Best Guide to Yulong River in Yangshuo for Budget Travelers

Hi there! I’m Alex Chen, a passionate backpacker from China. I’ve always believed that traveling isn’t about how much money you spend — it’s about diving into the landscape, connecting with locals, and living fully in the moment. Over the past few years, I’ve made it my mission to explore hidden gems across China on a tight budget. One of the most breathtaking spots I’ve discovered is the Yulong River in Yangshuo, Guangxi — a place many travelers skip, but one that left me completely awestruck. In this guide, I’ll take you through what makes this river — often called the “Little Li River” — so special, and how you can experience its beauty in the most authentic and affordable way possible.

About Yulong River

The Yulong River, located in Yangshuo County of Guilin, Guangxi, typically refers to the 16-kilometer stretch from Baisha’s Shiwai Taoyuan (Shangri-La) to Gongnong Bridge near the Big Banyan Tree. The river is 38–61 meters wide and about 0.5–2 meters deep, with crystal-clear water flowing gently throughout the year.

Lush green grass, thick bamboo groves, and shade from abundant trees line the banks, while the mountains around rise in elegant, endless formations. As the most picturesque tributary of the Li River, the Yulong River feels like a serene painting, delicate and poetic. After soaking in the grandeur of the Li River, you definitely shouldn’t miss this “Little Li River.”

Its charm lies in the riverside landscapes — rolling hills, village farms, old bridges, and wooden waterwheels. Hop on a hand-poled bamboo raft and float downstream, watching locals cross ancient stone bridges, wild ducks playing on the water, and villagers going about their daily routines. It’s an immersive escape into a dreamy countryside.

• Address: 090 Country Road, Yangshuo, Guilin (Apple Maps/Amap)
• Opening hour: Open 24 hours; bamboo rafting operates from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
• Suggested visit duration: Half a day
• Best time to visit: April to November

Yulong River Map

Why You Should Visit Yulong River

Unique Natural Scenery

The Yulong River is the longest tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo, stretching 43.5 kilometers and covering a drainage area of 158.47 square kilometers. It winds through several towns and villages in Yangshuo and is often praised as the “Little Li River.”

The water here is clear, and the current flows slowly. On both sides, green meadows and bamboo forests decorate the riverbanks, while elegant mountains frame the horizon — all forming a picturesque pastoral landscape. What makes this place extra special is that it remains untouched by modern construction. The natural setting is raw, rustic, and poetic. It feels like stepping into a tranquil, timeless painting.

Diverse Travel Experiences

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Yulong River. One of the most popular — and authentic — is to take a traditional bamboo raft ride. As the river flows calmly, the scenery changes slowly and beautifully. The most famous section is from Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian Village, a 9.5-kilometer ride that includes 28 small dams. This route is both thrilling and scenic.

You can also choose to bike along the riverside paths. Whether you rent a regular bicycle or an e-bike, cruising beside the water offers a close-up view of the countryside and its relaxed way of life. The riverbanks are dotted with historical landmarks like Fuli Bridge and Yulong Bridge, both built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These stone bridges are not only photogenic but also rich in cultural heritage.

Top Things to Do in Yulong River

Yulong River Bamboo Rafting

The best way to experience the Yulong River is definitely bamboo rafting. But with so many routes available, how do you choose the right one? Let’s break it down and explore the true essence of the Yulong River. Based on the river’s rafting sections, the full route can be divided into upper, middle, and lower parts. If you’re looking to raft through all three parts, you’ll need around 5–6 hours, and tickets must be purchased separately for each segment.

• Upper section (approx. 6.5 km): Fuli Bridge — Jinlong Bridge — Yulong Bridge — Xiniutang — Xiangui Bridge — Jiuxian
• Middle section (approx. 3.6 km): Jiuxian — Xinglong Pier/Xinglong Zhai — Xiatang/Xiatang Zhai — Aishanmen/Jima/Chaoyang
• Lower section (approx. 5.2 km): A. Jima/Chaoyang — Shui’edi — Wanjing/Gongnong Bridge/Luotuoguojing B. Qing’edu — Wanjing C. Wanjing — Luotuoguojing

Yulong River Bamboo Raft Routes and Booking Process

Below is a list of all the main bamboo raft routes and recommendations:

• Online booking: Use the official WeChat Mini Program: #小程序://遇龙河/Y1tHj5onRIrxdFq. Copy and paste this into any WeChat chat window, then tap it inside the chat to open. Note: reservations open at 8:00 PM the day before, so be sure to book on time.
• Offline booking: Go directly to the pier for same-day booking. For the popular “Shui’edi → General Pier” route, you must book online in advance as tickets often sell out early.

