Zhangjiajie & Guilin Breathtaking Nature Tour

Itinerary:
Morning: Begin the day at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its towering sandstone pillars. Take the Bailong Elevator—the world's tallest outdoor lift—up to the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Here, you'll be surrounded by over 3,000 striking sandstone peaks. Then enjoy a tranquil walk along the Golden Whip Stream, surrounded by clear waters, soaring cliffs, and lush forest.
Afternoon: Ride the cable car to the summit of Tianzi Mountain and take in panoramic views of rugged peaks and drifting clouds. From the summit, admire the four signature views: sea of clouds, moonlit nights, sunrise glow, and winter snow. Visit highlights such as the Sky Farmland—a mountaintop terrace of tiered farmland—the graceful Fairy Maiden Scattering Flowers rock, and the dramatic stone spires of the West Sea Forest.
Evening: In the evening, enjoy the large-scale performance "Zhangjiajie Eternal Love." This immersive show brings to life the region's legends, natural wonders, and ethnic culture through cutting-edge visuals and storytelling.

Attractions:
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Ticket included): A must-visit for nature lovers, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to over 3,000 sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and dense forests. As one of China's most famous nature reserves, this park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Yuanjiajie, Golden Whip Stream, Tianzi Mountain, and more.
Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (Included within park access): Famous as the filming location of Avatar's Hallelujah Mountains, Yuanjiajie offers some of the park's most iconic vistas, with mist-covered peaks and thick greenery.
Golden Whip Stream (Included within park access): Often called a "gallery of mountains and water," this serene canyon features crystal-clear streams, exotic rock formations, and an untouched forest ecosystem. It's among the most scenic areas of Wulingyuan.
Bailong Elevator (Ticket included): Soaring 326 meters up the cliffside, this glass elevator offers a thrilling ascent with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks—especially the striking "Meeting of the Gods."
Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area (Ticket included): Located in the northern part of Wulingyuan, Tianzi Mountain is named after a Tujia chieftain and offers dramatic viewpoints across Wulingyuan. This scenic area is famous for its sea of clouds, snowy peaks, and storybook scenery. Major sights include Sky Farmland, Yubi Peak, West Sea Stone Forest, and Shentang Bay.
Sky Farmland (Ticket included): A hidden gem perched atop Tianzi Mountain, this sloped terrace of farmland overlooks the surrounding valleys. With no fences or railings, it offers uninterrupted views of valleys and clouds—like a floating garden in the clouds.
Fairy Maiden Scattering Flowers (Included within park access): This delicately shaped peak resembles a maiden offering flowers, surrounded by wildflowers and mist, making a famous scenic spots in Tianzi Mountain.
West Sea Stone Forest (Included within park access): One of the most densely packed areas of stone spires, this dramatic "sea of peaks" rises from a deep circular basin. When fog rolls in, the scene is otherworldly—especially around the famous Yubi Peak.
Zhangjiajie Eternal Love Show (Ticket included): This large-scale, high-tech stage show blends history, nature, and folk traditions into a vivid, theatrical spectacle. Featuring scenes like Wuling Wonderland, Legend of Tianzi Mountain, and Love in Western Hunan, the performance delivers a spectacular visual journey through time, nature, and folk culture.

Dining:
Breakfast: Local specialties (own expense)
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Yuelanshan Guanyun Mountain Residue, Muzitang Travel Photography Resort Hotel (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park), Yunqi Shanfang·Xiexin Chanyi Hotel (Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Wulingyuan) or similar

Itinerary:
Morning: After breakfast, set off for the Junsheng Sand and Stone Painting Cultural and Creative Park in Zhangjiajie. This unique art gallery showcases colorful paintings created with natural sand and plant materials, capturing the essence of Zhangjiajie's landscapes. It's a rare chance to experience a distinctive fusion of nature and art.
Afternoon: Travel onward to Furong Ancient Town, once known as Wangcun. Walk along its centuries-old stone streets, admire traditional stilted wooden houses, and soak in the charm of this riverside town.
Evening: Arrive at Fenghuang Ancient Town, a picturesque riverside village that comes alive with soft lantern light by night. Enjoy a relaxed evening walk along the Tuo River, taking in the stilted houses, ancient bridges, and the old-world atmosphere of this historic town.

Attractions:
Junsheng Sand and Stone Painting Cultural and Creative Park (Free entry): Established in 2001 by artist Li Junsheng, this gallery is often called the "Palace of Sandstone Art." It features striking works made from Zhangjiajie's natural colored sand and plant-based materials. Notable pieces include Traces, Mt. Fuji Series, Autumn Melody, and Night at Tianmen.
Furong Ancient Town (Ticket included): With over 2,000 years of history, this ancient riverside town rose to fame as the setting of the classic Chinese film Hibiscus Town. The town retains its rustic charm with aged wooden houses and narrow stone paths, all set against a backdrop of dramatic waterfalls and forested cliffs.
Fenghuang Ancient Town (Free entry): Built during the Qing Dynasty, Fenghuang is known for its preserved Ming and Qing architecture, traditional Miao culture, and scenic riverside views. Highlights include the Former Residence of Shen Congwen, Fenghuang Museum, and Chongdetang Courtyard.
Tuo River (Free entry): Flowing through Fenghuang Ancient Town, the Tuo River offers a charming boat ride from North Gate to Rainbow Bridge. Along the way, enjoy views of riverside homes and hear traditional boat songs echoing off the canyon walls.

Dining:
Breakfast: Included at your hotel
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
· Recommended Food: Tujia-style smoked pork, Xiangxi sausages, free-range chicken with mushrooms, shrimp cakes, sticky rice fritters, Xiangnxi pickled vegetables
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)

Hotel: Anzhidinglan B&B (Fenghuang Ancient Town), Qianxun Yunjing Zen River View Hotel, Eternal Love Across Three Lifetime-Art Homestay in Fenghuang Ancient Town or similar
Room type: Standard Twin Room

Itinerary:
Morning: Begin your day with a peaceful boat ride along the Tuo River, drifting past stilted wooden houses and ancient stone bridges as morning mist rises from the water. This poetic journey through Fenghuang offers a glimpse into the town's rich, thousand-year history. After the ride, transfer to Huaihua South Railway Station for your high-speed train to Guilin.
Afternoon: Relax onboard a high-speed train as you travel through the picturesque southern Chinese countryside en route to Guilin. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore or unwind.

Included Activity: Tuo River Boat Ride
The Tuo River flows through the heart of Fenghuang Ancient Town, often called the "romantic corridor" of Fenghuang.. In the early morning, the river is especially atmospheric—mist clings to the surface, and reflections of old houses shimmer in the light. A boat ride here is like drifting through a traditional Chinese painting.

Dining:
Breakfast: Local specialties (own expense)
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
Dinner: Local specialties (wn expense)
· Recommended Food: oil tea, sticky rice dumplings, herbal chicken stew, rice wine eggs, and lotus seed soup.

Hotel: Julan'an Homestay (Guilin Liangjiang Sihu Dongxi Alley Shop), Qingsanshe Hotel, Guilin Lindu Qiju Resort or similar
Room type: Standard Twin Room

Itinerary:
Morning: Begin your day with a 4-star cruise along the Li River, often described as a "hundred-mile landscape gallery." As you drift past iconic sights like Nine Horses Painting Mountain, Huangbu Reflection, and Xingping Ancient Town, soak in the postcard-worthy views of misty karst peaks, clear jade waters, and riverside hamlets. It's a serene and scenic journey that captures the essence of Yangshuo.
Afternoon: Explore Silver Cave, a vast karst wonderland filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites spanning millions of years. Next, visit the Shanshui Yu Farm(Yangshuo Landscape and Agricultural Garden Scenic Area), nestled in the countryside near the Yulong River. Stroll through flower fields, glide over rice paddies on a bamboo raft, and admire the harmony of rural life and natural beauty.
Evening: End the day with Impression Sanjie Liu, a spectacular open-air performance set on the Li River. With real mountains as the stage and the river as its backdrop, the show blends music, dance, and light to tell folk stories and celebrate the cultures of Guangxi's ethnic minorities.

Attractions:
Li River 4-Star Cruise (Ticket included): The Li River is famous for its poetic charm—“green hills like jade hairpins, the river like a silk belt (江作青罗带，山如碧玉簪). Aboard a 4-star vessel, enjoy a leisurely ride past Yangdi Waterfall, Nine Horses Painting Mountain, Huangbu Reflection, and Xingping. Along the way, you'll see karst cliffs, cormorant fishermen, and traditional riverside life—truly a journey through a living Chinese painting.
Duration: ~4 hours
Note: Upgrade to VIP cabin if standard seating is fully booked.
Silver Cave (Ticket included): This magnificent karst cave system runs through twelve peaks and showcases stalactites from different geological periods. The glistening mineral deposits give off a silvery glow, earning the cave its name. Marvel at formations resembling waterfalls, stone curtains, and towers. A popular local saying goes: "Visit Silver Cave, and you'll never lack wealth."
Yangshuo Landscape and Agricultural Garden Scenic Area (Ticket included): This eco-tourism park near the Yulong River offers a mix of agriculture, nature, and hands-on fun. Walk through rice fields and flower gardens, or enjoy a peaceful bamboo raft ride through the fields. It’s a perfect place to immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of rural Guangxi.
Impression Liu Sanjie (Ticket included): Created by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, this large-scale river show is staged entirely in nature. Set against a backdrop of karst peaks and the Li River, it combines traditional Zhuang folk songs, lighting, and choreography to tell the story of Liu Sanjie, a beloved song fairy in Zhuang ethnic groups.
Duration: ~1 hour

Dining:
Breakfast: Local specialties (own expense)
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
· Recommended Food: Guilin rice noodles, Gongcheng oil tea, vegetarian monk noodles, lotus leaf duck, water chestnut jelly, and stuffed snails
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)
· Recommended Food: Yangshuo beer fish, Guilin field snails, spring-fed chicken, tea oil chicken, duck soup, and tofu & fish hotpot

Hotel: Wonderland Lodge, Yangshuo Wubuyashu Hotel, Yangshuo Yujing Yazhu (Yulonghe Branch) or similar
Room type: Standard Twin Room

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day with a scenic drive to Xianggong Mountain, a renowned viewpoint along the Li River. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views of sharp karst peaks rising like stone spires, with the jade-green river winding elegantly below.
Afternoon: Travel to the Longji Rice Terraces or Ping'an Zhuang Village, where you'll be greeted by sweeping views of tiered fields cascading down the mountainsides. Shaped by generations of Zhuang and Yao farmers, these terraces shift in color with the seasons: lush green in summer, golden in autumn, offering a vivid portrait of harmony between humanity and the land.

Attractions:
Xianggong Mountain (Ticket included): Perched on the west bank of the Li River between Nine Horses Painting Mountain and Huangbu Reflection, Xianggong Mountain offers picturesque views of mist-covered peaks and the river's dramatic bend. Morning mist, glowing sunrises, and ever-shifting clouds create a dreamlike, ink-painting effect that draws photographers from all over the world.
Longji Rice Terraces (Ticket included): The Longji Rice Terraces stretch across rolling hills sculpted by generations of Zhuang and Yao villagers. The main villages here include Ping'an Village, Jinkeng Village, Guzhuang Village, and Huangluo Yao Village. The terraces curve gracefully along the slopes, forming flowing lines.
Ping'an Zhuang Village (Free entry): This traditional Zhuang village is the heart of the Longji terrace region. It features classic stilted wooden homes, terraced fields on all sides, and a tranquil, mountain-ringed setting. Locals maintain centuries-old customs, and the architecture reflects the region's ethnic heritage.

Included Activity: Ethnic Costume Experience
Try on traditional Zhuang or Yao ethnic attire and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture. With the dramatic terraces as your backdrop, it's a great way to capture meaningful photos and create lasting memories of your visit.

Dining:
Breakfast: Local specialties (own expense)
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)
· Recommended Food: Yangshuo beer fish, Guilin river snails, steamed sponge cake, Yaoshan herbal chicken, tea oil chicken, old duck soup, and tofu fish hotpot.
Dinner: Local specialties (own expense)
· Recommended Food: Lotus leaf duck, water chestnut jelly, stuffed snails, braised taro pork, Guilin rice dumplings, dried sour fish, osmanthus rice balls, herbal jelly, and fish hotpot.

Hotel: Julan'an Homestay, Qingsanshe Hotel, Guilin Lindu Qiju Resort or similar
Room type: Standard Twin Room

Itinerary:
Morning: Start your day with a choice of two cultural experiences.
Visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin's most recognizable natural landmark, named for its resemblance to a giant elephant dipping its trunk into the river. Stroll along the riverside and admire the poetic beauty of the "Elephant Drinking Water Under the Moon," a scene celebrated in Chinese poetry and paintings.
Alternatively, head to the Osmanthus Commune, where you'll explore an osmanthus-themed park and learn about the flower that has become a cultural symbol of Guilin. Discover its history, varieties, and uses in traditional foods at the Osmanthus Culture Exhibition Hall, and even try your hand at making osmanthus cakes in a hands-on workshop.
Afternoon: Conclude your trip with a private transfer to the airport or train station and return your warm home.

Attractions:
Elephant Trunk Hill (Free entry): Located at the confluence of the Li river and Peach Blossom Rivers in Guilin, this hill is shaped like an elephant drinking from the water. A symbol of Guilin, it combines natural beauty, striking rock formations, and rich cultural heritage.
Osmanthus Commune (Ticket included): Explore a tranquil park filled with centuries-old osmanthus trees. Learn about the plant's cultural importance and culinary applications through exhibits and multimedia. Or you can join a DIY workshop to make your own osmanthus cake, and it's a fun and flavorful souvenir experience.

Dining:
Breakfast: Local specialties (own expense)
Lunch: Local specialties (own expense)