China · CAVES, GORGES & WATERFALLS

Top 15 Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls Tours in China

84 tours  ·  from $20 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 caves, gorges & waterfalls tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour - Crossing the Gulong Gorge glass skywalk
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Private, Tianmen Mountain & Glass Bridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour

1.Gulong Gorge Skywalk Glass Bridge and Waterfall View Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · from $140Our pick

Travel from downtown Guangzhou to Gulong Gorge in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a local English-speaking guide. Walk across the glass skywalk, see waterfalls, and choose an extra such as hot springs, Huangteng Gorge, Sunac Land, or Jinlong Cave. Guides including Damon, Candice, Celine, Zack, and Zach can help with photos, food, and timing.

“Highly recommended to do this tour. it is a beautiful scenic tour into the Guangzhou farmlands. The excursions were top class and we had an amazing day.”

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Private Xi'an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, Cave Homes - A short look inside a Yaodong cave home
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Museums, Private, Terracotta Warriors Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Xi'an

Private Xi’an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, Cave Homes

2.Private Xi’an Tour: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, Cave Homes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $175

Spend about eight hours with a private English-speaking guide visiting the Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum, and a traditional Yaodong cave home. Hotel pickup, private transport, entrance fees, and lunch are included. Guides such as Michael, Jackie, Victoria, and Chris have led this route, which suits families, couples, and solo visitors wanting history with local context.

“What a great day with Michael! He was extremely informative, took us to all the sites plus some more. Our lunch was one of the best meals of the trip. Definitely would recommend and book again!”

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1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show - Xianggong Hill: the view worth the stairs
1-Day Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guilin

1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

3.1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $89

This 12-hour private tour links Guilin and Yangshuo with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned car. You visit Reed Flute Cave, climb Xianggong Hill, ride a small boat from Xingping toward Nine-Horse Mural Hill, explore West Street, and watch Impression Liu San Jie. Guides such as Andy, Jerry, Jeff, and Jacky are noted for flexibility.

“I really enjoyed visiting the Flute Cave and the bamboo boat tour in Guilin — both were beautiful experiences. The tour guide was very kind and informative, which made the trip even better. However, I didn’t enjoy the evening show as much; it was quite noisy with many people talking and moving around during the performance.”

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Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area and Panda Park Day Tour - Morning at the Chengdu Panda Base
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Giant Panda Tours, Leshan Giant Buddha Tours, Panda Tours in Chengdu, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Chengdu

Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area and Panda Park Day Tour

4.Leshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area and Panda Park Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 67 reviews · from $116

Meet pandas at the Chengdu Research Base, then travel to Leshan for its 71-meter cliff-carved Buddha and Lingyun Temple. Guides such as Mark and James add local stories and clear English commentary. The day runs about 12 hours, with hotel pickup inside Chengdu’s second ring road and city-center drop-off at Tianfu Square.

“Excellent all day tour, we were picked up from our hotel at 7:30 am and dropped off in the city center at around 8 pm. Tour involves a lot of driving between the two locations so be mindful of that in advance.”

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Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour - A regional lunch between the two stops
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour

5.Longqingxia Gorge Cruise and Guyaju Cave Dwellings Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $216

Leave Beijing at 8:00 a.m. for a private day trip to Longqing Gorge and Guyaju Caves. Cruise past temples and karst peaks, eat a regional lunch, then explore more than 170 rock-cut rooms with an English-speaking guide such as Linda, Jeffrey, Daisy, May, or Coco.

“The entire day was a welcomed break from the hectic pace of Beijing! Linda was a truly fantastic guide a warm person. She made sure we had a “ local experience” from a “step-by-step” history of the area to a great lunch at a local eatery.”

