01City Guide
Shili Gallery
十里画廊
All Ages
Admission
The scenic corridor is free; stops such as the Grand Banyan Tree, Moon Hill, and Butterfly Spring charge separately.
Typical Visit
Half day; 3-5 hours for a relaxed ride
Quick Facts
Ticket
Common two-person raft prices include CNY 320 per raft for Jinlong Bridge-Jiuxian and CNY 200 per raft for Shui’edi-Wanjing; use the live booking page for final route prices.
Hours
Rafting uses timed reservations and capacity control; operations can change with weather, water level, and safety management.
Transport
No metro. From Yangshuo town, use taxi, hired car, e-bike, tourist shuttle, or local bus depending on the pier.
Duration
2-4 hours including transfers
Best Time
Mar-Nov for rafting and countryside scenery; avoid unsafe weather and heavy rain
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Choose the bamboo-raft route first
Yulong River does not have just one pier or one route. Jinlong Bridge, Jima, Shui’edi, Yulong Bridge, Wanjing, and other piers each connect to different route lengths and prices. For a first visit, Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian is good for the classic section, while Shui’edi to Wanjing works better if time or energy is limited.
Tip:Common two-person raft prices include CNY 320 per raft for Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian and CNY 200 per raft for Shui’edi to Wanjing. Use the live booking page for the final route and price.
2
Reserve ahead, do not rely on walk-up tickets
Yulong River bamboo rafting uses reservations and capacity control. Popular piers, holidays, and summer periods can involve long waits. Confirm the pier, time slot, passenger count, and whether you need a whole raft at least one day ahead.
Tip:Raft tickets are usually tied to a route or raft type. Different piers are not freely interchangeable, so buying the wrong route can disrupt the rest of the day.
3
Plan the transfer after rafting
Most bamboo-raft routes are one-way, so the start and finish points may not match. Before boarding, decide whether you will use taxi, hired car, e-bike, or scenic transfer to return to the starting point.
Tip:If you rent an e-bike, confirm where to park it and how you will return. Do not finish downstream and then realize your bike is far upstream.
4
Avoid midday heat and glare
Early morning or later afternoon rafting is more comfortable. Midday sun makes waiting and photos more tiring. In the rainy season, water levels, weather, and safety management can also affect operations.
Tip:Rafts pass small drops, so shoes and trouser legs may get wet. A phone waterproof pouch and light luggage matter more than photo outfits.
Highlights
- Yulong River is quieter than the Li River and better for countryside, low bridges, bamboo rafts, and close-up karst scenery.
- Hand-poled bamboo rafting is the core experience, with a slower rhythm than motorized boats.
- Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian is the classic section, with fuller scenery and more drops.
- Shui’edi to Wanjing is better for visitors who want a shorter rafting experience.
- Yulong River combines well with Shili Gallery, Gongnong Bridge, and Fuli Bridge in one relaxed route.
Insider Tips
✦Pregnant travelers, very young children, and older travelers with limited mobility should not force a raft ride.
✦Wear the life jacket properly and do not stand, play around, or hold your phone out over the water.
✦Prices for riverside food and photo services vary a lot, so ask clearly before paying.
✦If you also plan Xianggong Mountain or Xingping the same day, do not schedule Yulong River rafting too late.
✦In peak season, choose an early time slot for a calmer ride and better photos.
More Yangshuo Attractions
02Food District
Yangshuo West Street
阳朔西街
All Ages
Admission
Free entry; food, shops, bars, and nearby experiences cost separately.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours; longer for dinner or nightlife
03City Guide
Xingping Ancient Town
兴坪古镇
All Ages
Admission
Free entry to the old town; bamboo rafts, parking, ferries, sightseeing vehicles, and nearby sights charge separately.
Typical Visit
Half day; full day with Xianggong Mountain or river routes
04City Guide
Xianggong Mountain
相公山
All Ages
Admission
Common entrance ticket is CNY 60; transfers and day-tour products may charge transport separately.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours, plus transport time
05City Guide
Li River Scenic Area
漓江风景名胜区
All Ages
Admission
Guilin-Yangshuo cruise tickets commonly list CNY 215 for three-star adult seats and CNY 360 for four-star adult seats; Yangshuo-area rafts, transfers, and day tours are sold separately.
Typical Visit
Half day to full day depending on cruise, raft, and Xingping stops
06City Guide
Nine Horses Mountain
九马画山
All Ages
Admission
Viewing from public riverside areas can be free; Li River rafts, boats, ferries, sightseeing cars, and transfers are charged separately.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours if visited from Xingping