A 10-day Zhangjiajie and Guilin itinerary splits into five days in Zhangjiajie (Avatar sandstone pillars, Tianmen Mountain, glass bridge) and five days in Guilin and Yangshuo (Li River cruise, karst countryside, Longji rice terraces). The most reliable connection between the two is a high-speed train via Changsha, taking about 6-7 hours total including transfer. This route works for first-time visitors who want both mountain and river landscapes in a single trip.
Key facts at a glance
- Trip length: 10 days, 9 nights
- Route: Zhangjiajie (Days 1-5) then Guilin and Yangshuo (Days 6-10)
- Best months: April-May and September-October
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park ticket: approximately 225 RMB for 4-day access (as of November 2026)
- Tianmen Mountain ticket with cableway: approximately 278 RMB (as of November 2026)
- Li River cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo): approximately 215-450 RMB depending on boat class (as of November 2026)
- Inter-city transport: high-speed train via Changsha, total cost approximately 400-550 RMB per person
- China visa: 240-hour transit visa-free available for 57 nationalities; 15-30 day visa-free entry available for select countries (verify before travel)
- Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB); cash and Alipay/WeChat Pay widely used
- Language: Mandarin; limited English outside major hotels
Why combine Zhangjiajie and Guilin
Zhangjiajie and Guilin represent the two most famous karst and sandstone landscapes in China. Zhangjiajie features towering sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in the film Avatar. Guilin and Yangshuo feature limestone karst peaks along the Li River, the subject of countless Chinese landscape paintings. Combining both in one trip gives you the mountain phase and the river phase of China's most distinctive natural scenery. The two destinations are about 500 kilometers apart, connected by rail and air.
This itinerary is designed and updated by HXXC Travel, a China inbound tour operator based in Guangdong, with on-the-ground experience organizing trips for international travelers. Route details and prices below are current as of November 2026, but always re-check transport schedules and ticket prices before booking.
Days 1-2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Day 1: Arrive and enter the park
Fly into Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) or arrive by high-speed train at Zhangjiajie West Station. From the airport, a taxi to Wulingyuan (the town at the park entrance) takes about 45 minutes and costs approximately 100 RMB.
Spend the afternoon on Golden Whip Stream (Jinbian Xi), a flat 7.5-kilometer walk through a gorge alongside a clear stream. The trail passes several of the park's tallest pillars and requires no climbing. This is a good orientation walk that lets you see the sandstone columns from below.
Day 2: Yuanjiajie and Tianzi Mountain
Take the park's free shuttle bus to Yuanjiajie, where the Hallelujah Mountain (Qiankun Pillar) stands. This is the specific pillar that James Cameron's design team used as reference for Avatar's floating peaks. The Bailong Elevator, a 326-meter glass elevator attached to a cliff face, carries visitors up to the Yuanjiajie viewing platforms. The elevator ride costs approximately 72 RMB per person.
In the afternoon, take the shuttle to Tianzi Mountain for panoramic views over the pillar forest. On clear days you can see hundreds of peaks stretching to the horizon. Return to Wulingyuan by shuttle bus.
Days 3-4: Tianmen Mountain and the Glass Bridge
Day 3: Tianmen Mountain
Tianmen Mountain is separate from the national forest park and is accessed from Zhangjiajie city center, not Wulingyuan. The mountain is reached by a 7,455-meter cable car ride from the city station, one of the longest passenger cableways in the world. The ticket (approximately 278 RMB as of November 2026) includes the cableway, the cliff-hanging glass walkways, and bus transport down through 99 hairpin bends to Tianmen Cave (Heaven's Gate), a natural opening in the cliff face.
Book Tianmen Mountain tickets in advance, especially during Chinese public holidays and summer months. The mountain has three glass walkways bolted to the cliff sides at heights exceeding 1,400 meters.
