Activities

Day 1

Begin the Yangshuo travel experience with an arrival in Guilin, meeting with the local guide for a transfer to the Longsheng area (or more precisely the Huangluo Yao village.) This village is inhabited by people of the Red Yao minority, one of the many branches of a complex ethnic family. Yao women are characterised by their long black hair which they don’t cut until they are 16 (the age of finding a husband.) The grandmother keeps the freshly cut-off hair, which is in turn gifted to the family of the future husband. Competitions take place in the region to honour the woman with the longest hair, the longest length recently came in at 1.75m in length! Enjoy a leisurely walk in the village.

Continue on to explore the village of Ping’an, located around 20km away. This 600-year-old village is populated by the Zhuang minority, a group that is passionate about song and theatre. At 17 million in number, they are also the largest minority in China. Depending on the location of the hotel, there is a unique climb that can be done towards the highest point in the village (taking around 30 minutes); local porters will transport bags at this time.

Settle in at the hotel; overnight in Ping’an.

Day 2

Start the morning with a departure on foot for an approximate four hour walk. The length of the walk depends on personal pace and how many stops are taken for photographs. Walk along the “Dragon’s Backbone” (Longji), one of the most beautiful stretches of rice terraces in the country. It was over 700 years ago that the locals worked tirelessly to sculpt these mountains (whose high point is at an altitude of more than 1000m) in order to grow rice, sweet potatoes, other vegetables, and tea. Today the region looks like a succession of humongous staircases. Various villages sit amongst the territory (Dong, Miao, Yao, and Zhuang), with the Zhongliu and Tiantouzhai being particularly of note.

Note: Wet rice cultivation means that the rice paddies are saturated with water. The water beautifully shines from May through the summer; in September, dazzling greens illustrate the region until the start of the harvest in October, when wheat tones take over. It is not advised to travel here between December and March, during which time the snow and fog can spoil the spectacle.

Transfer to Yangshuo. Overnight in Yangshuo.

Day 3

Day 3’s Yangshuo travel experience begins with a private vehicle transfer out to the small village of Yangdi. Enjoy a countryside walk from here. Along the route, small local “ferries” will help cross the Li River. Lunch will be provided in a local’s home; another great chance to be immersed in the local culture.

The route ends at Xingping, an ancient village with over 1000 years of history (also appearing on the Chinese 20 Yuan note.) Known for its old Ming and Qing Dynasty houses, Xingping is also famous for its local market (held every 3 days). Also of note are the surrounding karst formations- locally known as “sugar loaf mountains.”

Head back to Yangshuo by private vehicle where a relaxing and revitalizing foot massage will reward the long day’s hike.

Note: It is recommended to wear sturdy shoes, bring sunscreen and sunglasses, and to stay hydrated in the hot sun

(Trek up to 11 km principally along country flat paths with very short hilly parts and some detour on tarmac road)

(Total duration of the trekking: 3.5 hours)

Trekking difficulty: Easy (Grade 2)

Day 4

Wake in the morning for a transfer (without guide) at 8:30AM via by car/minibus to the bicycle pick-up point, located in the town of Yangshuo. Meet up with the cyclist guide. Spend the day with the following two options:

Option 1: Depart at 9:00am by bike from Yangshuo towards the village of Baisha, located around 10km away bordering the Yulong River (Jade Dragon River). Cross the famous 400 year old Yulong Bridge, riding along the river bordered by orchards of orange, mandarin, chestnut, and pomelo trees. The whole ride runs through the Guangxi countryside, famous for its superb karst peaks (commonly called “sugarloaf”).

After concluding this portion, cyclists can either turn back across the river and return to Yangshuo, or continue further south towards Moon Hill. This imposing hill pierced by a moon-shaped hole offers spectacular views of the surrounding area (the ascent takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on pace; the price of the entrance ticket is not included in the total cost of the trip).

