1-week in Yunnan SCHEDULE
DAY 1
Kunming-Dali- the Three Pagodas-Dali Old Town
You will be transferred to Dali by Morning High-speed rail in about two hours. Upon arrival, the guide will take you to visit the [three-pagoda] in Chongsheng Temple. Being one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist architectures in south China, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is always related to the ancient culture of Yunnan. It is a cultural relic under national protection for its historical and cultural value.
Later you will look around [Dali Old Town]. Dali old town is an ancient city for the Bai ethnic. Bai people inhabit in compact communities in Dali, known as “a land of letters” with a long history and rich cultures. Ancestors of the Bai people live around Erhai Lake 4,000 years ago.
Distance: Around 380 Kilometers
Driving time: Around 5 hrs
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Will recommend local cuisine for consumers
DAY 2
Dali – Shaxi
Xi Zhou old town, Bai Tie-Dyeing experience, Erhai Lake Cycling
After breakfast, the driver will take you to visit the houses of the Bai village: Xizhou Village. You can visit typical Bai traditional architecture [Yan’s House] and taste the local refreshments named Xizhou Baba (traditional Bai people’s pancake).
Later, you will go to Zhoucheng, the hometown of Bai Tie-Dying. You can follow the teacher to learn the process of making tie-dying handicrafts. From then on, you can make a special souvenir for yourself.
Then you can take a bike sightseeing around Erhai Lake. It’s a preferable way for tourists to see the landscape of Erhai Lake.
Distance:200KM
Driving Time: Around 2.5-3 Hrs
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 3
Shaxi – Lijiang
[Shaxi Old town]
When we are in Shaxi, you can take enough time to explore this important ancient station on the Tea and Horse Caravan Road. Unlike other ancient towns, Shaxi does not have many tourists. The old architecture and cultures still remained due to the protection from The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH) and the People’s Government of Jianchuan County. In 2001, the World Monuments Fund listed Shaxi as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world. When you walk in this old town, you still can think of the old time in this ancient market.
Then your personal guide and driver will transfer you to Lijiang directly. When arriving in Lijiang, you can take time to explore the largest Naxi Ancient town: Da Yan. This ancient town has no city walls, thus it is the only ancient city of this kind. Surrounded by green hills, the city looks like a jade ink slab, so it is also called Dayan (Big Ink Slab). In 1997, the city was declared a UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site.
Distance: around 150 KM
Driving Time: around 2.5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 4
Lijiang
Jade Water Village, Yu Hu Old Village, Shu He Old Town
Welcome to the [Jade water village] which is under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. As the holiest mountain for Naxi people, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a real paradise for you to see the unique landscape from far away. The Jade Water Village is the water origin of Lijiang. Besides the wonderful natural scenes, you can also learn about Dongba culture, which is an important part of the Naxi culture.
After lunch, we will visit [Yu Hu], the first and the oldest Naxi Village when Naxi people first settle down at Lijiang, you will see some unique houses, built with unique rocks called: Monkey Heads, which make this village look the same as the old times. The famous botanist Dr. Rock came here to study the local plants and culture, he stayed at Yuhu for 27 years and he is the first western scholar to introduce Lijiang’s ethnic culture to the world. You can visit his house in the village, now is a museum.
On your way back to Lijiang, we will go to [Shu He]. Shu He is part of Lijiang Ancient town, you can walk along the old street to enjoy the quaint city scenery and local handicrafts.
Distance: Around 60 KM
Driving Time: Around 1.5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 5
Lijiang – Tiger leaping Gorge – Shangri-La
Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking, Shangri-La old town
Today, you will take a morning drive to Shangri-La. On the way, we will visit one of the deepest gorges in the world – [Tiger Leaping Gorge]. The name of this gorge comes from its unique valley shape. The Gorge is very narrow that a tiger can jump from this side to another side of the river. During the rainy season, the dashing water will flow into this narrow valley at an amazing speed from the Jinsha river due to the huge drop. When you walk along the path, you can see the view is changing and the air is turning humid. Tiger Leaping Gorge must leave you with an incredible impression.
After the Gorge, we will continue to drive to Shangri-La. Take some time to view the Dukezong Old town. Then we will have a rest today to adapt to the high altitude of 3200 meters.
Driving Distance: Around 200KM
Driving Time: Around 4 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 6
Shangrila-Lijiang
Songzanlin Lamasery, Pudacuo National Park
Shangri-La in the Tibetan language means “the sun and the moon in the heart” and “Paradise” in English. It also means “a place of idyllic beauty” and represents a state of mind and a dream of people – the yearning for simplicity, honesty, and harmony. Shangr-La is full of magnificent scenic attractions such as snow-covered mountains, deep valleys, great rivers, highland lakes, meadows, unique buildings, and virgin forests. In the morning, we will go to [Pudacuo National park]. As the first national park in mainland of China, Pudacuo is located in the central part of the Three Parallel River World Heritage Zone, with a total area of 1,000 square kilometers. The park abounds in both natural and ethnic cultural resources. As an important wetland park, the park is characterized by biological diversity, complex biological structure, and splendid scenery.
