Guilin & Yangshuo 3-Day Leisure Tour: City Lights, Karst Towers and the Yulong River

Three days that cover the two halves of a Guangxi trip without hurrying either of them. You arrive in Guilin and go straight out on the city waterways after dark, when the bridges and pagodas are lit; the next day is the city itself - Elephant Hill and Reed Flute Cave - before the transfer to Yangshuo. The last day is the one most people come for: bamboo rafts on the Yulong River, a cycle through the lanes and fields, and the Impression Liu Sanjie show in the evening.

Two hotel nights are included, one in Guilin and one in Yangshuo. The pace is moderate throughout: the only genuinely early start is optional, and the vehicle is never far from the walking. Suitable for first-time visitors and for anyone travelling with older family members.

The tour ends in Yangshuo. From there you can continue to Guilin for a flight or a train, or extend south; tell us which and we will add the transfer and quote it separately.

• Two Rivers and Four Lakes night cruise on arrival in Guilin
• Elephant Hill, the elephant-shaped hill that is the city's emblem
• Reed Flute Cave, a lit walkway through chambers of stalactites
• Transfer to Yangshuo and two nights of slower pacing
• Yulong River bamboo rafting and a countryside cycle
• Impression Liu Sanjie, the open-air show on the water

• Meals as listed in the daily itinerary (breakfasts and lunches as shown)
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver throughout
• English-speaking local guide (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian or Japanese on request)
• All entrance fees for the sites listed, including shuttle buses, eco-buses and cable cars where the site requires them
• Local handling and coordination service throughout the programme
• Bottled water (2 bottles per person per day) and audio headsets where group size requires them
• Travel accident insurance for the duration of the tour

• International air tickets and any domestic flights not listed in the itinerary
• China visa or visa-free entry documentation fees
• Meals not specified in the daily itinerary and all beverages/alcohol
• Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff (suggested USD 8-12 per person per day)
• Personal expenses: laundry, telephone, minibar, shopping
• Optional activities and any item not listed under Price Includes
• Single-room supplement if a traveller requires a room alone

Three days covering the two halves of a Guangxi trip without hurrying either, with two hotel nights, one in Guilin and one in Yangshuo. Private vehicle and English-speaking guide throughout.

Is the night cruise worth doing on arrival?

Yes, and arriving is the right moment for it, because the city waterways are at their best after dark when the bridges and pagodas are lit. It is a gentle way to start after a flight rather than a demanding first afternoon. The cruise is on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes ring.

What is Impression Liu Sanjie?

An outdoor light and music performance staged on the river at Yangshuo, with the karst towers as the backdrop. The karst around Yangshuo belongs to the South China Karst, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. It uses local performers on the water rather than a theatre set, which is why it works for visitors who do not speak Chinese. Seating is outdoors, so bring a layer in the cooler months.

Is the cycling in Yangshuo flat?

Yes. The cycling is on lanes through farmland and villages at the foot of the towers, and it is one of the easiest rides in China. Bikes are sized on the day and the route is set to your party. If nobody wants to ride, the same countryside is covered by vehicle.

Can we raft the Yulong River?

Yes. Bamboo rafts drift the Yulong, which is the quieter tributary and the one most visitors prefer to the big river. The rafts are small and carry two passengers each, and life vests are provided. It is included as part of the last day.

How many hotel nights are included?

Two: one in Guilin and one in Yangshuo, both with breakfast. Splitting the nights is the point of the three-day shape, because it puts you in Yangshuo for the last full day rather than driving back to Guilin each evening.

Is this a good trip for couples?

Yes. It is our most popular leisure itinerary, and the pacing is deliberately slow: a night cruise, a city morning, then rafting and cycling. Nothing on it requires early starts except the Xianggong Hill hike, which is an optional addition. Tell us if you want a quieter version and we will drop the show.

Can we start in Yangshuo instead of Guilin?

Yes, the itinerary can be reversed, which suits travellers arriving from the south. In that case the river cruise runs on the last day and the night cruise in Guilin closes the trip. Tell us your arrival airport and we will set the direction to avoid backtracking.