Yangshuo & Li River

"Yangshuo's scenery tops even Guilin's": Li River bamboo rafts, Yulong River cycling, Xingping sunrises and West Street nightlife make up the classic karst landscape getaway.

Yangshuo lies about 65 km south of Guilin in Guangxi. It is the end point of the finest stretch of the Li River and the core resort area of Guilin's scenery — "Guilin's landscape is the best under heaven, and Yangshuo's is the best in Guilin." The area features the classic peak-forest karst landforms of the "South China Karst" World Natural Heritage Site. There are four main areas to explore: the Li River route (Yangdi – Nine Horses Fresco Hill – Yellow Cloth Shoal reflections – Xingping, by bamboo raft or cruise boat, with sunrise views from Laozhai Hill and Xianggong Hill in Xingping); the Yulong River route (Yulong Bridge and Jiuxian Village, by bamboo raft or bicycle); the Ten-Mile Gallery route (Big Banyan Tree, Totem Ancient Path, Butterfly Spring, Julong Pool and Moon Hill, linked by e-bike); and the town and its surroundings (West Street, Bilian Peak, the show Impression Liu Sanjie, Silver Cave, Shiwai Taoyuan, Fuli Ancient Town and Ruyi Peak). The best seasons are April–June (misty Li River, fresh green rice paddies) and September–November (clear skies, ideal for cycling); during heavy rain in June–August, boats on the Li and Yulong rivers may be suspended, and winter is cold, damp and quiet. Getting there: Yangshuo Station on the Guiyang–Guangzhou high-speed railway is about 30 minutes by car from town; there is a direct shuttle bus from Guilin Liangjiang Airport (about 1.5 hours); bicycles and e-bikes can be rented in town. We suggest 3 days: Day 1, Li River bamboo raft plus Xingping, staying overnight in Xingping for sunrise; Day 2, Yulong River rafting and cycling; Day 3, Ten-Mile Gallery plus Moon Hill, with a show in the evening. Notes: buy bamboo raft tickets on the Li and Yulong rivers through official channels with real-name registration, and beware of cheap roadside "unlicensed rafts." Beer fish and stuffed river snails are local specialties; ask how they are priced by weight before ordering. In summer, use sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

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