5 Days Shanghai -Guilin Tour by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Shanghai Arrival (no meal)

   Upon your arrival at Shanghai airport/train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.

2. Day 2: Shanghai (L)
   Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Shanghai World Financial Center, Nanjing Road, the Bund

   AM: Shanghai is an intoxicating hybrid of ancient China and a prosperous modern metropolis. Today, your exploration begins with the Shanghai Museum at People’s Square (closed on each Monday). Established in 1952, the Shanghai Museum has a collection of more than 120,00 rare cultural pieces from the Old Stone Age to modern times.

   After that, move on to the beautiful Yuyuan Garden. Yuyuan Garden is a masterpiece of classical gardens and a must-visit place in Shanghai. There are over 40 scenic spots scattered in the garden. While you navigate the garden at the company of your tour guide, you will understand more about profound traditional Chinese culture fully embodied in every nook and cranny of the garden.

   After visiting the pretty Yuyuan Garden, you will wander around the lively Yuyuan Market. You can get everything here from traditional Chinese crafts like chopsticks, fans, and pottery to local delicacies such as steamed buns, crab shell cake, and pork chop with rice cakes. Don’t forget to haggle for a better price.

   

   Noon:Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Then you will go to tick off Shanghai World Financial Center, a tall skyscraper in Pudong New Area. It boasts a total of 104 floors with 3 floors under the ground and 101 floors above the ground, among which Floor 94, 97 and 100 serves as sightseeing halls. You will have chance to see for yourself and go up to the 100th floor to have a marvelous panoramic view of the Huangpu River. Walking on the 55-meter long transparent sightseeing corridor will be an exciting experience.

   Nanjing Road is the earliest shopping street in Shanghai. Your tour guide will point out the four time-honored department stores, Yong’an Company, Xianshi Company, Xinxin Company and Daxin Company, from which you can get a bit history of this commercial street. If you want to try some delicious food, the street definitely will not disappoint you.

   

   The last stop is the Bund, which is one of the most sought-after places in Shanghai because of its historic significance and impressive view. Some Chinese couples even choose the Bund to take their wedding photos. You will love walking along the waterfront, watching the ships passing, and appreciating the old colonial buildings.

   Option A: Attend an entertaining Acrobatic Show, which one of the best theaters in China. You will definitely be amazed by the perfect balance and agility of the daring acrobats and wonder how they manage to control their body so well.

   Option B: Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to enjoy the spectacular scenery on the bank. Huangpu River separates Shanghai into two parts, Pudong and Puxi. Cruising on the river will give you an unparalleled view of the city’s skyline and an unforgettable traveling experience.

   

3. Day 3: Shanghai – Guilin by Flight (L)
   Jade Buddha Temple, Tianzifang

   AM: After breakfast, go to visit the Jade Buddha Temple. It is an oasis in the heart of Shanghai. You will have chance to admire the exceptional jade Buddha statue that a monk named Huigen brought back from Burma in 1882 and can pray for blessing for yourself and your family. Please note that it is not allowed to take photos of the jade Buddha. The temple is aesthetically beautiful and you can just roam around with the smell of incense in your nostrils.

   After that, move on to the Tianzifang, which is a nice place to find different faces of Shanghai. Here you can appreciate the old Shikumen buildings and have a glimpse of the daily life of local people that still live in the narrow lane; you can explore some quaint shops to get interesting handicrafts, stop at a café to have a cup of coffee, and try some mouth-watering local snacks.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After lunch, transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, our Guilin local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to local hotel for checking-in. Have a good rest for tomorrow!

   

4. Day 4: Guilin (L)
   Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street

   AM: Today is the highlight of your Guilin tour as you will embark on a ship to cruise down the picturesque Li River!

   Taking the cruise on the Li River, you will admire the picturesque scenery of this land with a harmonious combination of the green hills, rivers, lakes and fields. But its beauty is not like a still painting, it’s alive when vivid – brisk bamboo rafts leaving wrinkles on the water and cormorants hovering under the working fishermen… Our guide will uncover the hidden history and culture behind the natural screen before you during your cruise. You will learn from the local expert about how the city formed and developed and how local people manage their life along the famous Li River.

   Friendly Tips: The Li River Cruise takes around 4 hours, and you will be staying on the boat to enjoy the scenery for most time, so 3-star boat as included would be adequate according to most tourists’ experience. Besides, you are suggested to have a good breakfast at your hotel and take some snack as there will be only simple box lunch be provided on the boat.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After the 4 hours’ cruise, you will disembark at Yangshuo. Follow your guide to explore the famous Yangshuo West Street to admire the antique buildings and local crafts, hanging out in bars and coffee shops, and try some delicious local snacks.

   Last, take the private car back to Guilin (about 1.5 hours on the way).

   

5. Day 5: Guilin Departure (L)
   Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill

   AM: Today you will start your exploration with the amazing Reed Flute Cave. The cave got its name because there were reeds at its entrance and people can make flutes by using the reeds. Walking into the cave, you will be surrounded by all kinds of stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, flowers, and curtains created by water erosion and carbonate deposition day after day and year after year.

   After that, move on to the Elephant Trunk Hill. The hill got its name from the shape of an elephant sipping water by the riverside. You will see a round opening between the elephant’s trunk and legs, and it has a beautiful name of Water Moon Cave. You can take beautiful pictures to record the pleasant time at this extraordinary place.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Last, saying goodbye to Guilin and transfer to Guilin airport/train station for your departure.