If you start a China tour from Hong Kong, where do you want to go? Hong Kong is usually served as the most important south gateway city in China that you can enjoy a tour from Hong Kong and visit the hot tourist destinations in South China first and then transfer to other destinations.
Hong Kong may be internationally known for its unique combination of glitz, glamour and grittiness, while, there’s a lot more to the city than just beautiful buildings, rooftop bars and neon-drenched street eats. Whether you fancy some quiet moments far away from the bustling downtown to relax on the sandy beach, or reach up the highest point of Hong Kong Island for a superlative panoramic view, you’ve never missed the chance in this itinerary. Take the high speed train from Hong Kong to begin a contrast tour for an enjoyable visit to Guilin and Guizhou. Guilin actually covers three destinations - the downtown area, Yangshuo countryside and Longji Rice Terraces with the best landscape under heaven. Transfer directly from Longji Rice Terraces to the Dong minority kingdom to fully enjoy their culture, performances, customs and architectures. Also, you won’t miss the chance to visit several Miao ethnic villages in and around Kaili to experience their unique culture. This contrast tour can be a relaxing vacation, also can be regarded as an exploration in South China and Southwest China!
Good to Know: If you live in Hong Kong or have visited Hong Kong before, you can make the trip for only 6 days, covering the essences of Guilin and Guizhou Province.
Day 1 Hong Kong Arrival
Be picked up at the airport or railway station, and transferred to check in your hotel.
Ni Hao! Welcome to Hong Kong, Pearl of the Orient! Our local guide is ready to pick you up at the arrival hall of the airport, and transfer you to hotel. The rest of today is to recover from long flight, or explore this vibrant and bustling metropolis on your own.
Evening Ideas: In this evening, take a walk through Temple Street Night Market which is the livest night market in Hong Kong. Whether you’re a fan of shopping or not, Temple Street is one place you’ll find everything from souvenirs to tiny trinkets and from clothes to footwear, bags and more. Browse different kinds of commodities and if you like, stop to sit and enjoy some delicious snacks. After the tour, get back to your hotel by yourselves.
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Day 2 Hong Kong (B)
Half Day Private Tour + Half Day Suggested Self-guided Itinerary
After breakfast, you will be picked up from selected hotels in downtown area by your private tour guide and driver to start your half day exciting Hong Kong exploration.
Firstly, you will climb to the highest point of Hong Kong - Victoria Peak (552m) via the famous Peak Tram which has operated for more than 112 years as one of the world oldest funicular railways. Walk through the verdant woods to explore hidden old buildings left by the old Hong Kong. Also ascend to the observation deck to sweep the magnificent Hong Kong skyline and tranquil harbor views. Get down from the peak, then go to visit Aberdeen Fishing Village where you will get an impressive insight of an old traditional fishing village to view the rows of old Junks and Sampans.
Continue to take a trip to the Stanley Market. Browse fancy petty commodities in various little stores and enjoy the fun of bargaining, or just order a cup of coffee or beer at the seaside café or pub, a great way to spend time away from the maddening crowds. (If you are interested in the beautiful sand beach with long coastline, soft sand and clean water, you can visit Repulse Bay instead of Stanley Market.)
After the tour, transfer back you your hotel.
Suggested Afternoon & Evening Itinerary:
In this afternoon, pay a visit to Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. This Taoist temple is dedicated to a deified healer named Wong Tai Sin and it is said that when he was 15 an immortal taught Wong how to make a herbal potion that could cure all illness. This temple is famed for the many prayers answered “What you request is what you get” via a practice called kau chim. Enjoy the sincere atmosphere of praying and kau chim for good fortune. Later, move your steps to Nan Lian Garden, an elegant Tang-style garden featuring a golden pagoda, a koi pond and a collection of bizarre rocks sourced from all over China. Enjoy your time in the beautiful Chi Lin Nunnery located close to the garden. Built in the style of Tang Dynasty, this Buddhist complex is a serene place with lotus ponds, bonsai tea plants, bougainvillea and silent nuns delivering offerings fruit and rice to Buddha or chanting behind intricately carved screens.
