15 Days Self-Guided Tour from Guilin to Guizhou and Yunnan

Day 1: Guilin - Yangshuo. O/N Yangshuo.

1. Guilin
   10m
   In the morning, Your English speaking driver will pick you up from the hotel at around 07:45, and then escort you to the Zhujiang pier, where you will start the Guilin Li River cruise to Yangshuo(4 star boat with the buffet lunch, can book the boat tickets for you if you want).
2. Li River
   4h · Admission ticket not included
   The boarding time is scheduled at 9:20am, and the whole journey takes about 4 hours. With boat guide's company and interpretation, you could immerse yourself in the stunning karst landscape made up of rolling hills, verdant forests, odd caves and tranquil villages along the Li River. A buffet Chinese lunch will be offered on board before you reach Yangshuo at 2:00pm.
3. Xianggong Mountain
   40m · Admission ticket not included
   After disembarkation, will drive you to see the Yangshuo Xianggong hill.you will climb for 15 minutes along a moderately sloped staircase to reach the top of Xianggong Hill. Lying between the famous Yellow Cloth Shoal and the Mural Hill, Xianggong Hill is one of the greatest viewing platforms in Guilin to take in the glamour of the Li River. The supreme view of the meandering Li River making a 180-degree bend, attracts countless visitors and photographers annually.
4. Yangshuo County
   18h
   At the end, your driver will escort you to your Yangshuo hotel and is free time for you.
   There is a night show option in Yangshuo. It is the 'Impression Sanjie Liu', performed above and on the Li River and against verdant hills. The dreamlike stage effect and original singing and dancing of national minorities have won the performance a great reputation among visitors. The show begins at 20:00 and lasts for 70 minutes; ticket prices range from CNY 268 to CNY 368 depending on the seats. If you are interested, our driver will reserve tickets for you and escort you to the site after you finish your dinner.

Day 2: Yangshuo. O/N Yangshuo.

1. Yangshuo County
   10m
   In the morning, Your driver will pick you up from the hotel at around 09:00, and then escort you to the Yulong river, where you will start the Yangshuo Yulong bamboo boat tour.
2. Yulong River
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Taking a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River (or dragon river), a tributary of the Li River, is a very relaxing way to enjoy the highly scenic area south of Yangshuo. Here you can enjoy the stunning scenery and views of country life on a non-motorised raft in the traditional way with a gondolier who steers you over the breakwaters past many small mud-brick villages and farmlands. Once you’re on the bamboo raft, sitting and enjoying the peaceful countryside, the limestone mountains, the beauty of this experience opens out before you. Even if you have cycled the area with a few hidden stretches approaching the river, the view from the river is very different. The boat lasts for 90 minutes, one way boat ride.
3. Fuli Ancient Town
   30m
   Next, go to Yangshuo Fuli Town by car; the duration is about 20 minutes. In this town, will take you to experience the life of local farmers. First, Your will visit a local market then can head to the old streets to see the fan, paintings and water buffalo near the river(end of the street).
4. Xingping Town
   1h
   What used to be sleepy riverside village, Xingping village has actually grown to Xingping town of which the old center can easily be explored in about 1 hour. Xingping has a long history and many buildings date back to the Qing and Ming dynasties. On local market days the town comes to life and can get quite busy with locals from the surrounding villages coming to buy and sell their produce. Restaurants and coffee shops sell the local specialty, beer fish, and local handicrafts which range from really cheap handmade jewellery,
   Also,the scenery around Xingping is magnificent and you can see the scenery immortalised on the national 20 RMB note.
5. Yangshuo County
   18m
   At the end, drive you back to your hotel in Yangshuo.

Day 3: Yangshuo - Guilin - Longji terraces. O/N Ping'an village.

