6 Days Best Hong Kong Guilin Tour with Guangzhou Layover

Day 1 Hong Kong Arrival & Orientation

Arriving at Hong Kong and check in hotel

Ni Hao! Welcome to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the Pearl of the Orient. The rest of today after arrival is to recover from long flight, or explore this vibrant and bustling metropolis on your own.

Free Time ideas: It is one of the most popular things to do in Hong Kong to spend ten minutes riding the humble Star Ferry which sails between Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island( daily 6:30am-11:30pm). From the ferry, you can enjoy the breathtaking skyline of Hong Kong especially in the evening when the Symphony of Lights begins.

Evening Ideas: In this evening, take a walk through Temple Street Night Market which is the livest night market in Hong Kong. Whether you’re a fan of shopping or not, Temple Street is one place you will find everything from souvenirs to tiny trinkets and from clothes to footwear, bags and more. Browse different kinds of commodities and if you like, stop to sit and enjoy some delicious snacks. After the tour, get back to your hotel by yourselves.

• Temple Street Night Market

Day 2 Explore Hong Kong on Your Own

Today's highlights: Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Fishing Village, Stanley Market

Hong Kong's tourism industry is very developed. Foreign travellers can explore Hong Kong independently and easily. Below is recommended Hong Kong day trip itinerary.

Firstly, you will climb to the highest point of Hong Kong - Victoria Peak(552m) via the famous Peak Tram which has operated for more than 112 years as one of the world oldest funicular railways. Walk through the verdant woods to explore hidden old buildings left by the old Hong Kong. Also ascend to the observation deck to sweep the magnificent Hong Kong skyline and tranquil harbor views. Get down from the peak, then go to visit Aberdeen Fishing Village where you will get an impressive insight of an old traditional fishing village to view the rows of old Junks and Sampans. 

Continue to take a trip to the Stanley Market. Browse fancy petty commodities in various little stores and enjoy the fun of bargaining, or just order a cup of coffee or beer at the seaside café or pub, a great way to spend time away from the maddening crowds. (If you are interested in the beautiful sand beach with long coastline, soft sand and clean water, you can visit Repulse Bay instead of Stanley Market.)

In this afternoon, pay a visit to Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. This Taoist temple is dedicated to a deified healer named Wong Tai Sin and it is said that when he was 15 an immortal taught Wong how to make a herbal potion that could cure all illness. This temple is famed for the many prayers answered “What you request is what you get” via a practice called kau chim. Enjoy the sincere atmosphere of praying and kau chim for good fortune. Later, move your steps to Nan Lian Garden, an elegant Tang-style garden featuring a golden pagoda, a koi pond and a collection of bizarre rocks sourced from all over China. Enjoy your time in the beautiful Chi Lin Nunnery located close to the garden. Built in the style of Tang Dynasty, this Buddhist complex is a serene place with lotus ponds, bonsai tea plants, bougainvillea and silent nuns delivering offerings fruit and rice to Buddha or chanting behind intricately carved screens.

In the late evening, enjoy a light walk along Avenue of Stars situated on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade right on the waterfront of Victoria Harbor. Admire stunning views of the Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island with its numerous skyscrapers. If time allows, catch the chance to watch “A Symphony of Lights” that is held every night at 20:00.

• Take the Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak
• Aberdeen Fishing Village
• Victoria Harbor Amazing Night View
• Wong Tai Sin Temple
• Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island

Day 3 Hong Kong - Guangzhou Tour (B, L)

Today's highlights: Yuexiu Park, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shamian Island, Huacheng Square

In this morning, you’ll be transferred to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station for your high speed train to Guangzhou (about 1 hour). At this station, you need to be checked your documents (valid passport and China visa) to go to Guangzhou.

Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station Procedures for Boarding your Train:  

(a) Departing passengers enter the station at level B1, pass ticket checks and take an escalator or lift to B3. (b) Once at the Hong Kong immigration clearing area, passengers pass through the control point. (c) They follow the arrows and enter the mainland jurisdiction area for passport clearance. (d) Once cleared for entry into China's mainland passengers may enter the waiting area or take escalators or lifts to level B4 to board high trains.

Upon arrival, you'll start to explore the old and new Guangzhou City from Yuexiu Park, the largest city park in Guangzhou. Stroll leisurely in the verdant park to see the Five Rams Statue from which you will savor the interesting legendary story of the five rams and know why Guangzhou is called the “City of Rams”. Then, continue to appreciate a five-storey ancient structure in red - Zhenhai Tower which was changed as Guangzhou Museum. Have a brief learning about Guangzhou’s over 2000 years’ history and if you like, climb up the tower to get a bird’s-eye view of Guangzhou City. 

