Explore Guilin in a whirlwind day trip that combines mystical caves, rolling tea fields, and the unique Red Yao culture with their famous long hair. Continue to the breathtaking Longji terraces for jaw-dropping sunset views. This private tour made it effortless, even with our luggage and a flight to catch!

Overview

On our last day in Guilin we took a day trip from Guilin to the nearby surrounding areas, we found ourselves immersed in nature, culture, and some truly stunning landscapes. Having a private tour proved incredibly convenient – especially because we had our luggage with us and were catching a flight to Shanghai that evening.

Our guide arranged pick-up from our hotel at 8 am, and we began our adventure early in the morning, heading out for a whirlwind excursion before being dropped off at Guilin airport.

Travelling to and Around the Region

Guilin itself is well-connected by road, and our private tour arrangement meant we didn’t need to worry about public transport schedules. We opted for a local guide and driver who managed all the timings, tickets, and even introduced us to a few hidden gems along the way.

Best Time to Do this Trip

Guilin’s subtropical climate means warm summers and mild winters, but the most comfortable seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

During these times, the weather is usually pleasant, with lower chances of heavy rainfall or extreme heat. We went during November after the harvest, which meant that we didn’t see any rice however, the views are equally astonishing.

If you’re keen to see the rice terraces at their greenest, visiting in late spring through early summer is ideal, as the fields are lush. On the other hand, if you’re interested in harvest season’s golden hues, plan to come in early autumn.

Be aware that national holidays (especially Golden Week in early October) can bring crowds, so it’s best to avoid those peak travel periods if you prefer a quieter experience.

Our Private Tour Itinerary

1. Experience Surreal Rock Formations at Reed Flute Cave

We kicked off our morning with a trip to the incredible Reed Flute Cave. The natural rock formations, illuminated by colourful lights, felt almost magical. During the walking tour you will see many formations which allude to different real life objects.

I must say some you really need to use your imagination others are more obvious.

Strolling through the labyrinth of stalactites and stalagmites gave us a glimpse of some of the wonders that lie inside of these karst mountains.

The cave was included in our tour’s price, so we didn’t need to worry about buying separate tickets.

2. Learn about Tea at Liu San Jie Tea Farm

Next up was the Liu San Jie Tea Farm, where we learned all about tea cultivation and sampled various brews. During the tour it was just the both of us and so we could say we had a private VIP tour of the tea plantation.

The owner showed us the correct way to hold the small teacups and appreciate the aroma before drinking. We found the tea very expensive with 400g of black tea being 50 USD, and that was the starting price so we didn’t buy anything. 

Having said this it was definitely worth our time as we learned how to appreciate tea. So if offered this trip by your guide I would take it, at least for the experience if not anything else.

3. Meet the Red Yao Women at Huangluo Yao Village

At Huangluo Yao Village, we encountered the remarkable Red Yao women, famous for their incredibly long hair. For a small sum, they’re happy to unwrap their hair from its turban style and show you its full length.

During peak summer time they also offer a show on certain days and times however, when we were there, there were no shows.

Also, here we paused for lunch, sampling local delicacies such as frog legs, bamboo shoots, tomato scrambled eggs, and bamboo rice.

Our guide took time to teach us about Chinese table manners – how to use the spoon, plate, and bowl set, and how to serve ourselves from communal dishes with chopsticks.

In the words of our guide, “the plate in Chinese dining is for discarding food not as a main serving plate as Westerners think of it”.

This cultural insight made the meal extra special. After lunch, we visited the Long Hair Museum, where we discovered how the Red Yao women manage to maintain their stunning hair.

The Museum serves two roles: as a museum and as a shampoo factory. After you explore the story behind the strong hair the local women have which is due to them washing it with fermented rice you are presented with how the active ingredients have made it into today’s modern shampoos used by many leading brands including the local one.

Naturally, on the way out you can buy this local shampoo which includes the active ingredients which the Red Yao women use when washing their hair.

4. Capture Sunset Views at Longji Terrace

One of the day’s highlights was the breathtaking Longji terrace. We travelled by bus to the main scenic spot, where tickets can be purchased on the spot, no advance booking required.

The two most famous viewpoints are “Nine Dragons and Five Tigers” a.k.a. “Dragon Back” and “Seven Stars Accompany the Moon.” We walked through the fields, taking in the fresh air and marvelling at the terraced layers stretching across the hills.

We reached the second viewpoint just in time for sunset, and it was mesmerising to watch the sunlight dancing over the terraces. At the top, we treated ourselves to some local ice creams – a tangy passion fruit sorbet for me and a refreshing mango ice cream for Hristina. It was the perfect recharge after the hike.

5. Discover Rustic Charm in Ping’an Village

Before heading back, we stopped by Ping’an Village and purchased some fragrant white tea. The village itself has a relaxed atmosphere, and it’s a good spot to rest, grab snacks, or simply stroll around to soak up the rustic charm.

You will see plenty of restaurants and coffee shops that open up to the amazing rice terraces on either side of the village. If we had another chance at coming here we would most likely have lunch here instead of Huangluo Yao Village, simply because of the views.

The village itself gets deserted after 5.30pm so make sure you go there during the day to enjoy the full atmosphere.

6. Complete the Journey: Drop-Off at Guilin Airport for our Shanghai Flight

By evening, we were comfortably driven back to Guilin airport, ready for our flight to Shanghai. Having our driver look after the luggage made the day seamless, allowing us to explore without any hassle.

Pricing and Practical Details

We paid 1000 RMB for two people for this private tour Guilin experience. This included entrance fees to Reed Flute Cave, the Tea Farm, and the Long Hair Museum. The bus ride at Longji terrace was an additional expense (purchased on-site).

Our guide was Jason and if interested, you can contact him via WeChat using WeChat ID: wxid_ywdnfnmq1arv22.

Our guide mentioned that most people tend to do the trip from Yangshuo however, we don’t think that would leave you with enough time to truly enjoy everything.

Whilst there are (some) public buses, we think the right way is to hire a private guide to drive you around. The places are fairly remote and the rice terraces are 2h away from Guilin.

In terms of booking the trip, we simply spoke with our hotel beforehand and they recommended someone. Feel free to engage with them and get a quote but don’t feel obliged to go ahead. When in Guilin, simply ask other hotel receptions or travel agencies if they can offer private trips. You will find that other offers may be more competitive.

If you prefer an off the shelf private tour, you can check out this Longji Rice Terraced Fields and Minority Villages Tour.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes for the terraces and village paths.
• Light snacks and water (though you can buy food along the way).
• Layers of clothing, as it can get cooler at higher elevations.
• Cash or a mobile payment app for on-the-spot purchases.

China eSIM for Mobile Data

Internet access in China is essential. We used Nomad eSIM which had excellent coverage in all places we visited in China and would certainly recommend.

Final Thoughts

Our whirlwind day trip from Guilin gave us a taste of the region’s natural wonders, cultural traditions, and delicious food – all before our evening flight. The ability to store our luggage with the guide and enjoy a private tour schedule was a major perk.

If you’re planning a similar short stay in Guilin, consider venturing out to these spots. You’ll likely appreciate the convenience of a private driver and guide, especially on a tight schedule.