1. Yangshuo County
   10m
   Your driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the Guilin city center in around 90 minutes ride, 60km.
2. Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan)
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Firstly you will visit the Reed Flute Cave before check in the hotel in Guilin.
   The Reed Flute Cave is a cave-based scenic spot located in the northwest suburb of Guilin, Guangxi, China, 7 km from the Guilin city center. It is about 240 meters (787ft) deep and 500 meters (1640ft) long. The cave has a great number of various exquisite stalagmites, stalactites, stone pillars and stone curtain, which have been forming since 180 million years ago. So it is also known as "the Palace of Natural Art".
3. Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbishan)
   40m · Admission ticket not included
   Next, you will transfer to the Elephant hill which in the centra of Guilin City, is a hot attraction and landmark of Guilin. Beautiful natural views merged with valuable cultural landscape make it a fascinating place which makes tourists fascinated and longing for.
4. Longji Rice Terraces
   18h · Admission ticket not included
   After the lunch,you will head for Longsheng to visit the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. Some 27 kilometers (16 miles) away from the town of Longsheng, the terraces stretch layer upon layer from the mountain base to its summit. From the 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty, the local Zhuang people started to construct and use the amazing terraces. Now, the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces cover an area of 66 square kilometers (about 16,308 acres) and span an altitude between 300 meters (about 984 feet) and 1,100 meters (about 3,608 feet). Standing on the mountain, you will be shocked by the patches of fields and curve lines around the mountains. You will then pay a visit to the Villages of Zhuang to experience the unique Chinese ethnic culture.

Day 4: Ping'an village - Sanjiang Chengyang village. O/N Zhaoxing.

1. Ping'an Village
   2h
   In the morning, you can hiking around the village to visit the Nine dagons & five tigers view point and Seven stars with moon view point area and meet your driver at 11:00am then drive to Sanjiang Chengyang Dong village and need 1.5hrs driving.
2. Chengyang Bridge Scenic Resort
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Chengyang Dong Village features well-preserved residential houses and charming natural landscape. In the village, you will see the landmark constructions of Dong village, the Wind and Rain Bridge and the Drum Tower. Constructed with wood and bricks, the Wind and Rain Bridge blend the styles of bridge, corridor and kiosk into a whole, reflecting the unique Dong style and the wisdom of the Dong people. The bridge was built to provide a shelter for the people who works in fields, but later became a date place for the young people and a famous attraction to visitors at home and abroad. When you see the lofty pointed tower with upturned eaves, you will know that you come to a Dong Village. The Drum Tower is always located in the center of a village, acting as the political and cultural center. Every time when the chief of the village beats the drum on the top floor, villagers will stop their work and get together around the Drum Tower.
3. Zhaoxing DongZhai
   18h · Admission ticket not included
   At the end,drive you back to your hotel in Zhaoxing village.

Day 5: Zhaoxing. O/N Zhaoxing.

1. 2h
   You will take a shuttle bus from Zhaoxing village to Tang'an village and need 15 minutes and after visit, you can hiking down to Zhaoxing village or take a bus back.
   The TangAn village is located about 6 km east of Zhaoxing, half way up Mount Longbao, about 840 meters above sea level. The village was first built in the Jiaqin years of Qing Dynasty (A.D 1795-1820). It is now home to over 170 households and more than 800 people. The Dong people live together in clans, and the two main clans being the Ying and Lu. They live scattered between the Banbo and Jiding ranges.
2. Dong Nationality Style Village of Zhanli
   2h
   Next, go to the Zhanli village which is about 16 kilometers away from Congjiang county, Zhanli village serves as a gathering point for the Dong ethnic group, accommodating 836 villagers in 186 households. Ancestors of Zhanli made a rule during the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to achieve balance between the population and the amount of cultivated land.
   Afterwards,if you want to visit more, we can go Huanggang village, as one of the gatherings of the Dong ethnic people, Huanggang village celebrates many local festivals. The most important two are held on Jan 7 and June 15 of the Chinese lunar calendar. Located in remote mountains, Huanggang continues production and living customs that have lasted for thousands of years.
3. Zhaoxing DongZhai
   18h
   At the end, drive you back to your hotel

Day 6: Zhaoxing - Congjiang - Kaili. O/N Kaili.

