Summer Vacation Family Trip: A Slow Journey with Kids to Explore the Mountains, Waters, and Life in Yangshuo, Guilin [Guilin Travel Guide]

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there are always parents who sign their kids up for various training classes. For children still in kindergarten, I truly hope they can have a relaxed and happy childhood. Each family has its own educational methods and philosophies. For my child, during his kindergarten years, I let him play happily as much as possible. If time and opportunity allow, I take him traveling and to bookstores, letting him connect with nature and see the world outside. I want to give him a key to explore the world, pave a path for him to touch nature and grow, and build a bridge for him to talk and communicate with strangers. This is my way of educating my child.

After my trip to Guilin in April, I couldn't forget the place. With the holiday coming, I embarked on another father-son trip to Guilin.

Day 1: Yangshuo Yueshan Yueshui Family Resort (fresh flower cake making experience) + Yulong River + surrounding walks

Day 2: Chali Castle Hotel in Jima Village, Yangshuo County + leisurely strolls around

Day 3: Guilin Han Tang Xin Ge (Treehouse Villa Resort) + Seven Star Park + Qixia Zen Temple

PS: This itinerary is very suitable for family trips—no rush, not too tiring, and lots of fun. The main reason is that summer is hot and humid; I worried about my child getting heatstroke, so I chose this route focusing on hotels and nearby areas. Friends traveling with kids can refer to it!

1. Cards: Bring ID card, bank card, credit card, driver's license (if available), and any other discount cards. Also bring some cash. Although the internet is highly developed, not all places accept card, WeChat, or Alipay payments.

2. Tickets: Confirm travel dates and choose transportation (plane or train) in advance; it's best to download an app. Book tickets well in advance.

3. Digital devices: Phone, power bank, power strip (especially for photographers with various gadgets), chargers, photography equipment (bring a tripod for sunrise, sunset, and night shots), USB cables.

4. Clothing: Pack according to trip length. Check local weather in advance.

5. Others: Prepare sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella, etc.

6. Medicines: Bring medicine or granules for heat relief and detox, band-aids, etc.

PS: The above preparations are basically travel routines.

Phone: Huawei Note3

Camera: Canon 5D3 + Nikon D7000

Photo editing software: Photoshop, Lightroom

Other equipment: Portable tripod, phone time-lapse bracket, laptop, external hard drive, card reader, SD card, chargers, etc.

This time heading to Yangshuo was much luckier than last time. I managed to snag a ticket from Shenzhen to Yangshuo online, saving the hassle of transferring from Guangzhou. Friends traveling from Shenzhen to Yangshuo or elsewhere should check train schedules and plan ahead.

Summer is too hot, especially when traveling with kids—it's really tough. So plan everything in advance to save trouble.

1. By plane: Fly to Guilin airport, then take a bus to Yangshuo.

2. By high-speed rail: Get off at Yangshuo high-speed rail station.

3. By bus/shuttle: Arrive at Yangshuo county, then take a taxi, rent an e-bike, or bike to your destination. Or contact your hotel in advance to see if they can arrange a pickup (many hotels and hostels in Yangshuo offer pickup).

PS: The per-person cost above does not include round-trip transportation.

The 3+ hour high-speed rail ride from Shenzhen to Guilin was okay. Traveling with a child in summer felt like paying money to suffer because it was so hot.

Luckily, our itinerary was hotel, surrounding area, hotel, surrounding area—no need to go to other attractions. Because my travel philosophy is slow, especially with a child—I want him to relax and connect with nature.

Slow living, slow travel—that's my way and norm.

After arriving at Yangshuo high-speed rail station, I considered taking a bus to the county, but due to the crowds and heat, I took a ride-sharing car for 30 yuan. A taxi would have been more expensive.

So if you're not in a hurry, take the bus.

Before coming to Yangshuo, I heard that at Yueshan Yueshui you could walk an alpaca, which sounded fun. Upon arriving at Yangshuo Yueshan Yueshui Family Resort, the two alpacas at the entrance delighted my child. He watched them for a long time through the fence.

I asked him: "Do you like that alpaca?"

He said: "I like the white little alpaca, not the big one."

I asked: "Why?"

He said: "The white little alpaca is cute; the big one has buck teeth, its fur is ugly."

I laughed after hearing that.

I then said: "You're quite observant!" As soon as I finished, he turned around and started playing wildly in the hotel lobby. Joy and curiosity filled his young face—that's perhaps a child's nature.

After checking in with the front desk staff, I took him to the room.

When the door opened, I was pleasantly surprised. The room was spacious and bright, with family-friendly elements that made my child excited—he ran straight to the small slide. The layout and space were perfect for a family stay. Pulling open the curtains revealed mountains all around. On the balcony, you could drink tea, coffee, wine, chat, and count the stars. The feeling was wonderful and cozy.

