The Li River cruise is the reason most people come to Guilin. Boats leave from the piers south-east of the city and wind for about four to five hours through a landscape of cone-shaped limestone hills, water buffalo on the banks, fishing rafts and bamboo groves, finishing at the quayside in Yangshuo. The cruise is a slow, easy way to see the scenery that has appeared in Chinese painting for centuries, and it needs no fitness at all. The larger boats carry well over a hundred people and serve a set lunch on board, so it is a social, slightly touristy trip, but the views from the upper deck are genuinely extraordinary, especially on a misty morning. This private day tour from Guilin handles the pickup, the boat and the transfers between Guilin and Yangshuo, which saves working out piers and timings yourself. It suits first-time visitors, families and anyone with only one day to spare.
How the cruise works
Boats board at piers about 25 kilometres south-east of downtown Guilin and finish in Yangshuo, so you need transport at both ends. Two classes of boat run on the river. The four-star boats carry fewer passengers, have English-speaking guides and serve a buffet lunch, while the three-star boats are bigger, offer Mandarin-only commentary and a boxed lunch. If you have a choice, the smaller, better boats are worth the modest extra cost. The whole trip takes four to five hours depending on the speed of the water.
Where to look
The most beautiful section runs from Yangdi to Xingping, roughly eighteen kilometres of karst hills, cliffs, caves and rice paddies. Near here you will pass the view that appears on the back of the twenty-yuan banknote, so have your camera ready on the upper deck rather than in the dining room. Mornings are often hazy, which makes the hills look like ink drawings, and the scenery is at its greenest after rain.
When to go and what to know: the river is highest between May and September, and cruises can be cancelled if there is flooding, while autumn and spring are generally clearer and calmer. In November and the colder months the air is cooler, so bring a jacket for the open deck, and check that boats are running on your date before you plan other things around it.
Expect crowds at the piers in holiday periods and early boarding times. If you want a quieter river, consider adding a bamboo raft ride at Yangdi or Xingping afterwards, which is the more intimate way to see the same scenery.
What to expect
The experience
A guided day trip with a cruise on the Li River from the piers near Guilin to Yangshuo, with lunch on board and transfers either side.
Best time
Spring and autumn for clear air and comfortable temperatures; a hazy morning is wonderful for photographs and the hills look greenest after rain.
How long
The cruise itself is about four to five hours, and the full trip with transfers fills most of a day.
Tips
Choose the upper deck for the views, bring a jacket in the cooler months, and ask about the boat class when booking because the smaller boats are quieter and have English commentary.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the single most famous sight in the region with no effort.
- Families
- Easy and seated, with room to move about on deck, though small children may tire on the longer cruise.
- Couples
- A relaxed, scenic day with a hotel in Yangshuo to finish at, ideally with a sunset stroll on West Street.
- Pair with
- Yangshuo West Street in the evening, the Yulong River bamboo rafts and the Impression Liu Sanjie show.
- Time needed
- One full day, including the transfers at either end.
Good questions
How long is the Li River cruise?+
The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about four to five hours depending on the speed of the water. With transfers, it fills most of a day.
Which part of the river is the most beautiful?+
The section from Yangdi to Xingping is the most scenic, with the tallest peaks and the famous banknote view. Spend the time on the upper deck there.
Is lunch included on the boat?+
On most cruises a lunch is served on board, a buffet on the better boats and a boxed meal on the larger ones. Check what your tour includes and mention dietary needs ahead of time.
Does the cruise run all year?+
Boats generally operate through the year, but flooding in the wet summer months and low water in winter can affect schedules. Confirm that your date is running before you commit.
Is it worth doing a bamboo raft as well?+
Yes, if you want a quieter view of the same scenery. The rafts at Yangdi and Xingping are small and close to the water, a nice contrast to the large cruise boat.