Later, we will go to [Songzanlin Lamasery]. This is really worth visiting as one of the unique buildings. The Songzanlin Lamasery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan as well as one of the 13 famous Lamaist monasteries in Tibetan regions.
Distance: Around 500KM
Driving Time: Around 5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 7
Lijiang Departure
After breakfast, we will take some time to explore the beautiful nature scenes of [Napa Sea]. Napa Sea is a natural highland grassy marshland. Then your personal driver will send you to Lijiang train station. You will come back to Kunming alone by high-speed train.
Distance: Around 200KM
Driving Time: Around 3 hrs
2-week in Yunnan SCHEDULE
DAY 1
Kunming-Dali- the Three Pagodas-Dali Old Town
You will be transferred to Dali by Morning High-speed rail in about two hours. Upon arrival, the guide will take you to visit the [three-pagoda] in Chongsheng Temple. Being one of the oldest and grandest Buddhist architectures in south China, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple is always related to the ancient culture of Yunnan. It is a cultural relic under national protection for its historical and cultural value.
Later you will look around [Dali Old Town]. Dali old town is an ancient city for the Bai ethnic. Bai people inhabit in compact communities in Dali, known as “a land of letters” with a long history and rich cultures. Ancestors of the Bai people live around Erhai Lake 4,000 years ago.
Distance: Around 380 Kilometers
Driving time: Around 5 hrs
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Will recommend local cuisine for consumers
DAY 2
Dali – Shaxi
Xi Zhou old town, Bai Tie-Dyeing experience, Erhai Lake Cycling
After breakfast, the driver will take you to visit the houses of the Bai village: Xizhou Village. You can visit typical Bai traditional architecture [Yan’s House] and taste the local refreshments named Xizhou Baba (traditional Bai people’s pancake).
Later, you will go to Zhoucheng, the hometown of Bai Tie-Dying. You can follow the teacher to learn the process of making tie-dying handicrafts. From then on, you can make a special souvenir for yourself.
Then you can take a bike sightseeing around Erhai Lake. It’s a preferable way for tourists to see the landscape of Erhai Lake.
Distance:200KM
Driving Time: Around 2.5-3 Hrs
Accommodation: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 3
Shaxi – Lijiang
[Shaxi Old town]
When we are in Shaxi, you can take enough time to explore this important ancient station on the Tea and Horse Caravan Road. Unlike other ancient towns, Shaxi does not have many tourists. The old architecture and cultures still remained due to the protection from The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH) and the People’s Government of Jianchuan County. In 2001, the World Monuments Fund listed Shaxi as one of the 100 most endangered sites in the world. When you walk in this old town, you still can think of the old time in this ancient market.
Then your personal guide and driver will transfer you to Lijiang directly. When arriving in Lijiang, you can take time to explore the largest Naxi Ancient town: Da Yan. This ancient town has no city walls, thus it is the only ancient city of this kind. Surrounded by green hills, the city looks like a jade ink slab, so it is also called Dayan (Big Ink Slab). In 1997, the city was declared a UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site.
Distance: around 150 KM
Driving Time: around 2.5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 4
Lijiang
Jade water village, Yu Hu Old Village, Shu He Old Town
Welcome to the [Jade water village] which is under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. As the holiest mountain for Naxi people, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a real paradise for you to see the unique landscape from far away. The Jade Water Village is the water origin of Lijiang. Besides the wonderful natural scenes, you can also learn about Dongba culture, which is an important part of the Naxi culture.
After lunch, we will visit [Yu Hu], the first and the oldest Naxi Village when Naxi people first settle down at Lijiang, you will see some unique houses, built with unique rocks called: Monkey Heads, which make this village look the same as the old times. The famous botanist Dr. Rock came here to study the local plants and culture, he stayed at Yuhu for 27 years and he is the first western scholar to introduce Lijiang’s ethnic culture to the world. You can visit his house in the village, now is a museum.
On your way back to Lijiang, we will go to [Shu He]. Shu He is part of Lijiang Ancient town, you can walk along the old street to enjoy the quaint city scenery and local handicrafts.
Distance: Around 60 KM
Driving Time: Around 1.5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 5
Lijiang – Tiger leaping Gorge – Shangri-La
Tiger Leaping Gorge hiking, Shangri-La old town
Today, you will take a morning drive to Shangri-La. On the way, we will visit one of the deepest gorges in the world – [Tiger Leaping Gorge]. The name of this gorge comes from its unique valley shape. The Gorge is very narrow that a tiger can jump from this side to another side of the river. During the rainy season, the dashing water will flow into this narrow valley at an amazing speed from the Jinsha river due to the huge drop. When you walk along the path, you can see the view is changing and the air is turning humid. Tiger Leaping Gorge must leave you with an incredible impression.
