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7 Days Idyllic Guilin & Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Natural Paradise with Karst Landscape & Fantastic Gorge Scenery

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Take the best natural combination with Guilin & Yangshuo Karst landscape and beautiful Three Gorges scenery along the Yangtze River! This 7 days trip will leave you the best memory in your life. In the natural paradise fascinated by thousands of travelers every year for leisure fun, you’ll enjoy the 4-hour Li River cruise to appreciate evergreen karst landscape, deep into Yangshuo countryside to totally release your pressure. Take a high speed train from Guilin to Chongqing with 4.5 hours’ transfer. Then, your 4 days and 3 nights Yangtze River cruise starts from the Mountain City of China and pass through Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam with different kinds of activities arranged by the ship. It is truly idyllic, natural and relaxing!

Highlights of this tour:

  • Please your eyes and mood with the peaceful countryside scenery & Karst landscape in Guilin and Yangshuo;
  • Enjoy a leisure onboard living on a luxurious Yangtze River cruise sailing from Chongqing to Yichang for 4 days and 3 nights;
  • Appreciate stunning Three Gorges scenery along Yangtze River as well as take shore excursions to Shibaozhai Pagoda, Shennv Stream and Three Gorges Dam Site.

Basic Trip Information

Price:
from $776
  1. 1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one double-bed room in a 4-star hotel and traveling in low seasons;
  2. 2. This price is subject to change according to your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
Travel Route:
Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang
Travel Length:
7 Days and 6 Nights
Tour Code:
CD-GY-07
Group Size:
You, your family, friends or group
Experience:
CyclingHikingPhotograph
Departure:
Private tour, any day you want
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Your tour - at a glance

Day 1~4 Guilin Tour & High Speed Train to Chongqing

Visit the famous Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave, take a relaxing Li River cruise from Guilin city to Yangshuo old town, then explore the amazing countryside landscape around Yangshuo.

Day 5~7 Yangtze River Cruise

Board your ship in Chongqing, the rlaxing Yangtze River cruise starts. Explore the stunning scenery along Yangtze River, such as Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam and interesting excurtions to Shibaozhai, Shennongxi Streem, etc. Also relax yourself with rich activities on board.

Full Itinerary Day by Day

Day 1 Guilin Arrival (L)

Welcome to Guilin, the most scenic city in China. Upon your arrival, your local guide will pick you up at the airport/train station and escort you to your hotel in Guilin Downtown.

After taking a short break, your Guilin tour starts. The first stop surely is the symbol of Guilin - Elephant Trunk Hill. A giant rock hill vividly shapes like an elephant which is drinking water. Besides, there are many historical sites here for you to explore, such as stone carving, Buddhist temple, relic exhibition, etc. Then, drive about 7 kilometers to next attraction - Reed Flute Cave, a majestic underground palace with sparkling different colors. The magical Mother Nature condenses millions years of natural efforts to form the incredible stalactite, stalagmite, stone shield and stone waterfall of different sizes and shapes.

After the tour, be transferred to your hotel.

  • Gerhard from Germany - Reed Flute Cave, Guilin Gerhard from Germany visited Reed Flute Cave in August, 2019
  • Chusi's family from USA - Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin Chusi's family from USA visited Elephant Trunk Hill in June, 2018

Day 2 Guilin - Li River Cruise - Yangshuo (B, L)

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.

After about 4 hours’ cruise, disembark in Yangshuo Town, and check in your hotel. Take a short break, throw yourself into the stunning countryside views and relaxed atmosphere. Be enthralled by the patches of paddy fields nestling under green hills and near the mirror-like river, with farmers cultivate the soil with their water buffalos.

This evening is for you to 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.

Optional activity: experience the splendid evening performance Impression Liu Sanjie with Li River itself as the stage, directed by famous director – Zhang Yimou.

  • Yangshuo Cycling Yangshuo Cycling
  • Old Alley in Yangshuo Yangshuo West Street
  • Barbara from UK - Li River Cruise Barbara from UK enjoyed a Li River Cruise in September 2021

Day 3 Yangshuo - Guilin (B, L)

In this morning, you will go to explore beautiful countryside views of Yangshuo - serene pastoral view, fantastic limestone mountains, peaceful farming villages, and roaming water buffaloes...You can choose your style to explore: by cycling or by sightseeing bus (Please tell your likes to your travel consultants before booking the tour.).

