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If Guilin is China’s landscape postcard, the Li River is the soul within the frame. That’s why we’ve invested countless hours in on-the-ground research scouting the riverbanks by cruise, raft, foot, and bike. As a local agency specializing in Li River Tours, we’ve gone beyond the standard tourist routes to curate diverse experiences, each revealing a different side of the river.
How to Experience Li River Tours? Hear from Our Local Experts!
The Classic Essence: Li River cruise. Best for seeing the full river in comfort.
The most classic route is a Li River cruise (3 to 5-star boat) from Guilin to Yangshuo. Spend about 4 hours taking in the stunning landscapes along the river.
Intimate Waters: Bamboo Rafting. For a closer-to-nature, intimate experience on the water.
① Yangdi to Xingping (Golden Section): A motorized raft here takes you to iconic 20-Yuan banknote and Nine Horse Mural Hill. About 1-1.5 hours. ② Yulong River Rafting (The Quiet Tributary): Located in Yangshuo, we use manual bamboo rafts, offering a serene experience amidst idyllic countryside views. About 30-60 mins.
The Active Path: Hiking & Cycling. For those who want to see the Li River from a different angle.
① The Yangdi-Xingping Trek: This 20km hike follows the eastern bank.You’ll walk the villages and see the peaks from angles that large boats simply can’t reach. ② Cycling the Ten-Mile Gallery: In Yangshuo, we provide high-quality bikes or e-scooters for a flexible exploration of the Ten-Mile Gallery and the Yulong River banks.
Why Choose Li River Tours with Us?
At Li River Tours, you’re free to explore the river your way ( e.g., mix cruise, raft, or bike). Our multi-day tours that seamlessly connect the li river with the Yangshuo, Longji Rice Terraces, and Guilin, creating a complete experience. Backed by deep local resources, our experts know the comfort level of each cruise, hidden angles for the perfect shot, and how to avoid crowds. We skip the middleman, ensuring you get the best local rates.
Get a free consultation or visit us at our Guilin Office: 7th Floor, He Ping Plaza, Qixing District, Guilin, Guangxi.
"Excellent Tour, best experience"
"A unique experience despite a difficult context thanks
to an experience team of organisers"
Tour the Li River in the most classic and relaxing way! Indulge in the magic of a mesmerizing 4-hour Li River cruise, where every moment is a feast for the senses. As you glide along the tranquil waters, be prepared to have your breath taken away by the sheer magnificence of the surroundings. Towering limestone peaks, adorned with lush greenery, create a dramatic backdrop against the crystal-clear river, forming an artist's canvas come to life. The following are the 3 classic Li River tours that offer a great experience from Guilin to Yangshuo, combined with fantastic exploration of all the destinations.
Discover a new and exhilarating way to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Li River! You can capture the panoramic view of the Li River by hiking up to a Karst mountain on the banks, enjoying the painting-like scenery of Nine Horse Fresco Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal, and the scenery featured on the 20 Yuan banknote, as well as exploring the most charming place - Xingping Town.
Whether you seek the thrill of hiking, biking, or bamboo rafting, or the artistry of photography and painting, the Li River offers a plethora of activities to satiate your desires. Embark on a journey of stream tracing, kayak along the tranquil waters, or try your hand at SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) for a truly unique experience. Select your likes now!
Take a trip beyond the Li River itself and explore the wonders of China's most captivating destinations. We highly recommend taking comprehensive China tours that encompass other stunning destinations in a single trip. Explore the vibrant allure of Hong Kong, the panda’s hometown of Chengdu, the breathtaking landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the majestic Yangtze River, the historical wonders of Xian and Beijing, the mystical beauty of Tibet, or the dynamic energy of Shanghai. Our tour packages are all-inclusive and offered at the best prices, ensuring you have a seamless and unforgettable travel experience.
Are you wondering how to plan your Guilin Li River Yangshuo tour? We've got you covered! To simplify the process, we provide a plethora of Guilin travel information to assist you in organizing your perfect itinerary.
Explore our collection of up-to-date and valuable travel articles covering various topics, including "How to Plan a Guilin Tour," "Top Attractions in Guilin," "Must-Do Activities in Guilin," "Best Time to Visit Guilin," and "Frequently Asked Questions About Guilin Travel." Start planning your Guilin tour today and embark on an extraordinary adventure and unveil the mesmerizing Karst landscape in this nature paradise. View All Guilin Travel Guide >>
The top attractions to visit in Guilin downtown are:
The number of days you need in Guilin depends on your travel preferences and the depth of exploration you desire. Usually, it is suggested to spend at least 2 days in Guilin and Yangshuo to experience the main highlights. It allows you to visit popular attractions such as the Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave, and explore the picturesque Yangshuo countryside.
