Bamboo Rafting on the YuLong River is an original nature and culture exploration trip that will surely bring you an unforgettable experience! When you come to Guilin, China in 2025, it would be a pity if you don’t visit the Li River, and when you arrive at Yangshuo, it would be a pity if you miss the YuLong River.
How to get to Yangshuo?
By plane: Upon arrival at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, take the airport bus long-distance line 2 directly to Yangshuo County Bus Terminal, the fare is about 70 RMB, and the drive takes about 2 hours.
By High-speed Train: Depart from Guilin North Station or Guilin Station to Yangshuo Station, the fare is about RMB 30 and the ride takes about 30 minutes. After arriving at Yangshuo Station, then take the bus Yangshuo High-speed Train Line 1 to Yangshuo Fengming Tourist Distribution Center Station, the fare is about RMB 20, and the ride takes about 40 minutes.
What to do in YuLong River?
Bamboo rafting:
Experience the fun of original rafting, each raft (can carry 2 people) costs about 200 RMB and the rafting time is about 1.5-2 hours.
You can rent a bicycle to go to the pier of the Yulong Bridge, the riding time is about 1 hour (the bicycle will be pulled by the bamboo rafters to help you to get off the raft), the rental fee ranges from 10-30 RMB.
Ride to explore:
Cycling is also a great way to explore the Yulong River. 10 kilometers of idyllic cycling paths are equipped with AI audio guides that allow you to learn about the local flavor as you ride.
After 4 p.m., the views of the rice paddies in the side backlight are especially stunning. Rent an electric bike for only 30 RMB/day, and remember to check the power level!
Introduction to the Yulong River:
Located in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Province, the Meet the Dragon River is about 16 kilometers long, 38-61 meters wide, and 0.5-2 meters deep from Baisha Paradise to Danyangshu Gongnongqiao section. The river is clear and has a gentle current. The mountains on both sides of the river are beautiful and rolling, and the riverbanks are green with grass and bamboo. Along the way, there are nearly 20 major attractions, such as Rhinoceros Pond, Five Fingers Mountain, Chaoyang Zhai, Xiangui Bridge, Yulong Bridge, ruins of Guiyi Ancient City, Han Tomb Compound, Donghuangyan Rock, and Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea. Experts at home and abroad agree that the Yulong River is a world-class natural heritage. Dr. Karl, a famous landscape expert from Harvard University, exclaimed after his hiking expedition, “This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen in China.”
Other Yangshuo attractions recommended:
Ten Mile Gallery Ride: Start from Totem Ancient Road, pass through Butterfly Spring, Gongnong Bridge, and arrive at Moon Mountain (the whole journey is about 10 kilometers, riding for 2-3 hours). The entrance fee for Moon Mountain is 11 yuan, and you can hike for 30 minutes to the top overlooking the karst landscape.
Silver Rock: a typical karst landscape cave with sparkling stalactites. It is about half an hour’s drive from Yangshuo, and the tour lasts about 1 hour.
Guilin Thousand Years of Love Show: jointly created by Songcheng Performing Arts and Guilin Tourism Unit, the show lasts about 1.5 hours and recreates the history, culture and ethnic customs of Guilin.
“Impression – Liu Sanjie” Landscape Scenic Performance: a production of Zhang Yimou, the general director, is staged in the beautiful waters of the Li River in Yangshuo, with twelve mountain peaks as the backdrop, integrating the water of the Li River and the mountains of Guilin.
West Street: Yangshuo’s famous pedestrian street, bustling with activity at night. There is a holographic projection show of Zhuang copper drums every Friday night at 8pm. Recommended to taste local food, such as Sister Su’s sugar water, roasted cold noodles, rice noodles and beer fish.
Precautions:
When renting a car, please check the condition of the car and take photos for your records.
Before ordering beer fish, please check whether the fish is alive or not to avoid being ripped off by “dead fish with high price”.
When shopping on the West Street, please compare the prices of several stores to avoid buying too expensive goods.