2 Days in Longsheng & Yangshuo : A Guided Tour from Guilin through China’s Hidden Gems

Place&Transport:LongshengToday's Activities:Huangluo Yao Village, Ping’an Village, Longji Rice TerracesAccommodation:N/AMeal:Our local guide will recommend popular local restaurants based on real-time traffic and your preferences, letting you enjoy authentic local cuisine away from touristy restaurants.

Your day begins with a warm welcome from your guide, who will meet you in the lobby of your Guilin hotel with a sign "Your Way Holiday".

As you settle into the private car, your guide shares stories of the region’s ethnic diversity and the ancient customs that still shape daily life here.

The drive winds through lush countryside and misty mountains, offering glimpses of rice paddies, bamboo groves, and traditional wooden houses perched on hillsides.

Upon arrival atHuangluo Yao Village, known as the “Long Hair Village,” your guide introduces you to the Yao women—famous for their floor-length hair—and explains the symbolism behind this unique tradition.

As you walk through the stilted homes and observe locals weaving and singing, your guide bridges the language gap, translating conversations and helping you understand the rhythms of village life.

Next, your journey continues toPing’an Village, nestled among the rolling peaks of Longsheng County.

As your vehicle ascends the winding mountain roads, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with terraced rice fields clinging to steep slopes like green ribbons.

Your guide provides insight into the Zhuang people's history and architecture, pointing out how the houses are cleverly designed to suit the terrain.

Upon arrival, your guide leads you through the narrow stone pathways of Ping’an, where smoke curls from chimneys and elders rest on wooden benches.

You’ll visit traditional homes and hear fascinating legends about the origins of the terraces, all brought to life by your guide’s vivid storytelling.

Their presence ensures you connect not just with the sights, but with the spirit of the community itself.

By midday, it's time to pause and savor a traditional meal prepared by local villagers.

Your guide selects a cozy family-run eatery where you’re treated to dishes like bamboo rice, stir-fried wild vegetables, and local chicken cooked over open flame.

As you dine, your guide shares the origins of each dish and ensures dietary preferences are respected.

Seated on a balcony overlooking the terraces, the view is unforgettable—layers of green stepping up toward the sky, shaped by centuries of care.

Your guide uses this moment to explain how the terrace system works in harmony with seasonal farming cycles, blending human ingenuity with nature’s grace.

It’s more than just a meal—it’s an immersion into local life, made richer by the guide’s thoughtful commentary and easy camaraderie with the villagers.

After lunch, you’ll set off on a guided hike through the breathtakingLongjiRice Terraces(Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces).

With your guide leading the way, you’ll ascend winding stone paths, pass through shady forests and terraced ledges, and reach panoramic viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas of the valley below.

Your guide adjusts the pace to match your comfort and shares stories of how these terraces, some dating back 600 years, were carved by hand by local farmers.

Along the way, they point out native plants, explain farming practices, and help you interact with any villagers you might encounter.

Whether it’s a sudden shift in light over the landscape or the quiet sound of wind passing through the rice shoots, your guide ensures you don’t miss the beauty in the details—and helps you photograph it from the best angles.

As the afternoon sun casts golden hues over the terraces, you’ll begin your descent and return to the car.

Your guide remains attentive, offering you bottled water and a relaxed pace as you retrace the scenic route.

During the drive back to Guilin, your guide reflects with you on the day’s highlights, answering any lingering questions and sharing suggestions for what to explore next in the region.

Outside your window, the sky fades from blue to amber, silhouetting distant peaks and rivers as the countryside slips into evening calm.

By the time you’re dropped off at your hotel, you’ll feel not only enriched by the landscape and culture you’ve experienced, but also grateful for the company of a knowledgeable and caring guide who brought it all to life.

Place&Transport:YangshuoToday's Activities:Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street, Bicycle RideAccommodation:N/AMeal:Our local guide will recommend popular local restaurants based on real-time traffic and your preferences, letting you enjoy authentic local cuisine away from touristy restaurants.

Your journey begins as your friendly guide greets you at your Guilin hotel and escorts you to the pier for theLi River Cruise.

As you travel by private car, your guide offers fascinating insights into the region’s karst landscape and the cultural significance of the Li River.

At the dock, they help you board the cruise boat and secure a good spot for photos.

Once the cruise begins, you’ll find yourself drifting through a landscape straight out of a Chinese ink painting—towering limestone peaks, crystal-clear waters, grazing buffalo, and fishermen on bamboo rafts.