However, if you wish to delve deeper into the region and immerse yourself in its natural beauty, culture, and activities, it is recommended to allocate 3 to 6 days or more. You can have in-depth exploration of attractions like the Longji Rice Terraces, Yangshuo's karst landscape, Xingping Town on the bank of the Li River, ethnic minority villages, cycling or hiking adventures, and leisurely river cruises.
You can check more on: How to Plan a Guilin Tour | Ultimate Guilin Planning Guide >>
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is 83 kilometers long. You will spend approximately 4 hours on a ferry. During the rainy season, the water level is high and the cruise time may be less than 3.5 hours. During the low season, the cruise time may be longer. Your lunch will be served on the ferry at around 12 pm.
If you take a 3-star Li River cruise, it departs from Mopanshan Pier (磨盘山码头) and arrives at Shuidongmen dock in Yangshuo. However, if you opt for a 4-star Li River cruise, it starts from Zhujiang Pier (竹江码头) and arrives at Longtoushan dock in Yangshuo.
It takes approximately 1 hour to travel from the Guilin downtown area to the respective piers. Please ensure you allocate enough time for transportation.
Learn more about: Li River Cruise: From Guilin to Yangshuo by Boat >>
The Li River is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Here are some of the highlights you can expect along the Li River of Guilin:
The most iconic feature of the Li River is its karst mountains. These limestone peaks rise majestically from the riverbanks, creating breathtaking and otherworldly scenery. Nine Horses Fresco Hill is a natural landscape that resembles nine galloping horses when viewed from a specific angle. Yellow Cloth Shoal is the typical scenery depicted on the 20 Yuan banknote.
Xingping Ancient Town on the banks: The town itself is an attraction, with well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture lining its narrow streets. During the cruise, you can enjoy an overlook of this beautiful small town.
Yangshuo: As you approach Yangshuo, the landscape transforms into a picturesque countryside dotted with rice paddies, bamboo groves, and traditional villages. This scenic beauty provides a peaceful and idyllic backdrop for your Guilin Li River journey.
It is recommended to travel to Guilin from April to October during which there are many sunny days, greener hills and clearer river water.
The summer temperature in Guilin can be as high as 37ºC. It is best to bring something convenient for summer, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, mosquito repellent, etc.r.
Alvin Tan
Singapore
Our 10-day China tour through Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Shanghai was absolutely incredible! Traveling in a small group made everything seamless. The guides were highly knowledgeable, and I really appreciated the "no shopping stops" policy.
From hiking the Mutianyu Great Wall to the stunning Li River cruise and Shanghai's modern skyline, every moment was perfectly planned. Highly recommend Asia Odyssey Travel!
Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin/Yangshuo
Date of Experience: Apr 05, 2026
Tour Customized by: Leo
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Emily Carter
USA
Our family of five from the United States had an amazing time on the 8 Days Miraculous Nature Tour: Guilin & Zhangjiajie with Chengdu Pandas. From the peaceful Li River cruise to the breathtaking Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie, every day felt like a dream. Seeing the giant pandas in Chengdu was the highlight for our kids. All transfers, hotels, and guides were perfectly arranged, making the trip stress-free and enjoyable. The team was patient, caring, and always ready to help. This tour gave us unforgettable family memories and a deeper love for China’s natural beauty.
Destination(s): Chengdu/Sichuan, Guilin/Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: Nov 28, 2025
Tour Customized by: Wendy
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Sarah Lim
Singapore
I recently completed the “30 Days China Tour from Beijing” with Asia Odyssey Travel, and as someone from Singapore, I found it to be an exceptional experience.
Starting in Beijing, everything kicked off seamlessly — airport pick-up worked well, and our guide made us feel comfortable right away. Over the month we moved through a very broad selection of China’s landscapes, cities, history and culture. From the imposing Great Wall of China and Forbidden City in Beijing to ancient capitals, ethnic minority regions, high-speed train rides, rural scenery and modern metropolises.
Some of the highlights for me:
Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu/Sichuan, Guilin/Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie, YangtzeRiver, Xinjiang, Dunhuang/Gansu
Date of Experience: Apr 01, 2025
Tour Customized by: JoJo
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