Heritage Tours
Guangxi Province Tour
$1,750/adult | $1,650/child (under age 12)
Tour Dates
- Fall - November 25, 2024 – December 3, 2024
- Booking Deadline: August 23, 2024
- Fall - November 23 – November 30, 2025
- Booking Deadline: August 31, 2025
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Travelers can add a personal Birth City & Orphanage Visit to any of our tours if orphanage is open to visitors. Be sure to mark “Add an Orphanage Visit” on your tour registration form.
- Tour prices are based on a 15-person travel group minimum and are subject to increase if travel group is below this number.
Overview
Province Tours are an incredible chance to connect deeper with your birth heritage. Visit the most famous sites, familiarize your tastebuds with the local cuisine, tune your ears to the local dialects, and immerse yourself in the breath-taking beauty of your birth province!
You’ve seen pictures of the reed boats, the karst mountains, and the rice terraces. Now, it’s time to experience the beauty of Guangxi for yourself! Let us steal you away on a breathtaking journey through the scenic landscapes and rich culture of one of China’s most romantic provinces! From the awe-inspiring Detian Waterfall to the mystical Reed Flute Cave and the serene landscapes of Yangshuo, you’ll explore some of China’s most iconic natural wonders. Immerse yourself in local culture with a hands-on cooking class and visits to ancient villages. With luxurious accommodations and unforgettable experiences, this tour is the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural discovery!
As always, travelers hoping to visit their/their child(ren)’s orphanage city are able to add an Orphanage City Visit either before or after the main itinerary!
Please contact us if you have any questions. We are here to make your dream trip a reality.
Itinerary
Inclusions & Exclusions
Hotels & Transportation
Orphanage City Visit
Itinerary
Download 2025 Guangxi Province Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule
November 23 – Arrive Nanning
Plan to arrive Nanning, Guangxi today. Our tour guide will meet everyone at Nanning Wuxu International Airport (NNG) and we’ll get checked into our hotel for the night.
Welcome to Nanning, the vibrant capital of Guangxi! We’re staying at the luxurious Marriott Nanning (5★), your gateway to adventure. November’s mild weather, with temperatures around 18-22°C (64-72°F), means you can comfortably explore or simply relax. If you have the energy and are feeling adventurous, take some time to explore Nanning’s dynamic night scene as we wait to kick off out grand adventure together. Or, get a good night’s rest. We have a lot of exploring ahead!
Meals Included: All on own today
November 24 – Nanning City Exploration
We’ll begin the day with a tranquil visit to Qingxiushan Park, home to ancient temples and lush scenery. For those able, we can hike to hilltop temples and take in panoramic views of the city. Later, dive into Guangxi’s rich history at the Guangxi Museum, a great stop for history buffs, offering deeper insights into the region’s past.
Hot Tip: Keep an eye out for the Zhuang brocade exhibit, showcasing stunning traditional textiles from the local Zhuang minority group! For lunch, savor local delicacies during a group meal.
Evening is free for your own culinary adventure—for the adventurous, check out Zhongshan Road Night Market for street food gems!
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
November 25 – Day Trip to Detian Waterfall
Get ready for adventure with a visit to the magnificent Detian Waterfall, a transnational waterfall that straddles the China-Vietnam border. Detian Waterfall is particularly striking in November, as the water flow is usually strong following the rainy season, but without the summer crowds.
Hot Tip: Bring comfortable shoes and a raincoat to get up close to this natural wonder.
Meal Included: breakfast, lunch
November 26 – Guilin’s Mystical Beauty
Board a bullet train (~2.5 hrs) to Guilin, famous for its stunning karst mountains and poetic history. Upon arrival, we’ll stretch our legs exploring the magical Reed Flute Cave. Those hoping to capture the stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations will have to settle for shaky, blurry facsimiles of the real things as the lighting in the cave insists on keeping these beautiful structures for-your-eyes-only.
After our cave adventures, we’ll visit a local tea plantation to pick our own tea leaves and learn about the art of tea-making before checking into Grand Bravo Hotel (5★) for the night!
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
November 27 – Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
Cruise down the legendary Li River to Yangshuo, soaking in the iconic limestone karst landscape that has inspired poets and painters for centuries. The mist that often settles over the karst mountains in autumn adds an enchanting, dreamlike quality to the already breathtaking landscape.
Hot Tip: Sit on the upper deck for the best panoramic views, and keep your eyes peeled for “Nine Horses Fresco Hill”—legend says if you can spot all nine horses, you’ll have good luck!
Afterward, witness the magic of the Guilin Romance Show, a spectacular performance that celebrates Guangxi’s minority cultures and history. After dinner, unwind at the serene Green Lotus Hotel (5★) in Yangshuo.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
November 28 – Exploring Yangshuo
If we can tear our eyes away from the beautiful views, we’ll kick off the day with a fun, interactive cooking class where you’ll master the art of Chinese cuisine! After enjoying our creations for lunch, we’ll head out to explore Yangshuo’s countryside, biking or hiking along the beautiful Yulong River, with stunning views of Yangshuo’s famous karst landscape.