After the Gorge, we will continue to drive to Shangri-La. Take some time to view the Dukezong Old town. Then we will have a rest today to adapt to the high altitude of 3200 meters.
Driving Distance: Around 200KM
Driving Time: Around 4 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 6
Shangrila-Lijiang
Songzanlin Lamasery, Pudacuo National Park
Shangri-La in the Tibetan language means “the sun and the moon in the heart” and “Paradise” in English. It also means “a place of idyllic beauty” and represents a state of mind and a dream of people – the yearning for simplicity, honesty, and harmony. Shangr-La is full of magnificent scenic attractions such as snow-covered mountains, deep valleys, great rivers, highland lakes, meadows, unique buildings, and virgin forests. In the morning, we will go to [Pudacuo National park]. As the first national park in mainland of China, Pudacuo is located in the central part of the Three Parallel River World Heritage Zone, with a total area of 1,000 square kilometers. The park abounds in both natural and ethnic cultural resources. As an important wetland park, the park is characterized by biological diversity, complex biological structure, and splendid scenery.
Later, we will go to [Songzanlin Lamasery]. This is really worth visiting as one of the unique buildings. The Songzanlin Lamasery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan as well as one of the 13 famous Lamaist monasteries in Tibetan regions.
Distance: Around 500KM
Driving Time: Around 5 hrs
Accommodations: Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 7
Lijiang Departure
After breakfast, we will take some time to explore the beautiful nature scenes of [Napa Sea]. Napa Sea is a natural highland grassy marshland. Then your personal driver will send you to Lijiang train station. You will come back to Kunming alone by high-speed train.
Distance: Around 200KM
Driving Time: Around 3 hrs
DAY 8
Kunming – Stone Forest – Mengzi
[Stone Forest] is 78 kilometers away from downtown Kunming. The Stone Forest is located in the Shilin Yi Autonomous County in the southeast of Kunming. The Stone Forest is a fantastic natural phenomenon. The Stone Forest is the Karst landform located in the sub-tropical area of the world. The total size of the Stone Forest is 100 square kilometers. Despite the various shapes of limestone formed due to millions of years of earth movement, the gorgeous Karst landform here integrates with the unique culture of the Sani People, hence making Stone Forest an attractive scenic area.
Distance: Around 78 Kilometers to the Stone Forest
Driving time: Around 1.5 hrs to Shilin, around 4 hrs to Yuanyang
Accommodation: Yuanyang
Meal: Will Recommend Local cuisine for consumers
DAY 9
Mengzi - Yuanyang
Bisezhai Train Station, Nanhu Lake
Your personal guide and driver will transfer you to Duoyishu rice terrace by private car directly. When the sunlight shines from the cloud, the whole world looks so amazing that you can’t miss it.
Later on, your tour guide will take you hiking to appreciate the scene of the Yuangyang rice terrace.
At dusk, your tour guide will take you to watch and take photos of the sunset of the Bada (坝达) rice terrace.
Distance: Around 6 KM
Driving Time: Around 30 min
Accommodations: Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 10
Yuanyang
Sunrise and sunset of Yuanyang terrace
Watch the clouds of Yuanyang Terrace in the early Morning. After that, you will go to visit the traditional mushroom house, to learn about the life of the Hani ethnic minority.
At dusk, you will go to see the sunset of the Yuanyang rice terrace.
Distance: Around 6 KM
Driving Time: Around 30 min
Accommodations: Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 11
Yuanyang - -Jianshui
Sunrise of Yuanyang rice terrace; Lin’an Town
Today you will take a morning drive to watch the sunrise but change to a place named Jingkou (菁口) rice terrace. And then to the village to look around and explore the life of the Hani ethnic minority. You can see the mushroom houses, millstones, waterwheel, and plantain (芭蕉).
After lunch, the driver will take you to the next destination – Jianshui County. Jianshui County (建水县 Jianshui xian) is a division of Honghe Prefecture in Southeastern Yunnan. Although the county has its own name (it’s called Lin’an Town临安镇), the name Jianshui is commonly used to refer to Lin’an as well, as it is generally the case with Chinese county seats.
You can go to visit Linan town at night. Since the Yuan Dynasty, Lin’an has been one of the most important cities of Yunnan, the center of Confucian learning and the veneration of Confucius.
While the ancient city wall that used to surround the city has been demolished in the 20th century (only its four gate towers remain standing), a large number of historic sites remain in and around Lin’an, making it one of the top tourist destinations in the province. A pleasant city overall, Jianshui is an attractive stopping point on a trip between Kunming and Yuanyang.
Then you can go to look around Jianshui’s old town. The Chaoyang Gate Tower (朝阳楼 Chaoyang Lou) is a scene you can’t miss. The preserved eastern gate of the Lin’an city wall, now standing in the middle of a traffic roundabout. It is nicknamed “the little Tian’anmen Gate”, for its architecture. A small museum/exhibition hall is housed inside the gate tower, which affords nice views of the old city.
