Unfold Natural Wonders of China: Yangtze River Cruise with Mystical Zhangjiajie and Picturesque Guilin

-- Walter's 12 Days Natural Exploration in China

Many people find a sense of inner peace and relaxation when immersed in natural landscapes. Outdoor activities with family and friends can create shared experiences and lasting memories. To uplift mood and promote feelings of joy, it's time to enjoy the colors, scents, and sounds of nature!

Walter’s group, a couple from Germany, booked a 12-day private tour with Rita (including arrival & departure days), starting from the Yangtze River cruise, and then heading to mystical Zhangjiajie and picturesque Guilin, covering shore excursions, immersive performance, river cruises, and mountain hiking. It was scheduled from late April to early May, whose last 2 days happened to overlap with China Golden Week. Though it was near a peak season for Chinese domestic travel, Walter’s group worked together with Rita, transforming the travel experience into a seamless, naturally rich, and unforgettable journey!

Day 1~4 Sailing the Yangtze River – A Journey through China’s Vital Pulse

The flight from Shanghai took Walter's group to the charming Chongqing on the 1st day. Walter's group embarked on Century Victory at Chaotianmen Dock. It is one of the newest, largest and most deluxe members of Yangtze River cruise ships, and is operated by Century Cruise which was reputed as the "Most Dynamic Cruise Company on Yangtze River" by New York Times. With high technological propulsion system, well-equipped facilities, and quite enough public space, Century Victory ensured a truly intelligent, eco-friendly and smooth sailing.

Their first shore excursion for the Yangtze cruise began at 2nd day on Fengdu Ghost City, where the unique architecture and cultural relics told tales of Chinese folklore and the afterlife.

The 3rd day was spent exploring the serene Shennv Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze River. Switching to a smaller boat, they sailed down the serene waters. Each bend revealed new wonders, from deep valleys to lush greenery, painting a picture of untouched beauty. One interesting spot was Qiyun Peak, literally meaning Cloud Rise Peak. It was said that locals often observed clouds gathering around Qiyun Peak to predict whether it would rain next day.

It was the 4th day they visited the Three Gorges Dam, which was not only one of the largest dams in the world but also a testament to human ingenuity. Concluding their Yangtze River cruise, they were transported by car to Zhangjiajie.

Walter's Group Enjoyed Serene Landscape along Shennv Stream on 3nd Day

Day 5~7 Ascending Zhangjiajie – A Touch to the Wonders Amidst Clouds

On the 5th day, they stepped into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, home to iconic Hallelujah Mountains which gained worldwide fame through the movie Avatar. Walter's group was supposed to take Bailong Elevator straight up to the top of Yuanjiajie in just 2 munites. Unfortunately, the waiting line of Bailong Elevator streched unusually long on that day. Their tour guide Tony suggested an alternative route that would allow Walter’s group to ascend Yuanjiajie. “In Zhangjiajie we decided not to use the Bailong Elevator. The wait to go up would have taken 3 hours. Tony, our guide, was prepared and had a plan B, we hiked 8 km to another cable car and had a great view of the national park.” Walter's group decided to spent about 1.5~2 hours hiking up to admire towering sandstone pillars of Yuanjiajie.

(Note: Due to the popularity of Bailong Elevator, it usually requires a waiting time of 1~2 hours during regular days. 3 hours wait time may be an exceptional circumstance.)

After lingering on Yuanjiajie, they hopped on an eco-friendly shuttle bus to Tianzi Mountain. At Helong Park, with the backdrop of the towering peaks, they felt a sense of historical significance mingled with the natural beauty.

The next day, their journey continued at Tianmen Mountain. After riding the longest cableway to the summit, they bound for Tianmen Temple to admire ancient architecture and religious artifacts. It was like walking on the air when they ventured onto the Glass Skywalk, a narrow path carved into the cliffside, with the wind whistling past and the mountains stretching out beneath their feet. The biggest highlight was the magnificent Tianmen Cave, a natural wonder formed over thousands of years.

Ending the thrilling visit of Tianmen Mountain, Walter's group boarded their train to Guilin.

Walter's Group Explored Amazing Yuanjiajie on 5th Day

Day 8~12 Strolling Guilin – A Discovery of a Hidden Paradise

Unveiled another chapter of their journey on the 8th day, Walter's group set sail down the Li River towards the enchanting town of Yangshuo. Their vessel glided past emerald waters reflecting the sky, merging heaven and earth into a harmonious blend. After disembarkation and a short rest, they started a picturesque route that extended from Fengming to Gongnong Bridge. Along the route, they encountered great banyan trees and Moon Hill. Retracing their steps back to Yangshuo, this time heading towards old and buzy West Street. Amidst the bustling atmosphere, they watched “Impression Sanjie Liu”, an outdoor performance that told the tales of Sanjie Liu, who was revered for her extradinary singing talent. They booked a higher seat category, which included private access and covered seat for better enjoyment. Walter's group was taken to experience the daily rhythms of rural life, festive celebrations, and ethnic traditions passed down through generations. After the immersive show, Walter praised, "the show was another highlight of our trip. Highly recommended."

