---
title: "Half City Lights, Half Green Wild"
description: "From the Pearl River at night to a thousand-year Yao village, the Lingnan you have not seen"
type: "tour"
route_id: "greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d"
total_days: 7
price: 2000
highlights: ["Guangzhou", "Qingyuan", "Lianzhou", "Liannan", "Yingde"]
url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d"
canonical_url: "https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d"
locale: "en-US"
alternates: {"en-US":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","en-GB":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/en-GB/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","zh-CN":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-CN/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","zh-TW":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/zh-TW/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","de-DE":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/de-DE/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","fr-FR":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/fr-FR/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","es-ES":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/es-ES/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","it-IT":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/it-IT/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d","x-default":"https://www.lyriktrip.com/tours/greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d"}
---

# Half City Lights, Half Green Wild

From the Pearl River at night to a thousand-year Yao village, the Lingnan you have not seen

广州进出 7 日，走过清远峡谷、连州地下河、连南瑶寨与英德茶园，最后回到广州看珠江夜景。

- Easy to Moderate: The canyon and Yao villages involve a moderate amount of walking. — The glass bridge can be skipped based on your fitness level; seniors may leisurely explore the viewing platform, while the Yao village trail and the walking section of Lianzhou Underground River will require walking. The itinerary map is for reference only, and actual locations may vary due to map scale.

## Overview

第一天抵达广州，入住市区酒店后自由休整。第二天北上清远，在古龙峡看瀑布；玻璃桥可选，长辈也可在观景台慢游。第三天到连州地下河，乘船与步行看钟乳石，再到洛神谷，晚上入住连南的广东瑶族大酒店并体验瑶浴。第四天乘船游湟川三峡，下午走进南岗千年瑶寨。第五天到英德推石磨磨豆浆、吃豆腐宴，走过小赵州桥与小鱼鳞坝，再到 T3 高山茶园喝茶。第六天回广州，走永庆坊与北京路，夜里乘船游珠江并吃自助晚餐。第七天按航班或车次返程。

— 随程去旅行

行程可按你的日期与同行人数调整。2 人起成团。

## Summary

- Route ID: greater-bay-hidden-gems-7d
- Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
- Starting price: $2,000
- Status: active
- Highlights: Guangzhou, Qingyuan, Lianzhou, Liannan, Yingde
- Cover image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/33b0a91f2a9d.webp

## Hero tags

- No shopping
- Fully tailored
- Multilingual services — Tours run in English. Other languages can be arranged with 30 days' notice and an added fee.

## Highlight notes

- Gulong Gorge: Sky Glass Walk & Waterfalls
- Lianzhou Underground River: Cruise and Walk Among the Stalactites
- Huangchuan Three Gorges: The boat glides through the river; you drift through a living painting
- Millennium Yao Village: Long Drum Dance, Folk Songs, and Yao Herbs Bath
- Stone-milled soybean milk & tofu feast: hands-on soybean grinding
- T3 Tea Garden: Yingde Black Tea and Tuofeng Peak
- Pearl River Night Cruise: Buffet Dinner on the Boat

## Selling points

- Step into the Gulong Canyon, where a deep, verdant gorge unfolds, a thrilling glass cloud walkway stretches overhead, and powerful waterfalls plunge with dramatic force.
- Cruise through Lianzhou Underground River to admire stalactites; the cave also features a walking tour section with a constant temperature of around 18°C.
- Drift by boat through the Three Gorges of the Kuang River, flanked by sheer cliffs. The water is emerald and serene, with waterfalls and springs cascading between the mountains — the landscape shifts with the current, the view changes with your boat.
- Stroll along the bluestone paths of Nangang Yao Village, taking in the traditional houses built into the mountainside; in the evening, indulge in a traditional Yao herbal bath at the hotel.
- Grind your own soy milk with a traditional stone mill, then savor a tofu feast at lunch.
- Ascend T3 Alpine Tea Plantation and sample authentic Yingde black tea while capturing the iconic Camel Hump Mountain in the distance.
- Enjoy a night cruise on the Pearl River, savor a buffet dinner, and take in the lights of Canton Tower and both banks.

