7 Days Xian Guilin In-depth Tour by Flight

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Arrival ( no meal )

   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 your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Xian

2. Day 2: Xian
   Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Ancient City Wall, Yongxingfang Food & Culture Quarter, Shuyuanmen Gate( B, L )

   AM: Your Xian exploration begins with world’s heritage Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as “the Eighth Wonders of the World”, it was found by four local farmers while drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into one of the most important attractions in China and the No.1 attractive site in Xi’an. The museum includes Pit 1(the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-3 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those live-sized sculptures and history of their owner: First Emperor of Qin who is also the first emperor of China.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then head back to Xian downtown area for another historical highlight- Ancient City Wall. It is the most complete preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for the military defense in the ancient time. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall ( optional).

   Next, head to Yongxingfang Food & Culture Quarter for further local food and culture exploration. Regarded as the second Muslim Street in Xian, the whole street was built in ancient Ming and Qing Dynasty style. Many family-handmade foods which have been lost in big cities can be found here. They cook right in front of you, so you get to see how each food you try was made. Of course, each family has its own secret source or spices you won’t get to know how they make it. Last, move to Shuyuanmen Gate for further sightseeing before transferring back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Xian

   

3. Day 3: Xian - Mt. Huashan - Xian by Car
   Mt.Huashan (B)

   AM: Mt.Huashan is famous as one of the “Five Great Mountains” in China and especially earns its fame as “the most dangerous and thrilling mountain”, attracting endless travelers from the corner of the world.Today, you will explore it by taking the round way north cable car.

   After 2 hours’ driving, you will arrive at the Mount. Huashan. First, take cable car up the North Peak where you will start your own hiking. The guide will leave you to freely explore the mountain. On the top of the mountain, there are several spots such as Taoist temples, sculptures and engravings. You will enjoy yourself so much on the 4 peaks. After you reach the Golden Lock Pass, you can buy a golden lock and lock it on the iron chains. Visitors usually do this to pray for safety and health. It must be marvelous scenery with thousands of golden locks on the iron chains.

   On the Middle Peak (Jade Maiden Peak), you can immerse in its supernatural atmosphere, seeing the sea of clouds roaring before your eyes and imagining if there are immortals living there. Then you will move on to the East Peak, the South peak and the West Peak. You can breathe the fresh air on the Mount Huashan!

   Noon:You are suggested to prepare some food / snack as lunch since there is no restaurant on the mountain.

   PM: When the exploration finished, please come back to the North Peak to take the return way cable car to the foot of the mountain where the tour guide will be waiting for you.

   At about 17:00,meet your guide and driver to drive back to your hotel.

   Friendly tips:  Comfortable shoes would be necessary.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Xian

   

4. Day 4: Xian - Guilin by FLight
   Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell and Drum Tower Square, Muslim Quarter ( B, L )

   AM: As one of the most famous historical cities, Xian has lots of interesting places to go! Today you will explore the must-see sights in Xian downtown area.

   Firstly, come to the Shaanxi History Museum ( closed on every Monday),which is one of the biggest and most famous museums in China. The museum houses the cultural heritage unearthed in Shaanxi Province. Although it’s a provincial Museum, the collection of relics here is at national level from both quantity and quality as Xian had been Capitals for more than 13 dynasties in ancient China. Following the tour guide, walk and stop at those priceless exhibits to learn the hidden history and splendid civilization of China.

   After that, move on to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. On the way to the attraction spot, your guide will introduce the history and culture of this ancient city for you to catch a glimpse of reason why so many well-known relics were discovered on this land. Big Wild Goose Pagoda was originally built to hold Buddhist sutra and figurines of the Buddha that Xuanzang brought back from India in Tang Dyansty, 652 A.D. Now there is a big square divided into North Square and South Square, surrounding the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The design of the buildings and statues is in Tang style, showing people the ever glory of that great time. It’s busier in the evening when many activities with Tang elements held by local amateur.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: Continue your visit to Bell and Drum Tower Square, which locates in the very center of the city and is considered as the symbol of this old capital. Walking forward, you will come to Muslim Quarter where you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, various noodles, and purchase some Terracotta Warriors imitation as souvenirs.

   Last, transfer to airport for your evening flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, meet our local driver and transfer to Guilin downtown hotel for checking-in. Have a good rest for tomorrow!

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

5. Day 5: Guilin - Longji - Guilin by Car
   Longji Terrance ( B, L)

   AM: After breakfast, drive to the painting-like Longji Rice Terraces, which has thousands of years’ history. It is hard to believe that the minority people were able to bring the remote mountains under cultivation by the slash-and-burn method over 2,000 years ago. Now the rice terraces not only feed the local people but also provide the people around the world a retreat from everyday life.

   Arrive at Longji Terraces Scenic Area, you will enjoy the one-of-a-kind Long Hair Show performed by Yao Minority women in Huangluo village, which was awarded the “World’s Longest Hair Village” by Guinness World Records. Famous for their long and shiny hair, the women of Huangluo cut their hair only once in their lives upon turning 18. In addition to that, you can also have a glimpse of the Zhuang and Yao minority people’s lifestyle through this visit.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After enjoying the spectacular rice terraces, the fragrant bamboo-tube-cooked rice will be waiting for you. The soaked rice is put inside a fresh bamboo tube, and the mouth of the tube is plugged with fresh leaves. The rice will be ready after cooking over a fire for about half an hour. When you cut open the bamboo tube by using a knife, the delicate fragrance will greet your nostrils.

   Finish the sightseeing, transfer back to your hotel.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

6. Day 6: Guilin - Yangshuo
   Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street ( B, L )

   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, transfer to Yangshuo local hotel for overnight.

   Optional night activity: If you are looking for a worth-to-visit activity tonight, the wonderful Impression Show of Liu Sanjie will be waiting for you! The stage is set on the Li River, most of 600 performers are fishermen from nearby villages. Through this amazing show, you will know the legendary Sanjie Liu and learn something about Zhuang people's culture.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Yanghsuo

   

7. Day 7: Yangshuo - Guilin Departure
   Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill( B, L )

   AM: After breakfast, take all your belongs and check out the hotel as you will be departing Guilin at end of the tour.

   Driving around 1.5 hours from Yangshuo to Guilin city, 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.