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Beijing to Datong See YunGang Cave, Hanging Temple (Bullet Train) - Three Hours Among the Yungang Grottoes
Bullet Train Day Trips, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Tour Reviews, Tours in Beijing, Train Experiences

Beijing to Datong See YunGang Cave, Hanging Temple (Bullet Train)

6.Beijing to Datong See YunGang Cave, Hanging Temple (Bullet Train)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $416

Travel from Beijing to Datong by early bullet train with guide Cathy or a local Datong guide such as George or Tracy. Visit the 1,500-year-old Yungang Grottoes, eat a local lunch, then climb to the remarkable Hanging Temple. Round-trip rail tickets, transfers, entrance fees, car service, and lunch are included.

“Cathy was fabulous in helping on all the details the same regarding the guide in Datong. A true experience of how beautiful and diverse China has to offer in terms of tourism. And now with the new high-speed train a very comfortable day trip from Beijing. Highly recommended.”

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Guilin: 1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show - Reed Flute Cave: Guilin’s colorful underground start
1-Day Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Shows & Performances, Tour Reviews, Tours in Guilin

Guilin: 1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show

7.1-Day Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 1 day

This private Guilin day trip pairs Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, a 50-minute Xingping bamboo boat ride, and the Impression Liu Sanjie show. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Bruce, Molly, Alan, or Tony, handles the long drives and local logistics. It suits couples or small groups who want Guilin and Yangshuo highlights in one busy day.

“The tour was great and our guide Bruce was awesome! We spent an amazing day together driving and guiding us through all the major attractions. 100% recommend, thank you again Bruce for the amazing day!”

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Luoyang: Longmen Grottoes Optional Tours or Tickets Only - Choosing between a $27 ticket and a private tour
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Longmen Grottoes Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Luoyang

Luoyang: Longmen Grottoes Optional Tours or Tickets Only

8.Longmen Grottoes Optional Tours or Tickets Only

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $27Best value

Choose simple entry tickets or add a private guide and hotel or train station pickup for Luoyang’s Longmen Grottoes. You’ll see more than 2,300 caves and niches, including the huge Vairocana Buddha. Guides such as Jeff, Cecilia, Ping, and Cindy are praised for clear English and helpful communication. Longer options may add lunch, White Horse Temple, and Luoyang Museum.

“We booked tickets for entrance only without guide and tour. All contact went smoothly via text. Entrance to the site was easy with just our passports so we could enjoy the grottos and all the Buddha statues without any problem. Beautiful historical place to visit!”

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Seven Star Crags Karst Cave Mirror Lake Bird Islands Private Tour - Xinghu Lake and the bird islands by boat
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

Seven Star Crags Karst Cave Mirror Lake Bird Islands Private Tour

9.Seven Star Crags Karst Cave Mirror Lake Bird Islands Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $160

Travel by private car from Guangzhou to Zhaoqing with guides such as Damon or Zack. See Seven Star Crags, karst caves, Xinghu Lake, bird islands, old city walls, and possibly Dinghu Mountain. Boat rides, hill climbs, biking, and local lunch are available, but entrance tickets and food cost extra.

“It was a fuss free and fun trip being brought around by our guide. Guide also spoke fluent English and Mandarin!”

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Hong Kong Geopark Kayaking Adventure - A break at Long Ke Wan Beach
Canoes & Kayaks, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Tour Reviews, Tours in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Geopark Kayaking Adventure

10.Hong Kong Geopark Kayaking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $142

Meet at Hang Hau MTR Station for an eight-hour kayaking day in Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region. Travel to Pak Lap Wan Beach, paddle past sea arches and caves, and pause at Long Ke Wan Beach. Guides such as Geoffrey lead groups of up to 15, weather permitting.

“My wife and I had a great time with our guide, Geoffrey. We were blessed to have some summer showers to cool our day and our guide was totally wonderful and engaging. we would wholeheartedly recommend this tour if you are interested in a small adventure away from the heat of the city.”

