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Overview
On the first day, you will arrive in Guangzhou and check into a central hotel for free time to rest. On the second day, you will head north to Qingyuan to view the waterfalls at Gulong Gorge; the glass bridge is optional, and senior travellers can enjoy a leisurely stroll on the viewing platforms. On the third day, you will visit the Lianzhou Underground River for a boat ride and walk to admire the stalactites, then proceed to Luoshen Valley. In the evening, you will check into the Guangdong Yao Nationality Grand Hotel in Liannan to experience a traditional Yao herbal bath. On the fourth day, you will take a boat tour of the Hanchuan Three Gorges and visit the Nangang Millennium Yao Village in the afternoon. On the fifth day, you will travel to Yingde to grind soybeans and enjoy a tofu banquet, walk past the Xiao Zhaozhou Bridge and the Small Fish Scale Dam, and visit the T3 high-mountain tea plantation for a tea tasting session. On the sixth day, you will return to Guangzhou to explore Yongqingfang and Beijing Road, followed by an evening boat tour of the Pearl River and a buffet dinner. On the seventh day, you will depart according to your flight or train schedule.
— Travel with Suicheng
Itinerary can be adjusted to your dates and group size. A minimum of 2 people is required to form a group.
Why you'll love this trip
- Gulong Gorge: Skyline Glass Bridge & Waterfall
- Lianzhou Underground River: Viewing stalactites by boat and on foot
- Huangchuan Three Gorges: A boat glides on the river, while you wander through a living painting
- Qianyuan Yao Village: The Changgu Drum Dance, Mountain Songs, and Yao Bathing Ritual
- Stone-Ground Soy Milk & Tofu Feast: Hands-On Grinding
- T3 Tea Plantation: Yingtai Black Tea and Tufeng Mountain
- Pearl River Night Cruise: Buffet Dinner on Board
- Step into the Gulong Gorge, where the deep valley is lush with green, the Glass Skywalk offers thrilling heights, and the cascading waterfall exudes breathtaking power.
- Take a boat ride through the Lianzhou Underground River to view the stalactites; the cave also features a walking section, and the temperature remains a constant 18°C year-round.
- Glide through the Three Gorges of the Huang River, where towering precipitous cliffs line both banks, the jade-green waters flow serene and clear, and cascading waterfalls and spring jets are scattered throughout. As the mountains follow the winding river, the scenery shifts with the drifting boat.
- Wander the bluestone lanes of Nangang Yao Village, take in the hillside dwellings; in the evening, enjoy a traditional Yao herbal bath at the hotel.
- Grind soy milk on a traditional stone mill and enjoy a tofu banquet at lunch.
- Ascend the T3 high-mountain tea plantation to savour authentic Yingde black tea while taking in the distant views of Camel Peak.
- Take a night cruise on the Pearl River, enjoy a buffet dinner, and watch the Canton Tower and the lights along both banks.
Things to do
02
03
04
Folk Traditions
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Tea
Night CruiseFolk TraditionsIntangible Cultural HeritageTeaNight CruiseFolk TraditionsIntangible Cultural HeritageTeaNight CruiseItinerary
Arrivals
Guangzhou · Day 1
· First encounters in the flower city, begin your leisurely Lingnan journey
Highlight: Arrive in Guangzhou, with a gentle start to rest and settle in
Private car1.5–2 hours
Qingyuan · Day 2
· Breathe in the canyon, embrace nature's wildness
Highlights: explore hidden valleys, walk among the clouds, fun for all ages
Private car
Lianzhou · Day 3
· Lianzhou Underground River and a Night of Yao Bathing
Highlights: Subterranean wonders, serene landscapes, distinctive Yao bath
Private car
Liannan · Day 4
· Yao Mountain Panorama: An Immersive Folk Culture and Visual Feast
Highlights: boat cruise, local cuisine, millennium Yao village, Yao bath
Private car
Yingde · Day 5
· Yingde Stone-Milled Soy Milk and Highland Tea Plantations
Highlights: stone-ground soy milk, tofu feast and tea garden afternoon tea
Private car2.5 hours
Guangzhou · Day 6 - Day 7
· Return to the Bustling City: Old Xiguan Dreams and a Pearl River Evening Banquet
Highlights: Authentic Cantonese streets, Beijing Road, Pearl River night cruise & buffet
· Return home with cherished memories, a perfect end to the journey
Highlights: A Leisurely Departure
Departures
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Hotels
These are sample stays typically included in the itinerary. Final pricing depends on the hotel level selected.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel
This is a hotel-type accommodation in the center of Guangzhou. Stay for the first and sixth night, or a comparable 4-diamond hotel, with possible client upgrade.
