6-Day Guilin & Xi'an Cultural Journey

This 6-day itinerary blends ancient heritage and natural beauty. Start in Xi'an to see life-sized Terracotta Warriors, Ming Dynasty City Wall, and vibrant Muslim Quarter. Fly to Guilin, renowned for "best scenery under heaven," cruise the Li River through karst peaks, then cycle in Yangshuo past rice paddies and villages. Experience China's profound history and spectacular landscapes.

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  • Tour Code: ST-GLXA-06
  • Time: 6 Days
  • Cities: Guilin-Xi'an
  • Accommodation: 5 nights (4+ stars hotel)

Included with every escorted tour

  • Professional English speaking guide.
  • Domestic flights/High-speed Train Fee.
  • Hotel with breakfast in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees of all the attractions as listed.

Day 1: Guilin Arrival

Guilin Arrival

4+stars Hotel

 

You will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the city center (approximately a 60-minute drive). There are no scheduled activities for today. If you 

arrive early, feel free to explore Guilin on your own.

Day 1: Guilin Arrival Day 1: Guilin Arrival Day 1: Guilin Arrival

Day 2: Guilin

Li River Four-Star Cruise (Zhenghang) - Ruyi Peak - Yangshuo West Street

4+stars Hotel

Breakfast

 

Board the Zhenghang 4-Star Cruise for a scenic journey on the Li River (Bamboo River to Longtou Mountain), cruising for approximately 240 minutes through the stunning 

5A-rated Li River landscapes. This is currently the highest-grade operating cruise ship on the river, offering views of iconic sites like Xingping's charming landscape, the 

Yellow Cloth Reflection, Nine Horses Painting Hill, Stone Waves in Mist, and Yangdi Waterfall. Afterward, take the cable car to the top of Ruyi Peak, offering a panoramic view of Yangshuo (tour duration approximately 120 minutes). Ruyi Peak features a 360-degree observation platform where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, such as Yulong River, Moon Mountain, and the Ten-Mile Gallery, which resemble a painting of paradise.

In the evening, enjoy some free time to explore Yangshuo West Street, known for its vibrant, international atmosphere. It's best to visit after 9:00 PM for a lively experience (no transportation or guide provided during this free time).

Day 2: Guilin Day 2: Guilin Day 2: Guilin

Day 3: Guilin

Hot Air Balloon - Yulong River Bamboo Rafting - Silver Cave - Impression Liu Sanjie Show

4+ stars hotel

Breakfast

 

Morning: Take a ride in a hot air balloon, rising 30-80 meters (depending on weather conditions), and enjoy panoramic views of the winding Yulong River, surrounded by majestic peaks, scenic villages, and rising mist. The landscape unfolds like an ink wash painting, offering a one-of-a-kind experience.

Explore the Silver Cave, a karst wonder located in Guilin (AAAA-rated scenic area, approximately 60 minutes of touring). Silver Cave is a typical example of karst topography, and even former U.S. President Bill Clinton was such a fan that he postponed a flight to Hong Kong in 1998 just to visit the cave!

Afternoon: Enjoy a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River (approximately 40 minutes, depending on water conditions). Known for being “not just like the Li River, but even more 

beautiful,” the river has been praised by CCTV as one of the most scenic spots in Yangshuo.

Evening: Enjoy the spectacular Impression Liu Sanjie show (approximately 70 minutes), which takes place in the world's largest mountain-water outdoor theater. 

Day 3: Guilin Day 3: Guilin Day 3: Guilin

Day 4: Xi'an Arrival

Transfer to Xi'an - Da Ci'en Temple - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda - Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City

4-Stars Hotel

Breakfast

 

Our driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel, take a rest!

Afternoon: Begin at Da Ci'en Temple, the Tang Dynasty Buddhist complex housing the famous Giant Wild Goose Pagoda(7 floors, climb for panoramic city views). Explore the temple's tranquil gardens and learn about Xuanzang's epic journey to India.

Visit Shaanxi History Museum (optional; requires advance booking) to see priceless Tang Dynasty artifacts
- Enjoy traditional Shaanxi cuisine for lunch (recommend: biangbiang noodles)

Evening: Experience Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City - a 1.5km pedestrian street with: Stunning light installations, free cultural performances, interactive digital art display, Tang-style architecture

Day 4: Xi'an Arrival Day 4: Xi'an Arrival Day 4: Xi'an Arrival

Day 5: Xi'an

Terracotta Warriors Museum-City Wall-Muslim Quarter

4-Stars Hotel

Breakfast

 

Morning: 
Begin your exploration at the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors Museum, where 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers stand in battle formation after 2,200 years underground. Marvel at the intricate details - each warrior's unique facial features, the still-sharp bronze weapons, and the ongoing archaeological work in Pit No. 2. Walk the perimeter of the massive excavation site to appreciate the scale of Emperor Qin's ambition, then study the exquisite bronze chariots in the museum's treasure hall.

