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Planning the trip, not just the sights
Bottom line: This page lists what to see in Yangshuo. If you are still deciding how many days to stay, where to base yourself, or how to get here, use the Yangshuo travel guide instead. For climbing, canyoneering, via ferrata and rafting, see Yangshuo climbing and canyoneering.
Bottom line: Yangshuo sits 65 km south of Guilin (about a 1-hour drive) and is the best base for karst scenery. Plan 2 full days to cover West Street, the Yulong River valley, and a sunrise viewpoint. Park at your hotel, then explore by bike or e-bike, and add the Li River cruise or Xingping for a full day.
Overview
Yangshuo is a small town on the Li River, surrounded by dramatic karst peaks. It is the most popular destination near Guilin and the natural base for exploring the countryside. With a car, you can stay slightly outside the busy center and access rural roads easily.
Why visit
- Iconic karst scenery within walking or cycling distance
- Relaxed village atmosphere outside West Street
- Great food, cafes, and evening shows
- Easy base for Li River and Yulong River activities
How to get there
Yangshuo is 65 km south of Guilin. By car, take the G321 or the expressway. The expressway is faster; the older road is more scenic. If you are arriving by Li River cruise, you can pick up a rental car in Yangshuo instead of Guilin. Compare all options in our Guilin to Yangshuo transport guide.
Parking
West Street and the town center have limited parking. Choose a hotel with a dedicated lot and use bikes or e-bikes for local exploring. Major attractions like the Yulong River have designated parking.
What to see in Yangshuo
Yangshuo's main attractions fall into four groups: the town center, the Yulong River valley, viewpoint hills, and nearby day-trip destinations. Most independent travelers should plan at least two full days to cover the essentials.
🏘️ West Street & Town Center
Tourist dining, shopping, and evening energy. Best for dinner and people-watching, but parking is tight.
🌊 Yulong River Valley
Bamboo rafting, cycling, e-bike loops, and quiet countryside. The best area for a relaxed half-day.
📸 Viewpoints
Xianggong Mountain for sunrise, Moon Hill for the limestone arch, and Laozhai Mountain near Xingping.
🎭 Shows & Culture
Impression Liu Sanjie on the Li River, local markets, and farm cooking in Jiuxian Village.
Things to do in Yangshuo
- Cycle the Yulong River valley: Flat, scenic, and the best way to see the countryside. Read our Yangshuo cycling guide and Yulong River cycling route.
- Rent an e-bike or scooter: Cover more ground on hot days. See Yangshuo e-bike & bike rental or e-scooter guide.
- Walk West Street: Tourist dining, shopping, and evening energy. Arrive early for dinner to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Watch Impression Liu Sanjie: Large-scale outdoor performance on the Li River. Evening shows; book in advance in peak season.
- Climb Xianggong Mountain: Classic sunrise panorama over the karst peaks. Allow 30–45 minutes uphill.
- Visit Moon Hill: Famous limestone arch; easy stop on the Ten Mile Gallery road.
- Take a bamboo raft: Short Yulong River raft sections are calmer and less crowded than the Li River cruise.
- Day trip to Xingping: 25 km north, home to the 20 RMB bill viewpoint. See our Xingping guide.
- Day trip to Longji Rice Terraces: 2.5 hours north of Guilin (a longer drive from Yangshuo). In late September–mid October you can join the rice harvest — see our Longji harvest experience guide.
Top 15 things to do in Yangshuo
Ordered roughly by how often visitors name them the highlight of their trip, with the practical detail that matters: what it costs, how long it takes, and where it sits relative to town.
- Yulong River (遇龙河): The clearest water and the most photogenic stone bridges near town, and the best cycling in the region. Bamboo rafts start around ¥160 per raft for a short section, while the full riverside loop by e-bike or bike takes 2–4 hours past paddy fields, villages, and cafés. Go early for mist on the water. The stretch between Yulong Bridge and old Fuli Bridge is the quietest and most scenic; rent an e-bike from town for ¥30–60 and allow a half day with photo stops. Combine a short raft with a cycling loop for the classic Yangshuo morning, then follow the river south toward the Ten Mile Gallery. Full Yulong River guide →
- Xingping & the 20 RMB viewpoint (兴坪): The karst scene printed on the Chinese 20-yuan note, about 25 km north of Yangshuo. The classic shot is from the riverside path north of town, best at sunrise or late afternoon when the light flattens the peaks. Combine it with a short Li River bamboo raft. The old town itself is small but charming, with Ming-era lanes, a riverside walk, and fewer touts than Yangshuo proper. Motorboats run the viewpoint circuit for around ¥40–60 per person, or walk the free riverside trail for the same view. Arrive before 08:00 to have the bend to yourself. Buses from Yangshuo take about 40 minutes; driving takes 30. Xingping guide →
- Li River cruise (游船): The classic Guilin-to-Yangshuo journey through the famous gorges, around four hours, costing roughly ¥300–500 per person. It is scenery more than transport — you disembark in Yangshuo ready to explore. Book the morning sailing in peak season. The upper stretch from Guilin past Elephant Trunk Hill and the Nine Horse Fresco is the most dramatic; the lower stretch toward Yangshuo passes the 20-yuan viewpoint near Xingping. Large boats depart Guilin wharf, while smaller four-seat bamboo rafts run shorter sections from Yangdi. With a rental car, drive to Yangshuo first, then taxi to the pier. Bring a light jacket — the open deck gets cool. Li River cruise guide →
- Ten Mile Gallery (十里画廊): A flat, paved scenic road past karst towers, the Big Banyan Tree, and Moon Hill — ideal by e-bike. Allow 1–2 hours with photo stops; the route connects easily to the Yulong loop. The name refers to a string of roadside viewpoints rather than one single sight, and the whole corridor is car-free on weekend mornings in peak season. Butterfly Spring and the Giant Banyan are optional paid stops; the free roadside pull-offs are just as good. Start from Yangshuo town and follow the signs south, or fold it into a Yulong River cycling day. Shade is limited, so carry water and go early. Cycling route detail →
