8 Days Guilin Chengdu Zhangjiajie High-Speed Train Tour

Wake up early in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the opportunity to witness a beautiful Longji Rice Terrace sunrise. When the morning sunlight spreads across the layered fields and mountain villages, the terraces create a breathtaking scene resembling a natural landscape painting.

After breakfast, begin a leisurely exploration of the Longji Rice Terraces. The terraces stretch across the mountains like giant staircases reaching toward the sky, showcasing the incredible agricultural wisdom and determination of local communities.

Starting from Ping’an Village, hike along traditional stone paths between the terraces and visit some of the most famous viewpoints:

Seven Stars with Moon

This viewpoint offers spectacular panoramic views of the layered rice terraces and surrounding villages. The combination of mountain ridges, traditional houses, and flowing terrace lines creates one of Longji’s most iconic landscapes.

Nine Dragons and Five Tigers

One of the best-known viewing platforms in Longji, offering a magnificent perspective of countless terrace layers spreading across the mountains like a giant green or golden painting depending on the season.

After a half-day hike, return to Ping’an Village and transfer back to Guilin city. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore Guilin’s local atmosphere, riverside scenery, and delicious regional cuisine.

Best Seasons to Visit Longji Rice Terraces:

• Mid-April to late June: Water-filled terraces create mirror-like reflections and beautiful planting scenes.
• July to mid-September: Green rice fields cover the mountains.
• Late September to early November: Golden harvest landscapes create the most colorful scenery.
• Late December to early February: Winter scenery brings a peaceful silver landscape.

Highlights:

• Sunrise over Longji Rice Terraces
• Hiking through mountain villages and terrace paths
• Visit famous viewpoints Seven Stars with Moon and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers
• Experience traditional countryside landscapes
• Enjoy free time in Guilin city

Overnight: Guilin

Today, discover the world-famous landscape that made Guilin one of China’s most iconic travel destinations. After breakfast, transfer to Mopanshan Pier and board the classic Li River Cruise to Yangshuo.

The approximately 84-kilometer cruise is one of China’s most beautiful river journeys. As the boat travels downstream, enjoy a spectacular natural painting of winding rivers, emerald-green waters, dramatic limestone karst peaks, bamboo forests, and peaceful countryside villages.

Along the way, admire famous scenery including:

• A Painting of Nine Horses, one of the Li River’s most celebrated landscapes.
• The iconic scenery printed on the back of the Chinese 20 RMB banknote.
• Traditional villages and picturesque mountain reflections.

After around 4 hours, arrive in Yangshuo Town and check into your hotel.

In the afternoon, explore the beautiful Yulong River countryside, one of the most peaceful areas in Yangshuo. Surrounded by karst mountains, clear streams, rice fields, and traditional villages, the area offers the perfect setting to experience rural China.

Choose your preferred way to explore Yulong River:

Cycling Experience

Ride through countryside roads and enjoy close views of rivers, farmland, villages, and mountain scenery. The classic route connects Yangshuo, Jima, Shuiedi Dock, Gongnong Bridge, and West Street.

Bamboo Rafting Experience

Enjoy a relaxing bamboo rafting journey along the peaceful river. Slowly drift through the clear water while admiring reflections of karst peaks and countryside landscapes that resemble traditional Chinese ink paintings.

Countryside Driving Experience

Travel comfortably between scenic viewpoints and enjoy the beautiful rural scenery at a relaxed pace.

In the evening, take a leisurely walk along Yangshuo West Street, a historic street where traditional Chinese culture blends with international influences. Enjoy local food, cafés, handicrafts, and the lively atmosphere.

Optional Evening Activity:

• Impression Liu Sanjie Show: A spectacular outdoor performance directed by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou, using the Li River and karst mountains as a natural stage.

Highlights:

• Cruise along the legendary Li River
• See the famous 20 RMB banknote landscape
• Explore peaceful Yulong River countryside
• Experience bamboo rafting, cycling, or hiking
• Discover charming Yangshuo West Street
• Optional Impression Liu Sanjie performance

Overnight: Yangshuo

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Yangshuo, taking in the peaceful countryside atmosphere surrounded by karst mountains, rivers, and traditional villages. After free time, your driver will escort you to Yangshuo Railway Station for your high-speed train journey to Chengdu, the famous “Panda City” and the capital of Sichuan Province.

The high-speed train journey takes approximately 6 hours, allowing you to enjoy changing landscapes along the way, from the mountains and countryside of southern China to the fertile plains of Sichuan.