I love traveling and have my own insights and expectations for trips. But after having a child, I rarely had time for things I enjoyed. This holiday I took the chance to come to Guilin. On one hand, I didn't have to leave my child behind and could still enjoy travel. On the other hand, I want my child to have many and diverse experiences from a young age—the same idea many parents have: "Don't let your child lose at the starting line." I hope at least during his childhood, within my ability, I can take him to many places, giving him more growth experiences, letting him feel, understand, and adapt to a temporary and unfamiliar environment.

At Yangshuo Yueshan Yueshui Family Resort, alpaca motifs were everywhere—in rooms, hallways, lobby, and restaurant—very eye-catching.

For lunch, we had the local specialty beer duck at the hotel, which was delicious. Next to the restaurant was a small play area with a slide, trampoline, children's books, and building blocks. After the child ate, he could play while adults continued their meal.

After lunch, you could rest in the room or take a walk and take photos. Cross the road and you're at Yulong River—you can go rafting or stroll along the river.

In the afternoon, there was a flower cake making experience. If you have kids, definitely let them participate. It's a rare hands-on activity. I believe many hotels don't offer such family experiences.

I think having this kind of hands-on activity during a trip is wonderful. I hope parents will also join in. Travel is something both children and parents can enjoy together.

Maybe some will say: "How much can such a young child remember?" But don't forget that children's insights and memories can exceed our imagination.

For example, my child used to be afraid of crowded places and wouldn't speak in public. After we took him to Hong Kong, Macau, and around Shenzhen a few times, he changed a lot. Now he's not afraid of crowds and dares to speak. Most importantly, his expression and imagination exceeded our expectations. When he sees something, he asks me in a questioning way: "Dad, what do you think this looks like?"

Of course, I answer and then ask him what he thinks it looks like. He gives another answer. I think this is the unique experience and feeling travel brings him.

In free time, I took my child to experience life in the surroundings. During this process, I found he grew faster—not just in cognition but also in hands-on ability and other aspects. For him, childhood travel experiences are a huge treasure, a physical memory that may last a lifetime. Both of us enjoy the travel process, especially exploring and facing unknown territories together in a strange environment. That feeling is addictive, just like this trip to Guilin Yangshuo.

Because summer in Yangshuo is indeed stuffy and hot—at least the two days I was there felt hotter than Shenzhen. At around 5pm, the long-awaited alpaca walk began.

The staff led the alpaca to the field ridges. To avoid scaring it, we kept a distance. When the alpaca reached the ridges, people took turns holding it for photos.

At that moment, the pastoral scenery along the Yulong River was enchanting—people walking alpacas, green rice paddies, unique karst peaks, blue sky, floating white clouds, bamboo rafts on the river, and cyclists in the fields—all formed a beautiful picture.

During the alpaca walk, several children eagerly tried to hold the alpaca.

Suddenly I thought: For children aged 3-6, their brain memory is developing rapidly. They learn through feeling and cognition. Simply put, touching nature is a learning process involving brain-body coordination. Children use their whole body to feel the world, measure the world with their feet. When external information and stimulation are abundant, it's very beneficial for brain growth and development.

So I believe travel broadens a child's mind.

Back at the hotel, on the open rooftop, facing the gentle breeze, we had a small party with drinks. "View mountains, view waters, view life; in left hand flowers, in right hand wine."

Time slipped by silently. Good times are always short. After a rich breakfast and the child's reluctance, we bid farewell to Yueshan Yueshui Family Resort.

Goodbye alpacas, goodbye Yueshan Yueshui, goodbye to the staff, and the nutritious breakfast. (Everyone's service was very nice.)

Day 2: Chali Castle – Yangshuo's version of a European castle

We moved to Chali Castle Hotel in Jima Village, Yangshuo County. This 6-story European-style castle contrasts sharply with the surrounding landscape, giving a feeling of being in Europe.

Chali Castle offers different European pastoral-themed rooms, blending European architecture with the surrounding mountains and rivers. It mainly caters to families and couples.

The room we stayed in wasn't large, but "small as a sparrow, yet all its vital organs are there." Perhaps when you think of summer or the sea, what comes to mind? The scene before you was surprising, and behind that expression hides the preference of many artists. Van Gogh is one; his 'Starry Night' appeared in the room.

The sky and earth are clearly outlined with thick, compact lines. The deep, heavy tones evoke fear, oppression, even tragedy. The sky and earth seem like a person crying in the darkness, full of helplessness, yet not without resistance. The tall cypress tree pierces into the darkness, like a single arm reaching out to make a final effort and struggle, tearing at the suffocating bonds covering the face and body. Although the wavy night sky and moon give a dizzying feeling, when seeing this, one can grasp a steady state of mind amidst the dizziness, like a flickering hope that feels intimate and comfortable.

Van Gogh excelled at using strong contrasting tones and distorted shapes and lines to express his world. What he left for posterity is not just aesthetic enjoyment but also spiritual amazement and sharing. In his paintings, humans see their repressed feelings and another form of beauty, or perhaps the opposite behind beauty, which also brings enjoyment. He produced many works that left deep impressions, with 'Starry Night' being the most memorable.

Entering Chali Castle, a wave of exotic culture and natural landscape instantly hits you. The room decoration follows a European rustic style—simple yet grand. Each theme room has its own color scheme, giving a sense of comfort from the inside out. The lobby and hotel interior are great for photos.