1. Yisha Miao Nationality Village
   1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
   Today, you will check out the Zhaoxing hotel, you will go to the Basha Miao village, this village is one hour driving away from Zhaoxing village.
   
   Basha is a very special and old Miao Ethnic village and is virtually untouched in any way by modernization. Basha residents still live in their wooden houses, practice centuries-old customs and have their own unique beliefs. The village is perched on a hill, 5 kilometers from Congjiang. Legends say that Basha's ancestors immigrated from heartland China to this isolated mountainous region over 2,000 years ago.
2. Xiaohuang Village
   1h 30m
   After that, you will transfer to Yintan Dong village in Congjiang. This village was similar village as Xiaohuang village.
   The Yintan Dong village, about twenty kilometers away from Congjiang, is one of the most representative Dong villages in Guizhou for its Dong buildings and daily life of this minority. Although the houses are fairly recent (50-100 years ago ), the rules for the Dong buildings have been met. Taking a good look at the natural environment of the village, the houses, the drum towers, the pavilions, they are competely different from the ones in West! The drum tower of the village soars to 21 feet high in the center of the village. Wherever one is, one can not miss the center f Yintan. Travelers have the feeling of being immersed in time amidst extremely well preserved buildings.
3. Kaili
   1h
   Then you will transfer to Congjiang, on route, you will stop at Shiqiao village first.
   The Shiqiao Miao Village located about 2.5 km southeast of Danzhai County, The Miao Ethnic there still lives a self-sufficient living style. The village is renowned for its traditional paper-making. It is a nice place for travelers, especially for calligraphers to experience and learn the traditional paper-making.
   
   Currently, Shiqiao Miao village has over 300 households with a total population of more than 1300. There are about 60 households are engaged in paper-making. There is no denying that most Miao people there are good at paper-making.

Day 7: Kaili - Langde village - Guiyang. O/N Guiyang.

1. Miao Village
   4h · Admission ticket not included
   Before drive to Guiyang, you will visit the Lanhua and Jidao and Langde Miao villages due to those villages just nearby the Kaili and need one hour driving from the Kaili city center.
   The Langde village is 30 km away from Kaili. Surrounded by green mountains,Langde Village is situated beside a crystal-clear stream. You have to drink "block-the-way" wine when you arrive (a local custom for welcoming the guests). Twelve tables are placed in the middle of the path from the highroad to the gate of the village. Then visit the traditional Miao-style stilt houses enjoy sweet Miao folk songs. After that,you could have a free walk on the roads and courtyards in the village paved with cobbles or bluestone.
2. Guiyang
   18h
   At the end, drive you back to your Guiyang hotel

Day 8: Guiyang - Anshun. O/N Anshun.

1. Guiyang
   10m
   Your guide will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the well-known Huangguoshu waterfall in around 120 minutes ride.
2. Huangguoshu Water Falls
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   The Huangguoshu Waterfall, a milky way in miniature, is the largest waterfall in Asia. Seventy-four meters (243 feet) high and eighty-one meters (266 feet) wide, it is a scenic marvel. Do not miss it if you are in Guizhou Province.
   There are mainly three National Parks in this waterfall national park: Waterfalls Cluster, Water-Curtain Cave and Rhinoceros Pool (Xi Niu Tan).
   You first the Waterfall-Viewing Pavilion (Guan Pu Ting), where you could see the panorama of the whole waterfall. Then, seen from Water-Viewing Pavilion (Wang shui Ting), you could view the grand scene of surging water. The third one is the Water-Viewing Pavilion (Wang shui Ting) beside the Rhinoceros Pool. The marvelous night scene of the grand waterfall creates lasting impressions.
3. Longgong Caves (Dragon Palace)
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Next, go to the Dragon Palace Cave (Longong Cave), which is the longest water cave in China. Dragon Palace Cave got its name because it looks like a crystal palace where the "Dragon King" lives. Dragon Palace Cave Scenic Spot has the longest water cave, the widest underground waterfall, the largest Buddhist cave, and lowest natural radiation in China. In 1988, it was approved as a national scenic spot. Covering an area of 60 square kilometers, Dragon Palace Scenic Spot is composed of four parts: the Rape Lake, the Whirlpool, the Leech Pass and the Dragon Palace Cave itself. Dragon Palace Cave includes Heavenly Pool, Dragon Palace, Tiger’s Cave, Longmen Waterfall and other eye-catching landscapes.
4. Anshun
   18h
   After the lunch, you will Transfer to Anshun city and check in the hotel there.