Qingyuan
Gulong Hotel
Accommodation at the designated segment of Gulong Canyon, on the second night of the itinerary, or at a comparable guesthouse in the surrounding area.
NEWFeature Stay
Liannan
Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel
Accommodation in the Yao Mountain section as specified in the itinerary, with two consecutive nights on the third and fourth evenings, including an authentic intangible cultural heritage Yao herbal bath experience.
Yingde
Cloud Water Elegant Residence
Premium accommodation in the Yingde region, included on the fifth night of the itinerary. Quality comparable to Yun Du or high-end boutique homestays.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel
This is a hotel-type accommodation in the center of Guangzhou. Stay for the first and sixth night, or a comparable 4-diamond hotel, with possible client upgrade.
Qingyuan
Gulong Hotel
Accommodation at the designated segment of Gulong Canyon, on the second night of the itinerary, or at a comparable guesthouse in the surrounding area.
NEWFeature Stay
Liannan
Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel
Accommodation in the Yao Mountain section as specified in the itinerary, with two consecutive nights on the third and fourth evenings, including an authentic intangible cultural heritage Yao herbal bath experience.
Yingde
Cloud Water Elegant Residence
Premium accommodation in the Yingde region, included on the fifth night of the itinerary. Quality comparable to Yun Du or high-end boutique homestays.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel
This is a hotel-type accommodation in the center of Guangzhou. Stay for the first and sixth night, or a comparable 4-diamond hotel, with possible client upgrade.
Qingyuan
Gulong Hotel
Accommodation at the designated segment of Gulong Canyon, on the second night of the itinerary, or at a comparable guesthouse in the surrounding area.
NEWFeature Stay
Liannan
Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel
Accommodation in the Yao Mountain section as specified in the itinerary, with two consecutive nights on the third and fourth evenings, including an authentic intangible cultural heritage Yao herbal bath experience.
Yingde
Cloud Water Elegant Residence
Premium accommodation in the Yingde region, included on the fifth night of the itinerary. Quality comparable to Yun Du or high-end boutique homestays.
Included / Excluded
What's Included
- TransportOne seat per person, including tolls, fuel, and driver's meals and accommodation.
- AccommodationD1 Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel, D2 Gulong Hotel, D3–D4 Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel, D5 Shuiyun Yash, D6 Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel.
- Admission ticketGulong Gorge tickets, Yuntian Glass Skywalk tickets, Lianzhou Underground River, Millennium Yao Village, traditional soy milk grinding experience, Pearl River night cruise with à la carte dinner.
- CateringT3 Tea Garden Afternoon Tea and Tofu Banquet Experience.
- InsurancePersonal travel accident insurance.
Not Included
- Personal expensesExcluded: personal expenses, shopping, and other incidental costs.
- Single supplementFor single occupancy, a supplementary room rate will apply.
- Other feesItems not mentioned in the itinerary.
Special Notes
Listed below are the original items as provided.
- Minimum Group Size Requirements — Group booking for two or more people.
- Glass Bridge — The Yun-Tian Bo-Ba glass bridge is an optional activity; seniors may choose to leisurely enjoy the view of the waterfall from the observation deck instead.
- Yao Bath — On Days 3 and 4, accommodation is at the Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel, and the itinerary includes the Yao herbal bath experience arranged by the hotel.
- Hotel — For the Guangzhou segment, accommodation is at the Dingshe or a comparable 4-diamond hotel, with upgrade options available on request; for the Gulong Gorge segment, it is the Gulong Hotel or a comparable homestay nearby; and for the Yingde segment, it is the Yunduo, Shuiyun Yasheshe, or a premium homestay.
- Itinerary map — The itinerary map is for reference only; actual locations may vary due to map scale.