Distance: 200 KM for return
Driving time: Around 3.5 hrs
Accommodations: 4 star comfortable/ Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 12
Jianshui
Jianshui old town, Zhu Family Garden
Today you can sleep till you wake up naturally then we will go to visit Zhu Family Garden. Constructed in Jianshui Old Town, Zhu Family Garden is famous as one of the most elaborate and grandest residential gardens in the south of Yunnan. Built in Qing Dynasty by the Zhu brothers whose family was influential in the locality, the garden was completed in 30 years and was orderly designed to include 42 courtyards.
After lunch, you will go to experience potting in the largest pottery workroom of Jianshui county to have a deep understanding of Jianshui culture.
Distance: Around 10KM
Driving Time: Around 3 hrs
Accommodation: Comfortable/Boutique Hotels
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 13
Jianshui
Traditional sightseeing train, Tuanshan village
Today, your tour guide will take you to experience Jianshui Old City Train. Jianshui Old City Train (Lin’an Station). The century-old narrow gauge railway serving Jianshui (a branch of the better-known Yunnan-Vietnam Railway) has no regular passenger service anymore; but a tourist train runs twice a day from the restored Lin’an Station 临安站 to Tuanshan Station 团山站, in a village of the same name west of town. On its way, the train stops at the Double Dragon Bridge.
Later, you will go to Tuanshan village to watch and explore the old traditional Jianshui architecture here.
Driving Distance: Around 1KM
Driving Time: Around 5 min
Accommodation: 4 star comfortable/Boutique Hotel
Meal: Breakfast and recommended local cuisine
DAY 14
Fuxian Lake - Kunming
Fuxian Lake
Today you also can sleep till you wake up naturally. Fuxian lake is a beautiful natural scenery that needs you to calm down and enjoy it quietly. You can have a morning biking along the road of Fuxian Lake. Then the driver will take you to Haikou Garden to have sightseeing.
After lunch, you will come back to Kunming.
Distance: Around 90KM
Driving Time: Around 1.5 hrs
Meal: Breakfast
1-week in Guilin SCHEDULE
Day 1
Arrive in Guilin
Welcome to Guilin! Upon arrival in Guilin, your local guide and driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel. The afternoon is your own time to discover the city.
Guilin is a popular tourist city famous for its karst landscape and idyllic countryside. The limestone hills randomly thrust out of the ground. The Li River winds its way through the hills and passes villages, creating a picture of timeless beauty. Outdoor activities like hiking and biking will bring you to nature and local farmers’ daily life.
Tips:
The bullet train between Kunming and Guilin takes around 7 hours. During public holidays, the bullet train G2938 (07:30-12:01) which takes only 4.5 hours from Kunming to Guilin will be available. We will arrange this train whenever possible to save time.
Day 2
Guilin City Tour
Let’s start with the symbol of Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill. Take signature pictures, listen to the legend of how an elephant turned into a hill there, and find out the secrets hiding in the belly of this “elephant”.
Then, spend some literally cool time in the Reed Flute Cave. It’s a pleasant temperature year-round and fun to see the amazing array of limestone formations highlighted in neon lights.
After lunch, drive out 40 minutes southeast from Guilin and visit a typical old village of South China, Daxu. Daxu means ‘a big market’. Lots of craftsmen and businessmen lived there and started their businesses on a shoestring budget. Nowadays, people can still find some small traditional Chinese clinics, old residential houses with elegant wooden carvings, and elderly craftsmen still busy with their traditional work. Let’s knock on their doors to discover their lasting stories of Daxu. You can also have the chance to experience traditional Chinese medicine, such as cupping therapy, if you would like to.
At the end of the day, your private guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing evening.
Day 3
Guilin to Longsheng, with minority and Terraced Field
The Longji Rice Terraces are a sight not to be missed when traveling around Guilin. They are one of the most impressive manmade wonders in China. Viewed from the top of the mountains, they look like a dragon’s ribs protruding from the steep mountainsides; hence the name ‘Dragon’s Backbone (Longji). Longji is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Guilin, with several villages in the neighborhood. The terraces cover an area of 66 square kilometers (25 square miles). They were built 600 years ago by local minority people.
Today we head to Ping An Zhuang Village, accommodating more than 50 families with over 200 people. The village fields range between 300 meters to 1,100 meters above sea level. This trip will increase your heart rate. Moderate walking is involved, and a good level of fitness is required. Usually, cars have to park outside the village, and you have to walk up many steps for an hour to reach the top, for photos of the panoramic view of the fantastic rice terraces.
Bamboo stuffed rice is a famous food in Longji. It is delicious and has a fresh bamboo flavor. Local people will show you how to make it. You will get a chance to chat with the family and walk around their traditional wooden house.
You will stay overnight in Longji.
