Guilin and Yangshuo: the Li River, the cruise and bamboo rafts, the view from the 20-yuan banknote in Xingping, prices, the best time to go and where to stay among the karst mountains of Guangxi.
A bamboo raft glides soundlessly over green water, strange stone mountains rise all around as if they had been painted with a brush on an ancient scroll, and at dawn such a mist hangs over the river that you seem to have stepped inside a Chinese watercolor. Guilin and Yangshuo are one of China’s most recognizable landscapes, and it is so famous that it ended up on the Chinese 20-yuan banknote. Here you can stand exactly where the banknote was drawn from and compare.
The Li River: two ways to see it
The classic way is a cruise on a large boat from Guilin to Yangshuo: 84 kilometers along the river between karst mountains take from three and a half to five hours. It is convenient and comfortable, with lunch on board, but you stay in a crowd of other tourists. In winter, in the dry season from January to March, the water becomes shallow, and cruises usually run on a shortened route from Yandi to Huashan and back. The second way is bamboo rafts: small boats for two, with a boatman, which pass the most beautiful stretches at arm’s length from the water and the rocks.
The view from the 20-yuan banknote
The main draw of Xingping is the spot with the very landscape from the 20-yuan banknote: two hills above the river. The way from Yandi to Xingping is precisely the “banknote stretch”. To see it from above, climb the hill above the river, about 15 minutes’ walk from the town: from there opens the classic postcard. Many come here at dawn, when mist hangs over the water and there are still few tourists.
Rafts and prices
The price of a raft depends on the route: according to tour operators, in 2026 official prices range from 110 yuan for short routes to 255 yuan for the full passage from Yandi to Xingping; a typical ticket on the Yandi — Xingping route costs about 160 yuan per person. The ride lasts from 50 to 100 minutes, and the rafts are motorized, for two. Departures are from piers that are reached by car from Guilin or Yangshuo, and Xingping itself is about an hour by taxi from Yangshuo. It is better to buy tickets at the pier or from an official operator — not from random sellers.
Yangshuo: where to stay
For an overnight stay most travelers choose Yangshuo — a small resort town with a river, bars and hostels for every budget. From here it is convenient to go on rafts, rent bicycles and scooters and wander the rice fields, and in the evening sit on the embankment with a view of the lit-up cliffs. The second option is quiet Xingping, an old town with narrow streets, where at dawn there are almost no tourists and in the evenings the locals sit out.
When to go
The best time is from April to November: the water is high, cruises run the full route, the mountains are green. It is especially beautiful in April–May and in October, when the air is clear and not yet too hot. Summer is hot and humid, with occasional downpours and the river rises. Winter is cold and foggy, the water is shallow and cruises are shortened.
Practical tips
Go early: from 10 a.m. the piers and viewpoints get crowded, and the morning light is the best for photos. Take a raincoat and sunscreen — the raft is open and the weather in Guangxi is changeable. You should have enough cash for rafts and small expenses: in small towns cards are not accepted everywhere. Remember that the mist in the mountains can be so thick that the view from the viewpoint disappears entirely, so allow a spare day if the weather is critical.
FAQ
How long is the Li River cruise? From 3.5 to 5 hours from April to November; in winter, when the water is low, the route is shortened.
How much does a raft cost? From 110 to 255 yuan depending on the route; a typical Yandi — Xingping ticket is about 160 yuan per person.
Where is the banknote view? On the Yandi — Xingping stretch; from above it is best seen from the hill 15 minutes’ walk from Xingping.
When is the best time to go? From April to November, especially in April–May and October.
Where to stay? In Yangshuo, a lively resort town, or in quiet Xingping if you want tranquility.
Prices, cruise schedules and the water level may change — check the current information before your trip.
