Guangzhou Gulong Gorge & Jinlong Cave: Private day tour

Summary

A day of glass bridges, waterfalls & cave rivers near Guangzhou

Step onto the glass bridge at Gulong Gorge with a local guide by your side, watch nine waterfalls tumble down lush hillsides, then drift through Jinlong Cave’s underground river by boat. Includes hotel pickup from Guangzhou, private transport, entry tickets, and lunch with Cantonese flavors — all wrapped up in a day you’ll remember long after you’re back in the city.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I hesitated before stepping onto that glass bridge at Gulong Gorge. It’s one thing to see photos online, but when you’re actually there, with the wind tugging at your jacket and 300 meters of air below your feet… well, my knees didn’t get the memo about being brave. Our guide, Mr. Chen, just grinned and told us to look straight ahead (not down). The glass was so clear it felt like walking on nothing. I could hear distant water crashing somewhere below — or maybe that was my heart pounding. Either way, I didn’t expect to laugh so much up there.

We’d left Guangzhou early that morning — two hours in a comfy van with just enough time for me to wake up properly. Qingyuan county is greener than I imagined; mist clung to the hills and every turn seemed to reveal another waterfall or patch of wildflowers. At the Nine-waterfall path, local families were already snapping photos and sharing snacks (someone handed me a weirdly delicious rice cake). The sound of all those waterfalls together is something I still think about — kind of like white noise but alive.

Lunch was Cantonese food at a spot our guide picked — nothing fancy, just honest dishes with lots of ginger and garlic. Afterward we drove over to Jinlong Cave. The cave itself is huge; you take a little boat along an underground river while colored lights flicker off the stone walls. It’s cool and damp inside, and sometimes you catch a whiff of minerals or wet earth. Mr. Chen pointed out rock formations shaped like dragons and turtles (I saw the turtle… not sure about the dragon). We wandered through narrow passages where you have to duck your head — he joked that tourists always bump into “the wisdom stone.”

The ride back was quiet; everyone sort of lost in their own thoughts or napping as Guangzhou’s skyline came back into view. There’s something about seeing so much green and stone in one day that makes city lights feel different after. If you’re looking for a private day trip from Guangzhou that mixes a bit of thrill with nature and some local flavor, this one’s got its quirks — in a good way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gulong Canyon and Jinlong Cave Tour

• Hotel pickup and drive to Gulong Canyon
• Walk to Nine-waterfall and Glass Walkway
• Cross Glass Bridge and visit Glass UFO Platform
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Boat ride and hike in Jinlong Cave
• Return to Guangzhou hotel

Top questions

How far is Gulong Gorge from Guangzhou?

It’s about a 2-hour drive north from central Guangzhou to Gulong Gorge in Qingyuan county.

Is hotel pickup included for this private tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for centrally located hotels in Guangzhou.

What do you do inside Jinlong Cave?

You take a boat ride along an underground river and walk through parts of the karst cave with your guide.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant featuring Cantonese cuisine is included.

Are entry tickets for Gulong Gorge and Jinlong Cave included?

Yes, main gate admission tickets for both attractions are part of the tour package.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

How long is the glass bridge at Gulong Gorge?

The glass bridge is 329 meters long; there’s also a 520-meter glass walkway.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide will escort you throughout the day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central Guangzhou hotels, private transport with an experienced driver, all entry fees for both Gulong Gorge (including the glass bridge) and Jinlong Cave’s underground river adventure, plus lunch at a local Cantonese restaurant before heading back in comfort.