Day 4: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and Glass Bridge
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge is the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge, spanning 430 meters at a height of 300 meters. It sits in the Grand Canyon scenic area, about 40 minutes from Wulingyuan. The bridge ticket costs approximately 138 RMB (as of November 2026). The canyon itself has a river walk, waterfalls, and a slide that carries visitors down part of the exit path.
Afternoon: return to Wulingyuan and pack for tomorrow's transfer to Guilin.
Day 5: Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin
The most reliable way to travel from Zhangjiajie to Guilin is by high-speed train via Changsha. Take a morning train from Zhangjiajie West to Changsha South (approximately 1.5-2 hours, around 150-200 RMB), then transfer to a train from Changsha South to Guilin North (approximately 3-4 hours, around 250-350 RMB). Total travel time including the transfer is about 6-7 hours.
Direct flights between Zhangjiajie (DYG) and Guilin (KWL) may operate seasonally. Check current airline schedules if you prefer flying. A direct train between Zhangjiajie and Guilin may also exist but schedules change; verify on the official China Railway 12306 platform before booking.
Arrive in Guilin in the evening. Check into a hotel near the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area for easy evening walks.
Day 6: Guilin city sights
Guilin's city attractions are compact and can be visited in a single day.
Morning: Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of Guilin, where the Li River flows through a rock arch resembling an elephant drinking. Entry is free. Walk along the river to Fubo Hill (approximately 60 RMB entry) for views over the old city.
Afternoon: Reed Flute Cave, a large limestone cave with colored lighting, about 5 kilometers from the city center. Entry costs approximately 90-120 RMB (as of November 2026). The cave is about 240 meters deep and takes 45-60 minutes to walk through.
Evening: Walk around the Two Rivers and Four Lakes system, a ring of interconnected waterways through the city center. The Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas on Banyan Lake are lit up at night.
Day 7: Li River cruise to Yangshuo
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the scenic highlight of this itinerary. Boats depart from Zhujiang Pier, about 30 minutes by bus from Guilin city center. The 83-kilometer cruise takes about 4 hours and passes through the karst peak section depicted on the 20-yuan banknote. Tickets range from approximately 215 RMB for standard boats to 450 RMB for premium class (as of November 2026).
Book cruise tickets through HXXC Travel or directly at the Guilin cruise terminal. Departures are typically at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, but confirm times when booking.
Arrive in Yangshuo in the early afternoon. Spend the evening on West Street, the old market street now lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. Try beer fish (pijiu yu), a Yangshuo specialty made with Li River fish cooked in beer and tomatoes.
Day 8: Yangshuo countryside
Yangshuo's karst countryside is best explored by bicycle or electric scooter, both rentable in town for approximately 30-50 RMB per day.
Morning: Ride to the Yulong River, a smaller tributary of the Li River, for a bamboo raft trip. The raft trip from Jiugong to Gongnong Bridge takes about 1.5 hours and costs approximately 150-200 RMB per raft (as of November 2026). The Yulong is quieter than the Li River and passes through village farmland between karst peaks.
Afternoon: Ride to Xingping, an old town on the Li River about 25 kilometers from Yangshuo. This is the exact bend of river shown on the 20-yuan note. You can also take a motorized raft from Xingping pier to see the same section from the water.
Optional: Moon Hill, a natural arch in a karst peak about 8 kilometers from Yangshuo. The climb to the arch takes about 30 minutes.
Day 9: Longji Rice Terraces
The Longji (Dragon's Backbone) Rice Terraces are about 80 kilometers from Guilin, a 2-2.5 hour drive. A day trip from Guilin or Yangshuo is feasible but long; an overnight stay gives you better light and fewer crowds.
The terraces were built over 650 years ago by the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities. The main viewing areas are at Ping'an village and Dazhai village. Ping'an is easier to reach and more developed; Dazhai has larger-scale terraces and fewer tourists. The hike between the two villages takes about 3 hours.
If visiting in October, you may see golden rice fields near harvest. Spring (April-May) shows flooded terraces that mirror the sky. Verify harvest timing before traveling, as it varies by year.