In the late evening, enjoy a light walk along Avenue of Stars situated on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade right on the waterfront of Victoria Harbor. Admire stunning views of the Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island with its numerous skyscrapers. If time allows, catch the chance to watch “A Symphony of Lights” that is held every night at 20:00.
Victoria Peak Panoramic View
Aberdeen Fishing Village
Victoria Harbor Amazing Night View
The Sun-Drenched Sandy Beaches at Repulse Bay
Panoramic View from Victoria Peak during Daytime
Day 3 Hong Kong - Guilin (B)
Transfer from Hong Kong to Guilin - Pick-up in Guilin
Today, you will leave Hong Kong for Guilin on your own. You can take a bullet train from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Guilin West, which takes only about 3.5 hours. Or, you can choose from the 1-2 daily flight from Hong Kong International Airport to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, which takes about 1.5 hours.
Upon arrival at Guilin railway station/airport, your local tour guide and driver will meet you, and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to have fun on your own.
(Transferring Note: 1. Since there are very few trains between Hong Kong and Guilin, you can also adjust to transfer first to Guangzhou South Station or Shenzhen North Station by Hong Kong bullet train and then travel to Guilin by another bullet train, which is relatively cheaper than flight travel, but takes about 3-3.5 hours to arrive in Guilin City. 2. If you do not know how to embark China bullet train or want to enjoy a private transfer to Hong Kong railway station from your hotel, please directly contact us. We can send a private tour guide and driver to pick you up from your hotel, and escort you to the railway station to take your train.)
Evening Ideas: You can take a leisure walk around the famous city water system - Two Rivers and Four Lakes for the amazing night views.
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Day 4 Guilin - Li River Cruise - Yangshuo (B, L)
Li River Cruise - Yangshuo Countryside View - West Street
As the declaration in Chinese textbook "Guilin’s landscape is the best under heaven", today you will explore this best landscape starting with a relaxing sightseeing cruise along the Li River from Mopanshan Pier to Yangshuo Town. Along the 84-kilometer cruise, dazzling scenery overwhelms your eyes like a vast endless Chinese painting of winding river, green limestone karst mountains, fascinating countryside views, amazing scene of A Painting of Nine Horses, and notable view printed on the back of the 20 RMB note. (Please note: Lunch is served by the cruise with simple local Chinese cuisine. And you can take some snacks when getting on board.)
After about 4 hours’ cruise, disembark in Yangshuo Town, and check into your hotel. After a short break, start your impressive exploration of the best charming sightseeing and ideal countryside ease at Yulong River. Let all the refreshing scenes please your eyes and souls to the utmost. Just enjoy every moment with the Karst hills dotted around, chatting stream, rippling mountain reflection, swaying floras, patches of vivid crops, comfortable breeze….There are diverse kinds of ways for your enjoyment of the fun and beauty, including biking, hiking, sightseeing bus, bamboo rafting and scooter. You can easily choose and combine your ideal way(s) and part of Yulong River. (Please tell your likes to your travel consultants before booking the tour, as the final prices will differ by activities you choose.).
Biking (some physically demanding & sightseeing by the river) - Ride to enjoy the river view and the real fields (route: Yangshuo - Jima - Shuiedi Dock - Gongnong Bridge - West Street; for 1.5-2 hours).
Bamboo Rafting (relaxing and interesting & sightseeing on the river) - have fun with the classic bamboo rafting (Route A: Shuiedi Dock - Gongnong Bridge for 40-50 minutes; Route B: Jima Dock - Gongnong Bridge for 1.5 hours) to see the more serene view like pieces of traditional Chinese landscape ink paintings.
Sightseeing Bus (most leisurable and comfortable & sightseeing on the road) - sit leisurely on the bus from Jima to Gongnong Bridge to appreciate the lovely countryside view (about 0.5 hour). You can get off and on anywhere on the middle way to explore more about your interested place.
After that, walk leisurely on the ancient West Street to witness how the western culture and Chinese culture perfectly and peacefully coexist here. Whether you want to enjoy a cup of drink in bar, taste some local food, or just experience the relaxing atmosphere, you get it here.
