Li River漓江
The karst river between Guilin and Yangshuo — cruise, bamboo raft or riverside walk, and where to find the 20-yuan view.
Photo: Chinatravelsavvy · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best time
- April–October; clearer skies in October–November. High water after heavy rain can suspend services.
- Nearest base
- Guilin & Yangshuo
About Li River
The Li River runs roughly 80 km from Guilin to Yangshuo through tower karst, part of the South China Karst World Heritage site. The scenery is at its most dramatic between Yangdi and Xingping, where the current 20-yuan banknote image comes from.
There are three main ways to see it: a large cruise boat from Guilin to Yangshuo (about 4–5 hours), a motorised bamboo raft on the Yangdi–Xingping or Xingping section, or a walk along the riverside path between Yangdi and Xingping.
Tickets and getting there
- Booking
- Buy cruise and raft tickets through official channels with your passport. Be careful with touts — some cheaper “Li River” rafts are on other rivers.
- How to get there
- Cruises depart from piers south of Guilin; Xingping is about 30–40 minutes by road from Yangshuo.
Almost every major sight in China books by passport number. See what to set up before you fly.
Highlights
- Nine Horse Fresco Hill — Cliff face said to show nine horses.
- 20-yuan note viewpoint — Near Xingping.
- Laozhai Hill — Short, steep climb above Xingping for sunrise.
Field notes
- Sit on the upper deck on the left (east) side going downstream for the best views on the main stretch.
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FAQ
Cruise or bamboo raft?
The cruise covers the whole river comfortably; the raft is closer to the water and shorter. With limited time, the Xingping raft gives the best scenery per hour.
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