Guilin to Yunnan Cultural Connect and Stay
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of southern China, where spectacular landscapes, ancient villages, and vibrant ethnic cultures await. Marvel at the iconic karst mountains of Guilin and Yangshuo, immerse yourself in local culinary traditions with a hands-on Chinese cooking class, and discover the fascinating heritage of the Dong and Miao communities in the mountain villages of Guizhou. Witness the breathtaking power of Huangguoshu Waterfall, cross dramatic canyon landscapes, and continue into Yunnan to explore the charming old towns of Dali and Lijiang. Blending authentic cultural encounters, scenic high-speed train journeys, and plenty of free time to explore independently, this adventure offers a captivating glimpse into China's natural beauty, timeless traditions, and diverse local life.
Details
Unique Experiences:
Explore the iconic karst landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo.
Join a hands-on Chinese cooking class and discover local market ingredients.
Visit traditional Dong and Miao villages in Guizhou and experience their unique cultures.
Admire the spectacular Huangguoshu Waterfall and Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge.
Discover the historic old towns of Dali and Lijiang at your own pace.
Join a hands-on Chinese cooking class and discover local market ingredients.
Visit traditional Dong and Miao villages in Guizhou and experience their unique cultures.
Admire the spectacular Huangguoshu Waterfall and Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge.
Discover the historic old towns of Dali and Lijiang at your own pace.
Trip Length:
-
Departure Days:
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Travel Season:
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Locations Visited:
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Participants:
Up to 16 travelers may book this trip. One or more components of this trip are a shared experience.
Physical Difficulty:
-
Transportation:
Guilin Airport (KWL) to Guilin or Guilin North Railway Station to Guilin by Car or Van
Guilin North Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station by Train
Yangshuo Railway Station to Yangshuo by Car or Van
Yangshuo to Cooking Class Meeting Place
Small Bus or Van from Cooking School to Downtown
Yangshuo Railway Station to Congjiang Railway Station by Train
Congjiang Railway Station to Zhaoxing Village by Car or Van
Zhaoxing to Kaili by Car or Van
Kaili to Guiyang by Car or Van
Guiyang to Huangguoshu by Car or Van
Anshun to Anshun by Car or Van
Anshun Railway Station to Kunming South Station by Bullet Train
Kunming South Railway Station to Kunming by Car or Van
Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station by Train
Dali Railway Station to Dali by Car or Van
Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by Train
Lijiang Railway Station to Lijiang by Car or Van
Lijiang Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station by Train
Guilin North Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station by Train
Yangshuo Railway Station to Yangshuo by Car or Van
Yangshuo to Cooking Class Meeting Place
Small Bus or Van from Cooking School to Downtown
Yangshuo Railway Station to Congjiang Railway Station by Train
Congjiang Railway Station to Zhaoxing Village by Car or Van
Zhaoxing to Kaili by Car or Van
Kaili to Guiyang by Car or Van
Guiyang to Huangguoshu by Car or Van
Anshun to Anshun by Car or Van
Anshun Railway Station to Kunming South Station by Bullet Train
Kunming South Railway Station to Kunming by Car or Van
Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station by Train
Dali Railway Station to Dali by Car or Van
Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by Train
Lijiang Railway Station to Lijiang by Car or Van
Lijiang Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station by Train
Accommodation:
2 nights at Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room
3 nights at Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge in a Standard Room
1 night at Kaili Tenglong Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Guiyang Yeste Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Huangguoshu Fengwei Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel in a Standard Room
5 nights at Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
3 nights at Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge in a Standard Room
1 night at Kaili Tenglong Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Guiyang Yeste Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Huangguoshu Fengwei Hotel in a Standard Room
1 night at Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel in a Standard Room
5 nights at Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Meals:
9 Breakfasts
1 Lunch
1 Lunch
How to Get There:
Our representative will be waiting for you at Guilin Airport (KWL) to Guilin or Guilin North Railway Station exit and will accompany you to your hotel.
