South China: Biking and Hiking the Li River 2026

Touch down in Guilin, the gateway to Guangxi's legendary scenery, and meet your guide for the scenic mountain transfer to Pingan Village, nestled high in the Longji Rice Terraces. As you wind up into the hills, the landscape transforms into a sweeping canvas of terraced fields cascading down the mountainsides. Settle into your guesthouse, take an orientation walk through the village lanes, and gather with your group for a warm welcome dinner featuring traditional Guangxi dishes, offering a delicious first taste of the flavors to come.

Meals: Breakfast

Today belongs entirely to the terraces. Lace up your boots and set off on a full day of hiking through one of China's most extraordinary agricultural landscapes, first carved into the mountainsides over 650 years ago. Trek between sweeping viewpoints with names like "Seven Stars Around the Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers," each one more breathtaking than the last. Along the way, meet members of the local Yao, Miao, and Zhuang ethnic minority communities, observe daily life in the villages, and gain genuine insight into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations. A satisfying local lunch keeps your energy high, and the day closes with a home-cooked dinner of regional specialties paired with traditional rice wine shared around the table.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your cycling adventure begins! Clip in and roll out of Maoniuping Village on quiet rural roads that thread through dense bamboo forests, fragrant orchards, terraced rice fields, and sleepy hamlets where life moves at a wonderfully unhurried pace. Your support vehicle is never far away, ready to lend a hand or carry tired legs when needed. Stop in Wantian Village for a leisurely lunch before the afternoon leads you to the Liu San Jie Tea Plantation, where a knowledgeable local host guides you through a traditional tea ceremony, sampling delicate green teas grown right on the hillside. As golden light fades over the mountains, transfer to the historic Daxu Ancient Town for a stroll along its ancient stone-paved streets before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arguably the most iconic cycling day of the trip, today you ride alongside the bamboo-fringed banks of the Li River with the jagged silhouettes of karst peaks rising dramatically on all sides, the very scenery depicted on China's 20-yuan banknote. Cross the river by local ferry, a charming river crossing that feels timeless, and continue through Yandi Village before swapping your bike for a seat on a small traditional boat. The cruise through this section of the Li River is pure magic, with sheer limestone spires reflected in glassy water, cormorant fishermen on bamboo rafts, and silence broken only by birdsong and the gentle lap of the current. Arrive in Xingping Ancient Town for dinner and a leisurely evening exploring its atmospheric old streets, carved stone archways, and riverside teahouses.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leave the Li River behind and cycle deeper into the surreal landscape of the Yulong River Valley, a place so serene and visually stunning it feels almost imagined. Ancient stone bridges arch over crystal-clear water, water buffalo graze in river meadows, and karst peaks frame every view like something from a classical Chinese painting. Explore quiet rural villages along the way before the afternoon's highlight: a peaceful bamboo raft ride along the Yulong River, drifting beneath arching bamboo canopies and past mossy weirs. Continue on to Jiuxian Ancient Town for your overnight stay, a beautifully preserved village surrounded by mountains and paddies that rewards an evening wander.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The final cycling day delivers a triumphant finale. Wind through the verdant Yulong River Valley on quiet backroads, passing flowering orchards, riverside villages, and dramatic karst formations before arriving at Moon Hill, a towering limestone peak with a perfectly circular natural arch carved through its summit. It's an iconic Yangshuo landmark and a wonderful spot to pause and reflect on the landscapes you've pedalled through this week. Continue along back lanes and arrive in the lively, colourful town of Yangshuo. After freshening up, the evening's centrepiece awaits: the Liu San Jie Light Show, a colossal outdoor spectacle choreographed by acclaimed director Zhang Yimou. Set against a natural stage of karst mountains and river water, it is one of the most visually extraordinary performances in the world.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, head to a vibrant local market with your guide to seek out the aromatic herbs, fresh vegetables, and regional staples that define Guangxi cuisine. Armed with ingredients and enthusiasm, step into a local kitchen for a hands-on cooking class where you'll master beloved dishes like beer fish, stuffed tofu, and wok-fried river greens. Sit down together to enjoy the fruits of your labour over a shared lunch, quite possibly the most satisfying meal of the trip. The afternoon is entirely your own: browse the stalls of West Street, join an optional rock-climbing session on the karst cliffs, treat yourself to a traditional Chinese massage, or simply relax by the hotel pool with a cold drink. The group gathers one last time for a celebratory farewell dinner, raising a toast to new friendships and unforgettable memories.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After one final breakfast together, it's time to bid farewell to Guangxi's magical landscapes. Your guide will arrange onward transfers from Yangshuo to Guilin's airport or train station to connect with your international departure. For those not ready to leave China behind, ask us about our optional Hong Kong extension, a brilliant contrast of gleaming skylines, harbour views, and world-class food that perfectly rounds out an extraordinary journey.

Meals: Breakfast