Li River

漓江

The soul of Guilin's scenery: an 83 km gallery of karst peaks from Guilin to Yangshuo, where cruise boats or bamboo rafts glide between Nine Horses Painting Mountain and the Yellow Cloth Shadow.

The Li River rises at Maoer Mountain in Xing'an County. The 83 km stretch from Guilin to Yangshuo is its finest section. Thousands of peaks rise along both banks, reflected in the water. It is hailed as 'a hundred li of river, a hundred li of gallery,' and it is part of the World Natural Heritage site 'South China Karst.' The classic sights are concentrated between Yangti and Xingping: Nine Horses Painting Mountain (where nine horses can be made out on the cliff face), the Yellow Cloth Shadow (the scene on the back of the 20-yuan banknote), Langshi Village, Guan Cave, and Child Worshipping Guanyin. There are three ways to see it. First, take a cruise boat from Mopan Mountain or Zhujiang Wharf in Guilin to Yangshuo. The trip takes about 4–4.5 hours. A standard ticket costs about 215 yuan, and a deluxe boat costs about 300–450 yuan with lunch included. Boats usually depart around 9–10 a.m., and you should book 1–2 days in advance. Second, take a four-person electric bamboo raft from Yangti Wharf to Xingping. The trip takes about 1.5 hours and costs about 120–150 yuan per person. The view is lower and more free-spirited, making it the best value option. Third, take a short bamboo raft round trip from Xingping to the Yellow Cloth Shadow. To get back, take a bus from Xingping to Yangshuo, about 40 minutes, or the high-speed train from Yangshuo Station. Note: rafts may stop during the rainy season when water rises or in the dry winter months, so check the official Li River Scenic Area announcements before you go. Photos are best in early morning and late afternoon, since noon backlight produces poor results. Onboard food is simple, so bring snacks. Do not swim where there are no lifeguards.

Li River

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby