4-Day Guilin Li River & Longji Rice Terraces Tour

Q: Q: What is the best time to visit Guilin?

A: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most comfortable conditions for this itinerary. Guilin summers (May to September) are hot and rainy, with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C; sunscreen, light clothing, and an umbrella are recommended. Winters (December to February) are mild at 5–12°C. For the Longji Rice Terraces specifically, each season presents a different scene: flooded silver paddies in spring, deep green in summer, gold at harvest time, and occasional light snowfall in winter.

Q: Q: Do I need a visa to travel to China for this tour?

A: Most foreign nationals require a valid Chinese tourist visa to enter China. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your travel date, and you will need to present the original at hotel check-in. Visa requirements vary by nationality — check the current Chinese entry regulations for your country before booking. The China visa is not included in the tour price and must be arranged independently before travel.

Q: Q: How demanding is the walking at Longji Rice Terraces?

A: Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng County, approximately two hours from Guilin, involve walking on stepped hillside paths between the terrace levels. The terrain is uneven and can be slippery in wet weather. Sturdy shoes with good grip are recommended. The overall tour is rated Easy to Moderate — Days 1 and 4 are primarily flat walks, while Day 2 (Longji) and the Xianggong Mountain climb on Day 3 require more effort.

Q: Q: What currency and payment methods should I carry?

A: It is advisable to carry 500–1,000 RMB in cash for smaller scenic spot purchases and local shops. Most hotels and larger restaurants accept credit cards. A local SIM card can be purchased on arrival for mobile data access; international roaming is also available throughout Guilin.

Q: Q: Are there any health considerations I should be aware of?

A: Guilin cuisine is typically spicy and rich in flavour — packing common stomach remedies is recommended in case of digestive sensitivity. Mosquito repellent and sun protection items are advisable, particularly for the all-day Longji excursion and the Li River cruise. Guilin's warm and humid climate calls for lightweight, breathable clothing during warmer months. A light jacket is useful in spring and autumn, especially at higher elevations such as the Longji terraces.

Q: Q: What should I know when visiting Zhuang and Yao ethnic minority communities?

A: This tour passes through areas home to Zhuang and Yao communities, particularly around the Longji Rice Terraces. When visiting local villages, guests are asked to respect local customs and traditions. Photography of residents should only be taken with explicit permission. An English-speaking guide is included throughout and can provide cultural context at each location.

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Transportation
Round-trip transfers included
Accomodation
5-Star Quality Hotels
Departure from
Guilin
Best season
Mar–May & Sep–Nov
Tour type
Cultural & Nature
Meals
Daily breakfast
Language
English
Fitness level
Easy to Moderate
Group Size
15 travellers

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Overview

This 4-day Guilin tour moves through four distinct landscapes: the karst peaks and illuminated city landmarks of Guilin centre, the stepped mountain farmland of the Longji Rice Terraces, the celebrated river corridor of the Li River, and the heritage waterfront of Xingping Ancient Town. Throughout the journey, 5-star quality hotels, full concierge service, and a no-shopping-stops policy keep the focus on sightseeing.

Day one covers Guilin city’s most recognisable sights — the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas, Elephant Trunk Hill by day and by night, and the underground galleries of Reed Flute Cave. Day two is a full-day excursion to the Longji Terraced Fields in Longsheng County, roughly two hours from the city, where generations of farming have carved the mountainside into layered formations that shift appearance with the seasons.

The Li River takes centre stage on day three: a Grand Panoramic Cruise on a 4-star vessel departs from Zhujiang Wharf and travels the most scenic stretch of the river, passing the Nine-Horse Mural Hill cliff face and the Yellow Cloth Shoe reflections. The afternoon moves to Yangshuo for a DIY cycling tour of the Ten-Mile Gallery, a bamboo raft drift along the Yulong River, and a climb to Xianggong Mountain for elevated views over the surrounding karst peaks. The tour concludes in Xingping, where a short walk to the hillside viewpoint reveals the river bend landscape depicted on the Chinese 20-yuan banknote.

A farmhouse-style Winnowing Basket Feast, featuring wholesome Guilin countryside cooking served on bamboo trays, is included in the programme as a dedicated dining experience.

Highlights

Visit Elephant Trunk Hill and the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas in central Guilin
Descend into Reed Flute Cave to see illuminated limestone stalactites and underground formations
Walk the layered pathways of Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng County
Cruise the Li River on a 4-star vessel, passing Nine-Horse Mural Hill and the Yellow Cloth Shoe reflections
Drift along the Yulong River on a traditional bamboo raft through karst valley scenery
Stand at the Xingping viewpoint and take in the landscape printed on the Chinese 20-yuan banknote

Day 01 :

Guilin City Classics — Pagodas, Elephant Trunk Hill & Reed Flute Cave

You begin at the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas on the banks of Rong Lake in the city centre, followed by Elephant Trunk Hill — Guilin's most recognisable karst formation, shaped like an elephant leaning down to drink from the Li River. The afternoon brings a visit to the Osmanthus Sea with its wide green grounds and mist-draped karst backdrop, and the day closes underground in Reed Flute Cave, where multi-coloured lighting illuminates stalactites, stalagmites, and carved limestone galleries. Elephant Trunk Hill is also open for an evening visit, offering an illuminated night view of the landmark by the riverbank.

Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas reflected on Rong Lake at night, Guilin city centre, Guangxi

Elephant Trunk Hill karst formation at the confluence of the Li River and Taohua River, Guilin

Elephant Trunk Hill illuminated at night with reflection on the Li River, Guilin

Day 02 :

Longji Rice Terraces — A Pastoral Landscape in the Clouds

A full day is dedicated to the Longji Terraced Fields in Longsheng County, approximately two hours by road from Guilin. The stepped rice paddies cascade down the mountain slopes and shift appearance with the seasons — silver-flooded mirrors in spring, vivid green through summer, gold at harvest, and occasional snow cover in winter. The terrace paths involve a moderate amount of hillside walking; sturdy footwear with grip is recommended.

Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng County, stepped green paddy fields on mountain slopes, Guangxi

Day 03 :

Li River Cruise & Yangshuo — Karst Peaks, Bamboo Rafts & Mountain Views

The day begins at Zhujiang Wharf for a Grand Panoramic Cruise on a 4-star vessel, travelling the most celebrated stretch of the Li River toward Yangshuo. The cruise passes the Nine-Horse Mural Hill — a sheer cliff face whose limestone markings are traditionally said to resemble nine horses — and the Yellow Cloth Shoe reflections, a karst formation mirrored in the still river surface. In Yangshuo, the afternoon takes in a DIY cycling tour of the Ten-Mile Gallery, a bamboo raft drift along the quieter Yulong River through mountain valley scenery, and a climb to the Xianggong Mountain viewpoint for a panoramic view over the surrounding karst peaks.

4-star cruise vessel sailing between limestone karst peaks and clear green water, Li River, Guangxi

Nine-Horse Mural Hill cliff face rising above the Li River in the Xingping area, Guangxi

Yellow Cloth Shoe karst formation and its mirror reflection on the still surface of the Li River

Cyclist riding through the Ten-Mile Gallery with karst hills and rice fields on either side, Yangshuo

Bamboo raft drifting on the Yulong River with karst mountains reflected in calm green water, Yangshuo

Day 04 :

Xingping Ancient Town — The 20-Yuan Banknote Vista

The morning is spent in Xingping Ancient Town, one of the most intact riverside heritage settlements along the Li River. A short walk up to the hillside viewpoint above the town reveals the exact bend in the river and row of karst peaks depicted on the back of the Chinese 20-yuan banknote.