Couples' rooms are spacious and bright, with a circular bed design that feels romantic. From dawn to dusk, standing on the balcony with a glass of wine, leaning on each other, watching the distant scenery, waiting for the sunset—how beautiful that would be.

Of course, Chali Castle also has a KTV room and bar in the basement. If you like singing, you can showcase your talent and enliven the castle's night. Or quietly sip red wine with friends, chat about the past, worries, and future.

Chali Castle's Shuanghua Sky Restaurant is also unique, with an open view of the surroundings. What delighted me even more was the rooftop terrace. Standing there, you can watch the clouds roll, and the Yulong River in the distance looks especially serene against the beautiful mountains. The gentle dusk, the sunrise—every moment is a beautiful memory of the journey.

Chali Castle is a place far from the city's hustle, where you can constantly feel comfort, tranquility, simplicity, and nature beyond urban life.

Whether you're a couple, friends, family or a group, it's a good choice.

Leaving Chali Castle, we headed straight to Guilin.

Before going, I told my child we would stay in a treehouse. He asked in his childish voice: "What's a treehouse? A house on a tree?" I said yes. He then said: "Then we're like squirrels!" I smiled and said yes.

Full of curiosity, the child eagerly arrived in Guilin. Mr. Wu personally picked us up at the station—a super nice and approachable person who moved me deeply. If you stay at Han Tang Xin Ge, be sure to meet Mr. Wu!

Arriving at the destination, it's hard to imagine that inside Seven Star Park there is a treehouse villa resort. The park's overall environment is lovely. Several converted RVs serve as rooms, looking comfortable and stylish. The facilities inside are complete, and the loft-style rooms offer a 360-degree panoramic view, like camping in the wild.

Ancient trees, chirping insects and birds—this unique way of vacationing is hard to find elsewhere in Guilin city.

On that summer afternoon, though a bit stuffy, staying in the treehouse gave a long-lost warmth. In the evening, Seven Star Park was quiet except for a few walkers. In the treehouse courtyard, vacationers set up grills for barbecue, drinking and chatting, very cozy—a great place to escape the summer heat.

Entering Seven Star Park alone requires a ticket, but if you stay in the hotel, parking and tickets are free, saving you money on parking and park admission. It's also close to the Li River scenic area—about a 10-minute walk to the Li River, Dongxi Alley, Xiaoyao Tower, and Jingjiang Prince's Residence, and about 15 minutes to Elephant Trunk Hill.

Of course, Seven Star Park has a beautiful environment and many entertainment activities, very suitable for families with kids.

In Seven Star Park, my favorite is Qixia Zen Temple. Because temples always give a sense of peace.

In life, there are always endless things to do. When tired, stop and relax your mind.

In daily life, there are always annoying conventions. When irritated, calm down and let things be.

At work, there are endless social engagements. When weary, slow down and act within your means.

In trivial matters, there are lingering worries. When depressed, talk it out and open your heart.

In fact, optimism is a life attitude; simplicity is a way of living.

So I really like Han Tang Xin Ge Treehouse Villa Resort, and even more this Qixia Zen Temple.

One kind of travel is to slow down and listen to everything around you, not just a superficial glance.

Another kind of travel is rich and quiet enough for the soul to rest, like Qixia Zen Temple in Seven Star Park—Seven Stars, Resting Heart.

Travel is just another way to experience a destination. If one day you come to Guilin for fun or business, consider staying here. You'll definitely feel peaceful and free, as if integrated with nature.

This family slow trip finally came to an end.

After so many trips, I want to travel differently. Not just visiting landmarks, but seeking lesser-known spots, experiencing locals' lives and culture, learning things that interest me—especially with my child, wanting him to gradually immerse himself in it.

We all know that education abroad focuses more on overall quality development, especially character and moral cultivation, including confidence and caring for others.

I think each family trip is a form of training and growth for a child. Because of travel, the breadth of a child's cognition expands and depth increases, forming a rich, multidimensional knowledge reserve of history and geography.

We understand that books are no longer dead; they are knowledge banks with concrete stories and flesh and blood.

We don't need to chase specific travel styles—the rich have their ways, the poor have their fun. Travel is not about staying in luxurious hotels or eating grand meals; it's about the joy of a family watching scenery together, the relaxation of playing together.

If there's an opportunity in the future, I will take him to see more places. The ancients said: "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles." Try to keep both soul and body on the road.

I believe every parent wants to give the best to their child. So what is the best gift? From a long-term perspective, reading and travel are wise choices.

May we continue on the road, viewing mountains, viewing waters, viewing life.

Guilin Travel Guide##

Travelogue Directory

1. The best education is to let children connect with nature

2. Itinerary overview

3. Pre-trip preparations

4. Photography equipment

5. Transportation

6. Day 1: Revisiting Yangshuo – Encountering Yueshan Yueshui

7. Day 3: Han Tang Xin Ge – The best choice for treehouse villa vacation

8. Conclusion

Travel info