Your guide points out iconic landmarks along the way, like Nine Horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal, bringing them to life with legends and local stories.

Whether you're capturing photos or simply taking in the beauty, your guide ensures you don’t miss any hidden details.

During the cruise, a simple Chinese-style lunch is served on board—typically including rice, vegetables, and a protein dish.

If you prefer, your guide will have reminded you that you’re welcome to bring your own packed meal.

As the boat nears Yangshuo, your guide highlights the change in scenery, with the karst peaks becoming even more dramatic and clustered, rising like stone guardians from the riverbanks.

Upon docking, your guide helps you disembark smoothly and gives you options: enjoy a relaxed lunch at one of the charming cafes in West Street, or head straight into exploring this vibrant part of town.

If you choose to eat after the cruise, your guide will recommend trusted local restaurants—whether you're in the mood for local specialties like beer fish or international fare.

After lunch, your guide leads you on a walking tour of Yangshuo’s famousWest Street, a blend of traditional Chinese architecture and lively modern culture.

Cobblestone paths wind between Qing-era houses now hosting cafés, artisan shops, and boutique galleries.

Your guide explains how this once-sleepy village became a cultural melting pot and a backpacker haven, while pointing out details like ancient stone carvings on doorways or calligraphy signs still preserved above shop entrances.

You’ll have free time to browse for souvenirs, enjoy a local dessert, or sip coffee while watching street performers.

Throughout the visit, your guide remains nearby to offer historical context or help you interact with shopkeepers and locals—making sure you enjoy both the sights and the spirit of the place.

In the afternoon, your adventure continues with a relaxingBicycle Ridethrough the peaceful Yangshuo countryside.

Your guide helps you choose a comfortable bike and leads you along scenic paths lined with rice paddies, ancient stone bridges, and traditional farming villages.

As you cycle beneath the shadow of soaring karst peaks and alongside the tranquil Yulong River, the beauty is both surreal and soothing.

Your guide shares stories about rural life, explains how the local farming system works, and helps you pause at the best photo spots.

Depending on the season, you might see water buffalo grazing, farmers planting rice, or children playing by the roadside.

After the ride, your guide ensures a comfortable return drive to your Guilin hotel, wrapping up a day filled with nature, culture, and heartfelt connection.

Optional ActivitiesAt Your Way Holiday, we strive to enhance the depth and flexibility of your travel experience by offering a range of optional additions to our core tour itineraries.

Our itineraries are designed to provide exceptional flexibility, allowing you to tailor your journey according to your preferences.

Select from a variety of activities and experiences to enrich your itinerary, ensuring a personalized adventure that perfectly aligns with your interests.

With Your Way Holiday, you have the freedom to create a memorable travel experience that is uniquely yours.East Li Ancient Village Pottery Making ExperienceJoin our local guide for a guided pottery experience at East Li Ancient Village’s three-generation family-run ceramic workshop, where a veteran potter will introduce you to vintage tools like wooden kick wheels and the region’s ceramic heritage—including how local red clay was once used to make climate-adapted (glazed for humidity resistance) household wares.

You’ll knead local clay to remove air bubbles, try shaping a small vessel (teacup, storage jar, or karst-inspired figurine) on a kick wheel or via hand-building, and add simple bamboo-carved patterns and natural mineral glaze.

You can arrange to have your piece fired and shipped home or take an air-dried version as a souvenir, while learning how pottery once underpinned village life (for grain storage, wine fermentation, and cooking) and is now revived as a cultural heritage activity, leaving with a deeper appreciation for northern Guangxi’s rural ceramic traditions.Explore Guilin’s Morning Market: A Colorful Culinary AdventureVisit the local vegetable market in Guilin to experience the lively atmosphere of the morning market, buy fresh ingredients, and taste authentic Guilin breakfast dishes (such as Guilin rice noodles, fried dough sticks, and peanut porridge).

Interact with locals to learn about the city’s everyday life and culinary culture.Impression Liu Sanjie ShowExperience the grand live outdoor performance Impression Liu Sanjie, directed by famous director Zhang Yimou.

The show combines local natural landscapes and folk culture in a magnificent performance.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Li River, it brings the rich traditions of the region to life with vibrant music and breathtaking visuals.Guilin Yao Ethnic Group Oil Tea Making ExperienceDelve into the UNESCO-listed traditional tea culture with a hands-on Yao ethnic group oil tea making experience.

Our guide will take you to a local Yao village or heritage workshop where you’ll be guided by a seasoned inheritor of the Yao oil tea custom.