## City highlights

- Guangzhou (2 days): Old Dreams of Xiguan and Zhujiang River Night Views
  - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a38f2fdf1983.webp
- Guangzhou (1 days): First Glimpse of the Flower City: A Leisurely Reset
  - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a38f2fdf1983.webp
- Qingyuan (1 days): Canyon Oxygen-Breathing: Embracing the Wilds
  - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/0ad217801d7b.webp
- Lianzhou (1 days): Underground Rivers and Luo Shen Valley
  - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7177e4e32077.webp
- Liannan (1 days): Miao Mountain Scenery and the Millennium Yao Settlement
  - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4f90ea58734c.webp
- Yingde (1 days): Rustic Crafts & Highland Tea Gardens
  - Image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b60eecbc0ab6.webp

## Experiences

Arriving and departing from Guangzhou, this 7-day journey weaves together gorges, Yao villages, and tea plantations.

- Nangang Yao Village and Evening Yao Bath (Qingyuan): Step into Nanggang Yao Village and stroll along the bluestone paths past homes that cling to the hillside. In the evening, return to your hotel to enjoy the Yao bath experience included in your itinerary.
  - Subtitle: An ancient Yao village built on a slope some 800 metres up
  - Tags: Folk Traditions
  - Host: Qingyuan, Qingyuan Lens — Gorges, underground rivers and the Yao mountains of Qingyuan
  - Access: The Thousand-Year Yao Village ticket is included in the tour price; the herbal bath is arranged by the Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel and available on both the D3 and D4 nights.
  - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4f90ea58734c.webp
- Stone-Ground Soy Milk & Natural Tofu Feast (Yingde): Grind soybeans into milk with a hand-cranked stone mill, then enjoy a tofu feast at noon.
  - Subtitle: Live like a relaxed local for a day
  - Tags: Intangible Cultural Heritage
  - Host: Yingde, Yingde Lens — Tea gardens, peak forests and countryside in Yingde
  - Access: The soy milk experience and the tofu meal are included in the tour price.
  - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b850b1980a3c.webp
- T3 Alpine Tea Garden Breeze Afternoon Tea (Yingde): Sip Yingde black tea in the T3 high-mountain tea plantation, gaze toward Tufeng Mountain, and stroll along the tea fields.
  - Subtitle: Yingde black tea, with Tuofeng Mountain in the distance
  - Tags: Tea
  - Host: Yingde, Yingde Lens — Tea gardens, peak forests and countryside in Yingde
  - Access: The T3 Tea Garden afternoon tea is included in the tour price.
  - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bb32e2c8a2a8.webp
- Pearl River Night Cruise with Waterfront Buffet (Guangzhou): Cruise the Pearl River at night, savor an all-you-can-eat dinner, and watch the Canton Tower and the illuminated cityscape along both banks from the deck.
  - Subtitle: Dinner on the water, with Canton Tower and both banks lit up
  - Tags: Night Tour
  - Host: Guangzhou, Guangzhou Lens — Trade history and southern city life
  - Access: The Pearl River night cruise and buffet dinner are included in the tour price.
  - Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/301f0ca14cca.webp
### Capture banner

- Label: Save this itinerary
- Title: Send the full route to your inbox
- Subtitle: We will include the latest hotels, hosts and pacing notes.
- Placeholder: Email address
- CTA: Send route
- Sent label: Sent


## Itinerary

### Half City Lights - 1 days

Canton

#### Guangzhou (1 days)

- Subtitle: First Glimpse of the Flower City: A Leisurely Reset
- Recommendation: Guangzhou is where the journey begins; check into a downtown hotel after arriving, then wander the alleyways and sweet soup shops at your leisure.
- Transport: 专车 · 1.5–2 小时
- Transport mode: car

No fixed sightseeing is scheduled on arrival day; take a break or enjoy a leisurely stroll around the hotel, depending on your arrival time.

- Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a38f2fdf1983.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/301f0ca14cca.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1cb379fdfd21.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/ee236253c95e.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/637220d8475f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4773f1e72c4f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/9d81b34bf6a4.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3dfdf90ad758.webp
##### Day 1: First Meeting with the Flower City: Start a Slow Lingnan Journey

- (transport) — Airport / railway station pickup is available throughout the day. After you arrive in Guangzhou, a private car will take you to a 4-star hotel in the city for check-in.
- (note) — After leaving your luggage at the hotel, you can take an easy walk around the nearby streets or try a bowl of local double-skin milk pudding at a dessert shop.
- (accommodation) Guangzhou Dinshe Hotel — Free time this evening. Please rest early to conserve energy for the next day’s Gulong Gorge excursion. Accommodation: Dingshe or a comparable 4-diamond hotel; upgrades available at your request.