Walter's Group Cruised Tranquil Liver to Yangshuo Town on 8th Day

The following day, they set forth to explore Ruyi Peak which took on the form of mythical dragon. Walking on the path, they marveled at the intricate patterns and shapes formed by nature. Later in the day, they ventured to Yulong River, a tranquil waterway renowned for its crystalline waters and serene surroundings. It was a pause in the hustle of everyday life.

Walters Group Vitited Ruyi Peak and Yulong River on the 9th Day

They ventured forth on the 10th day to embrace the city’s tourist treasures, starting with Elephant Trunk Hill, a symbol of Guilin’s scenic grace and then delved into the enigmatic Reed Flute Cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. This day concluded with a gentle stroll at the charming Daxu Ancient Town, where cobblestone streets lined with traditional wooden buildings.

On the final day in Guangxi, they went to Longshen, a destination renowned for its stunning rice terraces that have been cultivated for centuries. Huangluoyao Village, a living testament to the rich culture of Yao ethnic group, witnessed the traditional Yao lifestyle. Reaching Ping’an Village, they were greeted by Longji Rice Terraces, stretching as far as the eye can see. Tow highlights stood out - Seven Stars around the Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers. The breathtaking terraced fields was their last stop.

It was time to say goodbye on the 12th day, Walter's group was escorted by their guide Peter to train station.

Walter's Group Spent Unforgettable Times in Longji Rice Terraces on the 11th Day

Smooth Routes: Rebooking Flight after Cancellation and Upgrade Train Seat

Ensuring smooth travel arrangements can be quite a complex task, especially when managing multiple destinations over extensive distances. At first, Rita received inquiry about the route Guilin-Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Chengdu from Walter's group. Guilin often ranks top on the list of preferred destinations for nature lovers for its harmonious fusion of karst mountains, winding rivers, and verdant hills. Noticing they were keen on natural beauty, Rita recommended to witness the visual feast - the Three Gorges by Yangtze River cruise. During the cruise lasting 4 days and 3 nights, tourists can see the gorges adorned with lush vegetationsand the steep cliffs rising dramatically from the river. Zhangjiajie, a completely different universe, is also a standout choice. Tourists will be introduced into a the real Avatar world appearing to float above the sea of clouds. After Rita's recommendations and doing some travel research, they decided to go with Yangtze River cruise, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin.

As an experienced travel consultant for 10 years, Rita utilized various transportation modes to connect these destinations with efficiency and comfort. Departing from Shanghai to the starting point of the Yangtze River cruise - Chongqing, Rita booked flights for Walter’s group. After ending the Yangtze River cruise, they were transported to Zhangjiajie by private car and onward by express train to Guilin. There was a little hiccup of flight cancellation. As Walter shared, "Our flight from Shanghai to Chongqing on Sunday morning was canceled. Rita tried to contact us several times at 6 a.m. to inform us. She had already booked a new flight. We felt well looked after and informed throughout the entire trip."

Anticipating the difficulties in acquiring train seats, Rita proactively secured second-class seats. “Our wish to change the 2nd class ticket we had booked for the train to Guilin to 1st class was made possible by Rita, even though almost everything was fully booked. Rita looked after us very well from the first contact.” Taking care of their requirement, Rita managed to upgrade train seats to first-class.

High Praise about China Discovery Service from Walter's group

Upon return from the enchanting journey, Walter's group expressed their satisfaction about itinerary arrangement by Rita, "The entire planning worked more than perfectly."

They were also appreciated the dedication of tour guides - Tony in Zhangjiajie and Peter in Guilin, "Tony spoke perfect English and gave us a lot of interesting information. We can say the same about Peter, our guide in Guilin. He looked after us very well and was extremely concerned about our safety. Both guides brought us safely to the train. The restaurants they chose were absolutely delicious."

For accommodation, Walter's group was happy about the upgraded rooms, "The hotels were all surprisingly nice, we often got an upgrade and therefore very large rooms."

If you also desire to customize your own China tour, please do not hesitate to contact us!

(Above travel story was written by our editor, inspired by our customer Walter's real experience and review on Tripadvisor.com.)