Tips:
Sedan chairs are available from the parking lot to the top of the mountain for customers who would like to see the great views but do not wish to climb all the way up. This costs around CNY 350 per person per round trip (price may increase during public holidays).
Day 4
Moderate Hiking between two villages, drive from Longsheng to Yangshuo
The rice terraces change with the seasons – filled with pure water from the mountains in spring, then green during the growing season in summer, and later, golden-colored in autumn when the rice is ready to be harvested.
Enjoy your time with the magnificent view of the village peacefully as there are few tourists in the morning. No matter what season, you may see farmers tending their crops or maintaining the earthen structures.
After breakfast, start a moderate 1.5 hours hike to Ancient Zhuang Village. This village is a quieter one compared with Ping An Village. The houses and people are more traditional. Local people living in the village belong to the ethnic group, Baiyi Zhuang -White Clothes Zhuang.
During the hiking, your guide points out many of the terrace’s features, from the complicated irrigation system to the engineering that went into creating the terraces more than 600 years ago.
In the early afternoon, our guide and driver will drive you from Longsheng to Yangshuo, reputed for the most beautiful landscape in the entire Guilin region. Hiking, biking, kayaking, and bamboo rafting are popular activities in Yangshuo.
Day 5
Yangshuo Bamboo Rafting
After breakfast, drive around an hour to Xianggong Hill to watch the Li River running around a right-angled bend and the fantastic Karst scenery. It takes approximately 20 minutes to peak and it is one of the best places for photos of the breathtaking views over the bend in the Li River.
Then, take a local ferry to the other side of Li River, the famous Nine-Horses-Fresco. Take a bamboo rafting from there for an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery there’s something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks, you’ll see graceful bamboo groves and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. The whole rafting takes around 20 mins and you will then reach Xingping Ancient Town, with a one-kilometer-long stone street lined with old brick buildings and assembly halls like those of many different provinces. Slow down your pace and explore the town for some time.
In the late afternoon, you may choose to take the bamboo rafting again or a shuttle golf cart back to the Nine-Horses-Fresco. The next step would be visiting the Fuli Bridge, located at the upper reach of the Yulong River (Meeting Dragon River), and you can get some photos of Fuli Bridge across the river surrounded by Guilin’s karst landscape. You can shoot some water buffalos and goats eating grass near the river. Standing on the bridge, you will have a grand view of Yangshuo’s countryside at sunset.
Drive back to Yangshuo and enjoy your second evening in Yangshuo.
Tips:
1. Child that is less than 7 years old or below 1.2-meter height and seniors over 70 years are not allowed to take the bamboo raft.
2. Motorized Bamboo rafting might not be available during the rainy season when there are floods along the Li River.
Day 6
Be a Chinese Villager in Yangshuo
Be a Chinese Villager, Painting Your Own Landscape on a Paper Fan in Fuli
Some say that if you want to see real China, you should go to the countryside. Experiencing the daily lifestyle of the local farmers will allow you to see another side of China.
In the morning, you will experience what it’s like to be a local villager working in the fields. Then you will take a ferry and a local farmer’s taxi (a kind of motorbike with three wheels) to the local market in Fuli.
First, you will drive through the villages near Yangshuo. You might meet someone on his way to the fields with a water buffalo or someone working in the paddy. Say hello to them and they will be happy if you would like to take part in helping to cut the grass for their herd or plowing the field.
After saying goodbye to the villagers, you will continue to drive past the rice paddies with the beautiful mountains in the distance. Then you will take a ferry to Fuli, which is located on the east bank of the Li River. Like the local villagers, you will take a local motorbike taxi to the market.
Your guide will show you around to explain the different types of food and show you the local people’s daily necessities. There is a fair there every 3 days. Local people from nearby villages trade there.
If your travel dates happen to coincide with a rural market day, you will find it is quite busy on the ferry and in the market. You will take the same route back to the west bank of the Li River.
The next stop would be the Fuli Ancient Town. It is called ‘Chinese Painted Fan Town’ because of its exquisitely painted fans. These paper fans are all handicrafts made of local rice paper and bamboo found on the banks of the Li River. They range from small hand fans for everyday use to large canopies for wall decorations.
You will have the chance to visit a workshop and learn from a local artist how to paint a traditional landscape on a paper fan. You will have your own handmade fan to keep as a souvenir. This is another way to take the landscape of Guilin back home with you. After the fan-making, your guide and driver will take you back to Yangshuo, and enjoy your last night in Yangshuo.
Day 7
Guilin to Kunming via Bullet Train
Spend more free time in Yangshuo before transferring to Guilin to take your afternoon train back to Kunming. You will arrive in Kunming in the late evening.
2-week Guilin-Zhangjiajie SCHEDULE
Day 1
Arrive in Guilin
Welcome to Guilin! Upon arrival in Guilin, your local guide and driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel. The afternoon is your own time to discover the city.
Guilin is a popular tourist city famous for its karst landscape and idyllic countryside. The limestone hills randomly thrust out of the ground. The Li River winds its way through the hills and passes villages, creating a picture of timeless beauty. Outdoor activities like hiking and biking will bring you to nature and local farmers’ daily life
Tips:
The bullet train between Kunming and Guilin takes around 7 hours. During public holidays, the bullet train G2938 (07:30-12:01) which takes only 4.5 hours from Kunming to Guilin will be available. We will arrange this train whenever possible to save time.
Day 2
Guilin City Tour
Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, Discover the Folk Culture of South China in Daxu Ancient Town
Let’s start with the symbol of Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill. Take signature pictures, listen to the legend of how an elephant turned into a hill there, and find out the secrets hiding in the belly of this “elephant”. Then, spend some literally cool time in the Reed Flute Cave. It’s a pleasant temperature year-round and fun to see the amazing array of limestone formations highlighted in neon lights.
After lunch, drive out 40 minutes southeast from Guilin and visit a typical old village of South China, Daxu. Daxu means ‘a big market’. Lots of craftsmen and businessmen lived there and started their businesses on a shoestring budget. Nowadays, people can still find some small traditional Chinese clinics, old residential houses with elegant wooden carvings, and elderly craftsmen still busy with their traditional work.
Let’s knock on their doors to discover their lasting stories of Daxu. You can also have the chance to experience traditional Chinese medicine, such as cupping therapy, if you would like to.
At the end of the day, your private guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing evening.
Day 3
Guilin to Longsheng, with minority and Terraced Field
Minority Village and Longsheng Rice Terraced Field, Learn How to Make Bamboo Stuffed Rice from a Local Family
The Longji Rice Terraces are a sight not to be missed when traveling around Guilin. They are one of the most impressive manmade wonders in China. Viewed from the top of the mountains, they look like a dragon’s ribs protruding from the steep mountainsides; hence the name ‘Dragon’s Backbone (Longji). Longji is about 2.5 hours’ drive from Guilin, with several villages in the neighborhood. The terraces cover an area of 66 square kilometers (25 square miles). They were built 600 years ago by local minority people.
Today we head to Ping An Zhuang Village, accommodating more than 50 families with over 200 people. The village fields range between 300 meters to 1,100 meters above sea level. This trip will increase your heart rate. Moderate walking is involved, and a good level of fitness is required. Usually, cars have to park outside the village, and you have to walk up many steps for an hour to reach the top, for photos of the panoramic view of the fantastic rice terraces.
Bamboo stuffed rice is a famous food in Longji. It is delicious and has a fresh bamboo flavor. Local people will show you how to make it. You will get a chance to chat with the family and walk around their traditional wooden house.
You will stay overnight in Longji.
Day 4
Moderate Hiking between two villages, drive from Longsheng to Yangshuo
The rice terraces change with the seasons – filled with pure water from the mountains in spring, then green during the growing season in summer, and later, golden-colored in autumn when the rice is ready to be harvested.
Enjoy your time with the magnificent view of the village peacefully as there are few tourists in the morning. No matter what season, you may see farmers tending their crops or maintaining the earthen structures.
After breakfast, start a moderate 1.5 hours hike to Ancient Zhuang Village. This village is a quieter one compared with Ping An Village. The houses and people are more traditional. Local people living in the village belong to the ethnic group, Baiyi Zhuang -White Clothes Zhuang.
During the hiking, your guide points out many of the terrace’s features, from the complicated irrigation system to the engineering that went into creating the terraces more than 600 years ago.
In the early afternoon, our guide and driver will drive you from Longsheng to Yangshuo, reputed for the most beautiful landscape in the entire Guilin region. Hiking, biking, kayaking, and bamboo rafting are popular activities in Yangshuo.
Day 5
Yangshuo Bamboo Rafting
Xianggong Hill, Rafting on Li River, Fuli BridgeAfter breakfast, drive around an hour to Xianggong Hill to watch the Li River running around a right-angled bend and the fantastic Karst scenery. It takes approximately 20 minutes to peak and it is one of the best places for photos of the breathtaking views over the bend in the Li River.
Then, take a local ferry to the other side of Li River, the famous Nine-Horses-Fresco. Take a bamboo rafting from there for an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery there’s something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks, you’ll see graceful bamboo groves and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. The whole rafting takes around 20 mins and you will then reach Xingping Ancient Town, with a one-kilometer-long stone street lined with old brick buildings and assembly halls like those of many different provinces. Slow down your pace and explore the town for some time.
In the late afternoon, you may choose to take the bamboo rafting again or a shuttle golf cart back to the Nine-Horses-Fresco. The next step would be visiting the Fuli Bridge, located at the upper reach of the Yulong River (Meeting Dragon River), and you can get some photos of Fuli Bridge across the river surrounded by Guilin’s karst landscape. You can shoot some water buffalos and goats eating grass near the river. Standing on the bridge, you will have a grand view of Yangshuo’s countryside at sunset.
