Yangshuo sits in the middle of the Guilin karst, the forest of limestone peaks that UNESCO added to its South China Karst World Heritage site in 2014. The activities below all happen in that landscape, and most of them on its two rivers, the Li and the Yulong.
Cruise the Li River from Guilin
The classic way to arrive is the Li River cruise: about 60 km from Guilin to Yangshuo, roughly four hours on the water. Published fares for 2026 are ¥215 per adult on a three-star boat, which leaves from Mopanshan pier, and ¥360 on a four-star boat, which leaves from Zhujiang pier. Boats leave in the morning, and both arrive at Longtoushan pier in Yangshuo.
For four hours, the boat slides between the limestone peaks. It is the longest view of the river you will get, and the only one that links Guilin to Yangshuo.
Book the cruise for the day you travel from Guilin: it doubles as your transfer to Yangshuo. The departure time is printed on the ticket, so check it the evening before.
Raft the Yulong River
The Yulong, or "Jade Dragon", is a smaller river near Yangshuo, and the place to go rafting. You sit on a bamboo raft for two, and a raftsman poles it downstream between the peaks. The classic route, from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian, takes 70 to 90 minutes and costs about ¥320 per raft for two people; a shorter route of about 40 minutes costs around ¥200 per raft.
Another boarding point is Yulong Bridge, a stone bridge built in 1412, under the Ming dynasty. Even if you do not raft from there, it is worth a stop on a bike ride.
Rafting stops when the water is too high, which happens mostly in the rainy months of June to August. Ask your raft operator about the day's conditions before you set off for the boarding point.
Cycle the countryside
The roads and paths around Yangshuo run through villages and karst peaks, and the easiest way to see them is by bike or electric scooter. A loop of about 20 km takes in the Ten-Mile Gallery, a road lined with karst peaks. On the same roads, Moon Hill is the peak with a natural arch through it, which you can see from the road or climb by a stepped path.
Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is softer and the roads are quieter, and combine the ride with a stop at Yulong Bridge.
Xingping and the 20-yuan view
Xingping is an old town on the Li River, upstream from Yangshuo, and the best base for the scene printed on the back of the 20-yuan note. The view is near the bend called Huangbutan, or Yellow Cloth Shoal, and you see it from a boat or from the viewpoints around the town.
The best-known of these viewpoints is Xianggong Hill, above the river near Xingping, where photographers come for the sunrise over the bends of the Li. Get there before dawn if you want the morning mist without the crowd. Yangshuo railway station is near Xingping, so you can also stop there on the way in or out.
Evenings in town
West Street, the pedestrian street in the centre of Yangshuo, is where the town spends its evenings, with shops, cafés and restaurants. It is busy and touristy, but convenient for a first dinner.
The other evening classic is Impression Liu Sanjie, an outdoor show staged on the Li River. Ticket prices and showtimes vary with the season and the seats, so check them on the day you plan to go.
More to try
Rock climbing is offered on Yangshuo's limestone cliffs, and cooking classes are another option. Ask the operator for the price and what is included before you book.
You will also see cormorant fishermen on the Li River, with their birds and their lanterns. Today, these are mostly photo sessions staged for visitors, and the real cormorant fishing is a fading tradition. Ask the price before you take pictures.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons: spring for the green landscape and the morning mist, autumn for clearer days. June to August is the rainiest period, with high water that can stop the rafts. Avoid China's National Day holiday, from 1 to 7 October in 2026, when Yangshuo fills with domestic visitors; if you must travel then, book your boat, train and room well in advance.
Practical information
- Li River cruise: about 4 hours from Guilin; ¥215 (three-star boat) or ¥360 (four-star boat) per adult in 2026.
- Yulong rafting: 70 to 90 minutes from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian, about ¥320 per raft for two.
- Cycling: loop of about 20 km through the Ten-Mile Gallery.
- Best seasons: spring and autumn; rain from June to August.
- Getting there: high-speed train from Guilin in 20 to 30 minutes, plus 50 to 60 minutes from Yangshuo station to town; direct bus in 1 hour 30 to 2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Li River cruise cost?
Published fares for the cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo in 2026 are ¥215 per adult on a three-star boat, which leaves from Mopanshan pier, and ¥360 on a four-star boat, which leaves from Zhujiang pier. Both arrive at Longtoushan pier in Yangshuo after about four hours.
Where is the view on the 20-yuan note?
On the Li River near Xingping, around the bend known as Huangbutan, or Yellow Cloth Shoal. You can see it by boat or from the viewpoints around Xingping, which is closer to the scene than Yangshuo town.
Can you go rafting on the Yulong River in summer?
Yes, but June to August is the rainiest period, and rafting is suspended when the water is too high. Check with the raft operator on the day before you go to the boarding point.
How do you get from Guilin to Yangshuo?
By boat on the Li River, by high-speed train, or by bus. The train takes 20 to 30 minutes, but Yangshuo station is far from the town: allow 50 to 60 minutes more by shuttle or taxi. A direct bus from Guilin to Yangshuo town takes about 1 hour 30 to 2 hours.