Check-in/Check-out:
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Inclusions:
Meals: 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch
Accommodations: 2 nights at Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room, 3 nights at Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge in a Standard Room, 1 night at Kaili Tenglong Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Guiyang Yeste Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Huangguoshu Fengwei Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel in a Standard Room, 5 nights at Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Transportation: Guilin Airport (KWL) to Guilin or Guilin North Railway Station to Guilin by Car or Van, Guilin North Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station by Train, Yangshuo Railway Station to Yangshuo by Car or Van, Yangshuo to Cooking Class Meeting Place, Small Bus or Van from Cooking School to Downtown, Yangshuo Railway Station to Congjiang Railway Station by Train, Congjiang Railway Station to Zhaoxing Village by Car or Van, Zhaoxing to Kaili by Car or Van, Kaili to Guiyang by Car or Van, Guiyang to Huangguoshu by Car or Van, Anshun to Anshun by Car or Van, Anshun Railway Station to Kunming South Station by Bullet Train, Kunming South Railway Station to Kunming by Car or Van, Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station by Train, Dali Railway Station to Dali by Car or Van, Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by Train, Lijiang Railway Station to Lijiang by Car or Van, Lijiang Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station by Train
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide, Entrance fees (for the attractions mentioned in the itinerary)
Accommodations: 2 nights at Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room, 3 nights at Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge in a Standard Room, 1 night at Kaili Tenglong Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Guiyang Yeste Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Huangguoshu Fengwei Hotel in a Standard Room, 1 night at Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel in a Standard Room, 5 nights at Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Transportation: Guilin Airport (KWL) to Guilin or Guilin North Railway Station to Guilin by Car or Van, Guilin North Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station by Train, Yangshuo Railway Station to Yangshuo by Car or Van, Yangshuo to Cooking Class Meeting Place, Small Bus or Van from Cooking School to Downtown, Yangshuo Railway Station to Congjiang Railway Station by Train, Congjiang Railway Station to Zhaoxing Village by Car or Van, Zhaoxing to Kaili by Car or Van, Kaili to Guiyang by Car or Van, Guiyang to Huangguoshu by Car or Van, Anshun to Anshun by Car or Van, Anshun Railway Station to Kunming South Station by Bullet Train, Kunming South Railway Station to Kunming by Car or Van, Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station by Train, Dali Railway Station to Dali by Car or Van, Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by Train, Lijiang Railway Station to Lijiang by Car or Van, Lijiang Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station by Train
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide, Entrance fees (for the attractions mentioned in the itinerary)
Exclusions:
Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
Tips and Gratuities
Compulsory and Peak Season Surcharges
Tips and Gratuities
Compulsory and Peak Season Surcharges
Age Policy:
-
Essential To Bring:
-
Special Information:
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Shared Facilities:
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Map
Itinerary
Day 1: Guilin
Welcome to Guilin! Upon arrival at Guilin Airport or Guilin Railway Station, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
After check-in, the balance of the day is free at leisure. You may relax after your journey or explore the nearby area on your own.
Transportation: Guilin Airport (KWL) to Guilin or Guilin North Railway Station to Guilin by Car or Van
Accommodation: Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room
After check-in, the balance of the day is free at leisure. You may relax after your journey or explore the nearby area on your own.
Transportation: Guilin Airport (KWL) to Guilin or Guilin North Railway Station to Guilin by Car or Van
Accommodation: Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room
Day 2: Guilin
Today is free at leisure for you to explore Guilin on your own. You may choose to walk around the city, enjoy the local scenery, or simply relax before continuing your journey tomorrow.
Meals: Brekafast
Accommodation: Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room
Meals: Brekafast
Accommodation: Guilin Riverside Inn in a Standard Room
Day 3: Guilin to Yangshuo by Fast Train
After check-out, make your own way to Guilin North Railway Station for your train to Yangshuo.
Upon arrival at Yangshuo Railway Station, your driver will meet you at the station exit holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Yangshuo. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Meals: Brekafast
Transportation: Guilin North Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station by Train, Yangshuo Railway Station to Yangshuo by Car or Van
Accommodation: Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
Upon arrival at Yangshuo Railway Station, your driver will meet you at the station exit holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Yangshuo. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Meals: Brekafast
Transportation: Guilin North Railway Station to Yangshuo Railway Station by Train, Yangshuo Railway Station to Yangshuo by Car or Van
Accommodation: Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
Day 4: Yangshuo
Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the meeting point, where you will meet your teacher for today’s cooking experience.
Start with a visit to the local market, where you can see some of the ingredients commonly used in local Chinese cooking. Afterwards, take a bus to the cooking school and join a hands-on cooking class. You will prepare three dishes and enjoy them as your lunch.
