6-Day Shenzhen to Guilin Tour: From Skyscrapers to Karst Mountains
Tour Overview
Featuring one of China’s most modern cities with some of its most iconic natural landscapes, the 6-day journey guides you from Shenzhen’s skyscrapers to the Longji Rice Terraces, Li River and Yangshuo countryside, experiencing a striking change from urban China to rural Guangxi. Start in Shenzhen with panoramic skyline views then discover how this once-small border town developed into one of China’s most dynamic modern cities.
Stay overnight among the rice terraces, get up before sunrise to watch it break over the mountains and have a light walk through the fields around Ping’an, a traditional Zhuang village. Take the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, with limestone peaks, riverside villages and farmland sliding past the whole way.
Travel Destinations: Shenzhen, Guilin, Yangshuo
Suitable for: Nature lovers, photographers, culture enthusiasts
Tour type: Private
Tour at A Glance
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Day
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Destination
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What to See & Do
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1 – 2
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Shenzhen
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Ping An Finance Center, Shenzhen Museum, China Folk Culture Village, folk performances, miniature landmarks
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3
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Shenzhen → Guilin → Longji Rice Terraces
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High-speed train to Guilin, transfer to Ping’an Village, village stroll, stilt houses, local shops and cafés
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4
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Longji Rice Terraces → Guilin
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Sunrise over the terraces, Seven Stars with Moon, Nine Dragons and Five Tigers, terrace hiking, transfer to Guilin
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5
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Guilin → Yangshuo
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Li River cruise, karst scenery, Yulong River countryside, bamboo rafting/biking/hiking, West Street, optional Impression Liu Sanjie
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6
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Yangshuo → Guilin
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Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, departure
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Highlights of this tour
Glimpse the modern Shenzhen at the city’s tallest building — Ping An Finance Center via taking the high-speed elevator up to its 116th-floor observation deck in just 55 seconds. Enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view and even see Hong Kong in the distance on clear sunny days.
Experience different sides of Chinese culture at Splendid China Folk Village. See miniature versions of famous landmarks, walk through recreated ethnic villages, and watch traditional costumes, music and dance come to life in cultural performances.
Hike through the Longji Rice Terraces to viewpoints such as Seven Stars with Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers. The terraces change with the seasons, from water-filled fields in late spring to lush green summer slopes and golden rice before the autumn harvest.
Take a scenic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, with limestone peaks rising along both sides of the river. Pass famous sights such as Nine-Horse Fresco Hill and the Yellow Cloth Shoal, whose scenery appears on China’s 20-yuan banknote.
Slow down to experience the rural scenery of Yangshuo along the Yulong River by bamboo raft, bicycle or on foot, passing rice fields, bamboo groves, village lanes and limestone peaks.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Shenzhen Arrival
Upon your arrival at Shenzhen Airport or train station, your private guide will pick you up holding a welcome board with āChina Xian Tourā and transfer you to the hotel in downtown Shenzhen. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.
- Day 2: Shenzhen HighlightsAdmire Modern Skyline, Trace Cityās History and Discover Diverse Folk Culture
Get your first taste of modern Shenzhen at Ping An Finance Center,Ā the cityās tallest building. Take the high-speed elevator up to the 116th-floor observation deck in 55 seconds and enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view overĀ the city. On clearĀ days, you can even see Hong Kong in the distance.
AtĀ Shenzhen Museum, learnĀ how Shenzhen evolved from a small fishing village into one of Chinaās most dynamic cities through exhibits, such as pottery, bronze wares, ceramics, and wood carvings.
Black earthenware displayed in Shenzhen Museum Head toĀ China Folk Culture Village for a look atĀ Chinaās diverse cultures. Wander through the 27 ethnic villages to appreciate various architectural styles, such as Dai bamboo stilt houses, Mongolian yurt, and northern Shaanxi cave dwellings, etc.
Watch live performances andĀ see colorful costumes to experience unique folk customs at the villages that interest you. "New Oriental Neon Costumes" and "Dragon and Phoenix Dance" are two of the most popular shows.
In addition, the park features 82 replicas of famous attractions in China. Try to recognize iconic landmarks like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Potala Palace, Mogao Caves, etc. Walking through the park feels like traveling across China.
Return to your hotel after the tour.
- Day 3: Shenzhen to Guilin by High-Speed TrainFree Exploration in the Tranquil Pingāan Village at Longji Rice Terraces
The driver will transfer you to the train station for the morning high-speed train to Guilin ā around 3 hours. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver at the exit and set out to Ping'an Village at Longji Rice TerracesĀ by a private vehicle, about 2.5 hours. Check into your hotel and spendĀ the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.
