7 Days Zhangjiajie-Guilin Adventure Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Zhangjiajie Arrival (no meal)

   Upon your arrival at Zhangjiajie 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 check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie Downtown Area

2. Day 2: Tianmen Mountain National Park (B, L)
   Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Temple, Skywalk, Tianmen Cave, 99-bend Road, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge

   After breakfast, follow your guide to explore one of the highlights of Zhangjiajie - the Tianmen Mountain National Park.

   Firstly, drive to the cableway base for you to take the cable car up to the top of Tianmen Mountain.With a length of 7445 meters, Tianmen Mountain cableway is regarded as the longest cableway in the world. The one way cable car ride take about 28 minutes. And the half-hour riding is an excellent chance to see the picturesque scenery of the mountain.

   Arriving at the mountain top, you will firstly pay a visit to Tianmen Temple. The temple was built in the Ming Dynasty and is the Buddhist activity center in the western Hunan Province.

   Next you will take a walk on the vertiginous Skywalk built by transparent glass. For some people it is really a test of courage! Then move to the Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s door cave). This natural stone archway is 131.5 meters high and 57 meters wide. It will take about half an hour to walk through the famous cave.

   Last, take a shuttle bus down to the mountain foot by the 99-bend Road– the scenic round hill road.

   In the afternoon, move on to challenge yourself at the longest and highest Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in the world with a length of 430 meters. You can have a panoramic view of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon while walking on the transparent glass floor. You may be scared to step on the bridge at first, but once you take the first step, you will enjoy the magnificent view of flying waterfalls, lush forests, running streams.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Area

   

3. Day 3: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (B, L)
   Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Bailong Elevator, Golden Whip Stream

   Today, you’ll start your adventure with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It’s the first national forest park in China and was included in World Natural Heritage List in 1992 for the queer forest of quartz sandstone peaks. You will see the pillars rise hundreds of meters into the sky, stroll along tranquil valleys and feel rejuvenated by the fresh air.

   Today’s first stop is Tianzi Mountain. There is a saying that you will not want to see any other mountains after visiting Tianzi Mountain. One of the spectacular sights is the sea of clouds after rain if you are lucky. You will witness rugged rocks and a forest of stone peaks which looks like a group of warriors listening to orders.

   After that, continue to explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in the super famous movie Avatar. You also can experience Bailong Elevator, the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world. You will be amazed by the speed of the elevator, only 1 minute and 58 seconds up to Yuanjiajie. When you step out of the elevator, a magical landscape painting will unfold in front of you. The massive quartz-sandstone pillars are just towering over you or next to you.

   Later, move on to Golden Whip Stream, one of the most beautiful sites in Zhangjiajie. The stream winds its way through the hills and valleys and got its name because of passing by the Golden Whip Rock. Just listen to the murmurs of the stream, stroll along the valley and stop to watch the fish swimming in the crystal clear water.

   After all these activities, transfer back to Zhangjiajie downtown for overnight.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie Downtown Area

   

4. Day 4: Zhangjiajie - Changsha - Guilin by High-speed Train (B)

   In the morning, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer to Zhangjiajie Train Station for your high-speed train to Changsha ( train rides around 3.5 hours ).

   Arrival at Changsha Station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name, drive around 40 minutes to Changsha South Station for another high-speed train to Guilin ( train rides around 3.5 hours). You can have a simple lunch at Changsha South Train Station on your own.

   Upon arrival at Guilin North Station, our local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to local hotel for check-in.

   Friendly Tips: There is NO direct train between Zhangjiajie and Guilin. Today, you will spend most of time on the train and needs train -transit in Changsha. You are suggested to prepare some food / snack before your departure from Zhangjiajie.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Guilin

5. Day 5: Tour to Longji Terrance (B, L)
   Longji Rice Terraces, Long Hair Show

   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 at 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.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Guilin

   

6. Day 6: Guilin - Yangshuo by Cruise (B, 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.

   Noon: 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.

   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 Liu Sanjie and learn something about Zhuang people's culture.

   Accommodation: Overnight in Yangshuo

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

   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 the beautiful name Water Moon Cave. You can take beautiful pictures to record a pleasant time at this extraordinary place.

   Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.

   PM: Last, say goodbye to Guilin and transfer to Guilin airport/train station for your departure. Your 7 days Zhangjiajie and Guilin tour ends here.

   Accommodation: N/A