I don’t always have a story to share along with my photos, and even though that’s the case with my rafting trip down the Li River, it’s still one of my favourite memories from my travels in China.
The Li River (Lijiang) is a popular journey in the Guangxi province; many travellers choose to cruise the length between Guilin and Yangshuo, and it’s easy to see why – the landscapes are out of this world! Karst mountains rise up from either side of the river, giving way to one of the most magical journeys in the world. The place is so spectacular that it’s actually printed on the back of the 20 Yuan notes – that’s saying something.
Sam had already cruised down the Li River on one of his previous trips to China, but because his trip had been shrouded in fog and rain, he was happy to do it all over again. We got incredibly lucky with the weather that day – the sun was out and there was hardly a cloud in sight.
After snapping a few photos of the bamboo rafts (which are really made of plastic tubes!), we hopped aboard and grabbed a seat on the wooden bench. The scenery was incredible and I had to keep reminding myself to just put the camera down and soak it in with my own two eyes. I ooo-ed and ahhh-ed and kept poking Sam on the shoulder excitedly muttering, “Can you believe this? Are you seeing this?!”…and then I fell asleep.
Not very opportune timing, but that’s what I do when I’m on a boat, or a train, or a bus, or anything that produces a rocking motion. I was shaken awake by Sam about halfway through the journey, “Are you still seeing this?”
Yup…that’s how we roll.
Planning Your Li River Adventure: A Practical Guide
Timing Your Trip
| Season | Pros | Watch‑outs |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Water levels are high, rapeseed fields glow neon yellow, and morning mist gives the karst a fairy‑tale vibe. | Occasional drizzles—pack a light rain shell. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Lush greenery, balmy evenings, and firefly‑lit strolls in Yangshuo’s back alleys. | Peak crowds and humidity; book tickets early. |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Crystal‑clear skies, cooler temps, and rice terraces turning gold. Photographers’ paradise! | National Day week (Oct 1‑7) = price hikes + lines. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Serene river, discount rates, and the chance of a mist‑blanketed landscape straight out of a Chinese ink painting. | Some raft routes pause if temps dip below 10 °C. |
Pro Tip: Shoulder months—late May and early September—strike the sweet spot between decent weather and manageable crowds.
Choosing Your Boat
Deluxe Cruise Boats (3‑, 4‑, & 5‑Star)
Duration: ~4 hours • Route: Guilin → Yangshuo
- 5‑Star Luxury – Padded seats, panoramic windows, buffet lunch, and fewer than 50 passengers. From ≈ USD 230
- 4‑Star Deluxe – Spacious deck, set‑menu lunch, English commentary. From ≈ USD 120
- 3‑Star Classic – No‑frills benches, boxed lunch, same killer views. From ≈ USD 78
Why pick it? Ideal if you’re starting in Guilin, crave comfort, and don’t mind sharing the deck with selfie sticks.
Motorized “Bamboo” Rafts (Li River Section)
Duration: 1–1.5 hours • Route: Xingping ↔ Nine‑Horse Fresco Hill
- Cost: ~CNY 80 per seat (max 4 seats)
- Vibe: Closer to the waterline, fewer crowds, engines hum instead of paddles swish (they’re plastic pipes, but we’ll suspend disbelief).
Why pick it? You’ve already based yourself in Yangshuo/Xingping and want an intimate, “splash‑in‑your‑face” perspective.
Yulong River Punting (Non‑motorized!)
Duration: 50 min • Route: Shuiedi → Gongnong Bridge
Cost: CNY 200 per raft (fits two)
Why pick it? Zero engines, emerald‑green tributary, and photogenic stone bridges. Perfect for slow travelers and honeymooners.
Booking Hacks That Save Time & Sanity
- Buy ahead in high season via official cruise portals or reputable agents—Chinese holidays sell out weeks in advance.
- Carry your passport; staff will scan it at the pier gate.
- Select a downstream seat (left side) when sailing Guilin → Yangshuo—better lighting on the karst towers.
- Pack snacks even on luxury boats; the buffet leans carb‑heavy, and coffee is instant.
- Print or screenshot e‑tickets—cell service fades between gorges.
Getting There Without Losing Your Zen
- To Guilin Pier (Zhujiang Wharf): 50‑min taxi from Guilin Liangjiang Airport or 30 min from Guilin Railway Station.
- Yangshuo Return: Public bus (CNY 25) to Guilin, or high‑speed train from Yangshuo Station (actually in Xingping—20 min taxi).
- Rafting in Xingping: Catch bus #618 from Yangshuo South Bus Station (≈ 45 min).
- Yulong River Docks: Hire an e‑scooter (¥30/day) and follow the paved “Ten‑Mile Gallery” bike path.
What to Pack (Beyond the Obvious)
- Wide‑angle lens – those karst cliffs won’t fit in your phone frame.
- Dry bag – engine spray = damp souvenirs.
- Quick‑dry towel – doubles as seat cushion, scarf, or picnic mat.
- Reusable chopsticks & cup – skip single‑use plastic, sip local jasmine tea like a pro.
- Small change – tip the cormorant fisherman for a photo; CNY 10 goes a long way.
Must‑See Landmarks & Where to Spot Them
| Kilometer Marker | Highlight | Story to Tell Your Followers |
|---|---|---|
| 18 km | Nine‑Horse Fresco Hill | Locals swear nine stallions appear in the limestone if you squint just right. Count them = good luck! |
| 25 km | Yellow Cloth Shoal | The exact scene on the ¥20 bill—hold the note up, snap the meta shot. |
| 32 km | Xingping Ancient Town | Cobblestone alleys, Ming‑era doorways, and the best beer‑fish in Guangxi. |
| 40 km | Snail Hill | Spirals of vegetation resemble—you guessed it—a giant snail shell. |
Keep your camera ready; captains rarely slow down unless you bribe them with a grin and a polite “ting yi xia, hao ma?” (“Could we stop for a moment?”).
