Li River

The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the river become one of China’s top tourist destinations.

1、Where to start a Li River cruise?
The trip starts from the wharf south of Liberation Bridge in Guilin downtown area. Otherwise some agencies will transport tourists to take a one-hour bus ride to the Bamboo River Wharf (Zhujiang Wharf) or the Millstone Hill Wharf (Mopanshan Wharf) to start the cruise from its essential part. English-speaking tour guides are only available on the cruises which depart from Zhujiang Wharf, so foreigners are suggested to leave from the wharf for their convenience.

2、Li River cruise booking tips
All tourists taking a Li River cruise are required to show passports when booking ship tickets and boarding. They need to get to the wharf at least 30 minutes before departure to leave enough time for passport inspection. Those who can’t provide valid passports should go to the police station near Zhujiang Wharf to ask for a temporary ID proof 30 minutes before departure.

3、Enjoy your Li River Cruise from section to section
The Li River cruise is over 52 miles (83 kilometers) long and is estimated to take four to five hours. The eye-feasting landscape and country scenery will never disappoint you.

4、The following introduction to the attractions are presented in order of the attractions’ locations along the river. You can refer to the map of the river course. Now start our impressive river trip from section to section!

 Elephant Trunk Hill
Situated majestically on the western bank of the Li River, the hill resembles an elephant sucking water from the river with its long trunk. It is supposed to be the landmark of Guilin landscape, which you can find on travel brochures or books. The most impressive is said to be the water reflection of a moon-like cave when the moonlight sprinkles over the river, hence the name ‘Moon over the Water’.

 Xianggong Mountain
Also known as Xianggong Hill, Xianggong Mountain is the best spot to take a distant view picture of Li River. At the top of the mountain, you will find yourself in a wonderland composed of a sea of clouds, sunrise and rosy sunglows.

 Xingping
Li River takes a big turn at Xingping and endowed with beautiful and poetic scenery. It has been reproduced in many Chinese landscape paintings. Even the newly-issued 20 RMB note has the scenery on its back. A photographer once said: ‘Shots from any perspective for this place turn to be impressive and stunning’. It is a good choice to climb Laozhai Mountain nearby. When you stand on the top, you can have a bird’s eye view of Li River like a jade belt flowing through the hills.

 Yangshuo

The cruise makes the small town known to foreigners. The town is very small that everyone will know you after one month. Located some 90 kilometers south of Guilin City, this town is the downstream end of the cruise but not the least. The enchanting fairyland of Yangshuo is renowned as the best in Guilin.

When the cruise ends in Yangshuo, tourists will disembark at the Shuidongmen Wharf near the Green Lotus Peak or Fu’an Wharf near the Shutong Hill. Walking to the famous West Street is a great choice if you disembark from the Shuidongmen Wharf. The West Street lined with western cafes, restaurants and hotels is a wonderful place for people who want to explore Chinese life.

Yangshuo is a great place for hikes and cycling excursions. There’s no doubt that taking a close-up exploration to the country villages, you will have a taste of the rural life. One thing surprised us is the one-hour bamboo raft trip along Yulong River. We didn’t expect the scenery to be such a paradise.