5 Days Shanghai and Guilin Highlights Tour by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival (No Meal)

   Welcome to the private 5-day Shanghai and Guilin tour. Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport/train station, our local driver will pick you up and send you to a downtown hotel for check-in.

   Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day. You can optionally ride the world’s fastest land transport - the Shanghai Maglev. Covering 30 kilometers in just 8 minutes, this high-speed train offers a smooth and swift journey. Passengers enjoy comfortable seating and advanced 5G connectivity, enabling mobile work, HD video calls, gaming, and more. The Maglev operates daily from 06:45 to 21:42.

2. Day 2: Shanghai City Exploration (Lunch)
   Time-travel from Ming Garden to Shanghai's Futuristic Skyline

   Your English-speaking guide will meet you at your city-center hotel at 8:30 am. Then you will go to visit Yuyuan Garden, a Ming Dynasty masterpiece (built in 1559 by Pan Yunduan as a retirement gift for his parents). This classical Chinese garden features picturesque pavilions, bridges, and rockeries. Despite suffering abandonment and war damage over 400 years, it was restored and reopened in 1961.

   Adjacent to the garden lies bustling Yuyuan Market, where you can find traditional handicrafts (fans, pottery) and street food (steamed buns, crab cakes). Bargaining is expected for better deals.

   

   Then, stroll on People Square to have a glimpse of the daily life of the locals. The square now is most famous for its match-making corner where parents try to seek partners for their children.

   Next transfer you to Lujiazui, where you’ll go up to the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower, 546 meters high. From there, get a wide view of the whole city and also see the historic Bund stretching along the Huangpu River.

   In the afternoon, visit the Former French Concession, once the biggest and busiest French-controlled area in old China, lasting from 1849 to 1943. Your guide will explain its history while you walk past old European-style buildings shaded by tall French parasol trees.

   Nanjing Road is Shanghai’s oldest shopping street. Your guide will show you four famous old stores - Yong’an, Xianshi, Xinxin, and Daxin - and share stories from its past. It’s also a great spot to taste local snacks.

   Finally, leisurely exploring one of Shanghai’s most famous spots — the Bund. During the late Qing Dynasty, it became a British settlement and grew into the heart of Shanghai’s financial district. It’s a great place to snap some photos of the stunning city skyline.

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai to Guilin by Flight (Lunch)
   Wander Zhujiajiao's 1,700-year-old Waterways and Arched Stone Bridges

   Today, you’ll relax and enjoy a visit to one of China’s most well-known water towns — Zhujiajiao Water Town.

   Often called “the Venice of Shanghai,” Zhujiajiao has a history going back over 1,700 years. The scenic area covers an area of 3.08 square kilometers. It has a network of rivers and ports, nine century-old streets winding along the river, thousands of Ming and Qing Dynasty architectures standing by the water, 36 bridges retaining their ancient style, and historic sites are scattered everywhere. As you walk through them, it might feel like you’ve stepped back into the past dynasties.

   You can take your time exploring the streets and soaking in the atmosphere. If you like, you can also take a gentle gondola ride to better experience the town’s beauty.

   Tip: Boat rides are available but not included in the package. If you’re interested, just let your guide know — it’s optional.

   Finish the sightseeing, you will be transferred to Shanghai airport for your afternoon flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, a local driver will pick you up and escort you to the downtown hotel for check-in.

   

4. Day 4: Guilin to Yangshuo by Cruise (Lunch)
   Cruise Li River through Guilin's Painted Karst Mountains

   As the Chinese saying goes, “Guilin’s scenery is the best under the heaven.” Today, you’ll get to see this beautiful landscape, starting with a peaceful cruise along the Li River from Mopanshan Pier. The journey is filled with amazing views, just like a moving Chinese painting. You’ll see winding rivers, green karst mountains, countryside scenes, the scenery shown on the 20 RMB banknote and the famous Nine Horses Fresco Hill.

   Note: A simple local lunch will be served on the boat. You can also bring some snacks.

   

   After about 4 hours on the river, you’ll arrive in Yangshuo Town and check in at your hotel. After a short rest, your guide will lead you to the West Street. Here you can find how Western and Chinese cultures live in harmony. Whether you're in the mood for a drink at a bar, want to try some local snacks, or simply enjoy the laid-back vibe, this place has something for you.

   Optional evening activity: If you're looking for something special to do tonight, don’t miss the impressive Impression Show of Liu Sanjie! This unique performance takes place on the Li River, with most of the 600 performers being local fishermen. The show tells the story of the legendary Liu Sanjie and gives you a glimpse into the culture of the Zhuang people.

5. Day 5: Guilin Departure
   Witness Guilin's Stone Elephant and Crystal Cave Masterpieces

   After breakfast, we will check out the hotel in Yangshuo and then drive for 1.5 hours back to the Guilin City. Before the tour ends, you have the chance to visit the landmarks of the city.

   Elephant Trunk Hill is a large rock formation that looks just like an elephant drinking from the river. In addition to the unique shape, the area also has several interesting historical spots to visit, including stone carvings, a Buddhist temple, and a museum with ancient artifacts.

   

   Reed Flute Cave is 240 meters deep and took a very long time to form. Around a million years ago, it used to be an underground lake. Today, you can admire many amazing and colorful rock formations like stalagmites, stalactites, stone pillars, and stone curtains. Many people call it a “Natural Artwork Palace”.

   After the visit, your 5-day Shanghai and Guilin tour comes to the end. Then you will be sent to the Guilin airport / train station for your departure.