### Half Green Wild - 4 days

Mountain & Wild

#### Qingyuan (1 days)

- Subtitle: Canyon Oxygen-Breathing: Embracing the Wilds
- Recommendation: Gulong Gorge is Qingyuan's calling card: the canyon runs deep and green, the skywalk gives you the drop underfoot, and the waterfalls come down in full force.
- Transport: 专车
- Transport mode: car

Leave after a relaxed morning; the drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The glass bridge is optional and anyone who prefers a slower pace can stay at the viewing platform with the waterfalls.

- Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/0ad217801d7b.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/5efcf64e69fe.webp
##### Day 2: Breathe in the Canyon Air and Embrace Wild Nature

- (transport) — Leave after a relaxed morning and drive to Gulong Gorge, one of Qingyuan's most famous attractions. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- (sight) — Walk the Gulong Gorge trail to the waterfall, with an optional crossing on the Yun Tian Glass Bridge; older visitors can also take a slow stroll along the viewing deck.
- (accommodation) Gulong Hotel — Check in at Gulong Hotel or a similar nearby homestay.

#### Lianzhou (1 days)

- Subtitle: Underground Rivers and Luo Shen Valley
- Recommendation: The Lianzhou Underground River offers both a boat cruise on the hidden river and a walking tour, allowing you to admire the stalactites in the caves; the temperature remains a constant 18°C year-round.
- Transport: 专车
- Transport mode: car

Morning underground river tour, afternoon Luoshen Valley excursion, and an evening Yao herbal bath at the hotel.

- Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/7177e4e32077.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/999ab04128f4.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/c03996eea298.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/998391693e2a.webp
##### Day 3: Lianzhou Underground River & Yao Bath Night

- (sight) — Cruise the Lianzhou Underground River and follow the walking section to view stalactites; the cave maintains a constant temperature of approximately 18°C.
- (sight) — As you stroll along the stream through Luoshen Valley, you can hear the sound of flowing water between the trees.
- (accommodation) Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel — Check in at the Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel.
- (sight) — After dinner, enjoy a traditional Yao herbal bath arranged by the hotel. The natural herbs help you relax, warm up, and sleep better after a full day of travel.

#### Liannan (1 days)

- Subtitle: Miao Mountain Scenery and the Millennium Yao Settlement
- Recommendation: Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village is built on a steep slope some 800 metres up, with long stone paths, long-drum dances and folk songs.
- Transport: 专车
- Transport mode: car

A boat through Huangchuan Three Gorges in the morning, a local Lianzhou lunch, the Thousand-Year Yao Village in the afternoon, then back to the hotel for a herbal bath.

- Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4f90ea58734c.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4ad017aa2540.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/33b0a91f2a9d.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/987e1d516bcc.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/ef2f3af5249f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/92455608f547.webp
##### Day 4: A Scenic Yao Mountain Journey with Culture and Beautiful Views

- (sight) — Take a boat trip through Huangchuan Three Gorges. Along the river, you will see waterfalls, steep cliffs, clear green water and peaceful mountain views. As the boat moves through the water, it feels like travelling inside a landscape painting.
- (dining) — Then visit a local restaurant in Lianzhou for a special lunch.
- (sight) — Step into the Nangang Yao Village at an elevation of about 800 meters, and stroll along the bluestone path to view the village houses built into the mountainside.
- (accommodation) Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel — Enjoy a Yao herbal bath to relax after the day's trip and sleep well at night.

#### Yingde (1 days)

- Subtitle: Rustic Crafts & Highland Tea Gardens
- Recommendation: Hand-ground soy milk and a countryside tofu meal, Xiao Zhaozhou Bridge and Xiaoyulin Dam, and Yingde black tea up at the T3 mountain tea garden.
- Transport: 专车 · 2.5 小时
- Transport mode: car

In the morning, grind soybeans using a traditional stone mill and enjoy a tofu feast, followed by afternoon tea in a tea garden; for dinner, savor figs braised with chicken and stay at Shuiyun Yasheng.

- Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b60eecbc0ab6.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/bb32e2c8a2a8.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/b850b1980a3c.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/55e27072bab6.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a14e0c0adf20.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/6891b25665e0.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4d2a3f593e14.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/820ab53026a0.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/84bdbb9ffb1e.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/019ad91a401f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/929abaf794b6.webp
##### Day 5: Yingde Stone-Ground Soy Milk & High-Mountain Tea Gardens

- (dining) — Head to Yingde to grind soybeans into milk by hand on a traditional stone mill, and enjoy a tofu feast for lunch.
- (sight) — Walk across the Little Zhaozhou Bridge and the Little Fish-Scale Weir, stroll through the Heshun Karst Caves, and take in the bridges, streams, and hills of rural Yingde.
- (dining) — Ascend to the T3 high-mountain tea plantation, savor Yingde black tea, and gaze toward CAMEL Hump Mountain in the distance.
- (dining) Shuiyun Yashe — Dinner: fig-braised chicken. Accommodation: Shuiyun Elixir Suite. Stay: Yundu / Shuiyun Elixir Suite or a premium B&B.

### Return to the Flower City - 2 days

Cantonese

#### Guangzhou (2 days)

- Subtitle: Old Dreams of Xiguan and Zhujiang River Night Views
- Recommendation: Return to Guangzhou from Yingde, explore the lanes of Xiguan, and cruise the Pearl River at night; depart the next day by flight or train.
- Transport: 专车送机或送站
- Transport mode: car

On day six, enjoy dim sum at Tao Tao Ju, then visit Yongqingfang, the Bruce Lee Ancestral Residence, and Beijing Road; in the evening, take a Pearl River boat cruise with a buffet dinner. On day seven, enjoy free time before a transfer to the airport or station.

- Images: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/a38f2fdf1983.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/301f0ca14cca.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/1cb379fdfd21.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/ee236253c95e.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/637220d8475f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4773f1e72c4f.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/9d81b34bf6a4.webp, https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/3dfdf90ad758.webp
##### Day 6: Back to the City: Old Xiguan Charm and a Pearl River Night Cruise

- (transport) — Drive back from the countryside to central Guangzhou.
- (dining) — Enjoy Cantonese morning tea at Taotaoju, a famous old restaurant with over 100 years of history. Try classic dim sum such as shrimp dumplings and red rice noodle rolls, and experience authentic Guangzhou tea culture.
- (sight) — Visit Yongqing Fang and Bruce Lee's Ancestral Home. Walk through the historic streets and experience Xiguan culture, where Chinese and Western styles meet. The ancestral home shows classic Cantonese architecture, with grey brick walls, traditional sliding doors and Manchurian-style windows.
- (sight) — Walk along Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, a historic commercial street with over a thousand years of history. See ancient building remains under the glass walkway and enjoy the lively local atmosphere and shopping scene.
- (dining) — Enjoy a river cruise on the Pearl River with a buffet dinner, offering views of Canton Tower and the illuminated riverbanks.
- (accommodation) Guangzhou Dinshe Hotel — Check in at Dinshe Hotel in the city, or a similar 4-diamond hotel, upgrade available.

##### Day 7: Return Home with Wonderful Memories

- (note) — The morning is free, depending on your flight or high-speed train schedule. If your departure is later, we can recommend easy nearby activities, shopping malls, dessert shops, morning tea, or lunch based on your hotel location.
- (transport) — If your departure is early, the driver will take you to the airport or railway station at the agreed time. You will be transferred at the right time. The tour ends.

## Daily plan

### Day 1 — First Meeting with the Flower City: Start a Slow Lingnan Journey

Highlight: Arrive in Guangzhou and enjoy a relaxed break

- Arrival in Guangzhou: Upon arrival in Guangzhou, a driver will meet you at the airport or station; a private car will then take you to your hotel in the city center for check-in.
- Free time to relax and get your first taste of Guangzhou: Once you’ve dropped your bags, take a stroll around the hotel or stop at a sweet shop for a bowl of Double-Skin Milk.
- Accommodation: Dinshe Hotel or similar 4-diamond hotel, upgrade available
- Meals: Not included