Day 9: Anshun - Xingyi. O/N Xingyi.

1. Anshun
   10m
   At 9:00am, your driver will meet you and transfer to Malinghe gorge and need 3.5hrs driving,220KM.
2. Malinghe Scenic Area
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   he Malinghe Gorges are located in the northeastern part of the scenic area. Falls somersault from the hilltops along the valley and there are various Karst caves behind the falls or in the cliffs. Lush, subtropical plants cover the riversides. The Malinghe River is a tributary of the Nanpanjiang River and runs through the gorges. Along the river, scenic spots include the Chelang Hot Spring, the Colourful Corridor, the Tianxing Gallery and the Zhaojiadu ferry crossing. The winding river roars through the gorges and is a perfect place for white-water rafting.
   You need to walk down to the bottom of the canyon, then walk along the gorge, finally climp up through another gate, the total trip for sightseeing Xian Xing Hua Lang is about 2 and half hours, remember to wear hiking shoes good for walking. Now there is a cable car, you may pay the extra money to take the cable car if you don't want to walk.
3. Xingyi
   18h
   At the end, drive you back to your hotel

Day 10: Xingyi - Kunming. O/N Kunming.

1. Xingyi Geopark
   1h
   In the morning, your English speaking driver will meet you at 8:00am and transfer to Xingyi Geopark and visit the Thousands of Hills Scenic spot.
2. 2h · Admission ticket not included
   You will spend 2-3hrs at Wanfenglin area, you can use the local shuttle bus and walking around the villages and enjoy the amazing nature view.
   Wanfenglin (Forest of Ten Thousands Peaks) which is divided into east peak forest and west peak forest with different scenery, and it is a classic Karst landform. Wanfenglin is the important component of national scenic area Maling River Canyon. East peak forest is characterized by Karst peak cluster landform, and west peak forest is highland Karst landform. Due to grand and beautiful scenery and perfect style, Peak Forest has a sense of wonderland. It is as if you steeped into a scroll painting of green-grey peaks and golden fields and you may feel like entering a paradise.
3. Kunming
   10m
   After lunch, transfer to Kunming city and 5hrs driving, 300km.

Day 11: Kunming. O/N Kunming.

1. Kunming
   10m
   Your English speaking driver will meet you at 09:00am then transfer to Stone forest and need 2hrs driving, 100km.
2. Yunnan Stone Forest Geological Park
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Today, you first visit the renowned Stone Forest, a bizarre rock formation created by rain and weather over millennia. It is amazing for the stones formed like that which makes you feel like come into a “stone world”.
3. Green Lake (Cui Hu)
   50m
   Next, go to Green Lake, enjoy fresh air and morning life of local citizens. The Green Lake Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Kunming. The water is green, the bamboos around the lake are green, and willows in summer and spring are green, hence the name. It is reputed as the emerald of Kunming City.
4. Kunming
   18h
   After the lunch, you will Transfer back to your hotel at Kunming. End of services today.

Day 12: Kunming - Dali. O/N Dali.

