BEST Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guilin Itinerary: 3, 7, 10 Days (2026)
Hi! This itinerary is based on my personal experiences of South China.
I’m a native Chinese and the creator of this website, Yenkid In China.
With my all-in-one guide, you will find it much easier to plan your trip!
My take 🐼
This page has my best itineraries for south China. I have personally tested them.
You will find a detailed day-by-day breakdown, my secret tips, and recommended links to book your trip.
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You will discover four of China’s most advanced cities + one of the most beautiful scenic areas.
When I went, it was a total eye-opener for me!
A great balance of ocean, skyscrapers, city life, nature, villages.
And of course one of the most delicious cuisines in the world!
🛏️ I book hotels on Trip because it gives me the best prices ($26 cheaper for one booking!) + has way more hotels for China. What made it even cheaper was getting exclusive discounts as a new user. Register here!
🚅 I recommend booking trains on Trip as it offers the best English language interface + you can reserve tickets further in advance.
Quick Summary
Hong Kong (3 days) ➡️ Shenzhen (2 days) ➡️ Guangzhou (2 days) ➡️ Guilin (2 days) ➡️ Yangshuo (2 days) ➡️ Chongqing (2 days)
SEE FULL ITINERARY BELOW
💡You don’t have to visit all cities. This is a flexible itinerary.
Use this as your template + modify to suit your length of stay & preferences
My suggested 3-DAY itinerary 👣
3 days is good for visiting Hong Kong.
In one line: Hong Kong’s harbour skyline, islands, and local cuisine are absolutely mind-blowing, even after so many years.
Day 1 - HONG KONG
Why I find this day special: seeing Hong Kong from the water + the Peak on the same day!
AM - Avenue of Stars ➡️ Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour ➡️ Peak Tram ➡️ Victoria Peak 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Central Mid-Levels ➡️ Lan Kwai Fong ➡️ Hong Kong Observation Wheel ➡️ Hong Kong Tramways (to Wan Chai) ➡️ Wan Chai ➡️ Causeway Bay
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🛏️Sleep in Hong Kong (3 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend Royal Plaza in Mong Kok for its central location
+ The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong for its skyline views
➡️ For further details about best districts in my Ultimate Hong Kong Travel Guide
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Day 2 - HONG KONG
Why I find this day special: culturally rich + experiencing one of the most populated districts in the world
AM - West Kowloon Cultural District ➡️ Palace Museum / M+ Museum 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Tsim Sha Tsui ➡️ Mong Kok street walk ➡️ Temple Street Night Market
🛏️Sleep in Hong Kong
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Day 3 - HONG KONG
Why I find this day special: the nature side of Hong Kong. So many people overlook it.
AM - Ngong Ping 360 ➡️ Ngong Ping village ➡️ Tian Tan Buddha 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Tai O ➡️ Tung Chung
🛏️Sleep in Hong Kong
🍜My suggested meals: dim sum, roast meats, won ton noodles
🥢My suggested eating districts: Go to Mong Kok + Tsim Sha Tsui districts in Kowloon. Wellington Street in Central + area around Queen’s Road East in Wan Chai
🎁Recommended shopping areas for souvenirs/electronics: Golden Computer Arcade in Sham Shui Po + Kowloon Souvenir Shop in Tsim Sha Tsui
❗For more details, check out my Ultimate Hong Kong Travel Guide for a detailed breakdown
My suggested 7-DAY itinerary 👣
7 days is great for visiting 3-4 places.
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
In one line: Shenzhen is China’s leading tech city. A lot of mindblowing skyscrapers and novel tech to see.
Day 4 - HONG KONG ➡️ SHENZHEN
Why I find this day special: one of the greatest metro stations in the world + a lively pedestrian district at night
🚅Late morning/early afternoon - I recommend taking the train from Hong Kong West Kowloon station to Futian station in Shenzhen👉🏻 book your train here
⌚Travel Time - Around 15 mins
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PM - Gangxia North Station ➡️ Dongmen Pedestrian Street
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🛏️Sleep in Shenzhen (2 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in Futian district which is central to most attractions.