### Day 2 — Breathe in the Canyon Air and Embrace Wild Nature

Highlights: Canyon scenery, skywalk experience, suitable for all ages

- Drive North: Leave after a relaxed morning and drive to Gulong Gorge, one of Qingyuan's most famous attractions. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Walk Above the Canyon: Walk along the Gulong Gorge trails to see the waterfalls, with the option to cross the Yuntian Glass Bridge; seniors can also simply enjoy the view from the observation deck.
- Check in Near Gulong Gorge: Check in at Gulong Hotel or a similar nearby homestay.
- Accommodation: Gulong Hotel or similar nearby homestay
- Meals: Not included

### Day 3 — Lianzhou Underground River & Evening Yao Bath Ritual

Highlights: Underground cave scenery, peaceful mountain views, special Yao herbal bath

- Karst Wonder: Cruise the Lianzhou Underground River to view the stalactites; the cave also features a walking section with a constant temperature of about 18°C.
- Stroll through Luo Sheng Valley: Walk along the stream in Luoshen Valley, listening to the water ripple through the woods.
- Stay at a Yao ethnic hotel: Check in at the Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel.
- Evening Yao Bath: After dinner, enjoy a pre-arranged Yao bath at the hotel, letting warm herbal water soothe your body.
- Accommodation: Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel, with Yao herbal bath experience
- Meals: Not included

### Day 4 — A Scenic Yao Mountain Journey with Culture and Beautiful Views

Highlights: River cruise, local food, Thousand-Year Yao Village, Yao herbal bath

- River Cruise Through Scenic Views: Take a boat trip through Huangchuan Three Gorges. Along the river, you will see waterfalls, steep cliffs, and peaceful mountain views. As the boat moves through the water, it feels like traveling inside a landscape painting.
- Local Lunch: Then visit a local restaurant in Lianzhou for a special lunch.
- Visit the Ancient Yao Village: Step into the Nangang Yao Village, located at an altitude of approximately 800 meters, and admire the village houses built along the blue stone-paved paths on the mountainside.
- Return to Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel: Enjoy a Yao herbal bath to relax after the day's trip and sleep well at night.
- Accommodation: Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel, with Yao herbal bath experience
- Meals: Not included

### Day 5 — Yingde Stone-Ground Soy Milk & High-Mountain Tea Plantations

Highlight: Stone-ground soy milk, tofu feast, and tea plantation afternoon tea

- Stone-Ground Soy Milk: Head to Yingde to manually grind soy milk using a stone mill, and enjoy a tofu feast at lunch.
- Countryside Nature Walk: Visit Xiao Zhaozhou Bridge and Xiaoyulin Dam, two quiet countryside spots with old charm and flowing water. Then walk through Heshun Cave and enjoy the natural beauty of Lingnan rural life.
- Tea Tasting on the Mountain: Visit T3 mountain tea garden for afternoon tea. Taste authentic Yingde black tea while enjoying views of Tuofeng Mountain in the distance.
- Taste Qingyuan Local Cuisine: Enjoy fig-infused chicken for dinner, then check in at Shuiyun Yashe.
- Accommodation: Yundu / Shuiyun Villa or a high-end guesthouse
- Meals: Includes a tofu feast and tea plantation afternoon tea; other meals are on your own.

### Day 6 — Back to the City: Old Xiguan Charm and a Pearl River Night Cruise

Highlights: Old Guangzhou streets, Beijing Road, Pearl River night cruise with buffet dinner

- Return to Guangzhou City: Drive back from the countryside to central Guangzhou.
- Classic Cantonese Taste: Enjoy Cantonese morning tea at Taotaoju, a famous old restaurant with over 100 years of history. Try classic dim sum such as shrimp dumplings and red rice noodle rolls, and experience authentic Guangzhou tea culture.
- Explore Cantonese Heritage: Visit Yongqing Fang and Bruce Lee's Ancestral Home. Walk through the historic streets and experience Xiguan culture, where Chinese and Western styles meet.
- Lively Shopping Street: Walk along Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, a historic commercial street with over a thousand years of history. See ancient building remains under the glass walkway and enjoy the lively local atmosphere and shopping scene.
- Brilliant Guangzhou Night Views: Take a night cruise on the Pearl River, enjoy a buffet dinner, and view the Guangzhou Tower and the city lights from the boat.
- Accommodation: Dinshe Hotel or similar 4-diamond hotel, upgrade available
- Meals: Includes a buffet dinner on the cruise; other meals are at your own expense

