8-Day Trip: Chaoshan (Teochew) Ancestral Visit & Roots Exploration + Guilin Scenic Tour

This unforgettable trip will take you on a profound exploration of your roots in Chaoshan (Teochew), where ancestral worship and family traditions forge unbreakable bonds. Then, immerse yourself in the breathtaking karst landscapes of Guilin—a masterpiece of nature. Along the way, savor the authentic, flavorful delights of Teochew cuisine, a heartfelt taste of home.”

8-day recommended itinerary：

Date	tourist attraction
D1 Jieyang Entry – Shantou	picking up guests, ancestral hall rituals, recognizing one’s ancestry, family clan exchanges
D2 Shantou-Chaozhou	Small park old arcade, Shipaotai Park, exterior view of Lin Bai Xin Convention and Exhibition Center + Shantou University, Mama Temple, coastal promenade
D3 Chaozhou	Kaiyuan Temple, Guangji Gate Tower, exterior view of Xiangzi Bridge, Han Wengong Shrine, Jiadi Alley + Archway Street
D4 Chaoshan-Guilin	High-speed train to Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill, and Twin Towers of Sun and Moon
D5 Guilin-Longsheng-Guilin	Longji Rice Terraces, East-West Alley, Xianyao Tower
D6 Guilin-Yangshuo	Lijiang River cruise, Silver Rock Cave, Impression Liu Sanjie, West Street
D7 Yangshuo-LiPu-Guilin	Ruyi Peak, outdoor afternoon tea by the Li River
D8 Departing from Guilin	After the trip ends, we will take you to the airport and back to your cozy home.

unique experience：

Tracing roots and honoring ancestors is not just tradition; it is also a bond for the family.。

Tracing one’s roots and asking about ancestors is a cultural custom that has been passed down for thousands of years. It is not only a way to commemorate our forebears but also a reflection of family cohesion.

Experience the history and culture of Chaozhou’s ‘time capsule’.

Explore the well-preserved historical sites from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties in Chaozhou, embarking on a journey through a thousand years of time, and experience the charm of Chaozhou ancient city and Chaoshan culture.

Step into the homes of Longsheng’s ethnic minorities in Guilin and experience a traditional lifestyle preserved for generations.”

Be invited into a local Yao family’s home, share a meal with them, and learn how to cook bamboo-tube rice—filling glutinous rice into fresh bamboo before steaming. Savor freshly pounded oil tea, a fragrant traditional beverage made from tea leaves, rice, and nuts.

Rush to an enchanting afternoon tea by the Li River.

On a sunlit afternoon, a few close friends gather for a ritualistic afternoon tea, seeking a way to find tranquility in modern life.

key attractions：

Take a cruise on the Li River, enjoying its scenic beauty for miles, known as the ‘gallery of a hundred miles’.

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Guilin’s mountains and rivers, which are renowned as the finest in the world, and find the real-life location depicted on the back of the 20 yuan RMB note.

A few steps from Guangji Pavilion is the famous Guangji Bridge.

This ancient bridge—a marvel combining beam, pontoon, and arch designs—is celebrated as one of China’s Four Great Ancient Bridges. Walking across it, each step echoes with history, as if transporting you back to an era of bustling carriages and vibrant trade. The bridge’s unique ‘Eighteen Floating Boats’ section leaves visitors in awe of the ingenuity and craftsmanship of ancient builders.

Enjoy the most beautiful scenery of Longji Rice Terraces and experience an exquisite visual feast.

Famed for their awe-inspiring beauty, the Longji Terraces offer more than just views—standing upon these vast, hand-carved slopes is a humbling encounter with human ingenuity and nature’s grandeur.

The Secret of Li River – Intangible Cultural Heritage ‘Cormorant Fishing’

Cormorant fishing on the Li River is a cultural spectacle with a thousand years of history, and it is also an excellent experiential activity where you can immerse yourself in the thrilling scene of cormorant fishing on the Li River.

Trendy people check-in at popular shopping districts.：

Crossing the archway street, explore the timeless charm of Chaozhou ancient city.

Chaozhou’s Paifang Street boasts 23 ornate memorial archways, each telling its own historical tale. As China’s largest ancient paifang complex, this street forms a cultural landscape unmatched anywhere in the country.。

Dongxi Alley – Traditional Historical and Cultural Block of Guilin

The streets preserve numerous former residences of notable figures and century-old establishments, along with quintessential Northern Guangxi folk dwellings. Nestled along the Li River and adjacent to the Prince Jingjiang Mansion, this area has remained the historic heart of Guilin for over a millennium.

tasting gourmet food:

Chao-Shan cuisine treasures — beef hotpot, braised goose, and rice roll soup.

We will specially arrange local restaurants known for their unique features, allowing you to savor authentic Chao-Shan dishes such as braised goose and beef hotpot.

Guilin rice noodles are the breakfast of Guilin people and also their nostalgia.

Upon arriving in Guilin, our tour guide will definitely take you to taste authentic Guilin rice noodles. Remember, it’s the dry-mixed braised meat noodles that truly capture the essence of Guilin rice noodles.

Best Time to Go:

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter; Qingming Festival, Double Ninth Festival. Try to avoid major holidays such as National Day, Chinese New Year, Canton Fair, and ASEAN Expo. Travel during off-peak times to avoid crowds, enjoy a better experience, and save money!