Stroll along the stone-paved roads to admire the unique stilt houses and watch the locals farming the rice terraces. Or browse the small shops and enjoy a cup of coffee in a cafe to experience the tranquil local life. In the evening, try some local dishes for dinner, such as bamboo rice, sour soup fish, free-range chicken soup, etc.
Pingan Village surrounded by rice terraces at night Tip: Private vehiclesĀ are not allowed to enter the village, so elderly travelers or anyoneĀ with heavy luggage may hire a local porter to carry luggage to the hotel at their own expense.
- Day 4: Longji Rice Terraces to Guilin by Private VehicleEnjoy a Relaxing Morning Hiking Tour at Longji Rice Terraces
If you get up early, do not miss the sunrise. Watch the light bathe the layered terraces, shiftingĀ from cool slate blue to warmĀ toĀ glowing gold. Then head backĀ to your hotel for breakfast.
Follow your guide on a hikeĀ to the village's best viewpoints: Seven Stars with Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers. Stop along the way to take in the layers of rice terraces from different perspectives.
At Seven Stars with Moon, you will see a crescent-shaped terraced field surrounded by seven hills. Nine Dragons and Five Tigers offers a wide view, where nine ridgelines of terraced fields cascade and wind into the distance with five hills scattered among the terraces.
The scenery of Longji Rice Terraces changes dramatically with the seasons. In spring, the floodedĀ terraces reflect the sky and clouds like mirrors. In summer, the rice fields turn lush green, covering the mountainsides with vibrant color. In autumn, the terraces reach their peak beauty, rippling with golden rice.
Guilin Longji Rice Terraces in summer After the scenic hiking tour, you'll be taken to your hotel in Guilin to check in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city as you like.
- Day 5: Guilin to Yangshuo by CruiseTake a Scenic Li River Cruise and Immerse Yourself in Peaceful Rural Scenery
Today starts with a scenic Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. When drifting downstream, enjoy the most representative karst landscapes on both banks. Strange peaks rise abruptly from the ground and are reflected in the emerald green river water. The cruise will pass Nine-Horse Fresco Hill, the landscape printed on the CNY 20 note.
After about 4 hours, you'll disembarkĀ in Yangshuo. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the hotel for a short rest. Then, head to Yulong RiverĀ where the scenery is quieter and more rural than the Li River ā rolling hills, bamboo groves, rice fields, and villages line the banks.
You can explore the area by hiking, bamboo rafting, biking, or driving. Bamboo rafting is the most popular option, taking you to driftĀ slowly through the mountains, waters and fields.
Note: Children underĀ 1 meter high and adultsĀ over 70 years old are not allowed to take the bamboo rafting.
Lastly, stroll along the bustlingĀ West Street, browse the specialty shops and handicraft stores, relax at a cafĆ© or bar, and try local dishes like beer fish.
Optional Night Activity: Watch the large-scale live-action performance Impression Liu Sanjie. Set against the Li River landscape, the show brings Zhuang ethnic culture and the legend of Liu Sanjie to life through lighting, song, dance, and folk performances.
Impression Liu Sanjie Show against the real Li River and karst mountains - Day 6: Yangshuo to Guilin by Private VehicleExplore an Iconic Karst Peak and a Colorful Underground Karst Cave
Drive about 1.5 - 2 hours back to Guilin and visitĀ Elephant Trunk Hill, one of the cityās iconic landmarks shaped likeĀ an elephant stretching its trunk to drink water. Wander along the trail to appreciate the landscape from different perspectives.
Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill in autumn Head to Reed Flute Cave, an underground karst cave. Follow the path insideĀ and seeĀ the stalactites, stalagmites and stone pillars of variousĀ sizes and shapes lit by colored lights.
Your 6-day Shenzhen and Guilin tour comes to an end. Your guide and driver will take you to the airport or train station for your onward journey.
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
Accommodation For This 6-day Shenzhen & Guilin Tour
For your China private tour, the choice is in your hands: you can selectĀ luxury 5-star hotelsĀ for unparalleled comfort,Ā cozy 4-starĀ accommodations, orĀ value-for-money 3-starĀ options.
All our partner hotels are handpicked forĀ their prime locations, conveniently situated near bustling commercial areas. Every room is equipped withĀ standard amenitiesĀ like air conditioning, hot water, 24-hour showers, reliable Wi-Fi, and windows for natural light.
InĀ some hotels, there are English-speaking staffĀ who are committed to providing attentive service. Should you have any special requests, feel free to ask - they are always ready to assist.