Note: according to the regulations of Yulong River Tourism, children less than 1 meter high and elders over 70 years old are not allowed to take the bamboo rafting.
Optional evening activity:
Watch the splendid evening performance of Impression Liu Sanjie with the Li River itself as the stage, which was directed by famous director - Zhang Yimou (usually performs for an hour between around 19:45 and 22:20).
Panorama of Yangshuo Ten-mile Gallery Countryside
Visit Yangshuo West Street at Night
Lush Guilin Li River Scenery, Taken by Claire from UK in October 2021
Chusi's family visited Moon Hill at Yangshuo Ten-mile Gallery in June, 2018
Day 5 Yangshuo - Longji Rice Terrace (B, L)
Huangluo Yao Village - Ping'an Village (Seven Stars with Moon, Nine Dragons & Five Tigers)
In this morning, you’ll be escorted from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terrace in Longsheng County (about 140km for 2-3 hours’ driving). Longji Rice Terrace is an amazing feat of farm engineering rising up to 1000m high in Longsheng County. There are several featured Zhuang and Yao minority villages along the road and you’ll take a visit to the special Huangluo Yao Village, the First Village of Long Hair in the World, where you can see women in red ethnic clothes with very long hairs (the longest can reach up to 1.7 meters).
Later, continue your drive to a beautiful 600-year-old Zhuang Village - Ping’an and check in your hotel located near the rice terraces. After some rest, start to explore the breathtaking views. The rice terrace is layer upon layer, like the changing ladder created by nature leading to the blue sky, forming a majestic painting between heaven and earth. From Ping’an, you can hike on the cobbled paths built among terraces to catch the best landscape. Climb up to the great lookouts at Seven Stars with Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers from which you can get superlative views of terraces and villages. Hike half day around, then back to Ping’an for dinner and accommodation.
Good to Know:
1. Best time to visit: Longji Rice Terrace can be visited all year round. Go mid-April to mid-June for mirror-like irrigated terrace and rice transplanting scene; go mid-June to mid-September for green terraces; go late September to early-October for golden and harvest scene.
2. Walking: When arriving at Ping’an Village, you can only be dropped at Ping’an Village Tourist Center parking lot that you need to walk about 900 steps to your hotel. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended!
3. Luggage carrying: For the aged or travelers who are lack of physical strength, you’d better hire a local porter to help carry your heavy luggage to the hotel (pay extra expense on your own).
Longji Rice Terrices in late September 2019, Taken by Our Customer Caryn from Australia
Longji Rice Terrices in late August 2018, Taken by Our Customer Gerhard from Germany
Gerhard's group from Germany visited Huangluo Yao Village late August, 2019
Day 6 Longji Rice Terrace - Sanjiang - Zhaoxing Dong Village (B, L)
Longji Rice Terrace- Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge - Zhaoxing Dong Village
When walking up in the fresh air of peaceful morning, you may forget where you are. You can go to watch the magnificent sunrise over the beautiful rice terraces at a great location. Then get back to your hotel for breakfast.
After the exploration at Longji Rice Terrace, it is time to head to Guizhou Province for further sightseeing. On the way, you’ll make a stop in Sanjiang County in Guangxi to visit the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge. This bridge was built in 1916 and is one of the best and the largest wind and rain bridges in China. The bridge has two platforms (one at each end of the bridge), 3 piers, 3 spans, 5 pavilions, 19 verandas, and three floors. The bridge is 64.4 meters long, 3.4 meters wide and 10.6 meters high. The piers are made of stone, the upper structures are mainly wooden, and the roof is covered with tiles.