1. Kunming West Hill (Xishan Forest Park)
   3h · Admission ticket not included
   Today, before drive to Dali, you will firstly visit the Western Hill which is a forest park, a beautiful place with fabulous views. You can overlook the Dian Lake on the Western Hill, and there are also wonderful temples. The most amazing part is the Dragon Gate on the top of Western Hill.
2. Kunming Dragon Gate
   50m · Admission ticket not included
   You can take the cable car to reach the Gragon gate and spend 30 minutes there.The Dragon Gate is the essence of Western Hill forest park. The scenic spot is located at the end of the whole scenic spot of Western Hill which is sitting next to Dian Lake – the largest freshwater in Yunnan and is famed as the “Pearl on the Plateau”. Standing on the Dragon Gate, travelers can overlook the panoramic view of Dian Lake, which is magnificent and gorgeous and attracts many people to Western Hill. There is an old saying about the Dragon Gate – once enter into the dragon gate, you will become famous and successful, and it’s a symbol of good luck.
3. Dali
   18h
   After lunch, drive to Dali and need 5hrs driving, 320km.

Day 13: Dali - Shaxi .O/N Shaxi.

1. Dali Ancient
   2h
   You can spend a few hours leisurely wandering the paved streets, admiring the traditional architecture of the Bai ethnic minority, trying their local food and snacks, and buying some souvenirs.
2. Xizhou Town
   1h 30m
   Then, you will visit the Xizhou, aside from Dali, is another great place to observe the typical Bai Minority folk culture and architecture. A characteristic Bai courtyard residence consists of rooms on three sides and a decorative screen wall on the south direction. These residence generally have carved beams, turned up eaves, with the splendid of their green, gold, blue and white paint.
   
   Xizhou is a very quiet and still uncrowded town. It has the advantage of preserving itself from mass tourism and one can observe a real local life, especially around the main square where families meet, where children like to play until after dark. Sit in a restaurant or cafe around the square, enjoy some fresh local beer, and watch the life around you.
3. Chongsheng Three Pagodas
   1h
   Next, go to Three pagodas which is facing the Erhai Lake in the front, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple of Dali constitutes a situation of tripartite confrontation with a large pagoda and two small ones. As one of the oldest and most magnificent architectures standing gracefully and forcefully in South China, it is a famed place of interest, a symbol of ancient history and culture of Yunnan Province. Built amid previous Chongsheng Temple by Nanzhao Kingdom, a local regime of Tang Dynasty (618-907), the three pagodas was named after the temple. Though the temple was damaged in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the three pagodas were reserved after numerous natural disasters and manmade incidents. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple was designated as an important heritage site protected under the state in 1961 and inscribed as AAAAA grade scenic area in 2011.
4. Erhai Lake
   40m
   After the lunch, you will Transfer to Erhai Lake and can enjoy the lake view or cycling around the lake.
   The Erhai Lake (Ear-shaped Sea), reputed as "Pearl of Plateau", is the second largest highland lake of Yunnan.
5. Yunnan Shaxi Ancient Town
   18h
   At the end, drive to Shaxi and need 3hrs driving, 130KM.

Day 14: Shaxi - Lijiang. O/N Lijiang.

