Yangshuo Unveiled: Exclusive Private Karst Day Adventure

My wife and I did a private Yangshuo tour today (14/09/24) and we would like to thank very much our guide, Tom. He is very attentious, speaks excelent english and brought a lot of information that made the tour even more interesting. Besides that, he was always available to answer all our questions (which were many, believe me) about China's history and culture. We could exchange points of view and ideas about various subjects, what enriched greatly the experience. The driver was also very gentle and professional.

We stayed in Yangshuo which was eminently better than staying in Guilin. Lots to do and see in Yangshuo, and the scenery was both beautiful and inspiring. We took the two person raft experience up and down the river - excellent, and this meant not being trapped on a boat for 5-6 hours. August is hot and humid, so bring spare shirts / tops. We engaged a local open air golf cart type transportation which meant we could get off the beaten track and into areas that cars and larger vehicles could not go. The scooter option is more dangerous so we opted for the safer transport. We visited the old town and the Romance Park - both fantastic (very busy) experiences. If you don't handle large crowds well, then these places are not for you. Our overall experience was unique and very memorable - the thousands of karsts make the landscape here unlike anywhere else on the planet. We used the high speed trains from Guangzhou which only took about 2 hours - you can also get trains from HK or Shenzhen.

This tour was perfectly organized with both guide (Lee) and private driver. We started early to avoid the crowds and that was absolutely the right thing to do. Guide gave us a lot of information about all sights and also made nice photos of us. It was one of the tours where you do not need to worry for anything as the organization was really great. Highly recommended!

The reason we selected this Tour was primarily because of all the incredible offerings and inclusions it offered in one day. From the moment our Tour was confirmed on Viator, Mr. Wu [Tom], our Tour Organiser and Private Guide, remained in constant touch with us, ready at hand to answer all queries via email, until our arrival into Yangshuo. Our Tour began with a scenic drive via country roads until we reached the authetic Li River bamboo rafts departure pier. The day we took the Tour the weather was a little misty, giving the spectacular Karst landscapes that we saw during our almost hour long exciting Li River bamboo raft journey, a mystical look. After our raft ride, we headed straight for the jaw dropping Silver Cave. To say the stalactites and stalagmites we were treated to during our 90 minute walk through the enormous cave were mind boggling, would be an understatement! The walking path through the cave is well lit and made slip proof. There are no restrictions on how close you can go to the rock formations to take photos, of course discretion is advised. The stalactites and stalagmites are lit up throughout the cave in different colours, giving viewers a surprise at every turn. There are also unique formations called by different names, based on the visions that they can conjure up. Tickets include a free audio guide. Palanquin bearers can be hired at an extra charge for those who are mobility impared. After touring the cave, sampling divine street food [yam, hot chestnuts, seasonal fruits, etc.] from vendors lining the path to the Cave and shopping for souvenirs, it was off to the pedestrian West Street for a leisurely stroll. West Street which is lined with many vendors offering local merchandise, tea, food, snacks, etc. ends at the Li River bank. It was there that Tom arranged for us to take photos with a cormorant fisherman for a small fee. We could take as many photos as we wanted, much to the delight of our teenage daughters. Later it was onwards to Xianggong Mountain just before sunset. The drive itself through mountain roads with hills covered in persimmons was very exciting and made even better by Tom who told us the stories of the ancient Karst landscapes and rural life in Yangshuo. The climb up the mountain took almost 45 minutes each way but the view that awaited us at the top, took our breath away. Row after row and mile after mile of Karst mountains we could behold, with the Li River snaking through them. We loved it on the mountain so much that it took Tom a lot of convincing to make us go back down. He was very helpful in taking our photographs and assisting us up and down the Mountain. The climb has many steps and can be difficult for those who are mobility impared. When we came down the mountain, the sun had just set, making the steps dark in some parts, however, Tom was well equipped with a torchlight and an out stretched arm for any of us who needed assistance. Just before returning to our hotel, we were taken to a many centuries old home of an elderly couple. The man of the house was a descendant of a military commander who served with one of China's Emperors. To say they live in a unique abode, would be an understatement. Their house looks as if it is many centuries old, their way of life, untouched by modernity. They also had their coffins readied and tucked away in one room, in case of an eventuality! With Tom's brilliant explanations, the house and its occupants were brough to life for us. The day ended with us thanking Tom for ensuring our family had such an amazing New Year's Eve. We knew of course nothing would have been possible without him. Have no hesitation in considering this Tour because it offers so much and comes with the most amazing guide one can hope for! ~Felicia Variava Albert, Managing Director, Blaze Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India