The Li River, or Li Jiang, is in Guilin, in South China's Guangxi Province. It is renowned as being one of "the world's top 10 watery wonders" according toNational Geographic. The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo boasts the most beautiful scenery. Along the 86-kilometer waterway, you will see karst peaks, grazing water buffalo, farmers working in the fields, and traditional villages nestled at the bases of the hills.
- 中国e:漓江 Lí Jiāng /lee jyang/
- Scenic Area:Guilin–Yangshuo
- Activities:a Li River cruise, bamboo rafting, hiking, cormorant fishing, watching the night showImpression Liu Sanjie, photography
There are several ways to tour the Li River: take a relaxing cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, take a bamboo raft trip, and hiking alongside the Li River to get closer to nature. The most relaxing and popular way is to take a boat cruise.
A Li River Cruise
The best way to appreciate the beautiful scenery of thekarst landscapealong the river is to take a Li River cruise. The boat trip from Guilin to Yangshuo is one of the most popular activities in Guilin.
The cruise starts from a pier close to Guilin in the morning (at about 10am). The whole trip takes about4 hoursand reaches Yangshuo at 1.20pm.
The Li River Cruise Boats (4-Star Boats Vs. 3-Star Boats)
Currently, there aretwo kinds of boatthat travel across the Li River: 4-star and 3-star boats. The 4-star boats are the newest and best ones.
A 4-star riverboatCompared to 3-star cruise boats, the 4-star boats providea more comfortable and enjoyable experienceas they are equipped with modern facilities, larger seats, and cleaner Western bathrooms.
The seating capacity of the4-star cruise boatsis half that of the 3-star boats so they are not as crowded and there isn't much disruptive microphone usage on board. A buffet lunch is served.
Three-star cruisesare the most common type to be booked by travel agencies, even for foreign visitors, as they consider the cost to be a priority.
To maximize your Li River experience, we usually arrange 4-star cruises for our customers. We try to bookupper deck seatingas much as possible for the best views.
The Cruise Schedule and Route
- The boat departs between 9am and 10am from a pier that is about 1 hour's drive from Guilin. This means you need toleave your hotel at about 8am.
- You willarrive in Yangshuoat about 1pm. The boat departs every day except in the event of storms when the cruise will be canceled.
- From March to November:Guilin to Yangshuo, about 4 hours
- From December to February:The route may shorten to Yangdi to Xingping because of the shallow water. The cruise takes about 2 hours. Don't worry - even though the cruise route is shortened to 2 hours, most of the highlights you will see are in the section stretching fromYangdi to Xingping
- During the shallow water season, We will take you to visitXianggong Hillso that you can have a bird's-eye view of the Li River flowing among the karst mountains in Xingping.
- Please be advised that this is aone-way cruise. There are no cruises from Yangshuo to Guilin.
A Li River Cruise Tour
the Li River cruiseThe Li River day tour usually includes a克鲁斯在漓江and someactivities in Yangshuoafter you disembark in Yangshuo in the afternoon.
Most travel companies take their groups to visit some attractions in the Yangshuo countryside, such as Moon Hill, and then hurry back to Guilin at about 5pm in the afternoon.
Our private tours are flexibleand the activities in Yangshuo can be customized according to your preferences. You can choose to stroll around West Street, enjoy a rest in a caf é, or go cycling in the countryside.
Tips for the Li River Cruise
- As the cruise starts early in the morning in Guilin, you need tostay for one night in Guilin.
- There areEnglish-speaking guideson the cruise boats who will introduce the highlights as the boat reaches them. Ourprivate guidewill accompany you to board the boat. He/she will give you advice, such as the right time to go to the deck to see the best scenery and to get excellent photos.
- What happens with your baggage? If you travel with us, your private car will take your baggage from Guilin to Yangshuo, and it will besent straight to your hotelif you plan to stay in Yangshuo.
- A Li River cruise with kids:You may be concerned that your kids may feel bored during a 4-hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Don't worry: your guide will keep them entertained with activities, such as drawing pictures.
A Li River Bamboo Raft Trip
Enjoy bamboo rafting on the Li River.Taking a bamboo raft along the river is a moretraditionalway to travel. You can get closer to the water but it is affected by the weather.
It is a different way to see thebeautiful sceneryof the Li River, and the route is shorter than the ones used for the cruise boats.
- Route:Yangdi Village (40km/25mi south of Guilin) to Nine Horse Fresco Hill; Nine Horse Fresco Hill to Xingping Village
- Time needed:1 hour
- Facilities:motorized raft, four–six seats, large sunshade/canopy
- Food:local lunch and snacks sold on the shore
We currently don't recommend rafting on the Li River because the standard of service from the raftsmen can't be guaranteed. For example, your raftsman may shorten your rafting trip without prior agreement so that he can have more time for other clients.
Of course, if you do take a bamboo raft trip, the scenery along the riverwon't disappoint you- but don't expect too much in the way of a service from the raftsman.
Read more about aLi River Cruise Versus Bamboo Raft.
Hiking Alongside the Li River
Get closer to nature and local life by hiking.Hiking along the Li Riveryou can get closer to nature and you may meet some of the local farmers. It's also good for your health to do some outdoor exercise.
- Route:Xingping – Nine Horse Painting Hill – Xingping
- Distance:about 12 kilometers (8 miles)
- Time needed:4–5 hours
- Best times:spring and autumn
Weather: Best Times to Visit the Li River
The Li River on a sunny dayThe best time for youwill depend upon what Li River scenery you want to see, and how bothered you are by tourist crowds.
Scenery沿着漓江每个季节不同。春天或者post-rain summer is misty with the water and lush peaks shrouded in a veil like a painting; summer and fall are usually sunny with clear vistas of small villages with old buildings set among green karst hills; late autumn and winter is mild to cold, serene, and quiet.
The busy travel seasonis from May to October, with the busiest times being the summer holidays during July and August and the National Day holiday from October 1stto 7th. Most attractions in Guilin are packed with Chinese travelers.
Read more onthe best times to visit Guilin.
Take a Li River Cruise with Us
Take a Li River with us.A tour to Guilin should bea relaxing escape. We understand that no one likes to travel in a large noisy group, hurrying from one place to another.
Our tours areflexible and private. There are no group tours with strangers and no time-wasting. You can travel at your own pace.
Let'shelp you create a Li River touror you can have a look at our most popular Guilin tours:
Or contact us and we'llcreate your perfect Guilin tour.
What's a Tour With us Like?
A family of four that moved from US to China just released a video about their time in Guilin with us in October, 2021.Contact usto send a free inquiry.
