5 Days Xian Guilin Highlights Tour by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Arrival

   Welcome to the 5-day Xian Guilin tour! Upon your arrival at Xian airport/train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with "China Xian Tour" and transfer you to a downtown hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you at leisure.

   In the evening, you can stroll around the Datang Everbright City on your own. Adjacent to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Datang Everbright City is brightly lit at night, with antique style buildings shining brilliantly between the turns of light and shadow, recreating the magnificent Tang Dynasty.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Hotel in Xian

2. Day 2: Xi'an's Essence
   Witness Clay Armies, Ming Walls, and More Traditions

   Good morning! Your Xian tour guide will meet you at your hotel and then drive you for 1 hour to explore the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses. It was found by local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it is absolutely the No.1 attraction in Xi’an. You will visit 3 pits (Pit 1 being the largest one) for 2-2.5 hours. From the knowledgeable guide, you will learn the hidden story of those life-sized clay sculptures.

   

   Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then head back to Xian's downtown area for another historical highlight - the Ancient City Wall. The largest and most completely preserved city wall in China was built for military defense in ancient times. On the wall are options to ride a bike around (at your own expense on site).

   Then, you’ll visit Yongxingfang to explore more of the local flavors and traditions. Known as Xian’s second Muslim Street, this area is designed in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Here, you can find many traditional and handmade foods. The food is cooked right in front of you, so you can watch how it's made.

   Last, head to Shuyuanmen Ancient Cultural Street. It is named after Guanzhong Academy, the highest academic institution in Shaanxi Province during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking on the street, you can find typical folk handicrafts, such as shadow play, Paper Cuttings, and ancient facial makeup.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Xian

   

3. Day 3: Xian to Guilin by Flight
   Visit Xi'an's Tang Treasures and Muslim Quarter Flavors

   After breakfast, you will visit some of the most popular sights in downtown Xi'an. Xi'an Museum is located at the site of the old Jianfu Temple from the Tang Dynasty and sits beside the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It's a great place to learn about local history and culture. The museum houses around 130,000 items from ancient times to the Ming and Qing dynasties, including rare pieces like Tang Dynasty tri-colored horse figures and jade items from the Han Dynasty.

   Next, transfer you to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652 AD during the Tang Dynasty. It was originally used to store Buddhist scriptures and statues brought by the monk Xuanzang.

   

   In the afternoon, continue your visit to Bell and Drum Tower Square, the symbol of this ancient capital of thirteen dynasties. A 5-minute walk takes you to the Muslim Quarter. You can find many special local products and authentic local snacks here such as Biangbiang Noodles, Mutton and Bread Pieces in Soup, Roujiamo, and Liangpi.

   After all the visits, say goodbye to Xian and then transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, a local driver will pick you up and escort you to the Guilin downtown hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

4. Day 4: Guilin to Yangshuo
   Cruise Poetic Li River and Stroll around 1400-Year-Old Street

   In the morning at 8:30 am, your Guilin guide will meet you and transfer you to Mopanshan Dock. Follow the guide to board a cruise ship for a 4-hour journey to Yangshuo along the Li River. Get your eyes and camera ready and catch the amazing scenes that have inspired Chinese poetry for centuries: from towering Karst hills, water buffaloes working in the fields, and the landscape on the back of the 20 RMB note.

   Friendly Tip: You are suggested to have a good breakfast at your hotel and take some snacks as there will be only a simple lunch provided on the boat.

   

   At around 1:30 pm, you will disembark at Yangshuo. Your driver will pick you up and send you and your guide to one of the top attractions in Yangshuo – West Street, with a history of 1,400 years old. Walk along the street to admire traditional-style buildings, try some local snacks if you want, and learn its background from your guide.

   Last, drive you to the Yangshuo local hotel for an overnight night.

   Optional night activity: Don't miss the spectacular "Impression Liu Sanjie" night show (at your own expense) on the Li River! This beautiful performance uses the river as its natural stage. Created by famous director Zhang Yimou, the show runs for about one hour each evening at 7:40pm.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Hotel in Yanghsuo

5. Day 5: Yangshuo Back to Guilin, Departure
   Explore Luminous Caves, Riverside Rock Formation

   After breakfast, we will drive back to Guilin downtown area for the last visit. Reed Flute Cave is about 240 meters deep and 500 meters long, featuring illuminated stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations. These help it earn the title “the Palace of Natural Art.” Among them, the Lion Rock And Sunrise and the Crystal Palace are the best spots. Next, transfer to admire the Elephant Trunk Hill - Guilin city’s landmark. The hill got its name from its shape of a giant elephant drinking from the river.

   It's time to say goodbye to Guilin. And then you will be escorted to the Guilin airport/train station for your departure. Safe travels! The 5-day Xian Guilin tour ends here.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: N/A