Overview
A relaxed two-day private escape into Guangxi's karst country: a forest mountain hike, a 1,000-year-old water town, a hot-spring resort stay and one of China's most beautiful peak-forest landscapes.
About This Tour
This private two-day tour pairs Guangxi's lush mountain scenery with one of southern China's best-preserved ancient towns, in and around the quiet city of Hezhou. Day one is spent in Gupo Mountain National Forest Park, a vast green reserve whose 1,730-metre main summit, crowned 'the Southern Heaven Pillar,' rewards walkers with sweeping views and, in the right season, seas of cloud and dramatic sunsets, before you unwind for the night at a hillside hot-spring resort. Day two slows the pace in Huangyao Ancient Town, a thousand-year-old water town of flagstone lanes, stone bridges, old shop houses and timeworn courtyards, where you can taste local specialities such as Huangyao rice noodles, oil tea and stuffed vegetable 'niang' dishes. The journey finishes at the Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink-Wash Painting Gallery, a classic karst peak-forest valley voted one of China's ten most beautiful peak-forest landscapes by China National Geographic, where jagged spires rise from green farmland and rivers. Travelling by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide, with high-speed rail from Guangzhou, this trip suits families, couples and culture-and-nature lovers wanting an easygoing rural China experience. Best enjoyed spring through autumn. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and local regulations. Good to know: • Best season: spring to autumn; cloud seas and sunsets on Gupo Mountain are weather dependent • Fitness level: moderate - summiting Gupo Mountain is about a 12km round-trip hike with ~1,100m ascent (a shuttle and shorter walks are also possible) • Family-friendly (ages 5-69); the second day is gentle town and valley sightseeing • Bring swimwear for the evening hot springs • High-speed train times and seats are confirmed before departure and may vary
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Guangzhou | Gupo Mountain National Forest Park & Hot Springs
Meet your guide at Guangzhou South railway station around 08:00 and take the high-speed train to Hezhou (about 80 minutes). On arrival you drive roughly 40 minutes to Gupo Mountain National Forest Park, a sprawling green reserve dotted with peaks, streams and waterfalls. After a supply stop you enter the park and explore on foot or by sightseeing shuttle; energetic hikers can take on the climb to the 1,730-metre main summit, the 'Southern Heaven Pillar,' for panoramic views and, with luck and the right season, cloud seas and a glowing sunset. Summiting is around a 12km round trip with about 1,100m of ascent, while in-park walking is a gentler 5-10km. In the evening you check in to the Tianmu Banshan hot-spring resort at the foot of the mountain, with free time to wander and soak in the thermal pools. Meals: self-arranged/AA. Overnight: hot-spring resort, twin room.
2
Day 2: Huangyao Ancient Town | Hundred-Mile Painting Gallery | Departure
After breakfast you drive about an hour to Huangyao Ancient Town, a thousand-year-old water town where your guide leads you through deep flagstone lanes, past stone bridges, ancient banyan trees and weathered shop houses steeped in history and stories. Enjoy free time for a local lunch - Huangyao is known for dishes like fermented black-bean steamed pork, bamboo-shoot and pumpkin-flower 'niang,' oil tea and Huangyao rice noodles. In the early afternoon you continue about 40 minutes to the Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Ink-Wash Painting Gallery, one of the most fully developed karst peak-forest landscapes in China, where spires stretch for a hundred li 'like a thousand swords pointing skyward' across green fields and water - rated one of China's ten most beautiful peak forests by China National Geographic. After exploring this scenic valley you transfer to Hezhou station for the high-speed train back to Guangzhou. Meals: self-arranged/AA. Overnight: end of tour.
What's Included
✓ Included
English-speaking guide Private vehicle during the tour High-speed train tickets (2nd class) Guangzhou-Hezhou return 1 night at a hot-spring resort (twin room) Entrance tickets: Gupo Mountain + park shuttle, Huangyao Ancient Town, Zhongshan Hundred-Mile Painting Gallery Driver/escort support
✕ Not included
International & domestic flights China visa Travel insurance All meals (self-arranged or AA) Hot-spring extras and personal expenses Tips
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.
Traveler Reviews
4.7★★★★★Based on 107 reviews
Felix F.🇪🇸 Spain★★★★★2024-03
Honestly, I chose this route for the trail, but it didn't feel built around a single attraction. Guangzhou gave the day a different rhythm.
Sam U.🇳🇿 New Zealand★★★★★2026-04
Transport to the trailhead was the piece I would not have wanted to arrange myself. Once there, the day felt simple. My only advice is not to shorten the time at the trail.
Daniel X.🇦🇺 Australia★★★★☆2024-05
A practical note: this is not technical hiking, but it isn't a city stroll either. Starting early gave us a cooler, quieter stretch on the trail. I would keep the Guangzhou outline as it was.
James A.🇬🇧 UK★★★★★2025-06
In hindsight, we booked because arranging Guangzhou ourselves looked fiddly. We came away remembering the conversations as much as the places.