Start by learning to select the core ingredients—local oil tea leaves, fresh ginger, and garlic—before mastering the traditional technique of pounding them repeatedly in an iron pot to release their aromas.

You’ll then boil the mixture with hot water and adjust the flavor with peanuts, fried rice, or sesame seeds as toppings.

As you sip the fragrant, slightly bitter oil tea, the inheritor and guide will share insights into its history as a staple for dispelling dampness in mountainous areas, its role in Yao hospitality rituals, and how it was listed as part of China’s world intangible cultural heritage of traditional tea-making technique.Exploring Guilin’s Old AlleysExplore the ancient alleys in Guilin (such as Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and Nanmenqiao Old Street), experiencing the traditional culture and historical atmosphere of the city.

Interact with residents, experience the lifestyle of old alleys, and capture unique scenes that reflect the ancient charm of Guilin.

From $180 per personFree Inquiry Price Per Person in US Dollars Price Includes1.Cozy Ride: Enjoy the comfort and spaciousness of our air-conditioned car, offering scenic views.2.Bilingual Expert Guide: Benefit from a personalized experience with a guide fluent in your language, catering to your needs.3.Entrance Fees: Access all attractions and activities mentioned in the itinerary without worrying about additional entrance fees.4.Seamless Transfer: Enhance your experience with convenient hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service.5.Connect Seamlessly: Stay connected with complimentary onboard WiFi, allowing you to share your experiences in real-time.6.City-to-City Train Tickets: For itineraries involving high-speed rail travel, assistance with booking ensures a smooth and efficient experience.7.Complimentary Water: Receive a complimentary bottle of water for each person, keeping you refreshed throughout your journey.8.Travel Agency Liability Insurance: Benefit from coverage under our travel agency liability insurance, providing added protection and peace of mind during your trip.Price Excludes1.Personal Expenses: This includes phone bills, laundry, additional tours, postage, and any entertainment fees not covered in the itinerary.2.Meals: While meals are not included, our guide will recommend the best local food spots, giving you the chance to explore and choose based on your preferences.

(Average cost per person for a regular meal at local eateries: 40RMB/6USD-80RMB/12USD)3.Tips: Tips are not mandatory but are recommended for excellent service.

If you feel satisfied with the service, you may consider leaving a tip.

The tipping standards are as follows: Driver: 50-100 RMB per day/group; Guide: 100-200 RMB per day/group.4.Insurance: Insurance coverage for personal loss, illness, or damages incurred during your trip is not included.5.Optional Activities: Any optional activities listed in the itinerary are not included in the tour fees, allowing you to choose and participate based on your preferences.6.Accommodation: Hotel stays are not included in the package.

However, we will gladly recommend reputable and comfortable hotels for your consideration, ensuring a pleasant stay during your trip.

How Our Teams Serve you at Your Way HolidayPersonalized Travel ConsultantExperience the best of China with our expert travel consultants by your side.

With years of local tourism experience, they are not only professional and knowledgeable but also deeply committed to making your trip unforgettable.

Your dedicated consultant will craft a bespoke tour plan tailored to your unique interests, schedule, and budget, offering you the utmost flexibility.

From the moment you start planning until the end of your journey, they will be in touch, ensuring every detail is perfect and that your trip runs smoothly.Exceptional Local GuidesDiscover it through the eyes of our exceptional local guides.

All certified and experienced, they are passionate about sharing their deep knowledge of attractions, history, and culture.

Whether you're interested in hidden gems or popular sites, they know the best places to visit.

They can recommend top local restaurants, unique shopping spots, and must-see shows.

Beyond just guiding, they provide enriching insights into the history, customs, and authentic daily life, making your experience truly immersive.Premium Private TransportationTravel in comfort and style with our premium private transportation.

We offer a fleet of air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean, and meticulously maintained vehicles, all less than four years old.

Our professional drivers, all locals with over a decade of driving experience, are friendly, courteous, and dedicated to your safety and comfort.

Depending on your group's size, we provide a range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, business vans (MPVs), and spacious buses, all with ample luggage space.Authentic Dining ExperiencesWe prioritize genuine local culinary experiences over pre-arranged tourist restaurants.

Our local guides will recommend the best local restaurants where you can savor authentic flavors.

This approach ensures you enjoy the freshest, most authentic meals, tailored to your preferences, and experience the true essence of the local cuisine.

Whether your dietary needs are vegetarian, Muslim, Chinese, Western, Jewish, or Indian, we have excellent options to make every meal a delightful part of your journey.