Later, drive another 81 km to Zhaoxing Dong Village, the largest Dong village in Guizhou. After checking in to your hotel, you’ll start to explore Zhaoxing Dong Village. It has been selected as “one of the six most beautiful countryside in China” and together with its drum towers were listed into the Guinness World Records in 2001. It is divided into 5 natural small villages, living in five different areas - which are called “Tuan” locally. Besides, there are five drum towers, five Wind and Rain Bridges and five stages setting in the village. Start your exploration from the village gate and get atop of the viewing platform to enjoy the panorama, where you can also clearly appreciate the five drum towers standing beautifully in the village. Afterwards, pay a visit to the Zhaoxing Dong Culture Museum to have a better understanding about Dong people and its culture in all aspects. Follow the route to visit Xin Tuan (means faith) with the highest drum tower at 25.9 meters, Zhi Tuan (means wisdom), Yi Tuan (means righteousness), Li Tuan (means Rritual) with the first drum tower in Zhaoxing built in 17th century and Ren Tuan (means benevolence). You won’t miss the great performance in this afternoon and watch the famous Grand Song of Dong People and other interesting programs.
Zhaoxing Dong Village
Sunrise in Longji Rice Terrace
Day 7 Zhaoxing - Congjiang - Kaili (B, L)
Biasha Miao Village - Xinqiao Miao Village
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel. First, head to Biasha Miao Village for an exciting exploration. Biasha Miao Village is called as “the Last Gunslinger Village in China”. This is the only place in China where residents are still legally allowed to own and carry guns. The Biasha people are said to be the descendants of Chi You, a mythological warrior in ancient China, and have traditions dating back 2000 years. Men of Biasha dress as ancient warriors with black waistcoats and straight black trousers as well as swords, hunting dogs, and firelocks. Women of Biasha wear black pair shirts and pleated skirts, which are simple but embroidered with bright colors. Once getting into the village, you will witness the welcome ceremony - Biasha men line up and fire 3 shots to welcome guests! Later, enjoy the folk performance to learn more about Biasha culture, including customs of farming, hunting, ancestor-worshiping, gaming and marriage. You can even watch an amazing haircut ritual - a live shave with a sickle. If you have more time, you can take a walk around this beautiful village.
Later, drive a long journey for 200 km (around 4 hours) to Xinqiao Miao Village. This village is famous for the national intangible cultural heritage of traditional paper making with trees’ bark by Miao ethnic group. Traditionally, paper was first invented during the Eastern Han Dynasty around the year of 100 BC from hemp, tree barks and old rags, etc. While the paper making technology in Shiqiao can be dated back to 1,300 years and the skill is called Tang Dynasty paper making. Catch the great opportunity to see the traditional ways of making papers. If interested, you can learn paper making in the Chuan Cave (extra payment), from which the underground river water in quite clean and good for the paper quality.
Stay overnight in Kaili.
Wooden Granaries on Water at Xinqiao Miao Village
Haircut Ritual at Biasha Miao Village - a Live Shave with a Sickle
Biasha Miao Village's Wooden Houses
Day 8 Kaili & Kaili Departure (B)
Langde Upper Miao Village - Matang Gejia Village
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you’ll be transferred about 28 km for a visit to Langde Upper Miao Village which is reputed as “the Hometown of Chinese Folk Song and Dance Art”. It is with less crowds, peaceful natural atmosphere, friendly villagers and rich cultural heritage. Upon arrival at the village, you will be warmly treated with a traditional welcome ceremony by the beautiful ladies and girls dressed in traditional Miao costumes (long skirt). They will set twelve tables with “block-the-way” wine and you can taste the wine to feel their hospitality. Once the toasts are completed, you will continue to experience the singing and dancing performance at the Lusheng Ground. The men will play Lusheng and the ladies will dance. If you like, you can participate in the dance to enjoy more fun.
Later, you’ll be transferred to Matang Gejia Village, a primitive Miao village with over 400 Gejia people who are called the 57th ethnic group in China unofficially. According to the legend, Gejia people are the direct descendants of Hou Yi, a legendary hero who was said to shoot the nine scorching suns in order to save his people. Matang Village is famous for exotic attires, colorful festivals and countryside feelings. The women and girls here are specialized in batik that you can fully appreciate the uniqueness of the Gejia batik patterns and embroidery as well as the excellent craftsmanship of the villagers. If you are interested, you can learn how to make batik with wax from a local master and create your own batik work (optional experience with extra payment).
After the visiting, be escorted to the railway station or airport in Kaili for a train / flight to next destination. Service ends! (Departure Note: Guiyang is about 185 km in the west of Kaili, having numerous flights and high speed trains connecting. You can also leave Guizhou to other destinations from Guiyang.)