Yulong River Rafting FAQs

• Is Yulong River rafting thrilling? Will I get wet?
  • The Yulong River has a gentle current and is about 0.5–2 meters deep. Rafting is done entirely on bamboo rafts, and the speed is slow due to manual paddling. It’s not exciting in a fast-paced sense. The only time the raft tilts slightly is when descending a dam, but it’s completely safe and usually very smooth. Sitting still and enjoying the view, you won’t get splashed. During dam drops, some water may spray — just lift your feet slightly, and your shoes stay dry. As long as you avoid water fights with other rafts, you’ll stay dry. That said, keep phones and cameras in waterproof bags just in case.
• What should I do with my bike if I arrive by cycling?
  • Yulong River is bike-friendly. Once you board the bamboo raft, staff from the rafting company will help transport your bike to the pier where you disembark — free of charge. That way, you can continue your bike ride right after rafting.
• Can seniors or children go rafting? What if we’re a family of three?
  • Children under 1 meter in height, under 6 years old, seniors over 65, and pregnant women are not allowed to board. Each raft holds two people only. Safety vests are mandatory. If you’re a family of three and the child meets all safety requirements, they must still occupy a separate seat — you can’t hold the child in your lap. In that case, two rafts are needed. Or, you can share a raft with another family of three. Total weight must not exceed 160 kg.
• When is the best time to visit the Yulong River?
  • April to November is ideal, during the high-water season. Avoid rainy days and summer typhoon periods. Continuous rain can muddy the water, affecting visibility. Summer typhoons may also bring dangerous flooding.
• Can I raft the entire 15+ kilometers in one go?
  • Not under current management. The full 15.36 km tourist route can’t be rafted in a single ride. Rafting is slow and would take 5–6 hours total — you’ll likely get visual fatigue. If you want to experience multiple sections, buy separate tickets and change rafts at the designated piers along the way.

Yulong River Cycling

The Yulong River area is perfect for renting a bicycle or e-bike. You can ask your hotel host or rent one from local shops — the prices are quite similar. As a reference: standard bikes cost around 15 CNY/day, mountain bikes 30 CNY/day, regular e-bikes for two people 30 CNY/day, and sidecar bikes (for three people) 88 CNY/3 hours.

• Recommended cycling route (free): Start from West Street → Gongnong Bridge → Yulong Shuiyun → Jima Pier → Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion → One Inch Paddy Café → Cross the bridge after Xiatang Pier → Follow the riverside path → Yulong Bridge → Fuli Bridge → Return
• Estimated ride time: 4–5 hours, approximately 30 kilometers
• Popular photo spots:
  • Gongnong Bridge: Scenic views on both sides, but you can’t park on the bridge. Park by the river and walk up.
  • Yulong Shuiyun: Follow signs down to the river where you’ll find ancient irrigation waterwheels. There’s also a field of rapeseed flowers on the right — great for photos.
  • Jima Pier: This is the start of the most beautiful walking trail by the Yulong River. You’ll find a mini train and flower fields. The trail continues through farmland paths — super relaxing.
  • Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion: An Insta-famous walkway. In March and April, it’s lined with blooming rapeseed flowers. From June to October, it’s surrounded by golden rice fields — a peaceful vibe.
  • One Inch Paddy Café: As you ride back to the main road, you’ll pass this café. The surroundings are gorgeous and great for photos.
  • Bridge after Xiatang Pier: From this bridge, you can snap perfect river shots. After crossing, turn right immediately to enter a quiet riverside path.
  • Riverside path: You’ll see vast fields with orange saplings, chestnut trees, cotton plants, and more. It’s incredibly beautiful.
  • Yulong Bridge: A historic stone bridge.
  • Fuli Bridge: A bit farther away, but I think it’s the most beautiful ancient bridge along the Yulong River.
  • On your return via country roads, you might pass through chestnut groves. Right now, chestnuts are in season — super cute!

Yulong River Hiking

The “Ten-Mile Gallery” is truly stunning! The scenery looks completely different whether you’re biking on the road or walking along the pedestrian trail.