Enjoy free time to explore West Street, full of trendy shops, local cafés, and great restaurants. Dinner is on your own, so it’s a great chance to try local specialties.
Hot Tip: If you’re in the mood for a unique treat, grab a bite of Yangshuo beer fish, a local specialty that’s best enjoyed fresh from the river.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
November 29 – Journey to Longji’s Famous Rice Terraces
Today, we’re venturing up to the breathtaking Longji Rice Terraces and in a charming Zhuang Village. These terraces, often called “The Dragon’s Backbone,” offer some of the most stunning vistas in all of China and November is a spectacular time to visit! While the harvest season has just ended, the terraces are still lush, and we’ll enjoy cooler weather without the crowds.
Hot Tip: For the best photos, head to Viewpoint No. 1 at sunset!
After a day of exploration, we’ll check into Ping’An Hotel (4★). It’s our last night together, so take in the beautiful views and squeeze in every last bit of time together before the sun rises too quickly.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
November 30 – Departure Day
Time to say goodbye 🙁 After breakfast, we’ll make our way back to Guilin to catch a bullet train (~2.5 hrs) to Guangzhou (or elsewhere, if you have additional travel plans). We hope to see you again, soon!
Inclusions & Exclusions
Download 2025 Guangdong Province Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule
Inclusions
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) pickup & transportation to hotel
- All Tour accommodations
- All Tour-specific transportation
- All Tour activities (except for optional experiences)
- All meals included on the itinerary
- Dietary restrictions such as Vegan and Paleo may need to plan individual meals as China cuisine is not always accommodating to such diets.
- Tour guide and driver service
Exclusions
- International airfares
- Passport and/or China Visa fees
- Additional $330 for single room occupancy in hotels
- Tips or gratuity
- Suggested tip amount for Guide: $3-6 or 20-40RMB/day/person
- Suggested tip amount for Driver: $1.5-3 or 10-20RMB/day/person
- Personal expenses, spending money
- Any meals that are not included on the itinerary
- Approximately $5-$15/person/meal
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary
Hotels & Transportation
Guangzhou
China Hotel – 2 nights (5 Stars)
Bus Ride (3.5 hours)
Qingyuan
San Qu Inn in Yao Minority Village – 1 night
Bus Ride (2 hrs)
Foshan
Crowne Plaza – 2 nights (5 stars)
Bus Ride (1.5 hrs)
Kaiping
Tanjiang Peninsula Hotel – 2 nights (5 Stars)
Bus Ride (2 hrs)
Guangzhou
White Swan Hotel – 1 night (5 Stars)
Orphanage City Visit
**Pending verification and approval. Currently, orphanages are only open to outside visitors on a case-by-case basis.**
You can add a visit your/your child(ren)’s orphanage city before or after the main Grand Tour itinerary.
Orphanage Visit Add-On
3-4 days
$800 – $1,200 per person (per orphanage city)
Orphanage City Visits includes (as much as possible):
- Orphanage visit
- Foster family visit
- Finding Place exploration
- Local tourist sites
Please let us know if you would like to add an Orphanage City Visit to your trip.
Tour Resources
What to Pack
The right outfits take time
Visa Information
Everything you need to know about that pesky little piece of paper
Travel Tips
It's never too early to start becoming a pro
Frequently Asked Questions
Tour Logistics
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Each tour group is divided into smaller travel groups, around 8-12 parties per group (depending on the number of travelers), each with their own tour guide. This tour group and guide will be yours for the entire tour.
We try our best to arrange groups based on the age of the adoptee travelers. Tour groups will have staggered bus departure times, sightseeing schedules, and often different restaurants for group meals.
Yes, of course!
Please make sure to email heritagetours@theparkcommunity.org to make any travel group requests. The earlier that you make requests, the more likely it is that they will be honored. We try our best to honor every request.
Yes, of course! Please make sure to register together under the same profile. The email address provided upon registration will be used for all Heritage Tour correspondence, so be sure to pass information on to your travel companions if they do not have access to that email.
Of course you can! Our Heritage Tour opportunities are for everyone. Please spread the word! We would love the chance to help make your travel dreams a reality.
Certainly! If you need help with any additional trip bookings, we are happy to help.
Yes, you can, but please understand that unused tours are non-refundable and the cost of the Tour package is a fixed cost.
Please let us know in advance of your decisions so that we can confirm your preferences with your tour guide.
$3-6 or 20-35 RMB per day per person in your party for each tour guide. It is fine to tip in either USD or RMB currency. You should plan to tip $1-3 or 7-20 RMB per day per person in your party for tour bus drivers. To make tipping easier for your family, you can tip your guide & bus driver at the end of each city on the tour.
Tour Preparation
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China no longer requires a negative PCR test to enter China.
Wearing a mask is suggested at airports and train stations. In more crowded sight-seeing areas, some people still choose to wear masks, especially elders and kids, but it is not required.
There are no more public COVID testing stations or daily requirements.
China has no specific immunization requirements for entering their country and the U.S. has no immunization requirements for re-entry. This includes no requirements for COVID immunizations.