After lunch, take the bus back to Yangshuo downtown. Upon arrival in downtown Yangshuo, make your own way back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation: Yangshuo to Cooking Class Meeting Place,Small Bus or Van from Cooking School to Downtown
Accommodation: Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Start with a visit to the local market, where you can see some of the ingredients commonly used in local Chinese cooking. Afterwards, take a bus to the cooking school and join a hands-on cooking class. You will prepare three dishes and enjoy them as your lunch.
After lunch, take the bus back to Yangshuo downtown. Upon arrival in downtown Yangshuo, make your own way back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation: Yangshuo to Cooking Class Meeting Place,Small Bus or Van from Cooking School to Downtown
Accommodation: Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Day 5: Yangshuo
Today is free at leisure for you to enjoy Yangshuo on your own. You may choose to explore the town, enjoy the surrounding countryside, or relax at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Yangshuo Grand Rezen Hotel in a Standard Room
Day 6: Yangshuo to Congjiang by Train and Congjiang to Zhaoxing (Guizhou)
After check-out, make your own way to Yangshuo Railway Station for your train to Congjiang.
Upon arrival at Congjiang Railway Station, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Zhaoxing Village, one of the largest Dong villages in China. The village is divided into five natural sections, with each section belonging to a different clan. Each clan has its own drum tower, Wind-Rain Bridge, and stage, which are important parts of Dong village culture and community life.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Yangshuo Railway Station to Congjiang Railway Station by Train, Congjiang Railway Station to Zhaoxing Village by Car or Van
Accommodation: Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Upon arrival at Congjiang Railway Station, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Zhaoxing Village, one of the largest Dong villages in China. The village is divided into five natural sections, with each section belonging to a different clan. Each clan has its own drum tower, Wind-Rain Bridge, and stage, which are important parts of Dong village culture and community life.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Yangshuo Railway Station to Congjiang Railway Station by Train, Congjiang Railway Station to Zhaoxing Village by Car or Van
Accommodation: Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Day 7: Zhaoxing to Kaili
After breakfast, drive to explore Basha Miao Village. This village is known for its distinctive Miao traditions, including the men’s traditional hairstyle, where hair is worn in a bun. When boys reach 16 years old, an adult ceremony is traditionally held for them. The men of Basha Miao Village are also known for carrying hunting guns and knives, giving them the appearance of ancient warriors.
Continue to Zhanli Dong Village, a village set in a small valley with a river flowing through the settlement. Grain-drying racks line the riverbanks, creating a charming village scene, especially during harvest season. While walking through the village, you will see the “Male Well” and “Female Well,” which are connected to a local legend about an elderly herbalist and the village’s family traditions.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Zhaoxing to Kaili by Car or Van
Accommodation: Kaili Tenglong Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Continue to Zhanli Dong Village, a village set in a small valley with a river flowing through the settlement. Grain-drying racks line the riverbanks, creating a charming village scene, especially during harvest season. While walking through the village, you will see the “Male Well” and “Female Well,” which are connected to a local legend about an elderly herbalist and the village’s family traditions.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Zhaoxing to Kaili by Car or Van
Accommodation: Kaili Tenglong Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Day 8: Kaili to Guiyang
In the morning, transfer to Langde Long-Skirt Miao Village, a village known for its strong ethnic culture and well-preserved traditional setting. It is often considered a living museum of Miao culture. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the village features wooden stilt houses, winding mountain paths, and a well-preserved Wind and Rain Bridge. Many of the wooden buildings date from the Ming and Qing periods.
After lunch, continue to Shiqiao Miao Village, famous for its traditional paper-making technique using tree bark. This craft is recognised as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage and has a long history in the village. You will have the opportunity to see the traditional paper-making process. If interested, you may also design your own floral paper using leaves, petals, and paper pulp, then take home the finished product once dried.
After the visit, drive to Guiyang for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Kaili to Guiyang by Car or Van
Accommodation: Guiyang Yeste Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
After lunch, continue to Shiqiao Miao Village, famous for its traditional paper-making technique using tree bark. This craft is recognised as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage and has a long history in the village. You will have the opportunity to see the traditional paper-making process. If interested, you may also design your own floral paper using leaves, petals, and paper pulp, then take home the finished product once dried.
