The Golden Fields of Guilin Hike, 7 days

Longsheng Rice Terraces is a stunning and beautiful mountainous paddy fields, built by the local ethnic minorities, the Zhuang and Yao people. Terraced along the slopes of the mountains winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, scaling between 300 metres and 1,100 metres above sea level, hiking in Longsheng is a great way to appreciate the magnificent rice terraces through various viewpoints. They were mostly built more than 650 years ago, beginning from the Yuan dynasty up to early Qing dynasty. Traditionally, the terraces will be turned into a sea of golden colours fluttering and dancing in the wind as the paddy fields ripen.

Yangshuo is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, karst mountains, and the Li River. Surrounded by karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, hike around the nearby areas of Yangshuo to be in awe with the enchanting natural landscape. The hike planned around Yangshuo will bring the dramatic landscapes and stunning scenery to life, right before your eyes.

Duration: 7 days

Departure Date: 10 – 16 October 2027

Itinerary

Highlights

~ Visit Elephant Trunk Hill and Reed Flute Cave;

~ Hike Longsheng Rice Terraces, also known as the Longji or Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces;

~ Reach viewpoints such as Golden Buddha Peak, Shaoyue, Thousand Tiers of Stairs, Nine Dragon Five Tigers;

~ Visit the villages of the Yao & Zhuang miniorities such as Tiantouzhai, Pingan Village;

~ Visit well preserved and quaint villages such as Xiao Pingle, Stone City & Xingping Ancient Town;

~ Hike & bamboo raft cruise to see the karts mountains & the famous Nine Horses Painting Mountain;

~ explore Yangshuo.

Day 1 Arrive Guangzhou – Guilin

Meet and greet upon arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Arrival Hall. Enjoy a dim sum brunch before reaching the high-speed rail station for the train transfer to Guilin.

Meet our Guide and Driver as we arrive in Guilin. Enroute, visit Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill before transfer to hotel for check in.

Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) – also known as the ‘Palace of Natural Arts’. The cave is about 240 metres deep and 500 metres long. It has been formed since 180 million years ago and contains a great number of various exquisite limestone columns, pillars and rock formations.

The Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山), located on the bank of the Li River, is a symbol of the city of Guilin. The name of the famous attraction came about because the hill resembles an elephant drinking water from the river. If time permits, you may climb the hill.

Meal: Brunch, Dinner

Stay: 4* hotel, Guilin

optional Elephant Trunk Hill (elevation climb): +180 M / -180 M

Day 2 Guilin – Longsheng Rice Terraces

Transfer to Longsheng to visit the rice terraces. On arrival, take the sightseeing bus to the entrance of Dazhai Rice Terraces.

Longsheng Rice Terraces (龙脊金坑), also known as the Longji or Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces, has a history of over 650 years from Yuan Dynasty. The rice terrace fields are distributed between 300 M to 1,100 M above sea level.

Along the way, view:

Golden Buddha Peak (金佛顶) – astounding views of the signature view of the sculpted rice terraces.

Thousand Tiers of Stairs (千层天梯) – an awe-inspiring view after an ascent through stairway-to-heaven-like hike transversing through the rice terraces.

Xishan Shaoyue (西山邵乐) – the highest and most extensive viewpoint to see the magnificent vistas. This is where our accommodation will be located too.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Inn/Guesthouse, Longsheng Rice Terraces

Hiking Duration: est. 3.5 hours Hiking Distance: approx. 10.9 KM

Accumulated Elevation: +756 M / -414 M (descent by cable car)

NOTE: as we are making a night stay in Longsheng (in the mountains), hikers are required to carry their personal essentials required for an overnight stay in their backpack. Ensure the capacity of your hiking backpack is enough to contain the essentials you need. We will leave our luggage at Guilin Hotel.

Day 3 Longsheng Rice Terraces – Guilin

This morning, you may watch the magnificent sunrise (weather permitting) at the accommodation.

The hike continues across the rice terraces and valleys. Finally arrive at Pingan Village which is inhabited by the Zhuang minority. The rice terraces around the village were first built during the Yuan Dynasty.

View:

Nine Dragon Five Tigers (九龙五虎) – spectacular scenes of the terraced fields like the backbone of nine long dragons leaning from the sky to drinking water from the Jinjiang River. There are five small hills as if five tigers squatting on the ground, guarding the water and soil.

Seven Stars with Moon (七星伴月) – a unique view of seven small piles of rocks left deliberately by the people after they dug up the terraces and a moon-shaped terrace in the middle. As you see it from a distance, it looks like “seven shinning stars” accompanying the “moon”.

Transfer back to Guilin.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: 4* hotel, Guilin

Hiking Duration: est. 7 – 8 hours approx. Hiking Distance: approx. 15.9 KM

Accumulated Elevation: +441 M / -796 M

Day 4 Xiao Pingle Village

Transfer to Bindong Village. On arrival, hike to Xiao Pingle Village and Huanongmei Village.

Xiao Pingle (小平乐) – a rustic and typical local small village. During autumn, you may see many ginkgo trees as seen from a far, the whole village is simply covered in golden colours, as if out from a fairy tale. The village is a perfect place for hiking during this season.

Savour an authentic local lunch in the home of a villager.

If time permits, you may visit Guilin’s Pedestrian Street (步行街) at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: 4* hotel, Guilin

Hiking Duration: est. 4 – 5 hours Hiking Distance: approx. 10 KM

Accumulated Elevation: +251 M / -166 M

Day 5 Guilin – Xingping – Yangshuo

Transfer to Grape Town. Visit the Stone City (石头城), built in the mid-19th Century and was a city hidden in the mountains. The scale of the city of 10 square KM with its 20 gates, and the magic of the architecture are truly rare. It is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the region.

