A 5-Day Family Getaway: Easy Outdoor Adventures and Cultural Fun in Guilin, Longsheng & Yangshuo

Day1 Guilin-Longsheng-Guilin

Your adventure will begin the moment you land at the airport, where your friendly guide will greet you with a warm smile and a sign that reads “Your Way Holiday.” With effortless coordination, your guide will help you with your luggage and escort you to a comfortable private vehicle. As you leave the city behind, the landscape will gradually transform—flat terrain will give way to winding mountain roads, flanked by bamboo groves and distant peaks veiled in morning mist. Your guide will introduce you to the region’s history, pointing out small villages nestled into the hillsides as you climb higher. Soon, you will reach Longji Rice Terraces, and specifically the famed Ping’an Village. There, your guide will lead you on narrow stone paths that twist between ancient wooden houses and terraced fields cascading down the mountains like emerald waves. You’ll hear roosters crowing in the distance and see villagers beginning their daily routines. Your guide will explain the fascinating story behind the terraces—how generations of the Zhuang people carved the mountainside into this living artwork over 600 years ago.

After a morning of exploring the village, you will be guided to a small family-run restaurant perched on the hillside. Its open balcony will overlook the rice fields, offering you panoramic views as you settle in. Your guide will help you order local specialties, translating the menu and suggesting the most authentic dishes—perhaps sour fish soup, stir-fried seasonal greens, and the signature bamboo tube rice. Then comes the highlight: under your guide’s gentle instruction, and with help from the local chef, you will learn to make this traditional dish yourself. You’ll fill bamboo tubes with glutinous rice, wild mushrooms, and bits of cured meat, then seal and roast them over an open flame. As the smoke curls into the mountain air and the bamboo crackles, your guide will explain how this method of cooking reflects the villagers’ connection to the forest. When it’s finally ready, you will sit down for a hearty lunch, enjoying not just the taste but the story behind every bite. It will be a moment of warmth and connection, with laughter shared across cultures.

In the afternoon, your guide will lead you on a scenic walk along one of the best terrace-viewing trails. The light will grow softer as the sun begins to dip, casting golden highlights over the layered fields. You’ll pause at lookout points where the terraces spiral and stretch like a giant fingerprint carved into the mountain. As you breathe in the crisp air, your guide will explain how villagers still plant, tend, and harvest rice entirely by hand, relying on techniques passed down for centuries. You’ll learn how the altitude, slope, and water channels are all carefully balanced to sustain the crops. Occasionally, you’ll see water buffalo grazing or children chasing each other between the terraces, adding life to the serene landscape. Your guide will point out seasonal changes too—whether the fields shimmer with water in spring, blaze green in summer, or glow gold at harvest time. These insights will deepen your appreciation of the land not just as a tourist spot, but as a living, working ecosystem shaped by tradition and resilience.

As the day draws to a close, your guide will accompany you back down the mountain, retracing the winding road through forests and farmland. You’ll watch the fading sunlight paint the hills in hues of pink and amber, and your guide may share local legends about the land you’ve just walked. The journey back to Guilin will be peaceful, and your guide will make sure you’re comfortable, perhaps offering you a local snack or answering any lingering questions you have about the region. You’ll reflect on the day’s experiences—the terraces’ vast beauty, the warm hospitality of the villagers, and the satisfying taste of the food you helped prepare. By the time you arrive in the city, the lights of Guilin will be twinkling, and you’ll feel a quiet joy in having touched something timeless. With the help of your knowledgeable and attentive guide, your day will have unfolded not just as a sightseeing tour, but as a meaningful encounter with a landscape and culture rich in history and heart.

Day2 Yangshuo

After you finish a hearty breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you in the lobby, ready to take you on a unique adventure into the wild heart of Guilin. As your private car winds through the scenic countryside toward Xingping, you’ll watch the city slowly give way to peaceful farmland, jagged karst peaks, and winding rivers. Your guide will point out villages tucked beneath the cliffs and share stories of how these dramatic limestone formations were shaped by millions of years of wind and water. Upon arriving at the cave entrance, nestled in a quiet forest clearing, your professional caving coach will greet you with a reassuring smile. All necessary equipment—helmet, gloves, flashlight, harness—will be prepared in advance. With your guide translating and assisting, the coach will go over safety tips and basic techniques. As you gear up, excitement will start to build: ahead of you lies a real limestone cave, untouched and mysterious, waiting to be explored.

