DAY 1 | Arrival in Guilin
Arrive at Guilin Airport or train station, meet your private guide and driver, and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel in the Guilin city center.
Free time to relax or enjoy a light walk along the lakes and rivers.
DAY 2 | Guilin City Highlights & Daxu Ancient Town
Breakfast & Lunch
Visit Daxu Ancient Town with well-preserved ancient buildings, stone streets, and traditional neighborhoods. If your travel dates coincide, explore a nearby rural market day and see how nearby villages trade daily goods.
You’ll also visit a local crafts workshop where lantern-making and lion-head painting are practiced, and learn about everyday life from a local family.
In the afternoon, visit Elephant Trunk Hill and explore Reed Flute Cave, known for its magnificent rock formations and illuminated underground chambers.
DAY 3 | Ling Canal – Ancient Waterway of China
Breakfast & Lunch
Drive to Xing’an County to visit the Ling Canal, completed during the Qin Dynasty and still functioning as an ancient waterway. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride, pass under ancient bridges, and discover how this canal transported goods between regions.
Return to Guilin in the afternoon and stroll through East–West Lane, a restored historical street with restored historic buildings, ancient city walls, and traditional local stores.
DAY 4 | Li River Cruise, Xingping & Yangshuo Countryside
Breakfast & Lunch
Board a classic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. A Chinese buffet lunch is served on board. Along the river, admire spectacular limestone peaks, karst hills reflected in the water, bamboo groves, and farmers tending rice paddies.
Explore West Street in the downtown Yangshuo area, then enjoy a countryside ride along the Yulong River with picturesque scenery and peaceful villages.
Late afternoon transfer to Xingping Ancient Town, famous for Yellow Cloth Shoal on the 20 RMB banknote. Overnight in a boutique hotel near the Li River.
DAY 5 | Xianggong Hill & Departure
Breakfast
Climb Xianggong Hill for panoramic views of the Li River valley and countless limestone peaks.
After the visit, your private vehicle transfers you to Guilin Airport or the train station for departure.
Hotel Options & Location
Accommodation in Guilin and Yangshuo on this 5-day Guilin tour is selected for comfort and location.
In Guilin city center, we arrange quality 4–5 star hotels with good breakfast and easy access to city highlights.
In Yangshuo and Xingping, stays include well-rated 4-star or scenic boutique hotels near the Li River, ideal for a quieter countryside atmosphere.
- 4-star comfort in prime locations
- 5-star or boutique upgrades available
- Family or connecting rooms on request
Tip: Share your preferences (location, breakfast, gym/pool, quiet rooms) and we’ll recommend the best match.
Tour Price & Inclusions
Tour Code: GL-5D-LCXY
From US$1,089
per adult
- Indicative price for a private tour (2 adults) with well-located 4-star hotels.
- Price includes basic travel insurance and a complimentary translation device for easy local interaction.
- Final pricing depends on travel dates, group size, room type, and hotel level (boutique / star hotel upgrades on request).
- Domestic flights and/or high-speed train tickets are arranged based on the confirmed itinerary.
Comfort-first private touring
Private guide & driver in each city — flexible pace.
Designed around you
We tailor sights, timing, and hotel level to you.
Clear pricing, no surprises
Inclusions confirmed before you book.
What’s Included
Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver for all scheduled transfers
English-speaking local guide for all included sightseeing
All entrance tickets and activities listed in the confirmed itinerary
Domestic flights and/or high speed train tickets between itinerary cities (as per plan)
Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast (4-star standard; boutique hotels / star hotel upgrades optional)
Government taxes and service charges
24/7 support while you are traveling
What’s Not Included
International flights to and from China
China visa fees (if applicable)
Meals not specified in the itinerary (many lunches are included; dinners often flexible)
Personal expenses and optional experiences
Booking & Payment Details
- Deposit: 20% to confirm your booking. The deposit is refundable within 48 hours after confirmation if plans change.
- Balance: Due 15–20 days before arrival, or upon confirmation for late bookings.
- Payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, PayPal, or bank transfer.
- Changes: Free minor itinerary adjustments up to 14 days before the trip starts.
- Cancellation: Flexible cancellation policy. Specific terms will be confirmed based on travel dates and hotel selection.
Visa-Free & Travel Tips
- Visa-Free Entry to China — check if your passport is eligible.
- How to Visit China Without a Visa — 144-hour transit options.
- eSIM & Mobile Payments in China — WeChat Pay, Alipay and bank cards.
- China Weather by Month — plan around seasons and festivals.
Design Your Private Guilin Journey
Share your travel dates and preferences. Our local specialists will design a fully customized 5-day Guilin tour, including the Li River cruise, Ling Canal, Xingping Ancient Town, and Yangshuo countryside—tailored to your pace within 24 hours.
- Reply within 24 hours
- Private tour only
- No forced shopping
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this 5-day Guilin tour suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. This 5-day Guilin tour is ideal for first-time visitors. It covers Guilin city highlights, the Li River cruise, Ling Canal, ancient towns, and the countryside of Xingping and Yangshuo at a relaxed pace.
Is this a private tour or a group tour?
This is a fully private tour. You will travel with your own guide and driver, use a private vehicle, and follow a flexible daily schedule without shopping stops or group arrangements.
What type of accommodation is included in Guilin and Yangshuo?
Accommodation includes 4–5 star hotels in the Guilin city center and boutique hotels or quality 4-star hotels in Yangshuo and Xingping, selected for comfort, location, and easy access to scenic areas.
Does the itinerary include Longji Rice Terraces?
Yes. The itinerary includes Longji Rice Terraces, also known as the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces, where travelers can see some of the most beautiful rice terraces, terraced fields, and minority villages in the region.
What activities are included during the Li River and Yangshuo days?
Highlights include a Li River cruise with Chinese buffet lunch, visits to Xingping Ancient Town, cycling or e-bike rides through the countryside, and scenic experiences along the Yulong River.
Are cultural and local-life experiences included in this tour?
Yes. You will explore Daxu Ancient Town, visit a local family, stop at a local crafts workshop featuring traditional lantern-making and lion-head painting, and—when available—experience a rural market day where nearby villages trade daily goods.
Does the tour include a scenic Guilin visit and city highlights?
Yes. The itinerary includes a scenic Guilin visit featuring major city highlights, such as Elephant Trunk Hill, lakeside walks, and historical streets in the city center.
What can travelers expect during the Yangshuo tour portion?
The Yangshuo tour focuses on countryside scenery, time on West Street, cycling or walking near villages, and peaceful riverside views along the Yulong River.
How physically demanding is this Guilin itinerary?
The tour is moderate and flexible. Activities such as walking, cruising, cycling, and village visits are easy-paced and can be adjusted. No strenuous hiking is required.
How does the tour end and where is departure arranged?
On the final day, your private vehicle and guide will transfer you to Guilin Airport or the train station for departure, depending on your travel plan.
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