### Day 7 — Return Home with Wonderful Memories

Highlight: A relaxed departure

- Free morning: The morning is free, depending on your flight or high-speed train schedule. If your departure is later, we can recommend easy nearby activities, shopping malls, dessert shops, morning tea, or lunch based on your hotel location.
- Transfer to the airport or railway station: If your departure is early, the driver will take you to the airport or railway station at the agreed time. You will be transferred at the right time. The tour ends.
- Ports: Guangzhou in · Guangzhou out
- Meals: Not included

## Hotels

### Guangzhou Dinshe Hotel

- City: Guangzhou
- Description: The Guangzhou stay named in the source material, in the city centre. Used on the first and sixth nights, or a similar 4-diamond hotel; upgrade available.

### Gulong Hotel

- City: Qingyuan
- Description: The Gulong Gorge stay named in the source material, used on the second night, or a similar nearby homestay.

### Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel

- City: Liannan
- Description: The Yao mountain stay named in the source material, used for two consecutive nights on D3 and D4, including the traditional Yao herbal bath.
- Labels: NEW, Feature Stay

### Shuiyun Yashe

- City: Yingde
- Description: The Yingde stay named in the source material, used on the fifth night, or Yundu / a high-end homestay of the same class.

## Included / Excluded

### What's Included

- Transport: Private vehicle with one seat per person, including tolls, fuel, and the driver's meals and accommodation.
- Accommodation: D1 Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel, D2 Gulong Hotel, D3–D4 Guangdong Yao Grand Hotel, D5 Shuiyun Yakeshe, D6 Guangzhou Dingshe Hotel.
- Tickets: Gulong Gorge ticket, glass bridge / skywalk ticket, Lianzhou Underground River, Thousand-Year Yao Village, soy milk making experience, Pearl River night cruise with buffet dinner.
- Meals: T3 Tea Garden afternoon tea and tofu meal experience.
- Insurance: Personal travel accident insurance.

### Not Included

- Personal expenses: Personal expenses and shopping outside the itinerary.
- Single room supplement: A single room supplement applies if a private room is required.
- Other items: Any items not mentioned under "Included".

### Special Notes

The following is listed exactly as stated in the source material.

- Minimum group size: A minimum of 2 participants is required to operate the tour.
- Glass bridge: The Yuntian Botan Glass Bridge is an optional add-on; senior guests may instead enjoy a leisurely walk at the viewing platform and watch the waterfall.
- Yao herbal bath: Two nights (D3 and D4) are at the Guangdong Yao Hotel; the itinerary includes a Yao bath experience arranged by the hotel.
- Hotels: For the Guangzhou segment, guests will stay at Dingshe or a comparable 4-diamond hotel, with upgrade options available; for the Gulong Gorge segment, the Gulong Hotel or a similar local guesthouse; for the Yingde segment, the Yundu / Shuiyun Guesthouse or a premium homestay.
- Itinerary map: The itinerary map is for reference only. Actual locations and distances may vary depending on map scale.

## Is Seven Days Your Length?

This is a 7-day itinerary and can be adjusted to your dates and group size.

### The full seven days

A round trip from Guangzhou: the gorges, underground river and Yao mountains of Qingyuan, the tea gardens and countryside of Yingde, and back to the city for the Pearl River at night.

### Shorter on days

Tell us whether the city or the countryside matters more to you and we will cut the line to fit.

### Travelling with older parents or kids

You don't have to walk across the glass bridge; the underground river tour includes both boat and walking segments, so you can adjust the pace based on your travel companions' energy levels.

## Good to Know

- Group size: A minimum of 2 participants is required
- Ports: Guangzhou in · Guangzhou out
- Transport: Private vehicle with one seat per person, including tolls, fuel and the driver's meals and accommodation
- Meals: Includes a tofu banquet, T3 tea garden afternoon tea, and a buffet dinner on a Pearl River river cruise; all other meals are at your own expense.
- Accommodation: Two nights at the Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel on D3 and D4, including the herbal bath experience

## Your Private Concierge

- Name: Jenessa
- Title: Private China Route Concierge
- Tagline: A bilingual planning desk for tailor-made China journeys.
- Bio: Our China team tunes pacing, hotels and local hosts around each route style.
- Avatar image: https://cdn.lyriktrip.com/s/4g5K6CDX.webp

### Stats

- 20+ Years
- 300+ Trips designed
- 24/7 On-trip care

### The Conversation

Every LyrikTrip journey begins with a conversation. Tell us your dates and who's coming — and if this length isn't right for you, we'll say so and shape a shorter arc. First reply within four hours; a clear price for your dates within one business day.