Mandarin Oriental Shenzhen has skyline views.
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Day 5 - SHENZHEN
Why I find this day special: a panorama of tech city + world’s 5th tallest + drone delivery + underground malls
AM - Lianhuashan Park skyline platform ➡️ Ping An IFC
PM - Coco Park ➡️ Link Street ➡️ Talent Park ➡️ Seaworld
🛏️Sleep in Shenzhen
🍜My suggested meals: coconut chicken, claypot rice, roast meats🥢My suggested eating districts: Eat at Dongmen Pedestrian Street + Coco Park + Link Street + Seaworld
❗For more details, check out my Ultimate Shenzhen Travel Guide for a detailed breakdown
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In one line: I love Guangzhou for its Cantonese food paradise, an underrated skyline, and superb temples.
Day 6 - SHENZHEN ➡️ GUANGZHOU
Why I find this day special: world’s 2nd tallest TV tower + one of the world’s best skylines
🚅Morning - Take the train from Shenzhen North station to Guangzhou South/East station👉🏻 book your train here
⌚Travel Time - Around 30 mins
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AM - Canton Tower (including observation deck or Bubble Tram) ➡️ Canton Tower Plaza👉🏻 buy your tickets here
PM - Haixinqiao Bridge ➡️ Haixinsha Park ➡️ Huacheng Square ➡️ Tiyu Xilu commercial district
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🛏️Sleep in Guangzhou (2 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend staying in Tianhe district around Huacheng Square or Tiyu Xilu.
Four Seasons Guangzhou and Rosewood Guangzhou have skyline views.
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Day 7 - GUANGZHOU
Why I find this day special: the old city of Guangzhou - packed with temples, diverse architecture, and food heaven
AM - Guangxiao Temple ➡️ Liurong Temple ➡️ Zhongshan Memorial Hall
PM - Nanyue King Museum ➡️ Yongqingfang ➡️ Shangxiajiu ➡️ Pearl River Cruise (Tianzi Pier) ➡️ Beijing Road Pedestrian Street ➡️ Dafo Temple
🛏️Sleep in Guangzhou
🍜My suggested meals: dim sum, roast goose, chang fen
🥢My suggested eating districts: Go to Beijing Lu (specifically south of Dafo Temple) + Xihua Lu
❗For more details, check out my Ultimate Guangzhou Travel Guide
My suggested 11-DAY itinerary 👣
11 days is perfect for visiting at least 4-5 places.
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
In one line: The areas around Guilin and Yangshuo are one of the most magical landscapes in China. It’s on the 20 yuan banknote!
Day 8 - GUANGZHOU ➡️ GUILIN
Why I find this day special: the karst formations are out of this world + Guilin has this mysterious atmosphere.
🚅Morning - Take the train from Guangzhou South station to Guilin North/East station.
⌚Travel Time - Around 2.5hrs 👉🏻 book your train here
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PM - Reed Flute Cave ➡️ Two Rivers and Four Lakes ➡️ Elephant Trunk Hill ➡️ Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas
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🛏️Sleep in Guilin (2 nights)
👉🏻 I personally recommend Gangshe Rooftop View Hotel or SYYF Family-Friendly Hotel for their epic rooftop views and central location.
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Day 9 - GUILIN
Why I find this day special: A picturesque, satisfying landscape with chill vibes. I’ve always wanted to visit this!
Full day - Longsheng Rice Terraces👉🏻 book transport + tickets here
⌚Travel Time - Around 2hrs
🛏️Sleep in Guilin
🍜My suggested meals: Guilin rice noodles, Luosifen (river snail noodles)
🥢My suggested eating districts: Go to Shangshui Meishijie 尚水美食街 + Zhengyang Pedestrian Street 正阳步行街 + Dongxi Xiang 东西巷
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Day 10 - GUILIN ➡️ YANGSHUO
Why I find this day special: The most scenic river cruise I’ve ever been on. You must experience it!
AM - Take Li River Cruise to Yangshuo 👉🏻 buy your tickets here
⌚Travel Time - Around 4hrs
Note: there is no river cruise going from Yangshuo to Guilin. It only goes in one direction from Guilin to Yangshuo
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PM - Xijie Pedestrian Street ➡️ explore freely ➡️ Impression Liu Sanjie show
OR you can go to the Yulong River and try bamboo rafting! It’s great fun!