By cycling: Free your mind on two wheels with picturesque scenery passing by, and visit the famous Big Banyan Tree which was said to be the place where the legendary singer of Zhuang Ethnic Group sang beautiful melodies. Ride ahead to the surreal limestone pinnacle Moon Hill for a look at the moon-shaped hole. Stop and enjoy an interesting visit to a family of local famers. Experience their daily life and enjoy authentic lunch at their house. (Note: The whole ride usually takes about 2 hours and you can decide the cycling time based on your physical condition.)

By sightseeing bus: Take a sightseeing bus directly to Big Banyan Tree and Moon Hill for leisure sightseeing. If you are interested, you can visit a local family to gain a better understanding about their real life.

If you like, you could choose to go hiking or kayaking along Yulong River for today's activities. Feel free to make the decision according to the seasons, weather, inteests and your physical condition. Tell us your likes and we'll customize today's trip for you.

After the tour, drive back to Guilin.

  • Yangshuo Cycling Yangshuo Cycling

Day 4 Guilin & High Speed Train to Chongqing & Board Your Ship (B)

This morning, you’ll be transferred to the railway station for a high speed train to Chongqing (about 4.5 hours). Upon arrival in Chongqing, you will be met by your tour guide and then go to visit E’ling Park and embrace the impressive panorama of Chongqing City which has been highly praised as “Little Hong Kong” with its well-arranged row upon row of modern skyscrapers and two winding rivers surrounding. Then, go down to visit Hongya Cave, the must-see highlight to appreciate the layers of featured Ba and Shu regional wooden tilted houses overlapped leaning the mountain up to 11 storeys, which looks quite glittery lit by the orange lights from nightfall. And continue to get up to the 11 level with vehicles and roads alongside to catch the sparkling nightscape of Jialing River and the nearby buildings with beautiful neon.

After the tour, be escorted to Chaotianmen Dock to board your Yangtze cruise ship between 18:00-20:00. Your memorable Yangtze River cruise will sail around 21:00! (Note: 1. There’re 13 sub-piers of Chaotianmen Dock and different ships will dock at different piers. Please check the info with your travel consultant and know where to board your ship at least one day beforehand. 2. The boarding time and departure piers change based on the ship line, water level, season, weather and other factors. Your travel consultants will ensure you have the actual departure time and boarding pier before your boarding. 3. You can have dinner or buy some snacks at Chaotianmen Square before embarkation.)

  • Chongqing Chaotianmen Port Chongqing Chaotianmen Port
  • Chongqing City Panorama from Erling Park Chongqing City Panorama from Erling Park
  • Hongya Cave Night View Hongya Cave Night View

Day 5 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

In the morning, wake up leisurely and enjoy the gentle sunshine shining over the tranquil and beautiful Yangtze River. It will be colorful and interesting whether you decide to stay onboard or go ashore at river stops. 

Onboard you will enjoy different kinds of activities, like practicing Tai Chi on the boat’s sundeck, drinking a relaxing morning coffee, attending a Yangtze River history and culture lecture, or taking part in the Captain’s Welcome Party and evening shows. 

Next follow a local guide and make a shore excursion to Shibaozhai Pagoda, one of the “Pearls” of the Yangtze River. A gem of Chinese architecture, this 12-story, 18th century red wooden temple on the northern bank of Yangtze River is an architectural delight full of legends and beautiful stories. (Note: Comfortable shoes are highly recommended since there will be lots of stairs to climb up!)

Optional excursion: Take a shore excursion to Fengdu Ghost City for an extra fee. Called the “City of Ghosts”, it is endowed with mysterious stories about underworld and cruel tortures and different kinds of devils and Chinese demons. Entering this ghost city, you will find many statues of demons and vivid scenes of their perfidious activities. (Note: Once again, the visit to Fengdu Ghost City requires much walking and comfortable shoes are again highly recommended!)

  • Relaxing Yangtze River Cruise A Lifetime Relaxing Yangtze River Cruise
  • Shibaozhai Pagoda Shibaozhai Pagoda

Day 6 Yangtze River Cruise (B, L, D)

Today you will sail through the spectacular Three Gorges while relaxing on the sun deck and soak up the breathtaking gorge scenery passing by as you drift through Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge respectively. 

