Yangshuo Li-River & Yulong River One-Day Tour（Classic Bamboo-Raft Route）
20-RMB banknote background · Classic Yulong River bamboo raft · Pure-play zero-shopping · Foreign-visitor-friendly reception
Tour Highlights
💵 20-RMB Banknote Background View
At the Xingping Li-River section, check-in the karst landscape printed on the 5th-series RMB 20-yuan banknote.
🛶 Classic Yulong River Segment
Bamboo-raft drifting from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian Village, around 90 minutes passing 9 weirs, featuring original pastoral mountain-river scenery.
🏘 Jiuxian Ancient Village
Stroll among century-old blue-brick ancient residences and experience the cultural heritage of Yangshuo ancient villages.
🏮 Yangshuo West Street
Free time for food-hunting, try beer-fish and osmanthus-flavored snacks, and experience the lively local atmosphere of Yangshuo.
🌄 Detailed Scenic-Spot Introduction
Xingping Li-River
Xingping represents the highlight section of Li-River scenery, with countless karst peaks standing along both banks and crystal-green river water. This is the shooting location for the back side of the 5th-series 20-RMB banknote. Standing at the viewing platform you can see the complete classic mountain-and-river panorama. Cruise along the river and you will pass well-known sights including Nine-Horses Mural Hill and Yellow-Cloth Reflection. The landscape scroll unfolds slowly. On sunny days peaks cast reflections on the water; in mist-rain seasons clouds wrap around mountain summits. Both views are uniquely charming.
Yulong River（Jinlong Bridge-Jiuxian Village Drifting Segment）
Yulong River is known as the “Little Li-River”. Its water is crystal-clear, with farmland, rice paddies, green bamboo and rolling karst peaks stretching on both sides. There are no large motor-driven cruise ships; only manually-poled two-person bamboo rafts for a quieter, more original experience. Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian Village is the widely-recognized classic drifting segment of Yulong River. The whole trip lasts about 90 minutes and passes 9 weirs. You will feel mild thrills as the bamboo raft glides down weirs. Pastoral villages scatter along the banks, offering countless picture-perfect rural shots. The drifting terminates at Jiuxian Village pier.
Jiuxian Ancient Village
Jiuxian Village boasts a thousand-year-long history and once served as the county seat of ancient Guiyi County. A large number of Ming-Qing-era blue-brick old residences, ancient gateways and stone-slab alleys are preserved inside the village. Old houses are decorated by osmanthus and bougainvillea outside the walls, creating a simple and tranquil vibe. After bamboo-raft drifting, wander through the ancient village, visit old dwellings and cafés, and soak in authentic local-rural life in Yangshuo, away from the hustle of tourist zones.
Yangshuo West Street
With a history of more than 1,400 years, Yangshuo West Street is the busiest old commercial street in Yangshuo. Lined on both sides of the stone-slab old street are old residences, specialty restaurants, cultural-creative shops and bars. It is great for strolling and photo-taking by day, and glows with brilliant lights after dark. Here you can taste local Yangshuo specialties such as beer-fish, river-snail stuffed dishes and osmanthus jelly, buy osmanthus-themed souvenirs, and experience the small-town vibe blending Chinese and Western cultures.
Scheduled Itinerary
| Time | Arrangement | Details & Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Hotel pick-up in downtown Guilin, depart for Xingping Yangshuo | Door-step hotel pick-up, driving time approx. 1.5 hours. Chinese-speaking driver-guide by default; bilingual Chinese-English driver-guide is available at extra cost for foreign-visitor groups. |
| 09:30 | Xingping Li-River cruise, check-in the 20-RMB banknote background view | Sightseeing lasts approx. 1.5 hours. View Nine-Horses Mural Hill, Yellow-Cloth Reflection, and take souvenir photos at the 20-RMB viewing platform. |
| 11:30 | Lunch in Yangshuo area | Taste local Yangshuo specialties including beer-fish and other authentic rural-style dishes. |
| 13:00 | Yulong River bamboo-raft drifting (Jinlong Bridge-Jiuxian Village) | Classic manual bamboo-raft trip for around 90 minutes, passing 9 weirs while enjoying pastoral karst-peak scenery on both banks. |
| 15:00 | Leisure stroll in Jiuxian Ancient Village | About 40 minutes of visiting: explore Ming-Qing-era old residences and stone-slab alleys for casual walking and photography. |
| 16:00 | Free-time activity at Yangshuo West Street | Stroll around, try snacks and buy souvenirs to experience Yangshuo small-town vibe. |
| 18:00 | Return transfer, drop-off at downtown Guilin hotel | Tour concludes and you will be sent back to your accommodation. |
Cost Explanation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Included | Round-trip transportation from Guilin, Xingping Li-River cruise ticket, Yulong River Jinlong-Bridge-Jiuxian-Village two-person bamboo-raft ticket, Chinese-speaking driver-guide service. |
| Self-paid Items | Meals, personal shopping and consumption. |
| Notes | Bamboo-raft service is subject to weather, water-level and scenic-area administration rules. Rescheduling or partial-refund options apply if drifting is suspended. Children under 1 m, seniors aged 70 and above, and guests with limited mobility are not recommended for two-person bamboo-raft. Foreign visitors must present original passport for scenic-spot entry-check-in. |
Booking Terms & Travel Precautions
General Travel Notes
- Yulong River bamboo rafts are designed for two-person occupancy. Solo-travellers need to share-raft on-site or pay the surcharge for the full-raft.
- Splashes occur during bamboo-raft drifting; prepare waterproof pouches for phones, cameras and other electronic devices. Quick-dry clothing is recommended; avoid light-colored garments prone to color-bleeding.
- In case of heavy rain, river water-level rise or scenic-area control, bamboo-raft service will be temporarily suspended. We will coordinate rescheduling or arrange alternative sightseeing plans.
- Plenty of outdoor walking is scheduled on this tour. Wear non-slip comfortable sports shoes. Apply sun-protection in summer and bring sun-hat and sunscreen lotion.
- There are many merchants in Xingping, Yulong-River zone and West Street. Compare prices and consume rationally when buying local specialties and souvenirs.
- Drifting piers see huge crowds in peak tourist seasons. Follow your guide’s instructions and reserve enough waiting time for boarding.
🧑🦱 Special Reminders for Foreign Visitors
- Documents: You must carry your original passport for scenic-spot and pier ticket-check-in. Copies cannot be used for venue entry or boarding.
- Language: Bilingual Chinese-English driver-guide can be reserved. Most vendors at rural piers and ancient villages speak only Chinese; your guide assists communication and translation.
- Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted at scenic spots. Keep small-denomination RMB cash for street-stall purchases. International credit-cards have low acceptance rates in rural locations.
- Dining: Local Yangshuo food tends to be spicy. Please inform us in advance of vegetarian diet, food-allergies or dietary restrictions when placing booking.
- Safety Reminders: Stay firmly seated throughout bamboo-raft drifting. Do not stand up or climb over railings; always follow the raftsman’s guidance.
- Photography Etiquette: Always obtain consent before taking portrait photos of local residents or shop-keepers.
- Internet & Insurance: Mobile-phone signal can be weak in some suburban pier zones, download offline maps beforehand. Foreign tourists are recommended to independently purchase travel insurance for your stay in Mainland China.
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