Drive back to Yangshuo and enjoy your second evening in Yangshuo.
Tips:
1. Child that is less than 7 years old or below 1.2-meter height and seniors over 70 years are not allowed to take the bamboo raft.
2. Motorized Bamboo rafting might not be available during the rainy season when there are floods along the Li River.
Day 6
Be a Chinese Villager in Yangshuo
Today’s Activities: Be a Chinese Villager, Painting Your Own Landscape on a Paper Fan in Fuli
Some say that if you want to see real China, you should go to the countryside. Experiencing the daily lifestyle of the local farmers will allow you to see another side of China.
In the morning, you will experience what it’s like to be a local villager working in the fields. Then you will take a ferry and a local farmer’s taxi (a kind of motorbike with three wheels) to the local market in Fuli.
First, you will drive through the villages near Yangshuo. You might meet someone on his way to the fields with a water buffalo or someone working in the paddy. Say hello to them and they will be happy if you would like to take part in helping to cut the grass for their herd or plowing the field.
After saying goodbye to the villagers, you will continue to drive past the rice paddies with the beautiful mountains in the distance. Then you will take a ferry to Fuli, which is located on the east bank of the Li River. Like the local villagers, you will take a local motorbike taxi to the market.
Your guide will show you around to explain the different types of food and show you the local people’s daily necessities. There is a fair there every 3 days. Local people from nearby villages trade there.
If your travel dates happen to coincide with a rural market day, you will find it is quite busy on the ferry and in the market. You will take the same route back to the west bank of the Li River.
The next stop would be the Fuli Ancient Town. It is called ‘Chinese Painted Fan Town’ because of its exquisitely painted fans. These paper fans are all handicrafts made of local rice paper and bamboo found on the banks of the Li River. They range from small hand fans for everyday use to large canopies for wall decorations.
You will have the chance to visit a workshop and learn from a local artist how to paint a traditional landscape on a paper fan. You will have your own handmade fan to keep as a souvenir. This is another way to take the landscape of Guilin back home with you. After the fan-making, your guide and driver will take you back to Yangshuo, and enjoy your last night in Yangshuo.
Day 7
Yangshuo to Fenghuang
Drive from Yangshuo to Fenghuang, Night View at Fenghuang Ancient Town.
After breakfast, you will take around 6 hours’ drive from Yangshuo to Fenghuang. Get prepared with some snacks the day before. On arrival at Fenghuang ancient town, enjoy the Night View there.
Illuminated buildings are reflected in the Tuojiang River in Fenghuang Ancient Town. The old town is famous for its time-honored buildings and cultural relics, attracting large numbers of visitors each year from China and abroad. The night view of Fenghuang Ancient town will let you escape the busyness and fatigue.
Day 8
Fenghuang Ancient City (Phoenix City)
Different from other ancient towns in China, Fenghuang Ancient Town is a secluded and tranquil town located on the bank of the river and surrounded by mountains. It preserves its original folk houses and architecture built more than 300 years ago. Populated by Miao and Tujia ethnic groups, Fenghuang is famous for its rich history, ethnic customs, and beautiful natural scenery.
You will have a full day to explore and relax in this ancient town. It is a good idea to stroll in this ancient town and visit some interesting shops and homes, and to discover some interesting nooks. Ethnic handicrafts are really delicate and special in this region. At night, the town becomes quieter and more peaceful. Sitting in a bar and appreciating the sunset is wonderful.
Tips:
There are 9 famous sights of Fenghuang Ancient City: 1. Tuojiang River 2. Hongqiao Art Building 3. The Former Residence of Shencongwen 4. The Former Residence of Xiongxiling 5. The Ancestral Hall of Yang 6. Wanshou Palace 7. Chongde Hall 8. The Eastern Gate Tower 9. The Museum of Ancient Town
Day 9
Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie
It takes about 5 hours to drive from Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie and you will take an early start today. You will have a stopover on the way and visit the Red Stone Forest National Geopark, an area comprised of the Red Stone Forest Karst Landform Scenic Area, Gorge Scenic Area, underground rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and cave scenic spots.
In the Red Stone Forest National Geopark, you will see many strangely-shaped rocks everywhere. They are in different poses and totally natural. In the past, these rocks were called cornerstones, also known as “pagoda stones” or “Chinese cornerstones”.
Arrive in Zhangjiajie and check in at the hotel. The evening is at your own disposal.
The Xibu Ancient Streets are a Tujia minority culture and tourist area about 2 kilometers from the hotels. They contain a local snack street, a folk culture souvenir street, and a bar street. Street barbecues are very popular in Zhangjiajie, so you could try sitting down and enjoying a barbecue and some local beer like a local!