In this afternoon, visit the must-see Chen Clan Ancestral Hall which is regarded as the largest, most beautifully decorated and best preserved traditional ancestral temple in Guangdong Province. Roam among the tranquil houses and courtyards built during 1888-1894 to discover its architectural origin and find out whether it was an ancestral hall or an academy for the Chen Family in Guangdong initially. Since it is famous as the “Pearl of Lingnan Architectural Art”, you will taste the super exquisite colorful decorations of vivid patterns of various flora and fauna, figures and immortals to feel the highly skillful construction and decoration of Lingnan people and know their typical folk culture and best wishes of harvest and prosperity in ancient China. Later, be transferred for about 10 minutes’ driving to see the quite different Shamian Island where over 150 European styled old buildings from the colonial period from 19th century are well preserved for a nice savory. Take a relaxing walk in the strongly exotic street block in emerald and imagine the past life and changes of Guangzhou told by those historical remains.

After the exploration, be transferred to the urban central axis in Zhujiang New Town to see the modern cityscape of Guangzhou at Huacheng Square. Have a leisure stroll between the glittery skyscrapers and peculiar shaped modern buildings to feel the fast development of this metropolis, including Guangzhou IFC Tower, CTF Finance Center, Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou Grand Theater, etc. Most importantly, appreciate the slim outline of the iconic Canton Tower on the opposite bank of Pearl River.

Be transferred to your hotel after the tour.

• Yuexiu Park Five Rams Statue
• Exquisite Decoration of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
• Church of Our Lady of Lourdes at Shamian Island

Day 4 Guangzhou - High Speed Train to Guilin (B, L)

Today's highlights: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave

Today, you will take a comfortable morning high speed train to Guilin, the darling of tourists. The train journey will take about 3 hours. Enjoy the pleasant scenery along the journey. Once you arrive at Guilin Train Station, you will be met by your local tour guide, and be transferred to your hotel in Guilin City. Take some rest.

In the afternoon, you will have a leisure Guilin city tour - firstly make a visit to the symbol of Guilin landscape 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 (about 20 minutes) 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.

The rest time is free on your own to have fun in Guilin - strolling, hunting food...

• Chusi's Family from USA Visited Elephant Trunk Hill in June, 2018
• Joel's Group from Mexico Visited Reed Flute Cave in May, 2021

Day 5 Guilin - Yangshuo (B, L)

Today's highlights: Li River Cruise, West Street

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, amazing scene of A Painting of Nine Horses, and notable view printed on the back of the 20 RMB note. (Please note: Lunch is served by the cruise with simple local Chinese cuisine. And you can take some snacks when getting on board.)

After about 4 hours’ cruise, disembark in Yangshuo Town, and check in your hotel. Take a short break, and then 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 cultivating the soil with their water buffalos.

After that, 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 evening activity:

Watch the splendid evening performance of Impression Liu Sanjie with the Li River itself as the stage, which was directed by famous director - Zhang Yimou (usually performs for an hour between around 19:45 and 22:20).

• West Street in Yangshuo, Photo Taken by Our Customer Helen from Australia in August 2019
• Barbara from UK Enjoyed Li River Cruise in September 2021

Day 6 Yangshuo Departure (B, L)

Today's highlights: countryside views of Yangshuo

Today, after your breakfast, our guide will take you to enjoy your best highlight cycling experience along the picturesque Yulong River (Yangshuo - Jiuxian Village - Xiangui Bridge - Shuiedi Dock). Immerse yourself into the fascinating countryside view with the rolling hills around and crystal clear river with the reflection of mountains, bamboos, trees, floras and blue sky, and enjoy this simple moment to see the refreshing color combination of farmland pieces, flowers, plantations and footpath. Visit a local family house to see the living environment of local peasants and their daily farming tools. After the cycling and family visiting experience for about 2.5 hours, continue your exploration of Yulong River highlights by enjoying the joyous bamboo rafting from Shuiedi Dock to Gongnong Bridge, the most classic part (about 40-50 minutes). Sit leisurely back on the bamboo chair and admire the emerald sightseeing passing by, enjoy every minutes like traveling in a traditional Chinese landscape painting. (Note: according to the regulations of Yulong River Tourism, children less than 1 meter high and elders over 70 years old are not allowed to take the bamboo rafting.) After that, have a break and enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Then, continue to bike back to West Street (0.5 hours).

After the visiting, be transferred to catch your flight / train to next destination. (Note: arrange your flight or train in late afternoon or early evening.)

• Christina's Group from Denmark Enjoyed Yulong River Bamboo Rafting in July 2021
• Gerhard's Group from Germany Biked along Yulong River in late August, 2019