Zhangjiajie · Fenghuang · Guilin | 8 Days, 7 Nights | Private & Fully Tailored
Some of China’s most breathtaking scenery has nothing to do with skylines or palaces. It is found among towering sandstone pillars wrapped in cloud, in riverside villages of wooden stilt houses, and in green karst peaks mirrored in slow, winding rivers. This journey takes you through three landscapes that look like paintings come to life: the floating mountains of Zhangjiajie, the storybook old town of Fenghuang, and the poetic hills and waters of Guilin.
And you do it all without the stress. Mountain cable cars, boat tickets, long transfers, and winding roads are all handled for you. Your own private guide and driver stay by your side, and your guide speaks your language, so you can simply look up and take it all in.
Journey at a Glance
Zhangjiajie · Days 1-3 | The Floating Mountains
Thousands of sandstone pillars rise out of the mist, the landscape that inspired the world of Avatar. Ride cable cars up Tianmen Mountain, walk the cliffside paths of Wulingyuan, and see the scenery from every angle with a guide who knows the quietest routes and the best light.
Fenghuang · Days 4-5 | The Ancient River Town
A 300-year-old town of wooden stilt houses on the Tuojiang River, home to Miao and Tujia culture. Wander the lantern-lit lanes at dusk and discover a slower, older way of life.
Guilin · Days 6-8 | The Land of Hills and Waters
Emerald peaks, mirror-like rivers, and farmland that looks hand-painted. Cruise the Li River, raft through the countryside of Yangshuo, and end your journey in China’s most celebrated landscape.
Day 1 · Arrive in Zhangjiajie
Welcome to Hunan province. Your private guide will be waiting at arrivals with a name sign, ready to welcome you in your own language. Your driver takes you to the hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, and your guide handles check-in so you can relax straight away. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner of Hunan cuisine, known for its bold, spicy flavors, at a carefully selected local restaurant. Your guide will help you choose dishes to suit your taste, whether you love the heat or prefer it mild.
Day 2 · Tianmen Mountain
Rise above the clouds on Tianmen Mountain, reached by one of the longest cable cars in the world. Your tickets and cable car reservations are arranged in advance, so you spend your time on the mountain rather than in the queue. At the top, walk the cliffside glass skywalk along the rock face and visit Tianmen Cave, a natural arch that opens high into the mountain wall.
Descend by bus along the famous 99 Bends Road, a winding stretch that coils down the mountainside. Your driver meets you at the bottom, so there is no waiting and no searching for transport.
Day 3 · Wulingyuan and the Avatar Mountains
Spend the day in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Yuanjiajie, home to the towering pillar known as Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, and ride the Bailong Elevator, a glass lift built into the side of a cliff. Park entry, shuttle buses, and lift tickets are all booked for you, and your guide plans the route around the crowds. Peak hours are busy here, so local knowledge makes a real difference.
In the afternoon, stroll the shaded paths of the Golden Whip Stream, a gentle walk beside a clear stream with views of the cliffs above. Your guide can adjust the day to your fitness and pace, with easier options always available.
Day 4 · Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang
Your driver takes you through the green hills of western Hunan to Fenghuang, an ancient town on the Tuojiang River. Your guide shares stories of the Miao and Tujia peoples along the way. After check-in, explore the town’s old lanes and the famous stilt houses that hang over the water.
As evening falls, the riverside glows with lanterns. Walk across the historic Hongqiao Bridge, a covered wooden bridge, and take in the view of the old town reflected on the water. Optionally, take a short boat ride along the river for a closer look at the buildings.
Day 5 · Fenghuang and Journey to Guilin
Rise early for a peaceful walk through the old town before the day visitors arrive. Visit the former home of the writer Shen Congwen, who made Fenghuang famous with his stories of river life, and browse the local workshops for silverwork, batik, and handmade crafts. Your guide can introduce you to artisans and explain the traditions behind them.
In the afternoon, your driver and guide arrange your onward journey to Guilin, with all tickets booked in advance. This is a long travel day, so we plan it carefully with comfortable seats and a smooth schedule. A new local guide and driver greet you on arrival and take you to your hotel.
Day 6 · The Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Board a boat for the highlight of Guilin: the Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Your cruise tickets are reserved in advance, with a good seat for the best views. For about four hours, the river winds between karst peaks, past water buffalo, bamboo groves, and fishing villages. Your guide points out the famous peaks and the scenes that appear on China’s banknotes.
Arrive in Yangshuo, a relaxed riverside town surrounded by hills, and enjoy the evening on West Street, lively with cafés, local snacks, and shops. Your driver is waiting at the pier to take you to your hotel.
Day 7 · Yulong River and Countryside Guilin
Take a gentle bamboo raft along the Yulong River, one of the prettiest stretches of countryside in China. Drift past rice fields, old stone bridges, and green peaks, and stop to walk through a village if you wish. In the afternoon, return to Guilin and visit Elephant Trunk Hill, the city’s symbol, or the Reed Flute Cave, a spectacular cavern lit in colour.
In the evening, stroll the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area, where pagodas and bridges glow beside the water, and enjoy a farewell dinner featuring Guilin’s famous rice noodles and local river fish.
Prefer something different? Swap this day for the Longji Rice Terraces, spectacular hillside fields shaped by generations of Zhuang and Yao farmers, with a visit to a traditional village.
Day 8 · Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast, then your driver takes you to Guilin airport on time and without stress. Carry home the memories of mountains in the clouds, an ancient river town, and the most beautiful river in China.
Journey Highlights
- Tianmen Mountain cable car and cliffside glass skywalk
- Avatar Hallelujah Mountain and the Bailong Elevator in Zhangjiajie
- Lantern-lit stilt houses of Fenghuang Ancient Town
- A scenic Li River cruise through the karst hills
- Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River in Yangshuo
- Regional food in every stop: spicy Hunan cuisine, Miao snacks, Guilin rice noodles
Why Travel With Us
One Journey, One Team, Zero Hassle.
We take care of everything from start to finish, so you never have to juggle bookings, apps, or languages.
- All-Inclusive, No Hidden Costs. Hotels, transfers, entrance tickets, cable cars, cruise and rail tickets, and guide and driver services are all arranged and included. No surprise charges, no shopping stops, no add-on pressure.
- Private Guides in Your Own Language. Experienced local guides in every destination, available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and more. Your guide stays with you from arrival to departure, bringing the landscapes and local culture to life in the language you’re most comfortable with.
- Your Own Driver and Vehicle. A comfortable private car with a professional driver, door-to-door. In mountain regions, where public transport is slow and crowded, this makes all the difference.
- Tickets and Bookings Done for You. Park entry, cable cars, lifts, boat cruises, and trains are all reserved in advance, so you spend less time in queues and more time in the scenery.
- Truly Tailored. This itinerary is a starting point, not a script. Tell us your interests, pace, and preferences, and we shape the trip around you: more hiking, more photography, more culture, or a gentler rhythm for families and older travelers.
- Support at Every Step. A 24/7 contact is always available, so help is one message away if the weather changes or you need anything at all.
Simply arrive. We take care of the rest.
