Yangshuo sunrise, tea plantation & sunset tour with guide

Catch three light shows in one day: sunrise, tea picking, and a rural sunset

A full-day tour in Yangshuo that starts with a pre-dawn climb to Li Jiang Valley for sunrise, moves into a tea plantation where you pick leaves and learn the traditional tea service, and ends at Stunning Peaks Forest to photograph the sunset. Private transportation and an English-speaking guide are included. The itinerary can shift based on conditions, but the three main stops stay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunrise, Tea Plantation, and Sunset

• Arise early for Li Jiang sunrise
• Race up pre-dawn mountain steps
• Try on Chinese reed hat
• Pick tea leaves and wander plantation
• Experience traditional tea service
• Watch and photograph Stunning Peaks Forest sunset

The experience

The day begins in the dark. You climb mountain steps before sunrise to reach Li Jiang Valley, where the light breaks over the peaks: the operator calls it possibly the most beautiful sunrise in China. The timing is tight by design: you race the sun to get there. After the light settles, you head to a tea plantation where you try on a Chinese reed hat, pick your own tea leaves walking through the rows, and return to the lodge for a traditional tea service where you learn the customs of tea preparation.

The afternoon takes you to Stunning Peaks Forest, a World Natural Heritage site and the best vantage for landscape photography. You stay until sunset, when the light turns the peaks and rural valleys into the kind of shot that justifies the early start. Throughout the day, your private vehicle and English-speaking guide handle the route and the transitions between stops.

Travel agency liability insurance, all transportation, and tea-picking equipment are included. Coffee and tea are provided during the day. The operator notes that the itinerary may shift en route (weather, traffic, or other conditions can move things around), but the three main attractions (sunrise, tea plantation, sunset) stay intact. Lunch is not part of the package, so plan to eat or bring something if you need it between stops.

What’s included

• Private transportation and an English-speaking guide.
• travel agency liability insurance.
• tea-picking equipment.
• a traditional tea service with instruction in tea customs.
• coffee and tea during the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Truly China International Travel Service

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you follow the commentary and the cultural details at the tea plantation without translation. The early start and mountain steps require moderate fitness. If you move slowly or have cardiovascular concerns, this tour may not suit you, but if you're comfortable with a pre-dawn climb and can walk through tea rows, the pace is manageable.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What time do I need to wake up to catch the sunrise over Li Jiang Valley?

You start before dawn so you can climb the mountain steps and reach the valley before the sun breaks. The exact time depends on the season and sunrise timing, but the operator builds the schedule around beating the light.

Do I actually pick tea leaves myself, or is it a demonstration?

You pick your own tea leaves at the plantation and walk through the rows yourself. After picking, you return to the lodge and participate in a traditional tea service where you learn how the leaves are prepared and the customs around tea.

Is the sunset at Stunning Peaks Forest guaranteed, or does weather affect it?

The tour is built around photographing the sunset at Stunning Peaks Forest, but weather and uncontrollable conditions can shift the itinerary. If weather prevents the sunset stop, the operator will adjust the route but does not refund the tour price for weather-related changes.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Private transportation, the English-speaking guide, travel insurance, tea ceremony, tea-picking equipment, and coffee or tea during the day are all included. Lunch is not included, so you'll need to budget for a meal or bring your own food.