9-day private tour of Guilin-Yangshuo and Lijiang/Shangri-La/Kunming
Melbournian3000

Melbournian3000

Australia

Reviewed on November 11, 2023

9-day private tour of Guilin-Yangshuo and Lijiang/Shangri-La/Kunming in Oct 2023

We travel extensively and often independently, but had not visited China for over ten years. Travel agent Wing Zeng provided a high-touch service throughout, via emails, and but also via mobile phone upon arrival. This was necessary due to our concerns over telecommunciations (simplest to use our Australian-based provider/SIM for unrestricted access) and payments infrastructure (WeChat Pay was eventually successful after many hours setting up, and many credit card incompatibilities - otherwise hard currency RMB, but tour guides occasionally accept EUR/USD).

Guangxi and Yunnan provinces are indeed picturesque - equivalent to Alps/Andes/Fiordlands/Iguazu/Milford. Altitude sickness was not an issue at high-3,000s due to progressive ascent over 48h. The diverse (ethnic) cultures - Naxi, Yi, Bai - were interesting and celebrated/prioritised.

Hospitality was warm, but I believe it would be an advantage having some Mandarin proficiency in these less populated regions from a practical (communication) perspective. As is the case internationally, accommodation standards tend to vary further away from major cities or tourism centres (one should not expect six-star accommodation in an ancient village). Food standards were excellent, but we particularly cherished the street vendors (US$5-10 per evening).

Telecommunciations and transport infrastracture are unparalleled - even in and across mountain ranges (reminded us of remote Tanzania - extremely convenient and reliable). We entered via high speed rail from Hong Kong to Guilin, and the comfort (unnoticeable at 300km/h) and extent of this nation-wide network is equally extraordinary.

Our local tour guides Lewis, Sandy, Xiao Liu, Aten, and Wang Yi (Ryan) were courteous, engaging (humour), and professional .

We are most appreciative of China Discovery (Chengdu Bamboo International) and their agents' efforts, and look forward to returning soon!

Destination(s): Guilin, Yangshuo, Guangxi, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Kunming, Yunnan
Date of Experience: October 18, 2023
Trip Type: Traveled as Couples
Tour Customized by: Wing

See more reviews on Tripadvisor See all reviews from our guests

Most Valuable Reviews Our Customers listed on TripAdvisor

More City Reviews from Our Customers

Amazing Travel Stories

Besides the origin feedback telling their satisfaction about their travel, some customers also nicely shared their travel stories in details. You can read their stories and seek for more inspiration.

  • Couple’s 69 Days Private China Journey
    “Only You” - Couple’s Resounding 69 Days Private China Journey

    Elie & Marie has successfully enjoyed their wonderful and romantic 10 week couple's private vacation and experienced a lot of interesting things in 32 destinations around vast China!

    • Elie (Belgium)
    • (69 Days) 2019.09.04~2019.11.11
    • Beijing - Hohhot - Datong - Pingyao - Luoyang - Xian - Jiayuguan ... Chengdu - Yangtze - Zhangjiajie - Yunnan - Guilin... Hangzhou - Shanghai
  • North American English Teachers’ China Trip to Visit Their Students off Internet
    North American English Teachers’ China Trips to Visit Their Students off Internet

    We customized three big group China trips for tens of VIPKid English teachers and their family members to visit Xian, Shanghai, etc. from Beijing and meet their students off Internet in China in 2019!

    • VIPKid Teachers (USA/Canada)
    • (9-21 Days) 2019
    • Beijing - Xian - Shanghai - Suzhou –Shanghai - Hangzhou - Huangshan... Yangtze Cruise...Chengdu - Beijing
  • Winston's Couple Tour to 9 Cities all around China plus Yangtze Cruise
    Winston's Couple Tour to 9 Cities around China plus Yangtze Cruise

    Winston and his wife have traveled to many world places during the past 21 years and experienced the best vacation this time to explore China's west and east, north and south parts!

    • Winston (USA)
    • (22 Days) 2019.05.17~2019.6.07
    • Beijing - Xian - Lhasa - Chengdu - Guilin - Longsheng - Yangshuo - Chongqing - Yangtze River Cruise - Yichang - Shanghai - Suzhou - Beijing
  • 5 Days Tibet Lhasa Tour
    Warm People, Warm the World - Annual Tibet Trip for Love Sharing

    Jack and their partners would get back to Tibet from the distant USA every year, and until now, they’ve visited Tibet for 6 times. Every time, they had wonderful time enjoying the highlights of Tibet, and helped the blind, brought them hope of life and encouraged them.

    • Jack (USA)
    • (6 Times) 2013~2019
    • Tibet
  • Rachel Grant’s Panda Volunteer Experience in Dujiangyan
    Rachel Grant’s Panda Volunteer Experience in Dujiangyan

    The distinctive black and white animal is a national treasure in China and one of the rarest, most endangered bears in the world. A one-on-one encounter with a giant panda is a bucket list highlight and a must-do when you are in China. The time I spent witnessing such human dedication is truly eye-opening...

    • Panda Volunteer Star: Ms. Rachel Grant (British)
    • Chengdu - Dujiangyan
  • Returning Hometown to Regain Adopted Daughter's Confidence
    Returning Hometown to Regain Adopted Daughter's Confidence

    Lawson's Family had an amazing family China tour with their two adopted daughters from China and touchingly helped their adopted ethnic little girl regain confidence.

    • Lawson (UK)
    • (19 Days) 2018.10.17~2018.11.04
    • Shenzhen - Xiamen - Yongding - Guangzhou - ... - Yangshuo - Guilin - Chengdu - Hangzhou - Shanghai - Suzhou - Shanghai
Beijing Xian Tours

Recommended Tours

CD-BXS-08 8 Days Best of China Tour
8 Days Best of China Tour (Flight/Bullet Train Covered)

Beijing / Xian / Shanghai

Jack and Emily from UK visited Greeting Pine, Yellow Mountain in October, 2019
9 Days East China & Mt. Huang Tour by High Speed Train

Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou / Huangshan

Potala Palace
15 Days China Tour with Tibet Discovery & Panda Visit

Shanghai / Guilin / Yangshuo / Guilin / Chengdu / Lhasa / Xian / Beijing