An 8-day detailed itinerary

The following itinerary is for your reference. If you have other needs, we would be honored to arrange professional travel planners for you. They will tailor a special itinerary based on your interests, schedule, and budget.

Day 1: Kuala Lumpur – Jieyang – Shantou
Welcome to your ancestral hometown of Chao-Shan! To ensure a worry-free journey, your personal guide will meet you at the airport arrival hall, then take a bus to meet relatives from your hometown, visit ancestral halls for rituals, trace your lineage, and engage in family clan exchanges.

Dinner arrangements: Dinner
Transportation: Bus
Hotel options:
Shantou Platinum Hotel (4-star)
Shantou Junhua Seaview Hotel (5-star)

Day 2: Shantou to Chaozhou
After breakfast, we followed the tour guide to visit the old arcade of Xiaogongyuan, Shibaotai Park, the exterior of Linbianxin International Convention and Exhibition Center + Shantou University, Moma Temple, and the coastal promenade, enjoying Chao-Shan cuisine.

Meal arrangements: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Chaozhou Orange Hotel (4-star)
Chaozhou Tengrui Crowne Plaza Hotel (5-star)

Day 3: Chaozhou
Today’s journey begins with a visit to Kaiyuan Temple, followed by touring the Guangji Gate Tower, viewing the Xiangzi Bridge from the outside, visiting the Han Wengong Shrine, and exploring Jiadi Alley and the Archway Street.

Meal arrangements: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Transportation: bus.

Hotel options: Chaozhou Orange Hotel (4-star),

Chaozhou Tengrui Crowne Plaza Hotel (5-star).

Day 4: Chaozhou to Chaoshan Station to Guilin

After saying goodbye to family members at the hotel after breakfast, we boarded a bus led by our tour guide and driver to Chao-Shan Railway Station, where we took a high-speed train to Guilin. Our tour guide will greet you at Guilin High-Speed Railway Station, and we will visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Rongshanshu Lake, and the Twin Towers of the Sun and Moon.

Meal arrangements: Chinese lunch & dinner
Transportation: Bus & high-speed train
Hotel options:
Guilin Conference Hotel (4-star)
Guilin Shangri-La Hotel (5-star)

Day 5: Guilin to Longsheng and back to Guilin
Start your day’s journey by exploring Longji Rice Terraces, which are built along the mountainsides. The scenery is especially enchanting when sunlight reflects off the water in the rice paddies; when the rice is ripe, the fields shine golden.

The Zhuang people have lived here for generations, residing in wooden stilt houses. They have a unique culinary culture, such as bamboo tube rice and oil tea. Gather around the traditional kitchen fire with the host to make bamboo tube rice.

Evening stroll through the popular spots of Guilin, the historical and cultural district – East-West Alley, and the Xiaoyao Tower. East-West Alley is a treasure trove of history and culture, witnessing the passage of time and embodying rich humanistic heritage.

Meal arrangements: breakfast & lunch – Dragon Backbone Bamboo Tube Rice & dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Guilin Conference Hotel (4-star)
Guilin Shangri-La Hotel (5-star)

Day 6: Guilin to LiliPu to Yangshuo
After breakfast, take a bus to Yangshuo Xingping Pier, then board a cruise to tour the Li River scenery, experiencing the stunning landscape of the ‘hundred-mile-long river, hundred-mile-long painting gallery.’

Afternoon tour of the world-renowned Silver Cave, a local saying goes: Step into Silver Cave, and you’ll never lack money for life. Silver Cave is a typical karst cave wonder in Guilin’s landscape, as if one has traveled back to a natural marvel from millions of years ago.

After dinner, enjoy Zhang Yimou’s world’s largest live performance set against natural landscapes, ‘Impression Liu Sanjie,’ and take a stroll along the famous Yangshuo West Street at night.

Meal arrangements: breakfast, lunch, and dinner – Yangshuo Beer Fish
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Yangshuo Xijie Grand Hotel (4-star)
Yangshuo Bilyan River View Hotel (5-star)

Day 7: Yangshuo to Guilin
After breakfast, your guide will take you to a famous spot known for its popularity on social media, Ruyi Peak. You will ride the cable car to the top of the mountain, enjoy the sea of clouds and sunset, take in the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, and appreciate the landscape of Guilin from a different perspective.

At 3 PM, your guide has arranged a romantic afternoon tea by the Li River for you. While enjoying desserts, you can feel the passage of time and savor the slow pace of life.

Meal arrangements: breakfast & lunch & dinner
Transportation: bus
Hotel options:
Guilin Conference Hotel (4-star)
Guilin Shangri-La Hotel (5-star)

Day 8: Guilin – Departure Location
When your 8-day Chao-Shan family visit, ancestral roots exploration, and Guilin landscape tour comes to an end, we will see you off at the airport with a wave goodbye.

Meal arrangement: breakfast
Transportation: bus

hotel selection：

Recommendation for boutique hotels to enrich your travel experience。

Membership fee quotation：

The price depends on your travel plans, travel dates, number of people, and the hotel and meal requirements you choose.。

The price includes：

• travel bus
• Chinese-English bilingual tour guide
• The attractions, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary.
• Travel insurance
• 24/7 customer service hotline during travel

行程编号：cg-01