- Moon Hill (月亮山): A peak pierced by a natural limestone arch, about 8 km from town on the Ten Mile Gallery loop. Roughly 800 steps reach the viewing balcony with the best easy panorama in the area. Go early to beat both the heat and the tour buses. The arch frames the valley differently from each landing, and the summit ridge gives a 360-degree view of the karst plain. Entry is around ¥35–45. Combine it with the nearby Big Banyan Tree and a countryside e-bike loop. Wear closed shoes and bring water; the final stretch is steep but short. The viewpoint from the road below is free if you only want a photo. Moon Hill guide →
- West Street (西街): Yangshuo's pedestrian spine for food, shopping, and evening drinks. It is touristy, but it is also the cheapest place to arrange tours, rentals, and buses, and the easiest spot to eat late. Arrive before 18:00 to dodge the biggest crowds. The lanes behind the main drag hide quieter bars, a riverside walk, and a handful of craft shops. Most boat, show, and raft tickets are sold here at face value or just above. Street food — beer fish, grilled oysters, mango sticky rice — runs late into the night. Keep valuables zipped; pickpockets work the dense evening crush. Yangshuo travel guide →
- Countryside e-bike backroads: Sealed lanes between rice fields and villages, mostly flat and signed, with the Yulong and Ten Mile Gallery loops the standouts. Rentals run around ¥30–60 a day, which makes this the best-value activity in Yangshuo. Charge the battery before a long loop. The upper Yulong road from Jiuxian to Fuli Bridge is the prettiest and least trafficked. Watch for loose dogs, the occasional water buffalo, and uneven patches after rain. Helmets are rarely provided, so bring your own or ride slowly. Avoid the main Guilin road — it has fast trucks. Sunset on the open lanes west of town is a highlight. Cycling guide →
- Silver Cave (银子岩): A large lit karst cave about 40 km south near Lipu, the reliable choice when rain or summer heat rules out being outdoors. Allow 1–1.5 hours inside; the walkways are paved and cool. The chambers hold stalactites, a 14-metre crystal pillar, and coloured lighting that, while theatrical, photographs well. Entry is around ¥65–85. It is busy midday, so go at opening or after 15:00. The cave sits on the Guilin expressway, making it an easy half-day detour when driving between the two cities. Combine it with a Lipu lunch. Wear grippy shoes — some steps are damp. Silver Cave guide →
- Xianggong Hill sunrise (相公山): The elevated panorama over a Li River bend that appears on every classic Guilin poster. It is roughly an hour's drive from Yangshuo and a short climb to the platform — arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise for the colour. Entry is about ¥60 and includes the viewpoint steps. On clear mornings the river threads between peaks under sea-of-clouds fog; after rain is often best. Avoid the touts offering 'secret' angles — the public platform is the shot. Going independently needs a driver or e-bike plus a car transfer; many book a sunrise tour from Yangshuo. Bring a tripod and a head torch. Xianggong sunrise guide →
- Big Banyan Tree (大榕树): A centuries-old banyan by the river on the Ten Mile Gallery route. It is a quick stop rather than a destination, but the shade and the village behind it make a pleasant 20-minute break on a cycling loop. The tree's aerial roots have spread into a small grove, and a short riverside path runs behind it. There is a small entry fee if you enter the fenced garden, but you can glimpse it from the road for free. Pair it with Moon Hill five minutes south. On hot afternoons the canopy is one of the coolest spots on the loop. Ten Mile Gallery route →
- Fuli Bridge (富里桥): A weathered Ming-era stone arch over the Yulong, quieter than the main piers and genuinely atmospheric at dawn when there are no tour buses. It sits on the upper Yulong loop, easy to fold into a morning ride. The bridge is still used by villagers and their carts, and the shallow water below makes a calm swimming hole in summer. No entry fee, no facilities — bring what you need. Photographers favour the reflection shot from the downstream bank at first light. Combine it with Jiuxian Village just up the road for a low-key half morning away from the crowds. Yulong River guide →
- Jiuxian Village (旧县村): Old lanes and courtyard houses on the upper Yulong loop — the best place to see rural architecture without a tour group. Allow an hour to wander; a few cafés and guesthouses have opened in restored buildings. The village dates to the Tang dynasty and keeps its grid of stone lanes, old wells, and an intact city-gate arch. It is free to walk and rarely busy outside Chinese holidays. Rent an e-bike and ride the riverside road from here to Fuli Bridge for the prettiest stretch of the whole valley. Local homestays serve simple farm meals; ask before photographing residents. Cycling guide →
- Impression Liu Sanjie (印象刘三姐): A large outdoor light-and-song show staged on the river with hundreds of performers, from the team behind Zhang Yimou's films. It is pricier than the cruise and a different kind of evening; book ahead in peak season and arrive early for parking. The stage is the natural karst backdrop, lit across a wide stretch of water, with fishermen and cormorants as part of the cast. Tickets run ¥320–680 by section. Performances start around 19:30 and last about 70 minutes. Bring a light jacket — the open-air seating gets cool after dark. It is touristy but genuinely spectacular on a clear night. Impression Liu Sanjie guide →
- Shangri-La / Peach Blossom Spring (世外桃源): A landscaped park with boat rides through a cave and minority-village displays. It is divisive — some find it staged — but it is popular with families and an easy half-day if you want something low-effort and sheltered. Allow 2–3 hours. The boat glides through a lit cave before emerging into a constructed 'paradise' of ponds and wooden walkways, then a short cultural show. Entry is around ¥65–85. It sits north of Yangshuo toward Guilin, so it pairs well with the Li River cruise or a Xingping trip. Go on a grey day when outdoor scenery is muted; skip it if you prefer authentic villages.
