Yulong River
遇龙河
The most beautiful tributary of the Li River, nicknamed the 'Little Li River,' where two-person bamboo rafts drift downstream, poled by a raft-man past old bridges and rice paddies: pastoral Guilin scenery.
The Yulong River is a tributary of the Li River within Yangshuo County. It is about 43 km long, with a gentle, clear current. Its banks are lined with rice paddies, villages, old bridges, and solitary karst peaks. With no motorboats, it is quieter than the Li River, earning the nickname 'Little Li River.' The main activity is bamboo raft drifting, in which a raft-man poles the raft along with a bamboo pole. Each raft seats 2 people. There are three main sections: Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian (about 1.5 hours, with the best pastoral scenery); Jiuxian to Gongnong Bridge, passing old bridges such as Yulong Bridge and Fuli Bridge; and Chaoyang Wharf to Gongnong Bridge (the shortest, about 1 hour, and closest to West Street). Prices vary by section, roughly 120–240 yuan per person (2 per raft). In peak season, book in advance and buy real-name tickets through the official Yulong River Scenic Area platform. At the dam, raft-men will 'rush the dam' and splash you, so bring a waterproof bag. Besides rafting, the country lanes along the river are a classic cycling route: rent a bicycle or electric scooter in Yangshuo town and ride along the river to Jiuxian and Yulong Bridge, about 15 km in total. You can rest at riverside guesthouses and cafés. Near Gongnong Bridge are the launch points for hot air balloons and paragliders, and on clear days you can see the whole river from above. Getting there: Chaoyang Wharf is about 3 km from West Street. You can cycle or take a taxi, and electric shuttles connect the wharves. Notes: rafting departs at 8–9 a.m., when there are fewer people and the light is good. From June to August, wear a hat against the noon sun. Rafting stops during the rainy season when water levels rise. Do not stand on the raft to take photos.
Opening hours
08:00–17:30 (last raft approx. 16:30)
Nearby sights
- Impression Sanjie Liu
- Yangshuo West Street
- Bilian Peak
- Yangshuo Park
- Totem Ancient Trail
- Butterfly Spring
- Ten-Mile Gallery
- Guilin Romance Park (Qianguqing)