We recommend that you ask your personal physician, a travel/immunization clinic, and/or the Center for Disease Control about any vaccinations requirement updates or suggestions.
CDC website for specific recommendations.
Each traveler will need:
- A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity from departure date
- Chinese tourist visa (L visa)
- Obtain a Chinese tourist visa from a Chinese Embassy/Consulate prior to travel. For more detailed information on travel visas, please view our Visa Information page.
Please check your passport and the passports of each individual in your travel party to verify that all expire at least 6 months after your tour dates.
Due to the unpredictability of international travel, we highly recommend that you purchase international travel and medical emergency insurance. Visit our Tour Resources section for more information.
All of the hotels we will be staying at have in-house clinics for any mild medical needs. For anything more urgent, our guides are able to take you to the nearest hospital, if needed.
For any prescription medication, it is recommended that they be kept in their original containers in case of emergency. Make sure that you pack amounts slightly more than enough for the entire trip and have a plan for the drastic time change. For more information regarding medications in your carry-on or checked bags please visit TSA guidelines.
Yes, all of our tour guides will try their utmost to help ensure that all meals are safe for any dietary restrictions. However, due to cultural and culinary differences in China, we cannot guarantee anything and suggest taking caution and packing snacks if food allergies are severe.
Please mention any and all food allergies, dietary needs, or health concerns on your registration form. This will help our guides better prepare.
We also have translated cards available for common allergies or physical conditions. Visit our Tour Resources section to find these under “Travel Tips”. If you would like a translated card that is not yet listed, please contact us.
For in-China flights:
- Checked luggage weight allowance: ≤ 44 lbs
- Carry-on size restrictions: 14in. x 19in. x 22in.
Plan to bring an additional $50-$100 if you are a heavy packer. You may lock your bag for in-China flights but you must leave your bag unlocked for your international flights.
For bullet train travel:
- Checked luggage weight allowance: ≤ 110 lbs.
- Carry-on weight allowance: ≤ 44 lbs.
- Carry-on size restrictions: 36in. x 36in. x 36in.
Your hotels on the trip will have laundry services available; however, with the quick speed of the trip, it can be challenging to get hotel laundry done in time. Plan on only being able to do laundry when you are staying at least 2 nights in a given city so that your clothes have ample time to dry.
Please keep in mind that hotel laundry services can be very expensive. Be sure to carefully review the laundry form provided by the hotel in regards to the price per item. There may be some opportunities to have your laundry done outside of the hotel in Chengdu and Guilin. These options could be cheaper. Your guide will be able to notify you if this service is available.
Cost & Fees
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A $200/traveler deposit is required upon booking. This deposit is applied toward your tour total and is non-refundable except under extenuating circumstances.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about this deposit.
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide free trip coverage for adoptees traveling on a heritage tour.
Your tour fee does not cover:
- International airfares
- Passport and/or China Visa fees
- Tips or gratuity
- Suggested tip amount for Guide: $3-6 or 20-40RMB/day/person
- Suggested tip amount for Driver: $1.5-3 or 10-20RMB/day/person
- Additional $330 for single room occupancy in hotels
- Personal expenses, spending money
- Meals not included on the itinerary
- Approximately $20-$40/person/day for any lunch & dinner
- Any optional tour excursions
- Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary
Click here to view our 2024 Guangdong Province Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule
Birth City & Orphanage Visit
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*Please keep in mind that orphanage visits are not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the orphanage.*
For an orphanage visit, you will need:
- Adoption Registration Certificate
- Abandonment Certificate (Chinese version)
- Printed copies of Adoption Registration Certificate, U.S. passport, and Abandonment Certificate to bring with you to China.
- Orphanage Visit Application Form (completed by CCAI in-China staff)
Yes, to everything except the orphanage visit itself. Pending approval of your Orphanage Visit Application, our guides can contact the orphanage for you, but the go/no go decision is ultimately up to the orphanage.
Your Orphanage City Tour costs (including hotels, flights/trains, transportation, guide services, etc.) will be calculated specifically for your trip.
Yes! You can take a day trip to visit your/your child’s orphanage in Shanghai, Suzhou, or Hangzhou while the group is traveling in each particular city. The additional cost of this would be approximately $200-$500 per family per orphanage visit.
- Day 1: Fly into the capital city of your birth province. Get settled and acquainted with the area.
- Day 2: Drive to birth city/town, visit the orphanage, visit foster parents and finding spot (if information is available), stay overnight in the birth city or travel back to the provincial capital
- Day 3: Free day or sightseeing before flying either to join the main tour OR to fly back to the U.S.
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Yes, this we are happy to plan a Birth Province & Orphanage Tour itinerary for whatever length you would like! Additional costs will be communicated accordingly.
Yes, this is possible in most cases. Please be sure to note this on your registration form and we will work with you to make sure we understand all of your needs.
Although gifts are not required as part of the orphanage visit, if you would like to bring a gift, you can consider bringing small toys or school/art supplies for the children. You may also consider inquiring with the orphanage about any specific needs they may have. If you would like, you can purchase what is needed in China.
Gifts/donations are strictly optional.