Upon arrival at Chengdu Railway Station, your local guide will meet you at the arrival hall and transfer you to your downtown hotel by private comfortable vehicle. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore Chengdu at your own pace.

Chengdu is famous for its relaxed lifestyle, delicious Sichuan cuisine, traditional tea culture, and unique local atmosphere. You can take an evening walk along the city streets, enjoy local food, or experience the beautiful night views of this vibrant city.

Highlights:

• Relax in beautiful Yangshuo before departure
• Travel by high-speed train through China’s changing landscapes
• Arrive in Chengdu, home of giant pandas and Sichuan culture
• Free time to explore Chengdu’s nightlife and local atmosphere

Overnight: Chengdu

After breakfast, begin your Chengdu exploration with a visit to the world-famous Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, one of the most important panda conservation and research centers in China.

The panda base is home to more than 100 giant pandas and provides a natural-style environment with bamboo forests, green pathways, and spacious habitats. Walk along the peaceful bamboo-lined paths and observe pandas of different ages eating bamboo, playing, climbing trees, and interacting with each other.

Visit the panda nurseries to see adorable baby pandas if you are lucky, and explore the Panda Museum to learn more about panda biology, conservation efforts, and scientific research.

Continue to Wenshu Temple, a peaceful Buddhist temple hidden in the center of bustling Chengdu. Admire its elegant Buddhist architecture, quiet courtyards, and traditional atmosphere. Nearby Wenshufang offers a chance to experience local markets, tea houses, handicrafts, and everyday Chengdu life.

Next, experience Chengdu’s famous relaxed lifestyle at People’s Park (Renmin Park). Sit in a traditional tea house, enjoy a cup of Sichuan tea, and observe locals enjoying classic leisure activities such as mahjong, chatting, ear cleaning, dancing, and social gatherings.

Finish the city tour at Jinli Old Street, one of Chengdu’s most famous historic streets. Walk through traditional-style buildings filled with local snacks, handicrafts, folk performances, and cultural experiences.

Optional Evening Activities:

• Enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine or Chengdu hotpot at a local restaurant.
• Watch a traditional Sichuan Opera Show featuring famous face-changing performances, fire breathing, and other folk arts.

Highlights:

• Meet giant pandas at Chengdu Panda Base
• Learn about panda conservation and research
• Visit historic Wenshu Temple
• Experience Chengdu tea culture at People’s Park
• Explore traditional Jinli Old Street
• Enjoy Sichuan cuisine and local performances

Overnight: Chengdu

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Chengdu before transferring to the railway station for your high-speed train journey to Zhangjiajie, one of China’s most spectacular natural destinations.

The train journey takes approximately 4–5.5 hours, passing through beautiful landscapes as you travel from Sichuan Province toward Hunan Province.

Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie Railway Station, your local guide will meet you and transfer you by private comfortable vehicle to your hotel in Wulingyuan District, the best location for exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

Wulingyuan is surrounded by dramatic mountains, forests, rivers, and unique sandstone formations. The area is famous worldwide for its spectacular landscapes that inspired the floating mountains of the movie Avatar.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the local area.

Recommended Optional Evening Activities:

Xibu Street

Take a relaxing walk along Xibu Street in Wulingyuan, a lively pedestrian street featuring Tujia ethnic culture, local snacks, handicrafts, souvenir shops, and colorful night scenery.

Charming Xiangxi Show

Enjoy one of Hunan Province’s most famous folk performances, showcasing the traditions, music, dance, and ethnic culture of the region.

Highlights:

• Travel by high-speed train from Chengdu to Zhangjiajie
• Arrive at Wulingyuan Scenic Area
• Explore local Tujia ethnic culture
• Enjoy optional evening activities and local experiences
• Prepare for Zhangjiajie’s world-famous mountain adventure

Overnight: Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie

After an early breakfast, begin your adventure in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in China. Known for its towering sandstone pillars, deep valleys, mist-covered peaks, and lush forests, this incredible landscape inspired the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.

Today you will explore the core scenic areas of the park: Ten-Mile Gallery, Yuanjiajie, and Tianzi Mountain. The visiting order may be adjusted according to weather conditions and visitor flow to provide the best experience.

Start your journey at Ten-Mile Gallery, a beautiful valley where a sightseeing tram takes you through a landscape filled with unique rock formations and natural sculptures. Along the route, admire famous formations such as The God of Longevity Welcoming Guests, The Old Herb Picker, and Three Sisters Peaks. The peaceful valley scenery, surrounded by forests and dramatic cliffs, feels like walking through a natural Chinese painting.