Is Seven Days Your Length?
This is a 7-day itinerary, adjustable to your dates and group size.
Seven days to complete the entire route
Start and finish in Guangzhou: explore Qingyuan’s gorges and underground rivers, visit the Yao Mountains, enjoy the tea plantations and countryside of Yingde, and round off with a night cruise on the Pearl River.
Not enough days
Tell us whether city or wilderness matters more to you, and we’ll weave the perfect itinerary.
With elderly or children
The glass bridge can be skipped; the underground river tour includes both boat and walking sections, and the pace can be adjusted to suit the stamina of your fellow travellers.
Good to Know
- Group departure
- Minimum group size: 2
- Import and Export Ports
- Arrive Guangzhou · Depart Guangzhou
- Vehicle Hire
- One seat per person, including tolls, fuel, and driver's accommodation and meals
- Meals
- Includes a tofu banquet, T3 tea plantation afternoon tea, and a buffet dinner on the Pearl River cruise; other meals are at your own expense.
- Accommodation
- D3D4 Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel, with Yao Bath Experience
Your Private Concierge Service
Jenny
China Private Travel Route Consultant
“A concierge desk offering bilingual planning services for bespoke China journeys”
Our China team carefully tailors the pace of the itinerary, hotel arrangements, and local reception services to suit the style of each route.
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Years
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Trips Designed
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On-Trip Care
Step 01
Tell us what excites you
Not your dates and budget — your curiosity. Where have you always wanted to go? What do you want to feel? We start there.
24h
First concept delivered
Step 02
We design it around you
Your specialist builds the itinerary from scratch — routes, hosts, hotels, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.
100%
Private, never off-the-shelf
Step 03
Lock it in with 30%
When the plan feels right, a 30% deposit holds your trip. Balance due 30 days before departure.
30%
Deposit to confirm
Step 04
Travel. We handle the rest.
Your Trip Pack arrives before you fly. On the road, your concierge is one message away — for the expected and everything you didn't plan for.
24/7
Support throughout your journey
Cancellation terms agreed in writing
English-speaking concierge
Secure payment via Stripe
Guest Reviews
4.9 / 5 · from 523 verified reviews
E
Emily Carter
🇺🇸 Seattle, USA
Perfect for couples
“My partner and I had an amazing time in China. Everything was arranged for us — transfers, hotels, guides. No stress at all.”
May 2026
C
Claire Brooks
🇬🇧 London, UK
Great for families
“Traveled with my two kids and had zero issues. The team made sure the pace wasn't too rushed and included things the kids would enjoy. Communication was easy throughout. Will definitely use them again for our next Asia trip.”
Apr 2026
L
Laura Bennett
🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
Alisa made the whole experience easy
“Alisa was our point of contact throughout and she was brilliant — patient, knowledgeable, and always quick to reply. The trip itself was wonderful. Beijing and Guilin were highlights.”
Mar 2026
M
Mark Henderson
🇺🇸 Denver, USA
Good service, minor hiccup but sorted quickly
“Really good service. There was a small mix-up with one of our restaurant bookings but it got sorted quickly. The rest of the trip was seamless.”
Feb 2026
R
Rebecca Miller
🇺🇸 Boston, USA
Really listened to what we wanted
“Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.”
Jan 2026
China Ready
We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveller needs to know before arriving.
Do this before you fly
VPN & Internet Access
What's blocked
Google, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and most Western news sites are inaccessible in China without a VPN.
Download before you leave
It's nearly impossible to download a VPN once inside China. Install and test at home. Recommended: Astrill (most reliable), Mullvad, ExpressVPN — subscribe to at least two in case one stops working.
Hotel Wi-Fi tip
Some hotels block VPN connections on their Wi-Fi. Use your phone's mobile data as a hotspot if the VPN drops.
Good news
WhatsApp works perfectly through a VPN, so your messaging stays unchanged. Apple iMessage and Signal also work.
Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
Paying in China
China is cashless
Alipay and WeChat Pay are used for almost everything — restaurants, taxis, markets, tickets. Cash is rarely accepted in cities.
International cards now work
Foreign Visa/Mastercard can now link directly to Alipay (set up in minutes, $5,000 single transaction limit). Your concierge walks you through the setup on your first morning.