In Wu Gorge you will take an enjoyable adventure to primitive Shennv Stream (Goddess Stream). Switch to a smaller boat to sail down this beautiful stream running in a narrow side gorge where you will have close-up views of high mountain peaks and hanging coffins on the steep cliff faces. After watching an entertaining music and dance show of local Tujia ethnic minority, sail back to your ship.

In the evening, you will enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Party as well as dancing show with all your mates onboard to spend a wonderful night.

Optional excursion: Take a shore excursion to White Emperor City for an extra fee. Located at the entrance of Qutang Gorge, this excursion offers the best viewing spot to appreciate the magnificent Kuimen Gate.

  • Yangtze River Cruise Yangtze River Cruise
  • Shennv Stream Shennv Stream

Day 7 Yangtze River Cruise & Yichang Departure (B)

After breakfast, you’ll begin to check out and disembark at Maoping Port. Today’s highlight is a morning excursion to Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project, located at the middle of Xiling Gorge near Yichang. You will marvel at this gigantic dam from different angles, learn more of the background history of the Three Gorges Dam Project and enjoy the surrounding beautiful landscape and scenery. If you like, you can take an optional experience to sail through Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift, the largest and the most sophisticated ship lift in the world, which takes only 40 minutes with fresh insight into the dam project.

After the dam visiting, you’ll take the bus arranged by the cruise company heading to Yichang Three Gorges Center Cruise Terminal for leave. Here you will be pick up by our local guide and escorted to visit Yichang Museum if time permits. Then, be transferred to the airport or train station to catch your flight or train to next destination. Service ends!

Disembarkation Tips: No matter you take Ship Lift or not, you’ll check out and take your luggage away in this early morning. (1) Only dam visiting: you’ll take bus from Maoping Port to Three Gorges Dam for sightseeing, and then arrive at Yichang downtown around 12:30. (2) Dam & Ship Lift Experience: travelers who are interested in Ship Lift will first switch to a sightseeing boat to sail through the Ship Lift and then visit Three Gorges Dam Site. You’ll arrive at Yichang downtown around 13:30.

Departure Ideas: You can take flights from Yichang Sanxia Airport to Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, etc. Or you can take high speed trains from Yichang East Railway Station to Wuhan (about 2hrs), Shanghai (about 8hrs), Beijing (about 7.5hrs), Hangzhou (about 7.5hrs), Chengdu (about 7hrs), Guangzhou (about 7hrs) and more cities.

  • Three Gorges Dam The Magnificent Giant Three Gorges Dam
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Recommended Add-on Options

+2 more days to explore the Ancient heart of China - Xian

Xian, as the capital of 13 ancient China dynasties, is filled with amazing historic and cultural wonders. 

With only 2 days, you can travel the best highlights of ancient capital Xian at an enjoyable pace. The Day 1 is a full day visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Local Snack Street - Muslim Quarter. In the Day 2, you have a half day for visiting to the symbol of Xian - Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and having an educational learning in Shanxi History Museum. The rest time is free for departure.

Our guests get viewed by the countless Terracotta Warriors
+3 more days to explore the imperial city of China - Beijing

Beijing, the 'forbidden' city, now is open to the world!

As the capital city of China for more than eight-hundred years, Beijing possesses rich cultural deposits of China. You will need at least 3 days to explore its best highlights. Here is the plan - Day 1 is for you to visit the imperial historical sites, including Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace; Day 2 is to hike the magnificent Great Wall while Day 3 is for you to have a half-day visiting of the Temple of Heaven,local Hutongs, and depart from the city.

The Forbidden City Overall View from Jingshan Park
+ 2 more days to visit the Paris of the East - Shanghai

Shanghai, regarded as the Oriental Paris, is the best place to experience East-meet-West Culture, find hidden tradition within modernity.

Generally speaking, you can spend Day 1 exploring the popular landmarks of Shanghai, such as the Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, the Bund, and Shanghai World Financial Center Tower. The Day 2 is for you to explore deep into the city of Shanghai (such as Old French Concession, Tianzifang or Jade Buddha Temple) and departure.

The Bund: Famous “Exhibition of the World's Architecture”

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  • +2 more days to explore the Ancient heart of China - Xian
    +3 more days to explore the imperial city of China - Beijing
    + 2 more days to visit the Paris of the East - Shanghai

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