Once you step inside the cave, the temperature will drop slightly, and the air will take on a cool, damp freshness. Your guide and coach will lead the way carefully, their flashlights revealing walls that shimmer with mineral deposits and surreal rock formations sculpted over millennia. You’ll see stalactites hanging like frozen icicles, and stalagmites rising like miniature towers from the cave floor. In one spacious chamber, your guide will invite you to play a shadow game—creating flickering animal shapes with your hands against the ancient stone. Then, in a moment of quiet awe, everyone will switch off their lights. Darkness will envelop you completely, and you’ll hear only the gentle drip of water echoing in the distance. Under the coach’s supervision, you'll have the chance to try a short “fast rope” descent—a thrilling but safe challenge that will make your heart race. Your guide will help take photos of you in action, capturing memories that will be both adventurous and deeply personal.

After exiting the cave, blinking into the sunlight, you’ll feel a surge of exhilaration and accomplishment. Your guide will lead you to a nearby village restaurant, known for its rustic charm and authentic flavors. Set beneath the shade of old trees and surrounded by karst peaks, the eatery offers a peaceful break. Your guide will help you order the best local dishes, making sure to include a steaming bowl of Guilin rice noodles—chewy, flavorful, and topped with savory toppings like marinated beef, pickled beans, and fragrant herbs. As you eat, your guide will share stories about the local food culture and how rice noodles have been a staple of daily life in this region for generations. You’ll enjoy your meal while gazing at the stunning landscape, where mountains rise like ancient guardians over tranquil rice paddies. It's the perfect setting to rest, recharge, and relive the excitement of your morning underground adventure.

In the soft glow of the afternoon, your guide will take you to a small countryside mini farm tucked away on the edge of a quiet valley. Here, surrounded by the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass, you’ll enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea. You’ll sip herbal tea or local fruit drinks while nibbling on handmade pastries, seated at a wooden table beneath the trees. Nearby, farm animals—gentle goats, fluffy rabbits, playful ducks—will be waiting for you. Your guide will help you interact with them safely and may even show you how to feed or pet them. It’s a chance to unwind and reconnect with nature, especially delightful if you're traveling with family. As the sun begins its slow descent, painting the sky in soft gold and peach hues, your guide will escort you back to your hotel. With a heart full of new experiences and your camera full of priceless memories, you’ll return to your hotel nearby feeling both adventurous and at peace.

Day3 Yangshuo

In the early morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on a peaceful drive to a quiet riverside village near the Li River. As you walk through the sleepy village, roosters will crow in the distance, greeting the new day as mist curls gently above tiled rooftops and bamboo groves. Your guide will lead you to the small village ferry dock, where you’ll board a wooden boat to cross the emerald waters to Xingping Ancient Town. On the short ferry ride, your guide will point out the reflections of limestone peaks dancing on the surface of the river. Upon arrival, you'll begin your hike—an 8 km journey along the most scenic stretch of the Li River. The path will wind through lush rice fields and beneath dramatic karst mountains that rise like ancient guardians. Your guide will adjust the pace to suit your comfort, sharing stories about the landscapes and pointing out the famous scene depicted on the 20 yuan banknote as you pass by it in real life.

As you continue your walk, the sound of cicadas in the bamboo and the gentle rush of the river will accompany your steps. When you arrive at Nine Horses Hill—so named because locals say they can see the shapes of nine horses in the rock face—your guide will help you board another ferry. The boat will gently cross the Li River once again, bringing you to the base of Xianggong Hill. Here, your adventure will shift from flat riverside trails to a more vertical challenge. With your guide leading the way and encouraging you along the path, you’ll ascend a series of stone steps winding up the hillside. As you climb, the view will become increasingly breathtaking. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic vista of the Li River snaking like a jade ribbon through a forest of limestone peaks. Your guide will help you take stunning photos and explain the geological forces that shaped this surreal landscape over millions of years.

After the climb, you’ll descend the hill feeling both invigorated and ready to relax. Your guide will lead you to a charming countryside restaurant nestled at the foot of Xianggong Hill, surrounded by terraced fields and fruit trees. Here, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch featuring local specialties such as stir-fried river fish, seasonal vegetables, and freshly steamed rice. Your guide will help you navigate the menu, ensuring you get a taste of traditional Guangxi flavors. As you eat, you’ll take in the peaceful scenery—clouds drifting across the limestone peaks, birds calling from the trees, and farmers tending to their crops in the distance. The setting will offer a quiet, authentic experience far from the crowds. Your guide will also share stories of how the local ingredients are sourced and prepared, deepening your appreciation for the food and the culture behind it.

