Cities
Guilin and Yangshuo: Li River cruise, bamboo rafts, and karst scenery (3 days)
Li River cruise or bamboo raft? Prices, the 20-yuan-note view at Xingping, cycling in Yangshuo, and a 3-day plan.
The limestone peaks along the Li River are some of China’s most famous scenery: the view is even printed on the 20-yuan note. Fly or take the train to Guilin, but base yourself in Yangshuo, a small town about an hour downstream in the middle of the countryside.
Li River cruise or bamboo raft?
| Cruise boat | Bamboo raft | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Guilin to Yangshuo, one way, about 4 hours | The most scenic stretch between Yangdi and Xingping, or short loops from Xingping |
| Price | ¥215 (3-star boat) to ¥360 (4-star, lunch included), plus any agency fee | ¥110 to ¥255 depending on the route; rafts seat four |
| Best for | Seeing the whole river comfortably; getting from Guilin to Yangshuo | Getting close to the water and the peaks |
Tips:
- Raft price boards use a double arrow (↔) for the route. That doesn’t mean a round trip: a return costs double.
- Low water in the dry winter months, or high water in the summer flood season, can cancel trips or shorten routes. Check the day before.
- Book either one through an agent such as Trip.com, Klook, or GetYourGuide. You’ll need your passport details.
The 20-yuan-note view at Xingping
The scene on the back of the 20-yuan note, a fisherman on a raft below the peaks, is at Xingping, an old village about an hour from Yangshuo by local bus. A cart runs from the pier to the viewing platform. For photos, be there early in the morning.
Day 1: Guilin to Yangshuo by river
Take the cruise from Guilin in the morning; it arrives in Yangshuo in the early afternoon. In the evening, walk West Street and see the Impression Liu Sanjie light show, staged on the river with the peaks lit up behind.
Day 2: cycling the countryside
Rent a bike or an electric scooter and ride along the Yulong River, past rice fields and villages. Take a short bamboo raft on the Yulong River, which is calmer and quieter than the Li. Climb Moon Hill for the view at sunset.
Day 3: Xingping and the Li River raft
Go to Xingping early for the 20-yuan view, then take a bamboo raft on the Li River. Return to Guilin in the afternoon for your onward train or flight.
Getting there
- High-speed train: Guilin is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Yangshuo has its own high-speed station, about 30 minutes from town.
- Flights: Guilin Liangjiang Airport has flights from most big Chinese cities.
- See how to book trains.
Where to stay
In Yangshuo, stay near West Street for restaurants and nightlife, or in a guesthouse among the fields outside town for peace and views. Compare on Trip.com or Agoda, and make sure the guesthouse accepts foreign guests: some small family-run places can’t register foreign passports.