Yangshuo is popular for its incredible karst scenery, beautiful mountains, rivers, caves, and temples.

Then take the bus to Xianggong Mountain (相公山) and have a bird’s view of Li River and karst mountains. Then take an 8-KM hike to see Nine Horses Painting Mountain (九马画山) up close. It is a large and steep stone cliff which looks like a huge painting. Backed by mountains and consisting of five peaks, when you look from a distance, the cliff face resembles a huge piece of mural with images of nine horses in various poses.

A boat ride takes you to Mashan Wharf and continue to hike to Xingping Ancient Town (兴坪古镇) – with excellent karst views and aged street to wander around, appreciating the well-preserved ancient buildings. Enroute, see the scenery printed on 20 Yuan currency comes alive right in front of you before reaching the ancient town.

Transfer to Yangshuo.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Guesthouse/Inn, Yangshuo

Hiking Duration: est. 4 – 5 hours Hiking Distance: approx. 12 KM

Accumulated Elevation: +159 M / -223 M

Xianggong Hill (elevation climb): approx. +187 M / -187 M

Day 6 Yangshuo

Take a walk outside the accommodation this morning. See local women doing their laundry in the traditional way along the river with karst mountains at the backdrop.

Take a walk along the Yulong River (遇龙河), reputed as the “Little Li River” for its enchanting natural landscape of Karst hills and river.

Take a thrilling bamboo raft cruise* back to Yangshuo. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant overlooking the Moon Hill (月亮山), a moon shaped hole in the middle of a rock mountain.

Visit Yangshuo’s West Street (西街). There are many laid back cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. It is like a vacation town and relatively air and noise pollution free. As such, it is the best time for some shopping for food and local souvenirs. Explore at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Guesthouse/Inn, Yangshuo

Hiking Duration: est. 3 hours Hiking Distance: approx. 7.5 KM

Accumulated Elevation: +29 M / -18 M

*there is age, weight, height limit onboard the bamboo raft.

Day 7 Yangshuo – Guangzhou. Depart Guangzhou

It’s a rest and relax morning. For those who needs another hike, take the optional hike to attempt Yuping Hill (玉屏山) which is located behind the accommodation.

Transfer to Yangshuo train station to board the high-speed rail to Guangzhou. Our tour concludes as we arrive back to Guangzhou. Continue with a transfer to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport for the flight back to Singapore.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 6 nights accommodation;

~ return airport transfers from/to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (v.v);

~ return high-speed rail transfers Guangzhuo – Guilin/Yangshuo in 1st Class seating;

~ necessary private coach/minibus and public bus transfers;

~ 6 breakfast, 1 brunch, 5 lunches, 6 dinners;

~ non-alcoholic beverages during lunches and dinners;

~ necessary hiking permit/sightseeing entrance fees;

~ 2027 themed Travel Wander T-shirt;

~ service of a Mandarin/English Speaking Hiking Guide;

~ service of Travel Wander Bilingual (English/Mandarin-Speaking) Trip Facilitator.

Exclusions

~ air travel to Guangzhou, China;

~ meals not specified in the itinerary;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ tipping for the Hiking Guide and Driver;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and trip inclusion.

Recommended Flights To Book

If you intend to arrive Guangzhou on day 1 and depart Guangzhou on day 7 of the trip.

by China Southern Airline

10-Oct-27 Singapore (SIN) – Guangzhou (CAN) CZ8490 0410 – 0815 hours

16-Oct-27 Guangzhou (CAN) – Singapore (SIN) CZ0351 1925 – 2330 hours

(may subject to change)

Price

Twin/Double Occupancy: SGD 1,968 per person

Single Occupancy: SGD 2,288 per person

< WBWG Rate Applicable >

Early Bird Savings!

Until 31 December 2026, save SGD 100 per person

Until 28 February 2027, save SGD 50 per person

Important Notes

~ A deposit, SGD 200 is required at the time of booking. Deposit paid is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless trip is withdrawn or cancelled by Travel Wander.

~ Travel Wander may cancel or withdraw the trip by providing notice at least 60 days before the trip start date. If you choose to withdraw from the trip before the withdrawal notice is issued, your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ Only book your air ticket to Guangzhou, China when you have been informed to do so.

~ This trip requires minimum 8 hikers to depart and the maximum group size is 16 hikers.

~ Should you require a visa to enter China, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore, the inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation bookout, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary, and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for hikers with chronic and/or acute diseases. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike.

~ If the hiker presents difficulty in completing the day’s hike, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker and team in mind. At suitable terminating location, the hiker can fast-track the hike by using public transportation (where available) or booking a private transfer at the hiker’s own expense. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.

~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early (at suitable terminating location) during the planned hiking day where possible or make it a rest day and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking a private transfer at the hiker’s own expense. Should the hiker wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the hiker’s own expense. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ For hikers who are travelling alone and have opted for twin-share occupancy, Travel Wander will do our utmost to pair you with another hiker of the same gender to share the room. If this is not possible, hikers are required to top up the difference for a single room. Should you choose not to go on this trip, the deposit paid will not be refunded.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Past Video

Activity	Hiking
Country	China
Hiking Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus
Season	09 – September, 10 – October

The Golden Fields of Guilin Hike, 7 days