7-Day Guangzhou-Zhangjiajie-Guilin Adventure: A Journey Through Cantonese Delights, Fairyland Mountains & Misty Rivers

Day 1-2: Guangzhou — Dim Sum, Colonial Charm & Pearl River Nights

Morning: Fly into Guangzhou and check into a boutique hotel near Pearl River (we loved The Westin Guangzhou for its river views). Start your day with a classic Cantonese breakfast at Taotao Ju — order cheong fun (silky rice rolls), har gow (shrimp dumplings), and congee with preserved egg.

Afternoon: Wander Shamian Island, a colonial enclave with banyan-lined streets and European mansions. Don’t miss Lock Cha Tea House for a pu’er tea tasting paired with almond cookies — a local ritual as old as the city itself.

Evening: Dinner at Jade Kitchen for roast goose and mango pudding. Pro tip: Arrive by 5:30pm to avoid queues. End the night with a Pearl River Night Cruise — the illuminated bridges and skyscrapers feel like a neon-lit dream.

Avoid: “Free massage” offers near train stations — they’ll charge you $100 for a foot rub.

Day 3: Guangzhou → Zhangjiajie — High-Speed Rail to Fairyland

Morning: Take a 5.5-hour high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (book a window seat!). Arrive at Zhangjiajie West Station and take a taxi to Wulingyuan District (40 mins). Check into Zhangjiajie Villa Hotel — a cozy lodge with balconies overlooking misty mountains.

Afternoon: Visit Tianzi Mountain for your first taste of Zhangjiajie’s “Avatar mountains” — the sandstone pillars, draped in clouds, look like they’re straight out of a fantasy film.

Evening: Dinner at Xiangxi Flavor Restaurant for stinky tofu (crispy on the outside, soft inside) and spicy fish hotpot.

Warning: Street vendors selling “jade” or “herbal medicine” are often fakes. Stick to markets like Wulingyuan Market for souvenirs.

Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park — Hiking Among Giants

Morning: Start early at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (entry $35). Take the Bailong Elevator (the world’s tallest outdoor lift) up 1,070 feet to Yuanjiajie — the “Floating Mountains” from Avatar.

Afternoon: Hike the Golden Whip Stream — a 4.5-mile trail through moss-covered rocks and babbling brooks. Keep an eye out for macaque monkeys (don’t feed them — they’ll steal your snacks!).

Evening: Relax at your hotel’s spa with a hot spring foot bath — a must after a day of hiking.

Pro Tip: Wear sturdy shoes! The trails are rocky and slippery when wet.

Day 5: Zhangjiajie → Guilin — From stone forests to Karst Peaks

Morning: Take a 3-hour high-speed train to Guilin (book a left-side seat for views of the mountains). Check into Yangshuo Mountain Retreat — a rustic-chic hotel with infinity pools overlooking rice terraces.

Afternoon: Rent a scooter ($10/day) and cycle the Ten-Mile Gallery — a scenic road flanked by karst peaks and citrus orchards. Stop at Moon Hill for a 20-minute hike to its iconic arch.

Evening: Dinner at Bamboo Stick Chicken for beer fish (a local specialty cooked in a wok with tomatoes and chili) and osmanthus cake.

Avoid: Taxi drivers offering “cheap tours” — they’ll drag you to overpriced tea plantations. Use Didi (China’s Uber) instead.

Day 6: Guilin — Li River Cruise & Old Town Charm

Morning: Take a bamboo raft ride on the Li River (book via Ctrip to avoid scams). The 4-hour journey from Yangdi to Xingping is pure magic — fishermen cast nets beside buffalo, and karst peaks pierce the clouds like ancient dragons.

Afternoon: Explore Xingping Old Town — a 1,000-year-old village with cobblestone streets and Ming-era architecture. Sip jasmine tea at Old Village Tea House while watching the river flow.

Evening: Catch the Impression Sanjie Liu light show — a surreal performance on the river with 600 actors and floating stages.

Pro Tip: Bring a raincoat — April-September is monsoon season, and the mountains love to cry.

Day 7: Guilin — Farewell to China’s Most Scenic City

Morning: Breakfast at Mingju Noodle Shop for Guilin rice noodles (topped with pickled vegetables, peanuts, and chili oil). Then, visit Elephant Trunk Hill — Guilin’s iconic symbol, where a karst peak shaped like an elephant drinks from the Li River.

Afternoon: Fly home via Guilin’s Liangjiang Airport.

Final Tips:

• Weather: Pack layers — mornings are cool, afternoons hot, and evenings misty.
• Language: Download Pleco for Mandarin translations.
• Cash: Carry small bills — many vendors don’t accept cards.
• Vibe: China’s beauty lies in its contradictions — ancient temples beside skyscrapers, spicy hotpot served with icy beer. Slow down, sip tea, and let the chaos charm you.