6 Days Best Guilin Photography Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival, Guilin City Sightseeing
   Marvel at Elephant Hill's Trunk and Reed Cave's Crystal Wonders

   Welcome to Guilin for an immersive photography tour! Our local driver and English-speaking guide will wait for you at the airport terminal exit or train station. Then you will be driven to the hotel in the city center.

   After a short rest, be guided to visit the landmark of Guilin city - Elephant Trunk Hill. It is a very large rock hill looking just like an elephant drinking water from the river with its trunk. In addition to the unique shape, you can also explore stone carvings and a small museum with cultural relics.

   Next, take a 20-minute drive to the Reed Flute Cave, a wonderful underground wonder filled with colorful lights. Over millions of years, nature has formed amazing shapes inside the cave, such as stalagmites, stalactites, stone curtains, and rock waterfalls in many sizes. After the visit, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: in Guilin

   

2. Day 2: Guilin to Longji Rice Terraces
   Shoot Beautiful Terraces and Meet Long-haired Yao Traditions

   This morning, you'll take a 1.5-hour drive to visit one of the most beautiful rice terraces in China — the Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng County. These impressive terraces rise up to 1,000 meters and are a great example of ancient farming skill. On the way, you pass through the Zhuang and Yao minority villages. One special stop is Huangluo Yao Village, known as the “First Long Hair Village in the World,” where you will watch women in traditional red clothing with hair as long as 2.72 meters.

   Afterward, continue your visit to Dazhai Village, home to the Red Yao people and part of the Jinkeng Rice Terraces. The layers of terraced fields look like a giant painting, especially as local farmers grow crops like wheat on the slopes. Walk through the fields and up to Golden Buddha Peak (1180 meters), the best place for taking pictures of the terraces.

   

   After that, go down the hill via the cable car. Hike for about 1.5 hours to your guesthouse in Tiantou Village (田头寨). Check in and have a good rest!

   Note: In the Jinkeng Rice Terraces scenic area, vehicles can only stop at the Tourist Center Parking Lot. There are no shuttle buses to take you between parking lot, the hotel, and viewpoint. So you will need to walk up many steps to reach your guesthouse. Wearing comfortable shoes is strongly recommended!

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Tiantou Village

3. Day 3: Back to Guilin
   Frame Golden Dawns and Layered Fields in Longji

   You need to wake up before sunrise. The guide will lead you to the best place to overlook Longji Rice Terraces - West Hill Music. Take amazing photos of morning mist, glowing skies, mountains, and forests. After that, return to the hotel for breakfast.

   Have a short rest and continue your hike to the impressive Thousand-layer Terraces (千层天梯). Get your camera ready and photograph the sight of countless layers of rice fields flowing down the hillside. Then, spend some relaxing time capturing photos of the Red Yao people, their traditional clothing and unique wooden houses.

   

   After the tour, drive you back to your hotel in Guilin City.

   Evening optional activity: You can walk around Two Rivers and Four Lakes to take in the beautiful night scenery.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Guilin

4. Day 4: Guilin to Yangshuo
   Feast Your Eyes on the Amazing Li River on a Cruise Ship

   As the famous Chinese saying goes, “Guilin boasts the finest landscapes on earth.” Today, you’ll discover the beautiful views with a 4-hour Li River cruise from Mopanshan Dock to Yangshuo: green karst mountains, twisting rivers, peaceful countryside, the famous Nine Horses Fresco Hill, and the scenery printed on the back of the 20 RMB note. (You will have a simple lunch on the cruise)

   After arriving in Yangshuo Town, take a 1-hour drive to Xingping Town. Here, enjoy a slow-paced walk and take photos of the ancient town, with its narrow streets, old houses, and everyday life of the locals. When the sun is about to set, head to a viewpoint by the Li River to capture the stunning sunset. Watch the soft sunset light reflect on the river, surrounded by quiet hills.

   

   Optional Activities in the Evening:

   Witness traditional cormorants fishing on the Li River. Local fishermen, standing on a wooden raft with an oil lamp, guide trained birds to catch fish. This performance must be booked in advance and requires an extra fee. This is a great chance for photography.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yangshuo

5. Day 5: Scenery along Yulong River
   Catch Sunrise and Explore the Countryside by Various Activities

   Early this morning, catch the chance to take pictures of the sunrise over the Yulong River and the breathtaking karst mountains. Then, return to your hotel for breakfast.

   Once you've eaten, enjoy your time in the lovely countryside. Take in the refreshing views that surround you: rolling karst hills, clear rivers, colorful farmland... You can choose how you’d like to explore this scenic area - by bike, bamboo raft, hiking, or car. Of course, you can take the options together.

   

   (Tip: Let your travel consultant know in advance which activities you prefer, as the price will vary depending on your choices.)

   After finishing your photography along the Yulong River, you'll take a 40-minute drive to Cuiping Five Fingers Mountain, where you can take pictures of the wide countryside views of Yangshuo. The scenery looks like something out of a fairy tale, especially during sunset.

   Finally, head to your hotel located at the foot of Xianggong Hill.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Yangshuo

6. Day 6: Departure from Guilin
   Enjoy the Beautiful Sunrise View at Xianggong Hill

   Wake up early this morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise at Xianggong Hill - the best spot for viewing the Li River, featuring drifting mist, sunlight through the clouds, small village houses, karst mountains, and ships sailing on the golden water.

   After taking photos, head back to your hotel for breakfast. Then, you’ll be transferred to the airport or train station for your next destination. It’s best to schedule your flight or train for late afternoon or early evening. Your 6-day Guilin photography tour comes to a end here.

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A