8 Days Guilin-Zhangjiajie In-depth Tour by High-speed Train

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Guilin Arrival (No meal )

   Upon your arrival at Guilin airport / train station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to downtown hotel for checking-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for rest of the day.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

2. Day 2: Guilin - Longji - Guilin by Car
   Longji Rice Terraces Long Hair Show (B, L )

   AM: After breakfast, drive to the painting-like Longji Rice Terraces, which has thousands of years’ history. It is hard to believe that the minority people were able to bring the remote mountains under cultivation by the slash-and-burn method over 2,000 years ago. Now the rice terraces not only feed the local people but also provide the people around the world a retreat from everyday life.

   Arrive at Longji Terraces Scenic Area, you will enjoy the one-of-a-kind Long Hair Show performed by Yao Minority women in Huangluo village, which was awarded the “World’s Longest Hair Village” by Guinness World Records. Famous for their long and shiny hair, the women of Huangluo cut their hair only once in their lives upon turning 18. In addition to that, you can also have a glimpse of the Zhuang and Yao minority people’s lifestyle through this visit.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After enjoying the spectacular rice terraces, the fragrant bamboo-tube-cooked rice will be waiting for you. The soaked rice is put inside a fresh bamboo tube, and the mouth of the tube is plugged with fresh leaves. The rice will be ready after cooking over a fire for about half an hour. When you cut open the bamboo tube by using a knife, the delicate fragrance will greet your nostrils.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

3. Day 3: Guilin - Yangshuo by Cruise Ship
   Li River Cruise, Yangshuo West Street (B, L)

   AM: Today is the highlight of your Guilin tour as you will embark on a ship to cruise down the picturesque Li River!

   Taking the cruise on the Li River, you will admire the picturesque scenery of this land with a harmonious combination of the green hills, rivers, lakes and fields. But its beauty is not like a still painting, it’s alive when vivid – brisk bamboo rafts leaving wrinkles on the water and cormorants hovering under the working fishermen… Our guide will uncover the hidden history and culture behind the natural screen before you during your cruise. You will learn from the local expert about how the city formed and developed and how local people manage their life along the famous Li River.

   Friendly Tips: The Li River Cruise takes around 4 hours, and you will be staying on the boat to enjoy the scenery for most time, so 3-star boat as included would be  adequate according to most tourists’ experience. Besides, you are suggested to have a good breakfast at your hotel and take some snack as there will be only simple box lunch be provided on the boat.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After the 4 hours’ cruise, you will disembark at Yangshuo. Follow your guide to explore the famous Yangshuo West Street to admire the antique buildings and local crafts, hanging out in bars and coffee shops, and try some delicious local snacks.

   Last, transfer to Yangshuo local hotel for overnight.

   Optional night activity: If you are looking for a worth-to-visit activity tonight, the wonderful Impression Show of Liu Sanjie will be waiting for you! The stage is set on the Li River, most of 600 performers are fishermen from nearby villages. Through this amazing show, you will know the legendary Sanjie Liu and learn something about Zhuang people's culture.

   Optional night activity: If you are looking for a worth-to-visit activity tonight, the wonderful Impression Show of Liu Sanjie will be waiting for you! The stage is set on the Li River, most of 600 performers are fishermen from nearby villages. Through this amazing show, you will know the legendary Sanjie Liu and learn something about Zhuang people's culture.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Yangshuo

   

4. Day 4: Guilin
   Reed Flute Cave, Fubo Hill, Elephant Trunk Hill, Seven Star Park (B, L )

   AM: Guilin is famous for its picturesque landscape and featured local culture. Today, your exploration begins with the amazing Reed Flute Cave. The cave got its name because there were reeds at its entrance and people can make flutes by using the reeds. Walking into the cave, you will be surrounded by all kinds of stalactites, stalagmites, stone columns, flowers, and curtains created by water erosion and carbonate deposition day after day and year after year.

   After that, move on to another wonderful site in Guilin, Fubo Hill. The hill boasts both natural beauty and historical relics. You just breathe the fresh air, enjoy the beautiful landscape, and feel the charm of grotto art.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   

   PM: Later, heading to the Elephant Trunk Hill. The hill got its name from the shape of an elephant sipping water by the riverside. You will see a round opening between the elephant’s trunk and legs, and it has a beautiful name of Water Moon Cave. You can take beautiful pictures to record the pleasant time at this extraordinary place.

