Southern China Explore 12D to GZ: Shanghai to Zhangjiajie, Yangshuo and Guangzhou

Overview

This 12-day adventure takes you deep into southern China's most dramatic landscapes and cultural treasures, traveling entirely by private vehicle with a local guide. Start in Shanghai before heading inland to Zhangjiajie, home to the towering peaks that inspired Avatar. Then continue to the less-crowded but equally stunning Mount Fanjing, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its surreal, cloud-piercing summit. Along the way, you will wander the lantern-lit alleys of Fenghuang Ancient Town, hike the emerald cascades of the Longji Rice Terraces, and take local boat through the karst fairyland of Yangshuo. The journey ends in Guangzhou, a vibrant metropolis where ancient temples meet modern cantonese culture. From mountains to rivers, countryside to city, this tour offers a complete southern China experience with the flexibility and comfort of private transport and an expert guide by your side.

Itinerary

Day 1. Shanghai Arrival
Highlights: Welcome to Shanghai, the most metropolis of China! Upon arrival, you'll be met by our representative and escorted to your hotel. The rest of today is at your leisure.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai

Day 2. Shanghai City Tour
City explore in Shanghai today with a local guide, you will visit the Bund that is riverfront of the Huangpu River, Yuyuan Garden that is an old pretty garden, Xintiandi that is former French Colony, and Jade Buddha Temple etc.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3. Shanhai to Zhangjiajie by air
Today you will fly from Shanghai to Zhangjiajie. The flight information will be sent to you before the tour. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel by your local guide. Zhangjiajie is a renown town for its spectacular national park, and you can enjoy your free time for the rest of the day.
Transport: Private Vehicle + Flight
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4. Zhangjiajie: Yuanjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, 10-Mile-Gallery
Today you will take one-hour ride to Zhangjiajie National Park where you will overlook the wonderful views by super elevator. The elevator takes 1.58 second to transport tourists from the bottom to the Yuanjiajie top exhibiting unbelievable and fantastic views. Enjoy the heaven and earth pillar unpredictable prototype mountain of the movie AVATAR directed by Jame Cameron on the Summit Sightseeing platform. Afterwards you will move to visit Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve that offers a perfect location to have a panoramic picture. Known as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest', Tianzi Mountain has four wonders the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, the Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter. Later you will head to Shilihualang (10-Mile-Gallery) to explore. (One way by electric train; other way on foot for about 30 Minutes.)
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Zhangjiajie
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5. Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang by car
Drive to Tianmen Mountain, then walk along the road leading to Gateway of Heaven. The glass walkway makes it so distinctive. You will take Tianmen Mountain Cableway to explore Tongtian Avenue (a way to Heaven), Tianmen Cave (Heaven Gateway), Tianmen Temple, Tianmen glass walkway, Ghost-valley plank road, and Yunmeng Fairy Summit. You will take a small cable to the main cable, then take the longest cableway in the world with a length of 7455 meters and elevation of 518 meters to go down. (The round-way of the main cable and upper way for the small cable are included. If you take round-way small cable car, you will miss some sights.) Afterwards you will take 3-hour ride to old town of Fenghuang which was built along the Tuo River with local wood. It is nice to wander around the well-preserved wooden houses. In the evening, the lights creates a wonderful world from the houses. Accommodate guesthouse in the old town
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Fenghuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6. Fenghuang to Mount Fanjing day trip
Today you will take 2-hour car ride to Mt Fanjing that was inscribed on the heritage list by UNESCO in 2018, you will take a cable car up and continue walking to visit. The well-known attractions include Golden Summit with red clouds, Yuejing Mountain, Sleeping Buddha, Mushroom Stone, Jiulong Pond, Layers of Mountains, Phoenix Mountain, etc. Afterwards you will be transferred back to hotel.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Fenghuang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7. Fenghuang to Longji Rice Terraces
Take 4-hour ride for 350km from Fenghuang to Longji Rice Terraces this morning. Visit the Rice Terraces around PingAn Village this afternoon. The rice terraces here are pretty in different seasons.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Longji
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8. Longji to Yangshuo by car
Today enjoy the amazing landscape of Longji Rice Terraces in Dazhai, which offers difference view during four seasons. Then you will take 3-hour car ride to Yangshuo. 

You can explore the busy West Street in the evening in Yangshuo.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Accommodation: Overnight in Yangshuo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9. Yangshuo
It is a nice experience to ride bike to the countryside of Yangshuo, view the picturesque Yulong River. You can walk around if you don't want to ride bike.

Then you will take a boat on the pretty Li River to view the picturesque karst mountains and the rice paddies.
Transport: Private Vehicle + biking
Accommodation: Overnight in Yangshuo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10. Free time in Yangshuo
Free explore in Yangshuo
Transport: None
Accommodation: Overnight in Yangshuo
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11. Yangshuo to Guangzhou by bullet train, Guangzhou city tour
Take 2-hour bullet train from Yangshuo to Guangzhou, Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and start to visit the pretty city Guangzhou. You will visit the Academy of Clan Chen, the Shamian Island, and view the Canton Tower. Take a night cruise on the Pearl River to view the fantastic lights in the evening.
Transport: Private Vehicle + Bullet Train
Accommodation: Overnight in Guangzhou
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12. Departing from Guangzhou
Today is departure day, you can depart anytime to airport at your own cost. Note: Hotel check out time is at noon.
Transport: None
Meal: Breakfast