- CTA: Start the conversation

### 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

- CTA: Talk to Us

## Guest Reviews

- Overall rating: 4.9
- Total reviews: 523
- Count label: from 523 verified reviews

4.9 / 5

### Platforms

- google: 4.9 (312 reviews)
- tripadvisor: 5.0 (211 reviews)

- Filter tabs: All, Google, TripAdvisor
- Emily Carter (🇺🇸 Seattle, USA · 5★ · May 2026 · google): 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.
- Claire Brooks (🇬🇧 London, UK · 5★ · Apr 2026 · tripadvisor): 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.
- Laura Bennett (🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada · 5★ · Mar 2026 · google): 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.
- Mark Henderson (🇺🇸 Denver, USA · 4★ · Feb 2026 · tripadvisor): 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.
- Rebecca Miller (🇺🇸 Boston, USA · 5★ · Jan 2026 · google): Really listened to what we wanted - Really helpful team. They listened to what we wanted and delivered. Beijing and Xi'an were incredible.

## China Ready

We've solved the hard parts. Here's everything a first-time Western traveler needs to know before arriving.

### VPN & Internet Access

- Badge: Do this before you fly
- 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.

### Paying in China

- Badge: Your concierge sets this up on Day 1
- 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.

### Visa & Entry

- Badge: We handle the paperwork
- 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.

### Safety & Practical Tips

- Badge: Our responsibility, always
- 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 traveler.

## Before You Book

Everything worth knowing before you book.

### How much of the seven days is spent in the city versus the wild?

Three days in Guangzhou (arrival on Day 1, return to the city on Day 6, departure on Day 7), four days in Qingyuan and Yingde (Gulong Gorge, Lianzhou Underground River & Luoshen Valley, Huangchuan Three Gorges & Millennium Yao Village, Yingde countryside & tea plantations). Entering and exiting via Guangzhou, with mountain and river secrets in between.

### Is it a must-do to walk the glass bridge?

Not necessarily. The Yuntian Boda Glass Bridge is optional; older visitors can opt for a leisurely stroll at the viewing platform to enjoy the waterfalls, with activities suited to every preference. The Lianzhou Underground River tour involves a gentle boat ride that requires no strenuous walking.

### What is Yao Bath? Is there an additional fee?

瑶 bath is an intangible cultural heritage wellness practice of the Yao people, using herbal essences for bathing to help relax muscles and bones. A two-night stay at the Guangdong Yao Ethnic Hotel will be arranged for D3 and D4, and the hotel will specially organize the Yao bath experience, already included in the itinerary.

### Which meals are included in the fee?

Includes T3 Tea Garden afternoon tea and a tofu banquet experience, along with a water buffet dinner during the Pearl River night cruise (included in the ticket price). Other meals are at your own expense.

### What is the minimum group size?

Group tours start with 2 guests. A single supplement applies for those requesting a private room.

### How much of the week is city and how much is countryside?

Three days in Guangzhou (arrival, the return to the city on day six, and departure) and four days in Qingyuan and Yingde (Gulong Gorge, Lianzhou Underground River and Luoshen Valley, Huangchuan Three Gorges and the Thousand-Year Yao Village, and the Yingde countryside and tea gardens). Guangzhou in and out, with the hidden landscapes in between.

### Do we have to walk the glass bridge?

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.

### What is the Yao herbal bath, and does it cost extra?

The Yao herbal bath is a heritage wellness practice of the Yao people, using herbal essences to relax the body. You stay two nights at the Guangdong Yao Culture Hotel on D3 and D4, and the bath is arranged by the hotel and included in the itinerary.

### Which meals are included?

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.

### What is the minimum group size?

A minimum of 2 participants is required to operate the tour. A single room supplement applies if a private room is required.

### Is this route suitable for children and older parents?

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.