Day 10: Departure from Guilin
Return to Guilin for your departure. Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) has domestic connections to major Chinese cities and some international flights. For international departures, most travelers connect through Guangzhou, Shanghai, or Hong Kong.
If you have a morning flight, stay near the airport the night before. The airport is about 30 kilometers from the city center, a 40-minute taxi ride costing approximately 100 RMB.
How much does a 10-day Zhangjiajie and Guilin trip cost
Budget range per person, excluding international flights:
- Budget traveler: 6,000-8,000 RMB. Hostels or budget hotels, public transport, park entry tickets, local restaurants.
- Mid-range: 10,000-15,000 RMB. Three to four-star hotels, private transfers, guided tours, better restaurants.
- Organized tour through HXXC Travel: Contact for a custom quote based on group size and hotel level. A typical 10-day private tour for two travelers starts at approximately 12,000-18,000 RMB per person including hotels, private car, English-speaking guide, entry tickets, and domestic transport.
When to go
The best time for this itinerary is April-May and September-October. Spring has mild temperatures and green foliage. Autumn has clear skies and comfortable hiking weather. Summer (June-August) is hot, humid, and crowded with domestic tourists. Winter (December-February) is cold and some attractions have reduced services, but crowds are minimal.
Avoid Chinese National Day holiday (October 1-7) and Labor Day holiday (May 1-5) if possible, as domestic tourism peaks during these weeks and prices for hotels and transport rise sharply.
Visa and entry requirements
As of November 2026, China offers 240-hour visa-free transit through several entry ports for citizens of 57 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations. This allows a stopover of up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, which is not enough for this 10-day itinerary.
For a 10-day trip, you need either a full tourist visa (L visa) or visa-free entry if your nationality qualifies. China has been expanding its unilateral visa-free policy; as of November 2026, citizens of select countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Malaysia may enter visa-free for 15-30 days. Check the current list on the website of the Chinese embassy in your country before booking, as visa policies change frequently.
FAQ
How many days do I need for Zhangjiajie and Guilin together?
A minimum of 8 days allows 4 days in Zhangjiajie and 3 days in Guilin and Yangshuo with 1 travel day. A 10-day itinerary gives a more comfortable pace with time for Longji rice terraces and Yangshuo countryside. Fewer than 8 days means cutting major attractions.
How do I get from Zhangjiajie to Guilin?
The most reliable route is high-speed train via Changsha: Zhangjiajie West to Changsha South (about 2 hours), then Changsha South to Guilin North (about 3-4 hours). Total travel time is 6-7 hours. Direct flights may operate seasonally. Check the official 12306 railway platform and airline websites for current schedules before booking.
Is the Li River cruise worth it?
Yes. The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo passes through the karst landscape shown on the 20-yuan banknote and is one of the most recognizable river scenes in China. The 4-hour cruise costs 215-450 RMB depending on boat class as of November 2026. Book in advance during peak season.
Can I visit Zhangjiajie without a tour?
Yes. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has shuttle buses connecting all major viewing areas, and signage includes English. Tianmen Mountain and the Glass Bridge require advance ticket booking. If you prefer not to manage logistics, HXXC Travel arranges private guides and transport for the Zhangjiajie and Guilin route.
Do I need a visa for a 10-day trip to China?
For most travelers, yes, a tourist visa (L visa) is required for a 10-day stay. Some nationalities qualify for 15-30 day visa-free entry as of November 2026, but the list of eligible countries changes. The 240-hour transit visa-free option is not long enough for a 10-day trip. Check with the Chinese embassy in your country before booking.
What should I pack for Zhangjiajie and Guilin?
Pack hiking shoes with grip for Zhangjiajie's stone steps, which can be slippery when wet. Bring layers for temperature changes at elevation. Insect repellent is useful on the Li River and Yulong River. An umbrella or rain jacket is essential from April through September. Bring a power adapter for China's Type A and Type C outlets.
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