Option 2: At around 9:00AM, cycle off towards Mushan, located 3km west of Yangshuo. This 500 year old village is known for its unique feng shui layout, which follows the “8 Trigrams of Taoism.” From Mushan, follow along the Li River to the fishing village of Liugong (around 20km from Yangshuo); this village is 800 years old and is known for its ancient houses and ‘three colored pools’. Return to Yangshuo passing through Yongcun with an optional extension to Moon Hill.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Option 1: Ride up to 40 km (60km including the Moon hill extension).

Difficulty: Easy (flat all the way, partially around the Jade Dragon River area but principally along country paths)

Option 2: (Ride up to 40 km)

Difficulty: Easy (flat all the way, partially around the Li River part on a tarmac road, but principally along country paths)

Day 5

Begin the morning with a transfer with the driver (without guide) to the cooking school located in the superb Yangshuo countryside.

Classes start at 9:30am (10:30am between December and February) and last four hours. This includes a visit to a local market where ingredients are selected, followed by a group class at the school (maximum of 16 people per class). At the end of the course, enjoy the day’s creations.

There are two menus: Course 1 is taught on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, course 2 is taught on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Each student will have a hob, a wok, and all the necessary ingredients for making the day’s five dishes.

Course 1:

• Beer fish (famous local dish)
• Chicken with cashew nuts
• Steamed stuffed vegetables
• Eggplant with soy and oyster sauce
• Green vegetables with garlic

Course 2 :

• Egg wrapped dumplings
• Steamed chicken with mushroom
• Duck with pickled ginger and chilies
• Stir fried pork with vegetables and oyster sauce
• Green vegetables with garlic

Return transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon.

Notes:

The lessons are in groups (both EXO customers and those of other companies); there is an additional cost for private classes.
The teachers speak English, for other languages there is an additional cost for a guide who can translate

From March to November, there is the option to have classes in the afternoon (starting at 3:30pm, followed by dinner)
Longer courses are available upon request

Optional: In the afternoon, have a relaxing mud bath in Black Buddha Cave nearby Moon Hill.

Night in Yangshuo

Day 6

Start the day with an approximate three hour climbing session: beginner, advanced or experienced routes are available; the route will be chosen by instructor. (Please inform us in advance about personal climbing experience.)

Transfer with the driver and instructor at 8:30AM from the hotel (time may vary depending on the location of the hotel) to the climbing school to choose equipment (size of climbing shoes); continue from the school to the site. There are three proposed itineraries (can be modified):

- Swiss Cheese Wall (beginner)

This choice is equally as accessible to beginners as it is to experienced climbers (a versatility that allows all manner of climbers to ascend side by side). It is one of the most popular climbs and is perfect for groups or families. It is made up of two sections: the right-hand wall for beginners and advanced climbers, and the left-hand vertical wall for more experienced participants. The site is easy to reach and a bamboo grove at the foot of the rock offers some welcome shade in the case of very hot weather.

- The Egg (advanced)

This is an excellent site for advanced or experienced climbers (the difficulty level ranges between 5.10 and 5.12 on the north face). The four faces of the rock are all accessible and this makes climbing possible all day long even as the sun moves throughout the day.

- White Mountain (experienced)

A superb rock that is great for experienced climbers (the difficulty level starts at 5.10 and reaches 5.13). Some inclined paths allow for a climb even if it’s raining, and sun exposure is constant throughout the day, meaning that it is preferable to go either at the start or end of a day. A path 200 meters long includes a section with an inclination of 15 degrees soaring 60 meters above the ground.

NOTES:

• safety is our top priority; we only use professional instructors.
• helmets, climbing shoes, climbing harnesses, chalk etc. are all provided
• the instructors are English speakers, there is an additional cost for other languages
• it is also possible to arrange half day, full day, or multi-day courses for those who want a fuller climbing experience.

After the climb, return to the bicycle depot. Lunch in Yangshuo (sandwich, fruit, and bottled water), then transfer to Fuli for a guided kayak ride from Fuli to Liugong (total six kilometers, taking 3-3.5 hours to complete). The route goes first along the Yulong River, then the Li River.

Return to the hotel. Night in Yangshuo.

Day 7

Wrap up the Yangshuo travel with a transfer (driver and guide) to Guilin; onward flight to next destination.