10-Day China Nature Tour | Zhangjiajie → Guilin → Kunming
Detailed Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Zhangjiajie
Welcome to Zhangjiajie, the "Avatar" mountain city in Hunan Province! Upon your arrival at Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, your private driver and English-speaking guide will meet you and transfer you to your pre-booked hotel. After check-in, you can take the rest of the day to settle in, relax, and prepare for the adventures ahead.
-
Included: Airport pickup, private transfer, hotel check-in
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Exploration
Today you’ll dive into the heart of the UNESCO-listed Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, famous for its towering quartz sandstone peaks that inspired the floating Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar.
-
Morning: Hike along the serene Golden Whip Stream, a lush valley with crystal-clear water and views of 3,000 unique peaks.
-
Afternoon: Head to Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, where you’ll walk the famous "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" viewing platform and marvel at the dramatic vertical rock formations.
-
Evening: Return to your hotel in Zhangjiajie city center.
-
Highlights: Iconic peak forest landscapes, peaceful valley hikes, panoramic photo opportunities
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Tianmen Mountain "Heaven’s Gate" Adventure
Prepare for one of China’s most thrilling natural wonders—Tianmen Mountain, known as "Heaven’s Gate Mountain."
-
Morning: Take the world’s longest passenger cable car up to the summit, offering sweeping views of the karst mountains below.
-
Midday: Walk the famous Glass Walkway, a 60-meter-long transparent path clinging to the cliff face, with nothing but air beneath your feet.
-
Afternoon: Visit Tianmen Cave, a natural 131-meter-high arch formed by erosion. Take the 999-step staircase (or the optional escalator) to the cave for a close-up view.
-
Evening: Return to your hotel in Zhangjiajie.
-
Highlights: Glass skywalk, natural mountain arch, stunning aerial views
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon → Guilin
Today’s morning is all about the world-famous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and its iconic glass bridge.
-
Morning: Cross the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the world’s longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, spanning 430 meters over the canyon floor. Enjoy the dizzying views of the lush canyon below.
-
Afternoon: Transfer to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport for your flight to Guilin, the "City of Mountains and Waters." Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel in Guilin or Yangshuo.
-
Highlights: World’s longest glass bridge, canyon views, flight to Guilin
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Today you’ll embark on a classic Li River cruise, the crown jewel of Guilin’s karst scenery.
-
Morning: Board a river cruise boat in Guilin and sail along the Li River, passing iconic karst peaks like the "Elephant Trunk Hill" and "Nine Horses Mural Hill."
-
Afternoon: Continue the cruise to Yangshuo, a charming riverside town surrounded by limestone mountains. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and explore the town’s lively West Street.
-
Evening: Free time to wander Yangshuo’s night markets or enjoy a local dinner at a riverside restaurant.
-
Highlights: Li River karst landscapes, Yangshuo town exploration
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Yangshuo Countryside Bamboo Rafting & Cycling
Immerse yourself in Yangshuo’s idyllic countryside today with two classic outdoor activities.
-
Morning: Take a bamboo rafting trip on the Yulong River, a peaceful tributary of the Li River. Drift past rice paddies, water buffalo, and dramatic karst peaks, far from the crowds.
-
Afternoon: Rent a bicycle and cycle along the Ten-Mile Gallery, a scenic road lined with bamboo groves, villages, and some of Yangshuo’s most photogenic peaks. Stop at a local farm for a taste of fresh fruit or tea.
-
Evening: Return to your hotel in Yangshuo.
-
Highlights: Bamboo rafting, countryside cycling, rural life experiences
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Longji Rice Terraces Day Trip
Today you’ll travel to the stunning Longji Rice Terraces, a masterpiece of ancient mountain farming and one of China’s most photographed landscapes.
-
Morning: Drive 2.5 hours from Yangshuo to Longsheng, where the terraces cascade down the mountain slopes like giant green (or golden, depending on the season) staircases.
-
Midday: Hike through the terraces to visit a Yao ethnic village, where you can learn about the traditional farming practices that have shaped this landscape for centuries.
-
Afternoon: Enjoy panoramic views of the terraces from the "Dragon’s Backbone" viewpoint, then return to Yangshuo in the late afternoon.
-
Highlights: UNESCO-style terraced fields, Yao culture, panoramic mountain views
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Yangshuo → Kunming & Stone Forest Exploration
Today you’ll leave the karst landscapes of Guilin behind and head to Kunming, the "Spring City" of Yunnan Province.
-
Morning: Transfer from Yangshuo to Guilin Liangjiang Airport for your flight to Kunming. Upon arrival, your driver will take you to your hotel.
-
Afternoon: Visit the Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic karst stone formations that resemble a forest of petrified trees. Wander the maze of limestone pillars and discover hidden paths and viewpoints.
-
Evening: Return to your hotel in Kunming.
-
Highlights: Flight to Kunming, Stone Forest karst formations
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Dianchi Lake & Western Hills Dragon Gate
Spend your second day in Kunming exploring its natural beauty and panoramic views.
-
Morning: Visit Dianchi Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan. Take a stroll along the lakefront or a boat ride to see the lake’s bird islands (seasonal).
-
Afternoon: Hike up the Western Hills to the Dragon Gate, a series of stone grottoes and carvings built into the cliff face. From the top, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Dianchi Lake and Kunming city below.
-
Evening: Return to your hotel in Kunming.
-
Highlights: Plateau lake views, cliffside Dragon Gate, panoramic Kunming views
-
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Kunming City Tour & Departure
Your 10-day nature tour comes to a close today with a relaxed city tour before your departure.
-
Morning: Explore Kunming’s downtown area, including the historic Green Lake Park, where locals practice tai chi, dance, and fly kites. Stop at a local teahouse to try Yunnan’s famous Pu’er tea.
-
Afternoon: Your driver will transfer you to Kunming Changshui Airport for your flight home, marking the end of your adventure.
-
Highlights: Kunming city sights, tea tasting, airport drop-off
-
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
- The order of activities may be adjusted slightly due to weather, flight schedules, or local conditions.
- All entrance fees, domestic flights, and private transfers are included as per the tour package.
- English-speaking guide is available throughout the tour for explanations and assistance.
✅ What’s Included
- Private local car + dedicated driver + airport transfers
- English-speaking guide throughout
- All entrance fees, cruise & bamboo raft basic tickets
- Hotels + daily breakfast
- Domestic flights & intercity transport
- 24/7 emergency support
❌ What’s Not Included
- International flights & travel insurance
- Tips, personal expenses & souvenirs
- Optional cable cars, battery cars inside scenic areas
- Optional shows, extra meals & drinks