Afternoon: 
Climb the 600-year-old Xi'an City Wall, the most complete surviving urban fortification in China. Rent a bicycle to ride along the 14-kilometer ramparts, stopping at watchtowers that offer panoramic views of the modern city rising beyond the crenelated battlements. Descend into the labyrinthine Muslim Quarter, where the scent of cumin-dusted lamb skewers and fresh-pulled noodles leads you past Qing Dynasty storefronts. Watch bakers pull flaming sesame cakes from clay ovens as call to prayer echoes from the 14th-century Great Mosque - its Chinese courtyard architecture hiding behind unassuming gates.

Day 5: Xi'an Day 5: Xi'an Day 5: Xi'an

Why Choose Intoexplore

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Authentic Travel, No Shopping Stops
Every itinerary is designed with comfort and authenticity in mind. We skip the tourist traps and shopping stops to let you truly enjoy the culture, scenery, and stories behind each destination—worry-free and meaningful.
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Tailor Made Tour, Thoughtful Service
We tailor each journey to your schedule, interests, and budget. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or group, we work closely with you to design a personalized travel experience that fits your style and needs.
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From one-day tours to small group adventures, family trips to corporate visits—we offer a full range of travel styles. No matter your purpose or preference, we have the right program to match your expectations.
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Local Resources, Professional Team
With experienced local guides, licensed vehicles, and carefully selected hotels, we ensure safety, quality, and comfort throughout your trip. Our on-the-ground team is always ready to support your journey at every step.

China Travel Customer Reviews & Experiences

At Into Explore, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable journeys across China. Don't just take our word for it—read what our customers have to say! Here, you can explore firsthand accounts from travelers who have experienced the beauty, culture, and adventures of China with us.

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IntoExplore
Excellent
Clara
July 07,2025
We had a very memorable experience in Xi’An thanks to the expertise and helpfulness from Norman, who helped us planned our trip, and Waldener, our local tour guide from Into Explore. Norman helped us with the itinerary and bookings of transport and accommodations so it was stress free for me. He asked us our preferences when making the rooms reservation to cater to what we like and recommended the best way and places to explore this city. Our tour guide was also flexible with our schedule so we were able to do what we wanted and working around the weather. We were supposed to go Mt Hua on the 2nd day of our tour but it was forecasted to rain. He switched our itinerary around so we could climb Mt Hua on the 3rd day instead when the rain had stopped. Thank you Into Explore for giving us peace of mind to sit back and enjoy our vacation.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 3 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 4
Destination(s): Beijing,Xian,Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 30,2025
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Fernando MARTINEZ
June 05,2025
Fue una buena decisión hacer el Circulo de Oro contratando a Into Explore. Una empresa confiable con una muy buena organización siempre pendientes de nuestros gustos y preferencias. La experiencia de la visita a la Gran Muralla los Soldados Terracota, el Jardín Yu y Shanghái fueron muy interesantes y aprendimos mucho sobre las distintas Dinastías y la historia de China.
Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 1 Xi'an to Mount Hua Hiking Tour 2 Xi'an
Destination(s): Beijing,Chongqing,Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: June 12,2025
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Tripadvisor
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Nataša G
May 2025 • Couples
5 of 5 bubbles
For smooth travels, I recommend this agency
This agency made sure my trip was 10/10! And I loved the smooth and fast communication we got. We were able to explore China at its finest and had the best time of our lives. If I had any questions during our travel, Vicky was able to help me and solve it immediately. I recommend this agency very much. Thank you!!!
Giovanni D
Apr 2025 • Friends
5 of 5 bubbles
Super Agency
Super organized travel agency, it met the thousand requests made and created a tailor-made travel package. Constant support both in the organizational phase before departure and during the trip. Drivers and guides provided during our itinerary super competent and kind. I highly recommend their services and will turn to them for my next trip to China
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Trustpilot
Excellent
Anna
Jun 17, 2025
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Thank you so much for the help you gave…
Thank you so much for the help you gave during my travel process, I would highly recommend your company anytime from the smooth experience you gave. Looking forward for more trips with you.
Robert Gex
Apr 15, 2025
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Independent travel by train in China…
Independent travel by train in China can be daunting ordeal. We decided to use Intoexplore for booking the trip and are very happy we did. It almost felt like Norman was a family member guiding us through how to use Alipay for payments in China to where to find the ticket office in the train station to convert digital tickets to paper. He was always available (sometimes at 6 am!) to answer any question and solve any problems that arose .. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who is thinking about independent travel to China .

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