Matang Gejia Village
Upper Langde Miao Village Performance
Zhangjiajie is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will travel through the countless cloud-kissing mountains, clear streams and leafy trees, you may easily blend with nature around, thus enhancing your love unconsciously.
This 3-day Zhangjiajie adventure begins at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and ends at Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. You'll discover pillar-like Mountains, sunrise, lake, waterfalls, uncovering culture, tradition, religion and local folk customs park along the way.
1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2023.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 6.85. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.
Hi Wonder,
We are safely back in Guangzhou. Wonderful experience. All the planned events were highlights and the little extra side trips were a plus. Thank you for all your careful planning.
Hi Leo,
This is a very short customised arrangement during which the China border is not fully opened yet.
China Discovery charges a premium though, but it delivered without fail.
The VOA is very new to even the custom officers who were on duty when I cleared the immigration check at Shenzhen as well as the HK side. I must say that the agent did his professional service by always on the call to allow on-site changes of my arrival time because immigration clearance was so unpredictable. I can be assured that someone is just outside the arrival hall to pick me up and, I could tell the immigration officer that my local contact person is just waiting outside to pick me once I am cleared with this new procedure.
It is always safer to have a local contact to guide you and make arrangements for your local transfer when language ( Cantonese instead of Mandarin) is a problem in China .
Thx for the service . Thx to Matt too.
Rgds
Rita,
thank you for your arrangement. The tour and logistics were really good. We are very happy and look forward to the next trip in China with your company.
Dear Jack,
I have tried to leave the following review with tripadvisor several times now but somehow it is not accepted, I do not know why.
"Just back from our 9-day trip to Yunnan, long planned and waited for. It was our second time with China Discovery Tours. Once again they tailored the tour according to our ideas and interests - and succeeded in surprising us! Thanks to the local guides we learned a lot about history, traditions and customs, and, of course, food. We always felt in safe hands and the organization was just perfect with enough on spot flexibility. Big thanks to Jack who figured it all out so well and to the next time with China Discovery! Johannes (GER) & Elizabeth (GRC)"
Thanks again for an excellent trip, best regards, Johannes&Elizabeth
Hi Jack!
It's was great, we loved it! Our tour guide Frank was very kind, informative, and funny :) We loved how easy it was and how much we got to see in a day, I will definitely recommend to our friends!
We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.
Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.
Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.
Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.
Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!
Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!
Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.
Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!
In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!
The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.
If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.
Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.
We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.
All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!
Victoria Peak Panoramic View
Aberdeen Fishing Village
Victoria Harbor Amazing Night View
Repulse Bay
Panoramic View from Victoria Peak during Daytime
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
Panorama of Yangshuo Ten-mile Gallery Countryside
Visit Yangshuo West Street at Night
Claire from UK - Li River
Chusi's Family from USA - Moon Hill at Yangshuo Ten-mile Gallery
Caryn from Australia - Longji Rice Terrices (Seven Stars with Moon)
Gerhard from Germany - Green Longji Rice Terrices, Guilin
Gerhard from Germany - Huangluo Yao Village
Zhaoxing Dong Village
Sunrise in Longji Rice Terrace
Wooden Granaries on Water at Xinqiao Miao Village
Haircut Ritual at Biasha Miao Village - a Live Shave with a Sickle
Biasha Miao Village's Wooden Houses
Matang Gejia Village
Upper Langde Miao Village Performance
Below are some important things to know regarding of train travel tips, traveling documents, hotels and food, weather, booking guide. Traveling with China Discovery, you only need to focus on enjoying your holiday time. We will take care of all the details. Our travel consultants are always ready to help you if you have any questions about the trip.
Guangzhou / Guilin / Yangshuo / Longji / Zhaoxing / Rongjiang / Kaili
Guilin / Longsheng / Yangshuo / Zhaoxing / Kaili / Fanjingshan
Guiyang / Kaili / Rongjiang / Zhaoxing / Guilin / Yangshuo / Longsheng / Guilin
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“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
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