   Last, walk around the Seven Star Park to indulge yourself in the natural and cultural beauty of Guilin. The park is called Guilin’s green lung and has become the epitome of Guilin’s landscape and culture integrating mountains, water, caves, stones, courtyards, buildings, and cultural relics.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Guilin

   

5. Day 5: Guilin - Changsha - Zhangjiajie by High-speed Train ( B )

   In the morning, our driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer to Guilin North Train Station for your high-speed train to Changsha ( train rides around 4 hours ).

   Arrival at Changsha South Station, our local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name, drive around 40 minutes to Changsha Station for another high-speed train to Zhangjiajie ( train rides around 5 hours). You can have a simple lunch at Changsha train station on your own.

   Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie Station, meet our local driver at the exit gate and transfer to local hotel for checking-in.

   Friendly Tips: Today, you will spend most of time on the train and need train -transit in Changsha. You are suggested to prepare some food / snack before your departure from Guilin.

   Evening Idea: You can enjoy a leisure walk in Xibu Street in Wulingyuan Area on your own in your free time.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Zhangjiajie

6. Day 6: Zhangjiajie
   Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yellow Stone Village, Golden Whip Stream, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge ( B, L )

   AM: Today, you’ll start your adventure with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It’s the first national forest park in China and was included in World Natural Heritage List in 1992 for the queer forest of quartz sandstone peaks. You will see the pillars rise hundreds of meters into the sky, stroll along tranquil valleys and feel rejuvenated by the fresh air.

   Then, head to Yellow Stone Village. With an altitude of more than 1200 meters, it’s the largest and best observation deck to overlook the quartz sandstone peak forest. You can hear the story of Zhang Liang being saved by Huang Shi from your guide while you are walking, and you may come across the cute monkeys on the way.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After that, move on to Golden Whip Stream, one of the most beautiful sites in Zhangjiajie. The stream winds its way through the hills and valleys and got its name because of passing by the Golden Whip Rock. Just listen to the murmurs of the stream, stroll along the valley and stop to watch the fish swimming in the crystal clear water.

   After the relaxing hiking, take the sightseeing bus to exit the forest park and drive around 40 minutes to Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. Move on to challenge yourself at the longest and highest Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in the world with a length of 430 meters. You can have a panoramic view of Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon while walking on the transparent glass floor. You may be scared to step on the bridge at first, but once you take the first step, you will enjoy the magnificent view of flying waterfalls, lush forests, running streams.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Zhangjiajie

   

7. Day 7: Zhangjiajie
   Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Hallelujah Mountain, Bailong Elevator ( B, L )

   AM: Today’s first stop is Tianzi Mountain. There is a saying that you will not want to see any other mountains after visiting Tianzi Mountain. One of the spectacular sights is the sea of clouds after rain if you are lucky. You will witness rugged rocks and a forest of stone peaks which looks like a group of warriors listening to orders.

   Noon: Lunch in local restaurant.

   PM: After that, continue to explore Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, the inspiration for Hallelujah Mountain in the super famous movie Avatar. You also can experience Bailong Elevator, the highest and heaviest outdoor elevator in the world. You will be amazed by the speed of the elevator, only 1 minute and 58 seconds up to Yuanjiajie. When you step out of the elevator, a magical landscape painting will unfold in front of you. The massive quartz-sandstone pillars are just towering over you or next to you.

   Finish all the activities, transfer to Zhangjiajie downtown area for overnight.

   Accommodation: Hotel in Zhangjiajie

   

8. Day 8: Zhangjiajie Departure
   Tianmen Mountain, Tianmen Temple, Skywalk, Tianmen Cave, 99-bend Road ( B,L )

   AM: After breakfast, follow your guide to explore another highlight of Zhangjiajie - the Tianmen Mountain National Park.

   Firstly, drive to the cableway base for you to take the cable car up to the top of Tianmen Mountain. With a length of 7445 meters, the Tianmen Mountain cableway is regarded as the longest cableway in the world. The one-way cable car ride takes about 28 minutes. And the half-hour ride is an excellent chance to see the picturesque scenery of the mountain

   Arriving at the mountain top, you will first pay a visit to Tianmen Temple. The temple was built in the Ming Dynasty and is the Buddhist activity center in the western Hunan Province.

   Next, you will take a walk on the vertiginous Skywalk built with transparent glass. For some people, it is really a test of courage! Then move to the Tianmen Cave (Heaven’s door cave). This natural stone archway is 131.5 meters high and 57 meters wide. It will take about half an hour to walk through the famous cave.

   Noon: Lunch in a local restaurant.

   PM: Last, take a shuttle bus down to the mountain foot by the 99-bend Road – the scenic round hill road. You’ll be dropped off at Zhangjiajie airport/train station for departure. Your 8-day Guilin Zhangjiajie In-depth Tour ends here.