Carry some cash
We recommend ¥500–800 RMB in cash for the rare vendor that won't accept digital payment, and for small towns.
Booking this trip
Your deposit and balance are charged via Stripe — the same trusted platform used by Airbnb and Booking.com. USD billing, no surprise conversion fees.
We handle the paperwork
Visa & Entry
Do you need a visa?
Most US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders need a tourist (L) visa for stays over 10 days. We provide a visa invitation letter with every booking — it significantly speeds up approval.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 55+ countries (including USA, UK, most of EU, AUS, NZ, Canada) can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days if transiting through eligible ports. This covers our 12-day itinerary only if you have a confirmed onward flight.
Processing time
Apply 4–6 weeks before departure. Standard processing: 4–7 business days. Express (3 days) and same-day options available at most Chinese consulates.
What we provide
Visa invitation letter, hotel confirmation for all nights, suggested itinerary document — everything the consulate needs, formatted correctly.
Our responsibility, always
Safety & Practical Tips
Is China safe?
China consistently ranks among the safest countries for foreign tourists. Violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Cities have extensive CCTV coverage and a visible police presence.
Emergency numbers
Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. Your concierge is your first call for any non-emergency situation — she has local contacts for every city on the itinerary.
Health & medications
Bring a full supply of any prescription medication. International pharmacies exist in major cities but may not carry your brand. Travel insurance is required — we can recommend policies that cover China specifically.
Language
English fluency outside hotels and tourist sites is limited. Your guides all speak English. We provide a printed pocket card with essential Chinese phrases and emergency contacts for every traveller.
Before You Book
Everything worth knowing before you book.
Three days in Guangzhou (arrival on day one, return to the city on day six, departure on day seven), four days in Qingyuan and Yingde (Gulong Gorge, Lianzhou Underground River & Luoshen Valley, Huangchuan Three Gorges & Millennium Yao Village, and the rural landscapes and tea plantations of Yingde). Starting and ending in Guangzhou, with stunning natural scenery in between.
Not necessarily. The Yun Tian Bo Ba Glass Bridge is optional; elderly guests can choose to stroll leisurely at the viewing platform and admire the waterfalls, enjoying either relaxation or activity as they prefer. The Lianzhou Underground River tour involves a boat ride, requiring no physical exertion.
Yao herbal baths are an intangible cultural heritage wellness practice of the Yao ethnic group, using herbal extracts for bathing to help relax muscles and joints. The D3 and D4 nights’ stay at the Guangdong Yao Ethnic Grand Hotel includes a specially arranged Yao bath as part of the tour package.
Includes T3 Tea Garden afternoon tea and a tofu banquet experience, as well as a riverside buffet dinner on the Pearl River night cruise (included in the ticket price). Other meals are at your own expense.
A minimum of 2 people is required to form a group. A single supplement applies if you wish to occupy a room individually.
This works well. On Day 2, Gulong Gorge suits all ages, and the glass bridge is optional. On Day 3, the underground river boat ride requires little legwork. And on Day 5, stone-ground soy milk offers a lovely hands-on experience for children. The daily walking can be slowed to suit your own pace.
No. The skywalk and glass bridge are optional, and anyone who prefers a slower pace can stay at the viewing platform and enjoy the waterfalls. Lianzhou Underground River is done by small boat, with very little walking.
Yao medicinal baths are a traditional health-regimen practice passed down through the Yao ethnic group, soothing the body and mind with herbal essences. Accommodation on nights 3 and 4 of the itinerary is at a Yao cultural hotel in Guangdong, where the medicinal bath experience is arranged by the hotel and included in the tour.
The T3 Tea Garden afternoon tea and the tofu meal experience are included, as is the buffet dinner on the Pearl River night cruise (covered under the ticket items). Other meals are at your own expense.
A minimum of 2 participants is required to operate the tour. A single room supplement applies if a private room is required.
Yes. Day two at Gulong Gorge suits all ages and the glass bridge is entirely optional; day three's underground river is done by boat with very little walking; day five's hand-ground soy milk is a good hands-on activity for children. The walking on each day can be paced to your group.