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Beijing Private Tour to Badaling Great Wall and Longqing Gorge with Boat Ride - Reaching the Badaling Great Wall by cable car
Badaling Great Wall Tours, Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Great Wall Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing Private Tour to Badaling Great Wall and Longqing Gorge with Boat Ride

11.Beijing Private Tour to Badaling Great Wall and Longqing Gorge with Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $236

Spend 8 to 9 hours with a private English-speaking guide and driver visiting Badaling and Longqing Gorge. Ride the Badaling cable car, take a boat through the gorge, use the Dragon Elevator, and stop for a local Chinese lunch. Guides such as Allen, Edward, Lucy, Sophie, and Cathy can help shape the day around your group.

“Great day with our guide Edward, going through the chinese history! Fast access to the sites and a great lunch!”

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Private Day Tour to Longqing Gorge and Dingling at the Ming Tombs with Lunch and Boat Ride - Descending into Dingling’s underground palace
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Ming Tombs Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Private Day Tour to Longqing Gorge and Dingling at the Ming Tombs with Lunch and Boat Ride

12.Private Day Tour to Longqing Gorge and Dingling at the Ming Tombs with Lunch and Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $214

Leave central Beijing with a private guide and car for Longqing Gorge and Dingling Tomb. Cruise between steep cliffs, ride the dragon-shaped escalator, eat lunch locally, then enter the only excavated Ming Tomb. Guides such as Jack, Susan, and Leo add history and flexible help throughout the day.

“The tour was nice and Christine was a great guide ! She provided many historical information and anecdotes which made the tour as interesting as pleasant. She even adapted the itinerary upon my request to go to the Sacred Way. I recommend !”

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Beijing: Longqing Gorge w/Great Wall or Guyaju Private Tour - The dragon escalator is a fun start, not just transport
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Great Wall Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: Longqing Gorge w/Great Wall or Guyaju Private Tour

13.Longqing Gorge w/Great Wall or Guyaju Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 23 reviews · 8 hours · from $206

Spend about eight hours beyond Beijing with a private guide and car. Ride Longqing Gorge’s dragon escalator, cruise the lake, and choose a cable-car ride or hike. Add Badaling Great Wall or the unusual Guyaju cave dwellings. Guides such as Jack, Lucy, and Edward provide local context, while hotel pickup and lunch simplify the long day.

“Our Guide Jack was really great and the tour was very impressing!!”

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Gulong Gorge Glass Bridge and Underground River Cave Private Tour - The 520-meter glass walkway and 329-meter bridge
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Private, Tianmen Mountain & Glass Bridge Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Guangzhou

Gulong Gorge Glass Bridge and Underground River Cave Private Tour

14.Gulong Gorge Glass Bridge and Underground River Cave Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $350

Leave central Guangzhou with a private guide and driver for Gulong Gorge in Qingyuan. Walk past nine waterfalls, cross a 520-meter glass walkway and 329-meter glass bridge, then step onto the 202-meter Glass UFO Platform. After lunch, explore Jinlong Cave’s underground river and karst tunnels. Guide Damon is praised for clear English and flexible help.

“While on a business trip we had one free day to further explore Guangzhou… our tour guide Damon was absolutely amazing. His knowledge of the history, the development and little cultural insights made the entire one and a half hour drRead more”

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Beijing: Longqing Gorge, Ming Tombs & Lunch Private Day Tour - Cruising between karst peaks and green valleys
Caves, Gorges & Waterfalls, Lunch Experiences, Ming Tombs Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Beijing

Beijing: Longqing Gorge, Ming Tombs & Lunch Private Day Tour

15.Longqing Gorge, Ming Tombs & Lunch Private Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 8 hours · from $208

Travel from your Beijing hotel with an English-speaking guide and private driver to Longqing Gorge, where a Dragon Escalator and boat ride reveal steep karst peaks and calm water. After lunch, visit Dingling’s underground palace at the Ming Tombs. Guides such as Lisa, Edward, Juliet, and Lucy add strong historical context.

“Super excursion, je recommande vivement. Le guide Andy était super et donne beaucoup d’informations sur les lieux visités.”

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