- Yangshuo beer fish dinner: The local dish — whole river fish braised with beer and tomato, priced by weight at around ¥50–90 per jin (500g). Ask for the live tank and agree the price before cooking to avoid surprises. The best versions use fresh Li River carp and a malty local beer, finished with a sweet-tangy tomato sauce. West Street and the riverside restaurants serve it everywhere; quieter villages like Xingping do it more honestly. Order it mild if you dislike heat. It pairs with plain rice and a cold beer. If the quoted price seems high, walk two doors down — competition keeps margins tight near the centre. How to order it without overpaying →
How to spend your time
| If you have | What to do |
|---|---|
| Half a day | West Street, a short Yulong River raft, and the riverside path |
| A full day | Yulong cycling loop, Moon Hill, and the Ten Mile Gallery |
| Two days | Add Xingping, the Li River cruise, and Silver Cave |
| Three days or more | Add a Xianggong Hill sunrise, Jiuxian and Fuli Bridge, and a Longji overnight |
Best for...
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Photography | Xianggong Hill sunrise, Yulong bridges at dawn, Xingping viewpoints |
| Families | Yulong bamboo raft, Big Banyan Tree, easy Ten Mile Gallery e-bike ride |
| Adventure | Moon Hill climb, long countryside loops, Xianggong Hill hike |
| Relaxation | Riverside cafés, a slow raft, West Street in the evening |
Cycling routes
The Yulong River valley is the best cycling area. Routes are mostly flat, paved, and pass through farmland and small villages. E-bikes are widely available and ideal on warm days. Read our full Yangshuo cycling guide and e-bike & bike rental guide.
Where to stay
Consider hotels along the Yulong River or just outside Yangshuo town for quieter nights and parking. For area-specific picks with parking details, see our Yangshuo hotels guide. The main hotels guide covers road-trip-friendly options across Guilin and Yangshuo, and our Yangshuo self-drive guide has parking and driving rules.
Nearby attractions
Xingping is 25 km north and home to the famous 20-yuan bill viewpoint. The Li River cruise ends near Yangshuo. Silver Cave is a short drive south if you want an indoor option on a rainy day.
For the best cycling in the Yangshuo countryside, see our Yulong River cycling guide.
Planning the drive from Guilin? Read our Guilin to Yangshuo transport guide or the Guilin road trips page.
The 20-yuan view: banknote vs. real life
The back of China's 20 RMB note shows the Li River karst scenery near Xingping. The viewpoint is easy to reach by car or boat, and the real landscape is even more impressive than the illustration.
Nearby: Moon Hill and Silver Cave
Two more Yangshuo-area sights are worth knowing about. Moon Hill is a karst peak pierced by a natural arch, about 8 km from town on the Ten Mile Gallery loop — roughly 800 steps buy you the best easy panorama in the area. Silver Cave is a large lit cave about 40 km away near Lipu, which makes it the most reliable choice when rain or summer heat rules out being outdoors.
Related reading
Dig deeper into the individual sights, routes, and practicalities:
- Yulong River guide — bamboo rafting, bridges, and the best cycling loop.
- Xingping & the 20 RMB viewpoint — how to reach the famous bend.
- Yangshuo e-bike & bike rental — prices, deposits, and road rules.
- Yangshuo cycling guide — routes, distances, and safety.
- Yangshuo travel guide — how many days, where to stay, and what to do.
- Top Outdoor Adventures: Yangshuo caving, via ferrata, rock climbing, adventure activities, hiking trails, SUP, kayaking, rafting and multi-day hikes — explore hidden caves, climb karst cliffs, paddle the rivers, and walk the countryside.