• Recommended hiking route:
  • Take a taxi from your West Street hotel to Gongnong Bridge, and snap panoramic photos from the bridge — you’ve now entered the Ten-Mile Gallery scenic area.
  • From Gongnong Bridge General Pier, take the scenic shuttle to Shui’edi Pier (10 CNY/person).
  • After getting off, walk along the pedestrian trail to the “Shuidaotian Resort · Yunduo Coffee.” The walk is about 2.6 km and takes around 40 minutes. There are many photo ops along the way, so it won’t feel long.
  • At Yunduo Coffee, take a break and enjoy the peaceful rice field view. It’s not a trendy hotspot, so there are hardly any people — great photos guaranteed.
  • Continue to Jima Pier — about 10 minutes on foot.
  • From Jima Pier to Xiatang Pier is 3.6 km. You can also take the shuttle if you prefer.
  • Walk from Xiatang Pier to Murakami Haruki (yes, that’s the name of a place) — about 500 meters or 8 minutes on foot.
  • Walk from Murakami Haruki to One Inch Paddy Café — 460 meters, another 8 minutes.
  • Take a taxi back to West Street — about 20 minutes, around 15 CNY.
• Don’t forget insect repellent! The riverside has many bugs, so bring mosquito spray or herbal balm.
• Sun protection is essential! Highly recommend bringing: high-SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat or sun umbrella, arm sleeves, and sunglasses. Physical sun protection works best!

Recommended Local Food Near Yulong River

There are plenty of restaurants near the Yulong River piers. Most travelers grab a bite near the docks. Just don’t eat too much before rafting — falling in with a full stomach wouldn’t be fun.

Shui’edi Home

• Why we recommend it: Located just north of Shui’edi Pier, this spot is known for its beer fish — fresh, tender, and infused with beer aroma. The spicy claypot chicken is also great: juicy and full of flavor.
• Address: 270 meters north of Shui’edi Pier, Yangshuo, Guilin (Apple Maps/Amap)
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 AM – 10:30 PM
• Avg. cost per person: 53 CNY

Recommended Hotels Near Yulong River

There aren’t too many hotels directly by the Yulong River, so I recommend staying near West Street pedestrian area in Yangshuo. It’s not far from the docks, and you’ll also find way more options for bike and scooter rentals here.

Qingshan Yunshe, earth village (Lijiang store, West Yangshuo Street)

• Location: 8-minute walk from West Street
• Price per night: from 358 CNY
• Check Rates: Trip.com Specials
• Rating: Trip 9.8
• Special Amenities: laundry room, kids’ playground, triple rooms

The location is excellent — right near West Street. There are complimentary items near the front desk like sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and skincare products, which is incredibly thoughtful.

Rooms are spacious with separate wet and dry areas. The AC works well, keeping the room very comfortable. There’s a self-serve coffee machine and snacks available — the value for money is outstanding!

Yangshuo Percent Hotel (West Street Li River)

• Location: 5-minute walk from West Street
• Price per night: from 528 CNY
• Check Rates: Trip.com Specials
• Rating: Trip 9.7
• Special Amenities: laundry room, kids’ playground, gym, triple rooms

Fantastic location — right outside Longtouzi Pier. The view from the rooftop terrace is amazing. The café on the 4th floor is great for coffee or afternoon tea. Walk a few steps along the riverside and you’ll pass a primary school, then the Yangshuo County Government building.

Room details are well thought out. Beds are clean and comfy. Staff members were warm and helpful. The breakfast buffet had great variety and taste.

Mount View Hotel (Town center)

• Location: 8-minute walk from West Street
• Price per night: from 575 CNY
• Check Rates: Trip.com Specials
• Rating: Trip 9.6
• Special Amenities: laundry room, outdoor pool, triple rooms, quad rooms

Nice location — close enough to West Street yet still peaceful. You’ll find lots of great food and drink along the way. The night views are beautiful.

The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and very clean. Hotel facilities are in good condition with modern design. Toilets are smart toilets — super convenient!

How to Get from Guilin to Yulong River

The best way is by high-speed train, which is also the most common route among travelers. You can board from Guilin Station, Guilin North, or Guilin West — the trip to Yangshuo takes about 30 to 40 minutes. I personally recommend Guilin Station, as it’s in the city center and much more convenient. From Yangshuo Station, you can take a taxi (20 minutes) or hop on a shuttle bus to West Street pedestrian area.

• Route: Guilin → Yangshuo
• Train booking: Click to check prices

FAQ