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Li River, Guilin

Guilin Tours

Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the stunning landscapes
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You might’ve long heard about the breathtaking beauty of Guilin, renowned for its sublime karsts hailed “No.1 natural landscapes under heaven”. This is no hype at all, and you must see it to believe it! Our private Guilin tours, crafted with 30 years of expertise, offer a range of themed itineraries tailored to your interests. From cruising the Li River to hiking through rural idylls, or exploring hidden gems, we allow the possibility to travel in a variety of ways.

To take advantage of your precious chance to visit Guilin, you might particularly be interested in our all-in-one 6 days tour. Cruise on the Li River and tour Yangshuo’s countryside with bamboo rafting to see iconic sights of grotesque hills, buffalos, and cormorant-assisted fishermen. Take a step beyond to Longsheng and Sanjiang to meet dreamy rice terraces and ethnic minority groups who live with eye-opening traditions. For adventure seekers, embark on our 5-day hiking tour and enjoy a bamboo rice lunch made by the Zhuang people. Photographers will love our dedicated itinerary, following us to the best spots to capture Guilin’s beauty at sunrise and sunset, while exploring unique villages and traditions. Prefer a shorter trip? Check out our tours of 1 to 4 days and focus more on specific highlights, from ethnic culture to rustic Yangshuo, cooking class, or mingling with local farmers. Especially our day trips, each is designed to show you a certain aspect of Guilin.

Travel in comfort with customizable itineraries, private guides, and stays at handpicked 4-star or 5-star hotels. Let us create your perfect Guilin adventure – flexible, convenient, and unforgettable. ... Read more

Best Private Guilin Tours

China Tours including Guilin

How to plan my Guilin trip?
3 Days
Li River Cruise & Guilin City

4-5 Days
+Yangshuo Countryside
+Rice Terraces in Longsheng
+Daxu Ancient Town

6 Days or more
+More time in Yangshuo
+Extension to Sanjiang

FAQs on Guilin Tours

Will my guide be with me on the cruise ship? What is the luggage arrangement?

Yes, in your private tour packages your guide will escort you on the Li River cruise journey. He/she will tell you interesting descriptive names and legendary stories of those major attractions along the river when on board. Let your imagination merge with the guide's explanation. You will find the mystical peaks become lifelike.

If you are scheduled to stay overnight in Yangshuo, your luggage will be delivered to Yangshuo by your driver who goes to Yangshuo overland.

What kind of boat will we take for the Li River Cruise tour?

There are both 3-star and 4-star boats available for the Li River Cruise tour. We usually recommend the 3-star boat since it is favored by the majority. But if you are interested in the 4-star boat, we are also ready to book it for you. Below are key features of the two kinds of boats.

The 3-star boat has a capacity of 98-110 people. All the seats are priced the same reasonably, and the ticket fee includes a simple lunch box with free tea. As you will spend most of the time sightseeing on the top deck of the boat, we believe the 3-star one is quite adequate for a short 4-hour journey.

The 4-star boat has a capacity of 75-80 people with a bit more spacious seats. The ticket price varies according to the seats, which is about USD30 to USD50 per person higher than that of the 3-star. A Chinese buffet lunch is served. Clients who demand for better facilities may consider this kind of boat.

Can I take a bamboo raft on the Li River?

Frankly speaking, we do not recommend the Li River bamboo rafting to our clients in Guilin itinerary for the following reasons.

First of all, the bamboo rafts are not operated under standardized management, so the service of the boatmen cannot be guaranteed. Secondly, the raft is not poled by the boatman in the traditional way, but driven by an outboard motor, which is a bit noisy. Thirdly, it is usually quite small, without a restroom, not to mention food, drinks or air-conditioning on board. Fourthly, when the weather is not good, the bamboo rafting is easily subject to cancellation at very short notice. Therefore, we suggest you take the river cruise instead of bamboo rafting for a smooth and safe trip.

When is the best time to visit the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces?

Generally speaking, May, June, September and October are the best months to visit the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces.

From May to June, you can see the terraced fields filled with water glistening like mirrors in the sunlight, and see traditional farmers busily transplanting rice seedlings.

When the autumn harvest season comes in end of September and the beginning of October, everywhere you look are terraces with golden rice undulating in the breeze. As it is too crowded during the National Holiday, the end of September is considered to be the best time to visit the rice terraces.

In other months of the year, the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces still offer spectacular scenery and unique ethnic customs.

Can I stay overnight in Longsheng to explore the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces in more depth? How are accommodations there?

Yes, you are able to stay overnight at Ping'an Zhuang Village in Longsheng. Since it is in the mountainous area, there are mainly guesthouses with basic necessities for travelers. We usually book the well-regarded Ping An Guesthouse for clients. For those looking for better accommodations, the only luxury boutique Li An Lodge can meet your requirements, but its room rate is a bit higher.