8-Day Guilin-Yangshuo-Chengdu Tour
Experience the enchanting beauty of southern China with this 8-day tour, designed to immerse you in the natural landscapes, cultural wonders, and culinary delights of Guilin, Yangshuo, and Chengdu. Begin in the stunning karst landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, then continue your journey to Chengdu, home of the famous Giant Pandas. Enjoy guided tours, breathtaking views, and a rich cultural experience, all while traveling in comfort with expert guides, a private driver, and carefully selected accommodations.
Itinerary
Our thoughtfully planned 8-day China tour ensures you make the most of your time in China's most iconic cities, offering rich cultural experiences that will leave a lasting impression:
Day 1: Arrive in Guilin – Welcome to the Scenic Karst Landscape
Upon arrival in Guilin, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Take the day to relax and acclimatize, or enjoy a leisurely walk around the city to soak in the tranquil beauty of the Li River and surrounding karst peaks. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner at your hotel, savoring local cuisine.
- Meals: Dinner
- Transportation: Private transfer from the airport/railway station to hotel
Day 2: Explore the Li River
Today, embark on a scenic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. As you glide through the river, you'll be treated to spectacular views of the region's iconic limestone mountains, lush greenery, and picturesque villages. Upon arrival in Yangshuo, enjoy a walking tour of the quaint town before taking the afternoon to explore on your own.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Private vehicle with professional driver for the transfer to Yangshuo and cruise
Day 3: Discover Yangshuo's Countryside and Cycling Adventure
In the morning, enjoy a relaxing bicycle ride through the countryside, passing by rice paddies, river streams, and traditional villages. Afterward, explore the ancient town of Fuli, famous for its handmade paper fans. Spend the afternoon at leisure, with options to visit a local farm or enjoy a cooking class to learn how to prepare regional dishes. Head back to Yangshuo for a delicious local dinner, featuring the famed Yangshuo beer fish.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Private vehicle with professional driver
Day 4: Yangshuo to Guilin – Explore the Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill
Return to Guilin and visit the fascinating Reed Flute Cave, a natural limestone cave composed of stalactites and stalagmites. Afterward, head to Elephant Trunk Hill, a famous landmark that resembles an elephant drinking from the river. In the evening, enjoy an authentic local dinner with the option to attend a famed local cultural performance which takes place right on top of the river.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Private vehicle with professional driver
Day 5: Fly to Chengdu – Panda Sanctuary and Sichuan Cuisine
Fly from Guilin to Chengdu in the morning. Upon arrival, visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where you’ll have the opportunity to see these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. In the evening, return to Chengdu city and take in it's vibrant, lively atmosphere. Enjoy a Sichuan hotpot dinner, renowned for its spicy and flavorful dishes.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Flight from Guilin to Chengdu, private vehicle with professional driver for local tours
Day 6: Discover Wuhou Shrine and Local Streets
Today, explore the historical Wuhou Shrine, dedicated to the Three Kingdoms period, and stroll down Jinli Ancient Street, lined with traditional shops, teahouses, and local snacks. Enjoy a tea ceremony cultural experience, and perhaps watch the locals enjoy a game of mahjong, a district specialty - or perhaps try it for yourself! As night falls, take a walk through the bustling Wide and Narrow Alleys (Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi), and enjoy some Chengdu-style tianshuimian noodles, known for their distinct sweet flavors.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Private vehicle with professional driver
Day 7: Sichuan Opera and Cultural Exploration
Optionally, take the day to explore Qingcheng Mountain, an ancient Daoist monument located in lush green forests.
Spend the morning exploring more of Chengdu’s unique culture with a visit to the Sichuan Opera for a performance showcasing the famous face-changing mask art. In the afternoon, visit Wenshu Monastery, a tranquil Buddhist temple, and take part in a local calligraphy workshop. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Sichuan dinner as the farewell dinner, featuring dishes like mapo tofu and kung pao chicken.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Private vehicle with professional driver
Day 8: Depart from Chengdu
After breakfast, take some time to relax and visit any sights of interest or do some last minute shopping in Chengdu before heading to the airport or the railway station for your next journey.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transportation: Private vehicle with professional driver for airport/railway station transfer
Accommodations
You may choose 5-star or 4-star accommodations for your journey. The following list is a sample of hotels you may stay in. An alternative hotel of similar grade may be chosen if the following hotels are not available. All of our accommodations are carefully selected for comfort and convenience.
5-Star Hotels List:
- Guilin
- Shangri-La Hotel, Guilin
- Yangshuo
- Shixi Landscape Hotel
- Lijiang Resort (Yangshuo West Street Lijiang Store)
- Chengdu
- Grand Hyatt Chengdu
- Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu
4-Star Hotels List:
- Guilin
- Lijiang Moon Hotel
- Lijiang Waterfall Hotel
- Yangshuo
- Mercure Guilin Yangshuo Xingping
- Chengdu
- Chengdu Taihe International Hotel
- Mercure Chengdu Chunxi Taikoo Li
Inclusion/Exclusion
- What's Included:
- Panda Tourism's expert travel director and skilled professional driver
- Luxury 5-stars hotels with proven quality or comfortable high-end 4-stars hotels
- Inclusive of porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel service charges, tips, and local taxes covered
- Daily breakfasts and up to half your evening meals included
- Iconic sightseeing highlights plus unexpected extras
- Audio headsets for special destination tours
- Private premium transportation coach/vehicle
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Optional experiences and plenty of leisure time
- Flights and train rides within China included
- What's Not Included:
- International flights to and from China
- China visa fees