Continue to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area and experience the world-famous Bailong Elevator, the tallest outdoor elevator in the world. The glass elevator rises from the valley floor to the mountain summit in only about 1.5 minutes, offering an exciting journey with breathtaking views of the surrounding sandstone peaks.

After reaching Yuanjiajie, explore the mysterious world of towering quartz sandstone columns surrounded by forests and clouds. Visit the legendary Hallelujah Mountain, the real-life inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. Walk to Ecstasy Terrace for spectacular panoramic views of hundreds of unique peaks and discover the natural wonder of the First Bridge, a naturally formed stone bridge connecting two mountain peaks.

Continue by sightseeing bus to Tianzi Mountain, known as the “King of Peak Forests.” At Helong Park, enjoy one of the best viewpoints in Zhangjiajie, offering close views of the magnificent Yubi Peak and the beautiful Fairy Flowers among countless sandstone formations.

If time and energy allow, continue to Warrior Training Horse, where unusual peaks create a fascinating natural scene resembling a warrior controlling a horse. Finish your exploration with the scenic Tianzi Mountain Cable Car, descending through a spectacular landscape of sandstone pillars.

After the tour, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel in downtown Zhangjiajie.

Optional Experiences:

• Kongzhong Tianyuan (The Field in the Sky): A hidden photography viewpoint featuring terraced fields surrounded by hundreds of towering peaks and views of the Bailong Elevator rising like a dragon into the sky.
• Tianmen Fox Fairy Show: A large-scale outdoor musical drama performed with Zhangjiajie’s natural landscape as the stage.

Highlights:

• Explore UNESCO-listed Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Visit the iconic Ten-Mile Gallery
• Ride the spectacular Bailong Elevator
• Discover Yuanjiajie Avatar Mountain
• See the famous Hallelujah Mountain
• Explore magnificent Tianzi Mountain Peak Forest
• Enjoy Zhangjiajie’s world-famous photography landscapes

Overnight: Zhangjiajie

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and begin your final Zhangjiajie adventure at Tianmen Mountain National Park, one of the city’s most iconic attractions.

Start with the spectacular Tianmen Mountain Cable Car, one of the longest alpine cableways in the world. The cable car stretches approximately 7,455 meters from downtown Zhangjiajie to the mountain summit at an altitude of more than 1,400 meters. During the ride, enjoy incredible views of the winding Tongtian Avenue (Avenue Toward Heaven) and the dramatic cliffs and valleys below.

Explore the West Line Visiting Route, known as a mountain wonderland filled with thrilling experiences and breathtaking scenery. Walk along the famous Guigu Cliffside Path, a dramatic walkway attached to the cliff face, offering impressive views of deep valleys and surrounding mountains.

Continue to Tianmen Mountain Temple, a historic Buddhist temple dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Located on the mountaintop and surrounded by forests, the temple provides a peaceful cultural experience with beautiful traditional architecture.

After visiting the temple, choose your preferred exploration route:

• East Line Hiking Route: Walk toward Yuhu Peak, passing scenic viewpoints including South Overlooking Tianmen Cave, Immortal Source, and Happy Grove.
• Forest Sightseeing Cable Car Route: Take an optional cable car ride to Yunmeng Fairy Summit, one of the best viewpoints on Tianmen Mountain, before continuing toward Tianmen Cave.

Next, take the mountain escalator down toward the legendary Tianmen Cave, a giant natural opening created by geological collapse. Measuring approximately 131.5 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 60 meters deep, Tianmen Cave is one of China’s most famous natural wonders and is known as the “Gateway to Heaven.”

Experience the famous 999 Steps to Heaven, a steep staircase with an inclination of up to 45 degrees leading to the base of Tianmen Cave. Finally, take the express cableway and shuttle bus back to the tourist center.

After this unforgettable mountain adventure, your guide and driver will escort you to Zhangjiajie Airport or Railway Station for your next destination or departure flight/train.

Travel Tips:

• Tianmen Mountain has three glass skywalks located on the east and west routes.
• Visitors who prefer less walking can choose escalator transportation to Tianmen Cave.
• The sightseeing order may be adjusted according to weather and visitor conditions.

Highlights:

• Ride the world-famous Tianmen Mountain Cable Car
• Enjoy views of Tongtian Avenue from above
• Walk the thrilling Guigu Cliffside Path
• Visit historic Tianmen Mountain Temple
• Experience Tianmen Mountain glass skywalks
• Explore the spectacular Tianmen Cave
• Challenge the legendary 999 Steps to Heaven
• Departure from Zhangjiajie

Tour Ends: Zhangjiajie Airport / Railway Station