AriaTravel
AriaTravel
Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Private 5 Days

Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea

An in-depth Guilin journey through karst scenery, rice terraces, Yao culture, and tea traditions

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Overview

RouteGuilin & Yangshuo
Duration 4 Nights, 5 Days Feature Nature-Focus · Mountains · Tea · Yao · World Heritages
Experience the best of Guilin, from the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill and the crystal-like wonders of Reed Flute Cave to a majestic Li River cruise, before continuing your adventure among the bustling shops and cafes of West Street. Beyond the city, discover the “Dragon’s Backbone”—the Longji Rice Terraces—one of southern China’s most spectacular landscapes, where layered rice fields have wound across the mountains for centuries. It is a journey that places you directly into the heart of China’s most beautiful landscape painting.
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Trip Highlights

Guilin & Yangshuo

Modern airport in China · Elephant Trunk Hill · Reed Flute Cave · Li River · Yangshuo · West Street · bicycle ride · Yulong River · Xianggong Hill · Longji Rice Terraces · Huangluo Yao Village · Ping’an Village · Airport Waiting Area

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Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Guilin

Welcome to Guilin. Your local guide will meet you at the airport or train station and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may rest in your room or take a short walk nearby to get a first look at the city.

Accommodation: Guilin
Airport — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Day 2

Guilin& Yangshuo

After breakfast, your guide will take you visit Elephant Trunk Hill, a natural limestone formation that looks like an elephant drinking from the Li River.

Continue to Reed Flute Cave, an underground cave filled with colorful rock formations and natural stone shapes, often described as a crystal-like world

In the afternoon, take a private cruise on the Li River. The river winds through long stretches of karst mountains and peaceful water landscapes.

Arriving in Yangshuo and explore the countryside. The scenery feels calm and open, like a living Chinese landscape painting.

In the evening, walk through West Street, a 1,400-year-old street filled with small shops, cafés, and local bars.

Meals: B Accommodation: Yangshuo
Elephant Trunk Hill — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Reed Flute Cave — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Li River — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Yangshuo — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Yangshuo West Street — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Day 3

Guilin& Yangshuo

After breakfast, your guide will take you on a bicycle ride through the countryside of Yangshuo. Enjoy the quiet village roads and natural scenery along the way.

Then take a bamboo raft on the Yulong River for a ride on clear water.

Next, we will head to Xianggong Hill for a short hike, rewarded with breathtaking views of the river valley.

Meals: B Accommodation: Yangshuo
Bicycle Ride — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Yulong River — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Xianggong Hill — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Day 4

Guilin

Take a 2-hour drive from Yangshuo to the Longji Rice Terraces. Visit Huangluo Yao Village, famous for its traditional culture and the women’s extraordinarily long hair. Continue to Ping’an Village before hiking through the breathtaking terraces, where you can admire stunning mountain scenery and experience the unique culture of the Zhuang minority. And then continue on to the rice terraces. Later in the evening, transfer back to Guilin.

Meals: B Accommodation: Guilin
Longji Rice Terraces — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Huangluo Yao Village — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Pingan Village — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
Day 5

Guilin

Today is your last day in Guilin. The day is free for you to relax or take a final walk in the city.

When ready, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and take you to the airport or train station. End of your trip.

Meals: B
Airport — Guilin In-Depth Tour: Rice Terraces, Yao Culture & Tea
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What's Included & Excluded

Included
  • Hotel Accommodation: based on twin share with western style breakfast
  • Guide Service: excellent English-speaking tour guide service
  • Vehicle Service: air-conditioning coach with experienced drivers
  • Entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • 24/7 On-Call Support
Excluded
  • International Airfare
  • Tips for guide and driver
  • Personal expenses
  • Entry Visa
  • Optional Activities
  • Payment processing fees
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Add-on Options

Add-on Description
Lunch and Dinner If you would like to explore more local cuisine, feel free to ask us—we will be happy to recommend the most authentic and distinctive local dishes.
Bamboo Raft The basic package offers a smooth and steady bamboo rafting section. If you prefer a faster rafting experience, we can also provide it upon request.
Li River Cruise The Li River cruise included in this product is a 4-star boat. We also offer a 5-star cruise option—you can choose to upgrade if needed.
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Hotels

Luxury hotel room with twin beds

Choose Your Hotel Style

We book accommodation tailored to your preferences and budget:

  • Comfort (3-star) Well-located, great-value hotels
  • Premium (4-star) Spacious rooms with quality amenities
  • Luxury (5-star, local brands) Top Chinese hospitality with distinctive character
  • Luxury (5-star, international) Marriott, Hilton, Shangri-La and other global names
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in this private tour?
This private tour can include an English-speaking guide, private vehicle service, planned sightseeing arrangements, and support before and during the trip. Entrance tickets, meals, hotels, and transfers can be arranged based on the final itinerary and quotation.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. This is a private tour, so the route, pace, hotel level, meal arrangements, and add-on experiences can be adjusted around your travel dates, interests, and comfort.
Are hotels included?
Hotel arrangements can be included or quoted separately according to your preference. We can help arrange clean 3-star hotels, comfortable 4-star hotels, local 5-star hotels, or high-end international options.
How do I book this tour?
Send us your travel dates, group size, hotel preference, and any special interests. We will confirm the route, adjust the itinerary if needed, and provide a tailored quotation before booking.
How can I pay for the tour?
We accept most common payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, WeChat Pay, Alipay, PayPal, and other available options depending on your location.
Can meals be customized according to personal needs?
Yes. Meals can be customized according to your needs. If you have special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, Muslim-friendly, or halal meals, we can coordinate suitable arrangements in advance.
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Customize This Private Tour

This is a fully private tour — every route, pace, hotel level and meal can be reshaped around your dates, group size and interests.

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