After the visit, drive to Guiyang for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Kaili to Guiyang by Car or Van
Accommodation: Guiyang Yeste Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Day 9: Guiyang to Huangguoshu
After breakfast, travel to Tianlong Castle, a historic village connected to military culture from ancient China. It was once used as a military base during the Ming Dynasty, and the local community has preserved many elements of Ming-era lifestyle, including clothing, language, food, and customs.
The village is known for its stone houses, hidden tunnels, and traditional Ground Opera, also known as Dixi Opera. This old performance style uses wooden masks, songs, speech, dance-acting, and combat movements to tell stories and preserve local heritage.
Afterwards, visit Huajiang Canyon Bridge, an impressive modern engineering project in Guizhou. The bridge stretches across the Huajiang Grand Canyon and offers dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. It also features sightseeing facilities, including viewing areas and a glass walkway.
After the visit, transfer to your hotel in Huangguoshu.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Guiyang to Huangguoshu by Car or Van
Accommodation: Huangguoshu Fengwei Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide, Entrance fees
The village is known for its stone houses, hidden tunnels, and traditional Ground Opera, also known as Dixi Opera. This old performance style uses wooden masks, songs, speech, dance-acting, and combat movements to tell stories and preserve local heritage.
Afterwards, visit Huajiang Canyon Bridge, an impressive modern engineering project in Guizhou. The bridge stretches across the Huajiang Grand Canyon and offers dramatic views of the surrounding landscape. It also features sightseeing facilities, including viewing areas and a glass walkway.
After the visit, transfer to your hotel in Huangguoshu.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Guiyang to Huangguoshu by Car or Van
Accommodation: Huangguoshu Fengwei Hotel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide, Entrance fees
Day 10: Huangguoshu to Anshun and Anshun to Kunming by Bullet Train
This morning, visit Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of the most famous waterfalls in China and among the largest in Asia. The waterfall is known for its wide curtain of water and scenic surroundings.
In the afternoon, drive to Anshun Railway Station and take the train to Kunming. Upon arrival at Kunming South Railway Station, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The balance of the day is free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Anshun to Anshun by Car or Van, Anshun Railway Station to Kunming South Station by Bullet Train, Kunming South Railway Station to Kunming by Car or Van
Accommodation: Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
In the afternoon, drive to Anshun Railway Station and take the train to Kunming. Upon arrival at Kunming South Railway Station, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The balance of the day is free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Anshun to Anshun by Car or Van, Anshun Railway Station to Kunming South Station by Bullet Train, Kunming South Railway Station to Kunming by Car or Van
Accommodation: Kunming Upland International Youth Hostel in a Standard Room
Miscellaneous: English Speaking Guide
Day 11: Kunming to Dali by Train
After check-out, make your own way to the railway station for your train to Dali.
Upon arrival in Dali, your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Transportation: Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station by Train, Dali Railway Station to Dali by Car or Van
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Upon arrival in Dali, your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Transportation: Kunming South Railway Station to Dali Railway Station by Train, Dali Railway Station to Dali by Car or Van
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Day 12: Dali
Today is free at leisure for you to explore Dali on your own. You may choose to walk around the old town, enjoy the local atmosphere, or relax at your guesthouse.
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Day 13: Dali to Lijiang by Train
After check-out, make your own way to Dali Railway Station for your train to Lijiang.
Upon arrival at Lijiang Railway Station, your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Transportation: Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by Train, Lijiang Railway Station to Lijiang by Car or Van
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Upon arrival at Lijiang Railway Station, your driver will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Transportation: Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station by Train, Lijiang Railway Station to Lijiang by Car or Van
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Day 14: Lijiang
Today is free at leisure for you to explore Lijiang on your own. You may choose to wander through the old town, enjoy the local cafés and shops, or simply relax and take in the atmosphere.
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Day 15: Lijiang
Enjoy another free day in Lijiang. You can continue exploring independently, revisit your favourite areas, or arrange optional activities depending on your interest.
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse in a Standard Room
Day 16: Lijiang to Kunming by Train
After check-out, make your own way to Lijiang Railway Station for your train to Kunming.
Upon arrival at Kunming Railway Station, you are free to continue to your next destination or extend your stay in Kunming at your own arrangement.
Transportation: Lijiang Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station by Train
Upon arrival at Kunming Railway Station, you are free to continue to your next destination or extend your stay in Kunming at your own arrangement.
Transportation: Lijiang Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station by Train
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