1. Yunnan Shaxi Ancient Town
   10m
   Your guide will pick you up at around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the well-known Lijiang Jade Dragon Mountain in around 120 minutes ride, 100km.
2. Yulong (Jade Dragon) Mountain
   4h · Admission ticket not included
   Today, you may visit the Snow Mountain with the cale car to Spruce Meado first or visit White Water River first, But it really depends of the Impression Lijiang Show, because the show time will depend on daily number of visitors from 11:00am--15:00pm and the show lasts for 60 minutes.
   The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is very easy to visit via a system of cable cars which take visitors to different parts of the mountain. The 13 peaks, home to several glaciers, are covered in snow all year round. Different altitudes give rise to changing landscapes with peaceful meadows giving way to snow-covered paths and glaciers. We choose to Spruce Meado with the cable car due to with the lower altitude(3300M) and less people than the way to Glacier Park and also with the nice view.
3. Lijiang Impressions Show
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Next, go to Lijiang Impression show. The show is outdoor performance, including traditional songs and dance by local ethnic people selected from the villages around Lijiang, is held at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, just out of the main building, at pre-determined times.
4. Blue Moon Valley
   40m
   Afterwards, take the private car to White Water River(Blue Moon Valley). The Blue Moon Valley actually is an extremely blue river meandering through a lush valley of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Seen from a distance, it resembles a blue crescent moon inlaid at the foot of the mountain. That's how the place got its beautiful name! However, blue is not the only colour of the river. If it rains, the white mud and limestone rubble at the riverbed will be swirled up, making the water as white as milk. Therefore, local Naxi people name it White Water River (Baishui River).
5. Lijiang
   18h
   Finally, take the private car to your hotel at Lijiang and check in the hotel, the rest of day is free for you.

Day 15: Lijiang. The tour end.

1. Lijiang
   10m
   Your driver will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:30am then transfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge and need 2hrs driving, 80KM.
2. Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia)
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   When you purchased the entrance ticket then your driver will bring us to the gorge.
   You will set out for you hiking tour to the upper part of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Take a 15~20 minute walk along the plank road to the viewing platform on the valley floor. Strong currents of Jinsha River roar through the narrow valley, with waves slapping against the rocks. Please have your camera ready to capture this spectacular view. At the narrowest point, you will see a giant rock of 13 meters (43 feet) high seated in the middle of the river, abruptly cutting the torrents into two branches. Meanwhile, the surging waves crash against the rock with a tremendous roar. A special viewing platform was built there for visitors to fully appreciate this impressive scenery and take pictures.
3. Black Dragon Pond Park
   40m · Admission ticket not included
   Afterwards, take the private car to Black Dragon Pond Park. At this park, we can take the panorama view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
   This park is the landmark of Lijiang. The pool is listed in the Collections of Famous Pools of China because of its exquisite beauty. Its surroundings are all green with grass and shaded by swaying willow trees. In its waters, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is reflected. At the far side of the pool, there are renovated buildings used for art exhibition such as the Moon-Embracing Pavilion with its own white marble bridge across the water, and the Five-Phoenix Temple built during the Ming Dynasty.
4. Baisha Ancient Town
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Next, got to Baisha village, at this village, you can visit the Dongba pictograms, The mural paintings in Dabaoji Palace and 'ten thousand camellia blossoms' tree etc..
   Baisha literally means 'white sands'. The town was the first settlement of the Naxi people after they migrated south from the Tibetan plateau. It was once the political, commercial and cultural center of the the powerful, yet mysterious, Naxi Kingdom. The region became part of the Yuan Empire in late thirteenth century. The Mu family, which administrated Lijiang from the late fourteenth to the early eighteenth century, had its birthplace in Baisha. The area also played a large part in the strategic commercial network known as the Tea Horse Road.
5. Shuhe Ancient Town
   1h
   After lunch, you will have a leisure walk in Shuhe Ancient Town.
   Shuhe, or 'Shaowu' in Naxi language, means the village at the foot of the high mountain. In the past, behind the village there was a high moutain named Jubao, so people named the village. Shuhe Ancient Town is located 4km to the northwest of the Lijiang Ancient Town. Its central part covers an area of about 5 square kilometers with a population around 3,000. In 1997, Shuhe was ranked as an important part of Lijiang Ancient Town which was already the World Cultural Heritage named by UNESCO.
6. Lijiang
   10m
   At the end, your driver will escort you to your hotel or the airport/train station. End of our 15 day tour services.

Pickup details

We pick up from Guilin hotel in the city central

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Wheelchair accessible
• Can add more days if you want