In the afternoon, your guide will accompany you on a scenic drive to Yangshuo, a town famous for its artistic spirit and riverside charm. There, you'll visit a local artist who lives beside the Li River. His home studio, filled with the scent of ink and paper, opens onto a tranquil view of the water framed by karst hills. Under his gentle guidance, you’ll learn how to paint a simple Chinese landscape using traditional brushes and techniques. Your guide will assist with translation and help you understand the cultural meanings behind each brushstroke. Once your painting is complete, the artist will help you transform it into a handmade paper fan—a beautiful and personal souvenir of your day. As the sun begins to dip behind the hills, casting golden light across the river, your guide will escort you back to your hotel in Yangshuo. You’ll return with both hands and heart full—of art, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

Day4 Yangshuo

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your guide and hop onto a bike for a refreshing countryside ride. With the early morning sun casting a golden glow over the rice paddies, you’ll follow quiet village lanes that wind through lush farmland, bamboo groves, and sleepy hamlets where locals tend to their morning chores. The air will be fresh and scented with wildflowers and earth. Your guide will lead the way at a comfortable pace, stopping occasionally to show you hidden spots—perhaps a water buffalo lounging by a pond, or a group of elderly villagers playing cards beneath a banyan tree. As you pedal past rows of karst peaks rising dramatically in the distance, your guide will share stories of local customs and the rhythm of rural life. This peaceful ride will offer a perfect balance of gentle exercise and immersive exploration.

Once the bike ride ends, your guide will escort you to the banks of the Yulong River, where a traditional bamboo raft will be waiting. With the help of a local boatman, you’ll step aboard and settle into your seat as the raft begins its serene drift down the jade-green water. The surrounding landscape will feel like a classic Chinese painting brought to life—towering karst mountains mirrored in the river, egrets gliding overhead, and the soft rustle of reeds in the breeze. Your guide will point out landmarks and answer any questions, ensuring you don’t miss the subtle beauty of this gentle river. As the raft glides under centuries-old stone bridges and past fields where farmers still plow with oxen, you’ll feel completely immersed in the natural calm of rural Guangxi. It will be a moment to slow down, breathe deeply, and let the landscape leave its mark on you.

After the relaxing bamboo rafting experience, your guide will accompany you into the heart of Yangshuo town for a well-deserved lunch. You’ll dine at a charming local restaurant known for its regional flavors and fresh ingredients. On your guide’s recommendation, you might try Yangshuo beer fish, stir-fried greens from nearby fields, and handmade dumplings. The setting will be cozy and authentic, possibly with open-air seating and a view of the surrounding hills. While you enjoy your meal, your guide will share insights into local cooking traditions and the stories behind each dish, adding flavor to both your food and your understanding of the region. As you sip a cup of jasmine tea and look back on the morning’s adventures, you’ll begin to feel truly connected to the spirit of Yangshuo—where nature, culture, and everyday life are beautifully intertwined.

In the afternoon, the pace will pick up as you head to one of Yangshuo’s popular outdoor climbing areas. Nestled at the base of a limestone cliff surrounded by lush trees and towering peaks, the site will be both inspiring and a little intimidating—in the best way. You’ll meet your private climbing coach, who will provide all necessary safety equipment and a clear introduction to the climbing route. With your harness secured and helmet on, you’ll begin your ascent of a natural rock face—not a gym wall, but a real cliff with textures shaped by wind and time. Your coach will encourage and support you every step of the way, while your guide stays nearby to cheer you on and capture the moment with photos. Whether you reach the top or just give it your best try, you’ll feel a rush of accomplishment. Afterward, your guide will drive you back to your hotel, where you can rest and relive a day packed with nature, discovery, and a touch of adrenaline.

Day 5 Yangshuo-Guilin

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to the peaceful charm of Yangshuo and begin your journey back to Guilin. As your car winds through the familiar countryside, you’ll catch your final glimpses of the emerald rice fields, river bends wrapped in mist, and the iconic limestone peaks rising gracefully against the sky—scenery that will surely linger in your memory long after you leave. Your guide will accompany you to the airport, making sure everything goes smoothly. Along the way, they may share one last local story or point out a view you hadn’t noticed before. Though it will be time to go, you will leave with more than just photos—you’ll carry the spirit of this land, its quiet rhythms, and the warmth of its people. As you board your flight, you’ll know you’ve experienced something truly special, and perhaps, you’ll already be dreaming of your next visit.

Price Per Person in US Dollars