Atlas of China
Li River & Yangshuo 漓江与阳朔Lí Jiāng yǔ Yángshuò
Limestone peaks, bamboo rafts and bike rides through rice paddies
- Best time
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Days to budget
- 2 days
- Stay in
- Guilin
- Region
- Guangxi
- Type
- Nature
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area, 4A scenic area
Why go to Li River & Yangshuo
Between Guilin and Yangshuo, the Li River winds through a landscape of limestone peaks, feathery bamboo and water buffalo cooling off in the shallows. Cruise downstream or ride a bamboo raft near Xingping, then base yourself in Yangshuo to cycle the Yulong River valley, climb a hill for sunset or take a cooking class.
The story
Poets have praised these hills since at least the Tang dynasty; Han Yu likened the river to a green silk ribbon and the peaks to jade hairpins. The view near Xingping is printed on the back of China's 20-yuan banknote.
What to see at Li River & Yangshuo
- Li River cruise 漓江游船: The classic four-hour boat ride from Guilin to Yangshuo past peaks, bamboo groves and water buffalo.
- Xingping and the 20-yuan view 兴坪与二十元人民币背景: A riverside stretch outside Xingping town matches the scene printed on the back of the 20-yuan note; Laozhai Hill above the village gives a high view.
- Yulong River 遇龙河: A smaller, quieter river near Yangshuo where bamboo rafts drift past stone bridges and rice fields.
- Moon Hill 月亮山: A limestone peak pierced by a huge natural arch, with a stair climb to panoramic views; it is also a climbing crag.
- Xianggong Hill 相公山: A short climb above the river for a layered karst panorama at sunrise or sunset.
- West Street 西街: Yangshuo's pedestrian street of cafes, shops and bars, the town's evening centre.
How to visit Li River & Yangshuo
For the classic route, take the boat from Guilin to Yangshuo, or ride the high-speed train to Yangshuo station, which is in Xingping town, and join a raft there. Spend a day cycling or rafting the Yulong River and climb Moon Hill or Xianggong Hill at the day's ends. Two days cover the cruise and countryside; a third adds Xingping.
How to get to Li River & Yangshuo
Li River cruises sail from piers outside Guilin to Yangshuo in about four hours. Alternatively, take the high-speed train from Guilin to Yangshuo (about 30 minutes) and do a shorter raft trip from Xingping.
Where to stay
Base yourself in Yangshuo, around West Street for nightlife or in the Yulong River countryside for quiet; Xingping is a calmer riverside option.
What to eat
- Beer fish 啤酒鱼: River fish braised with local beer, tomatoes and chilli, usually shared at the table.
- Guilin rice noodles 桂林米粉: A noodle soup topped with braised meat, peanuts and pickled beans, eaten at any time of day.
- Lipu taro pork 荔浦芋扣肉: Taro from nearby Lipu steamed with streaky pork and turned out onto a plate.
Tips for visiting Li River & Yangshuo
- The Xingping stretch has the banknote view and the best section for bamboo rafts.
- Rent a bike or e-bike in Yangshuo to explore the villages and old stone bridges of the Yulong River.
- Climb Xianggong Hill at sunrise for the classic panorama of river and peaks.
Nearby
- Longji Rice Terraces 龙脊梯田 120 km
Rice paddies stacked up the mountains like the scales on a dragon's back
Also within 30 km: Butterfly Spring 蝴蝶泉 (under 10 km), Shiwaitaoyuan (Land of Idyllic Beauty) 世外桃源 (20 km), Silver Cave 银子岩 (20 km), Sanqianli Resort, Xingping 三千漓 (20 km).
Trips with Li River & Yangshuo
- Two weeks in China: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai 14 days · Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Leshan, Guilin and Shanghai
- Guilin, Yangshuo and the Longji terraces in four days 4 days · Guilin
On the map
Open Li River & Yangshuo on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Li River & Yangshuo on the map