Day 10
Discover Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yuanjiajie (including the Hallelujah Mountains), Mt.Tianzishan, Bailong Sightseeing Elevator
Zhangjiajie has breathtaking natural beauty, including magnificent mountain ranges, deep valleys, mysterious caves, lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and grotesque stone pillars. And Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in Wulingyuan Scenic Area, about 40 minutes drive from the city. Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie are the most classic and popular sites in Zhangjiajie.
Take a cable car up to Tianzi Mountain, and you will see large areas of grotesque peaks thrusting up. Walking along with the steps spectacular views unfold in front of you from different angles.
In the afternoon, ride a public shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, whose mountains are said to be the inspiration for Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountain. This area is the most visited area due to its fame. It takes about 1 hour to walk the tourist trails before you take the shuttle bus for the cable car down the mountain.
There is another option for getting down the mountain – Bailong Elevator. This glass elevator was built on the side of a cliff, and it claims to be the world’s highest of its kind. It takes only 2 minutes, but at peak times you might need to queue for one or two hours to take it. If you are interested in taking the elevator, tell your guide in advance, so that he/she can arrange it beforehand to avoid the long queues.
Take a good rest in the evening and be prepared for hiking the next day.
Tips:
In the summertime, to avoid waiting in long queues, our tour guide will suggest the best time to start the day and might suggest you get up early or alter your attraction schedule. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.
Day 11
Further Exploration of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Fort
After breakfast, start a further exploration of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Take the cable car up and down the mountain for Huangshizhai, where you will appreciate the daunting rock columns. From the top, you can enjoy spectacular views of the forest with a rough landscape.
In the afternoon, take easy hiking along the Golden Whip Stream with the shady path. The stream is located inside Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it stretches a distance of 5.7 km from north to south, winding along mountains and a shady path, taking 2 or 3 hours to walk the whole distance. There are many monkeys as you walk along the stream. The stream is limpid all year round, and it is said the precious Chinese giant salamander can still be found. Return to the hotel and rest in the evening.
Day 12
Adventure to the Grand Canyon with Glass Bridge
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a recently developed natural wonderland. It incorporates mountains, streams, caves, cliffs, and forests. The world’s longest & highest glass-bottomed bridge is located in this area. The bridge stretches between two dramatic cliffs – 380 meters long and 300 meters above the canyon floor. When walking on the bridge you can see all the way down to the bottom of the canyon through the glass bridge.
Your personal tour guide will take photos and videos for you, with which you can show off your courage to the whole world!
Then drive to Baofeng Lake. The Lake is in a basin in the middle of this mountainous area. A shuttle bus will take you from the entrance to the pier.
At the lake, we’ll take you on a wooden boat for a 30-minute boat ride. It is a leisurely experience as you boat on the clear water, see the hills of various shapes, and enjoy entertainment from the local minority people as they sing their traditional songs.
Tips:
The world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, started a trial operation on Aug. 20th, 2016. During the trial operation, entrance tickets can only be obtained by reservation, and travel agencies have priority for ticket purchase. Tickets are limited to 8,000 per day. Book with us as soon as possible and seize the opportunity! To prevent heavy objects from falling, the camera is not permitted to be carried when you are on the bridge, the cell phone is allowed.
Day 13
Tianmen Mountain with Glass Walkway, Departure
Start another day of adventure to Tianmen Mountain.
Your heart will beat fast at Tianmen Mountain on the world’s longest cable car, the suspended glass walkway almost a mile (1,430 meters) above the ground, and the ’99 Bends’ mountain road.
Tianmen Mountain is regarded as the ‘soul’ of Zhangjiajie, its highest mountain. The views include graceful ancient trees, karst hillocks, and long roads that are carved from the sides of the cliff. The cable car takes 30 minutes from the city center to the mountaintop and is the longest cable in the world.
Tianmen Cave (literally ‘Heaven’s Gate Hole’) is a 30-meter-high hole formed naturally in the mountain like a doorway, well-known for being glided through by a world-class stuntman in a wingsuit. To reach the hole, you can climb for about half an hour up the Stairway to Heaven.
In the afternoon, relax in the Zhangjiajie Old Courtyard. The typical rich family of the Tujia ethnic minority built a courtyard residence in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). Every part of their ancient life is well-preserved in the house, including the kitchen, storehouse, living room, study, teaching room, and private theatre. It’s a fine place to photograph ancient people’s life and experience the unique local culture. A short show lasting 15 minutes is frequently performed to display more about the Tujia minority’s lifestyle.
Late in the evening, our guide and driver will take you to the Zhangjiajie airport for your flight back to Kunming and wave goodbye.
Tips:
Most flights depart Zhangjiajie in the late evening. The only available direct flight from Zhangjiajie to Kunming is HO1709 (23:05-00:50+1).
Day 14
Early Morning Arrival in Kunming
Arrive in Kunming at around 00:50. Keats School will pick you up at the airport and take you to the school if this trip is taken during your Mandarin Chinese language course at Keats.