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The Li River, a stunning natural wonder, begins its journey in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an County, meandering elegantly for about 83 kilometers before it merges with the Xi River in Wuzhou. Nestled in the heart of Guangxi, the Li River is renowned for its awe-inspiring beauty. It's a world of towering limestone karst formations, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking landscapes that seem to be taken straight from a classic Chinese painting. The river's serene path unfolds a captivating panorama that will leave you utterly spellbound.
Li River Tours: Two Ways to Discover the Allure of the Li River
1. Cruising on its tranquil waters: The most classic route is a Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. Spend about 4 hours floating leisurely on the pristine water, soaking in the ethereal beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
2. Exploring onshore of Li River: If you're looking for a more adventurous approach, explore the banks of the Li River in Xingping Town. This experience combines hiking, biking, bamboo rafting, and photography that captures the river's magnificence from various perspectives. To fully immerse yourself in the Li River's splendor, plan for a 1 to 2-day exploration.
Take Extended China Tours Featuring the Li River
Check our 10 best Li River cruise tours to plan your Guilin Li River tour. For a comprehensive experience, travelers are recommended to spend 3 to 5 days exploring Guilin, the Li River, Yangshuo, and the Longji Rice Terraces. If you wish to extend your trip further, consider 10 to 15-day vacation that includes other stunning destinations in China. Each tour can be tailored to your preferences, ensuring a travel experience based on your personal interests and desires.
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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.
Carolina D
Porto Alegre
I went on a 15 day trip to China including Beijing, Xi’an, Zhangjiajie, Guilin and Shanghai with Asia Odissey. Ms Cathy Yu was my consultant and she was great. Perfect itinerary and local guides. I strongly recommend visiting China. It is incredibly beautiful and safe.
Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin/Yangshuo, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: Mar 29, 2025
Tour Customized by: Cathy
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Nadiya
Van H
10 Days Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai Tour during Mar. 30-Apr.8, 2025
Our tour coordinator, Lea Zhang, was very helpful and patient. She went above and beyond to make sure everything goes well. She also followed up with us throughout the trip to make sure everything was ok. All of our tour guides (Candy, Ben, Helen, and Sarah), were also very helpful and patient. They were all thorough, informative, and engaging. Thank you Lea for your coordination and flexibility with our plans!
Overall, this tour was amazing! I would recommend this to friends and family!
Anya
Singapore
I was uncertain to travel to China as I have not been there. Searched for several tour agency but most was late in responding. However, Asia Odyssey was prompt in their response. I was very fortunate to have liase with Lea. She was very responsive and sincere in attending to my queries and requests. She also asked questions to ensure what I wanted was to my preference. She was also patient in dealing with changes before and during the trip. I was also worried if this was a scam cos she was really good. Thankfully it was not and my trip to China have really been a smooth and wonderful one. My family and I truly enjoyed our trip to China thanks to Asia Odyssey, especially Lea. Will definitely engage their service the next time I go China. Thank you Asia Odyssey!
Destination(s): Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin/Yangshuo
Date of Experience: Dec 11, 2025
Tour Customized by: Lea
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