Responsible Travel = Future Travel
- Leave no trash—river currents carry litter straight into villagers’ fishing grounds.
- Skip illegal wildlife shows (monkeys on chains, snake charmers). Your wallet is your vote.
- Stay in family‑run guesthouses; revenue trickles back to farmers who maintain the paddies that make the scenery postcard‑worthy.
- Ride bikes, not ATVs on the Yulong River banks—mud tracks scar the fragile bamboo root systems.
Beyond the Boat: Yangshuo Bucket List
| Activity | Why It Rocks | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cycling the Yulong Valley | Flat lanes, rice terraces, and villages where grandma still weaves bamboo baskets. | Half‑day |
| Moon Hill Hike | Natural arch with 360° karst panorama; count 800 stone steps. | 2 hrs |
| Impression · Liu Sanjie Light Show | 600 actors on the river, directed by Zhang Yimou of Hero fame. | Evening |
| Cooking Class in Chaolong Village | Market tour + wok skills = spicy beer‑fish you can recreate at home. | 4 hrs |
FAQ Lightning Round
- Can I DIY without Chinese? Yes—download the Pleco dictionary app and screenshot station names in Mandarin.
- Motion‑sick? Choose mid‑deck seats and pop ginger candy; the river is calm, but engines vibrate.
- Kids friendly? Absolutely. Bring water guns for the raft—they’ll make instant friends.
- Drone rules? Register online, stay below 120 m, and avoid airports (there’s one near Guilin).
- Wi‑Fi on board? Spotty at best; pre‑load maps and embrace the digital detox.
Have you travelled down the Li River?
What were some of your China highlights?
Beautiful!! But have been in Cambodia the last week and the Chinese a hard bunch to take. A Belgian tourist next to me had remarked that she wished that photoshop had a ‘delete Chinese’ option. Not nice but a few hours of being pushed and shoved and having them shout at each other over everyone will do that…
I asked our Cambodia guide who they consider the worst tourists. The Chinese actually come 2nd. He said the Koreans are the worst. He didn’t say anything about us Canadians but everyone loves us, right? 🙂
Anyway, great photos.
Frank (bbqboy)
Absolutely stunning pictures, Li River looks incredible! It’s too bad the “bamboo” is made out of plastic – haha. I also tend to fall asleep everywhere, glad I’m not alone 😉
What a lovely trip; even though you fell asleep 🙂 With so many things to do, amazing eats and culture sights, my China highlight is definitely Beijing. I’d love to visit the Li River the next time I’m there!
I took that boat ride last year. Ended up on a boat where I was the only foreigner, but that actually made it even more fun. Didn’t get as nice photos as you though! 🙂
I have yet to make it to China but this scenery looks incredible. Some of your photos remind me a little bit of Halong Bay, Vietnam, and Vang Vieng, Laos. Someday I will make it to China and this rafting trip will definitely be on my list of things to do. It looks spectacular 🙂 And it’s nice to know if was one of your favorite China experience.
I haven’t made it to China yet, but these pictures definitely made the wanderlust stronger. Such a beautiful scenery!
I’ve done that cruise. Yangshuo is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. The scenery was incredible. I would suggest trying out some rock climbing while you’re there. One of the highlights of my time there was renting a motorbike (ours were 100 RMB per day, which I thought was a good price) and driving to a village called Xing Ping. It was actually the place where the picture on the 20 RMB note was taken. Beyond that village is just wide open country with a couple of sketchy river ferry’s that were a blast, and some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you’ll see. Also there’s orange farms all along the road there. You can bargain for them along the way. Sorry for going on so long, but I could definitely move there in a heartbeat. I almost decided to move down there after my contract was up in Hubei Province!
You have some great photos! I loved cruising down the Li River–it was one of my highlights from my time in China, too!
That’s definitely an area of China I want to explore!
We loved the Li river and were lucky enough to see it in flood. The people along that stretch were really terrific fun. China highlights, Li River, Xian and the city wall Shanghai skyline, Yangshuo and the food everywhere especially Guilin beans.
The scenery looks stunning there! Would love to do this rafting trip one day.
We visited this part of China back in 2005 – and it looks the same. Phew. Except we didn’t have to wear the lifejackets back then 🙂
Beautiful photos. Wish I didn’t have such crappy weather when I was there (didn’t see the sun for 5 days out there). It’s still one of my favorite memories of living in China.
The photos are lovely and it all looks so warm. Sigh! It reminds me of floating down the Mekong River in Vietnam. Good times!
Oh wow! It’s so pretty! Reminds me of Ha Long Bay a bit!
I particularly like the photo comparison with the yuan note.
It looks like a wonderful experience. I may add that to my ‘China must-dos list’ 😉
We spent a few weeks around Xing Ping and Yangshuo last year and it was beautiful. And not quite as crowded as it wasn’t quite peak season. We decided against the bamboo rafts as the river was so swollen, and cycled instead. Only problem was we got caught in a torrential thunderstorm. By the time we got back the street vendors didn’t even offer us waterproof capes and just laughed as we cycled past! It was loads of fun though and the sunset over Xing Ping (where the 20RMB note picture is) was spectacular!
Not all the rafts on the Li River are made of plastic tubes. In fact I only saw, and was punted on, bamboo rafts.
Whatever the raft is made from, it is an unforgettable experience!