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🛏️Sleep in Yangshuo (1 night)
👉🏻 I personally recommend
Yangshuo Percent for its incredible scenic views or
Yangshuo Wubuyashu for its serene location
If you’re looking for the hotel that went viral with panoramic views from your room, one of them is LS Hotel.
🍜My suggested meals: Yangshuo beer fish 阳朔啤酒鱼, Stuffed Li River Snails 桂林螺蛳酿
🥢My suggested eating districts: Go to Xijie in the centre of Yangshuo + the pedestrian streets in Xingping
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Day 11 - XINGPING VILLAGE ➡️ CHONGQING
Why I find this day special: Exploring the location of the famous 20 yuan banknote!
🚅Morning - Take a taxi or bus to Xingping Village. You’ll see luggage storage shops where you can store your luggage for a fee.
⌚Travel Time - Around 45 minutes
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All day - Explore this tranquil village at a leisurely pace
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🚅Late afternoon - Take the train from Yangshuo station to Chongqing West/North station
⌚Travel Time - Around 4.5hrs
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🛏️Sleep in Chongqing (3 nights)
👉🏻 I recommend Regent Chongqing and Intercontinental Chongqing for its incredible skyline views.
My suggested 13-DAY itinerary 👣
This itinerary follows on from the previous section:
In one line: Chongqing is known as 8D city. The most unique city I’ve ever been to!
Day 12 - CHONGQING
Why I find this day special: The most mind-blowing night-time views I’ve ever seen + some brain twisters!
AM - Liziba ➡️ Kuixinglou ➡️ Chaotianmen Square
PM - Hongyadong ➡️ Jialing River Beach ➡️ Daijiaxiang Cliff Path ➡️ Jiefangbei ➡️ Deyi Shijie
🛏️Sleep in Chongqing
⬇️Day 13 - CHONGQING
Why I find this day special: Serious history stuff + lots of fancy staircase districts!
AM - Three Gorges Museum ➡️ Chongqing People’s Auditorium
PM - Shibati ➡️ Huguang Guild Hall ➡️ Longmenhao Old Street ➡️ Xiahaoli ➡️ Nanbin Road Promenade
🛏️Sleep in Chongqing + depart for next destination/home in the morning
🍜My suggested meals: Chongqing hotpot, Chongqing noodles (xiaomian), spicy chili chicken
🥢My suggested eating districts: Go to Bayilu Food Street + Xiahaoli
❗For a detailed breakdown or expanded Chongqing itinerary, check out my Ultimate Chongqing Travel Guide
SUMMARY NOTES📝
You don’t have to do the full itinerary. Cut and swap depending on what interests you the most!
LENGTH OF STAY 📅
If you’re mainly here for one of Guangzhou or Shenzhen or Hong Kong, I recommend at least 3 days.
If you want to explore all three cities, I recommend at least 7 days.
If you want a more full-on experience covering Guilin, Yangshuo, and a city like Chongqing, I recommend at least 11-14 days.
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MY ADVICE FOR ARRIVAL CITY 🛬
I recommend you fly directly into Hong Kong for this itinerary.
Note that Hong Kong has different visa requirements to the other cities. You’ll need to clear immigration again when you travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen.
If you wanna skip Hong Kong, fly into Shenzhen instead.
Check out my article The 9 Best Airports To Fly Into China
If you want an even longer trip in this part of China, consider adding the following destinations:
➡️ Wulong Karst
➡️ Chengdu
➡️ Zhangjiajie
➡️ Zhaoxing Dong Village + Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village in Guizhou Province
➡️ Guiyang
For ticket prices, see ultimate guide for each city!
These articles are particularly relevant for planning your trip:
By the way, check if you can save money on your China trip by:
For more itinerary ideas, see:
My selected China itineraries for 2026
Best Chengdu and Sichuan Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
Best Shanghai + East China Itineraries: 3 Days, 7 Days, 10 Days
