Bamboo rafts from ¥160, a 20 km e-bike loop, and the most photogenic bridges in Yangshuo.
Bottom line: The Yulong River is Yangshuo's most beautiful stretch: bamboo rafts (from ¥160) glide under stone bridges, and a 20 km e-bike loop links viewpoints and villages. Go before 8 am to beat crowds and heat.
Tributary of the Li River, the Yulong is calmer and lower than the main cruise channel, which makes it perfect for a slow raft and a bike ride. It is the easiest "wow" near Yangshuo.
| Pier / route | Duration | Price (per raft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinlong Bridge - Shuai Gen Di | – 90 min | ¥200-320 | Classic full route, scenic |
| Shuai Gen Di - Gongnong Bridge | – 40-50 min | ¥160-200 | Shorter, ends near town |
| Yulong Bridge area | – 30-40 min | ¥160-180 | Quiet, old bridge views |
Raften seat two adults and are steered by a local boatman; you stay dry but bring a hat and water. Boats run roughly 8 am to 5 pm, weather and water level permitting. Book at the pier or through your hotel; mornings are calmest. Our e-bike guide pairs well with a raft morning.
The Yulong loop is the best ride in the region: flat, signed, and almost entirely on quiet lanes between rice fields and karst towers. A standard circuit starts in Yangshuo town, crosses the Yulong Bridge, loops past Jiuxian village and Moon Hill, and returns along the Ten Mile Gallery — about 20 km, or 3-4 hours once you stop for photographs.
| Route | Distance | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yulong short loop | 12-15 km | Easy — flat riverside lanes | 1.5-2 hours |
| Yulong full loop | 20 km | Easy — one gentle rise | 3-4 hours |
| Yulong to Xingping | 25 km each way | Moderate — longer, busier road | 5-6 hours |
| Ten Mile Gallery extension | +6 km | Easy — paved scenic road | +1 hour |
Difficulty: genuinely easy. There is no sustained climbing, the surfaces are sealed or well-compacted, and the only real challenge is summer heat rather than gradient. Children who can ride confidently manage the short loop; the full loop suits anyone who cycles occasionally.
Rental advice: an e-bike (30-60 RMB a day) removes the effort entirely and is the most popular choice; a pedal bike (20-40 RMB a day) is fine for fit riders and slightly more immersive. Shops in Yangshuo town include a helmet and a phone mount, and you should check the battery range before committing to the longer Xingping route. Full details are in the Yulong River cycling guide, and rental specifics in the e-bike rental guide.
Piers and major viewpoints have small paid lots (about ¥10-20). They fill on holidays, so arrive early. If self-driving, the Yangshuo self-drive guide covers road rules and lots.
Arrive before 8 am for mist on the water and empty bridges - the photos that sell Yangshuo. Late afternoon is also soft but busier. Spring and autumn are most comfortable; summer noons are hot, and holidays bring tour groups.
The Yulong is a tributary of the Li River, so it pairs naturally with the main cruise. A common plan is the long Li River cruise one day and a Yulong raft the next - the big river shows the grand gorges, the Yulong shows intimate bridges and villages. If you only have time for one, the Yulong is the easier, cheaper, and more flexible choice from Yangshuo town, and it leaves your afternoon free for a bike loop.
Rafts are steered by local boatmen on a calm, shallow river - you stay dry and upright, and life jackets are provided (wear them). After heavy rain the water can rise and rafting may pause for safety, so keep the e-bike loop as a weather-proof backup. Children are welcome but keep them seated. On the bike loop, ride single file, watch for tour buses on the gallery road, and carry water.
South of the Yulong loop, the Ten Mile Gallery is a scenic road past Moon Hill, the Big Banyan Tree, and open karst. It is an easy e-bike extension of the same ride and good for families who want short stops rather than a full hike. Allow another hour if you add it, and start before midday heat in summer.
The classic Yulong experience is to raft first, then ride. Take a bamboo raft on the lower stretch in the morning (cooler, calmer water), then collect an e-bike and follow the riverside path upstream past rice fields and old villages. A full loop — Yulong Bridge — Jinbao — Jiuxian — Gongnong Bridge — back toward the town — is about 20 km and takes 3–4 hours with photo stops. Riding upstream into the no-motor upper zone is fine on an e-bike, but you cannot raft there, so plan the raft on the lower section. Carry water and sun protection; shade is limited once you leave the riverbank.
Eating options cluster at both ends of the river. Near Gongnong Bridge and the town side you will find riverside cafés and beer-fish restaurants (Guilin's signature dish) with terraces over the water — pleasant but priced for the view. Deeper in the countryside around Jiuxian and Yulong Bridge the choices are simpler village eateries serving noodles, stir-fries, and the local river fish at local prices. If you raft from a mid-river pier, bring snacks or plan to eat after you return to Yangshuo town. Most rural stalls take cash or WeChat/Alipay; foreign cards are unreliable outside the town center.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo raft | ¥160-320 | Per raft, 2 people |
| E-bike rental | ¥30-60/day | Town shops |
| Bike rental | ¥20-40/day | Pedal |
| Moon Hill climb | ¥30 | Optional |
| Parking | ¥10-20 | At piers |
Source & verification: Raft and rental prices are August 2026 operator estimates and vary by season and route; water levels can suspend rafting after heavy rain.
The riverside road through the valley is the most popular bike ride in Yangshuo: flat, signed, and lined with karst peaks and villages the whole way. Most riders start near Gongnong Bridge and follow the river upstream to Yulong Bridge, turning back whenever the mood takes them.
Full route detail, the best stops in order, and an e-bike versus bicycle comparison are in our Yulong River cycling guide.
Bamboo raft trips start around ¥160 per raft for a short stretch and ¥200-320 for longer routes (e.g., Jinlong Bridge to Shuai Gen Di). Prices are per raft, usually seating two people.
Yes, and it is the best way to explore. Rentals start at ¥30-60/day. A full loop of the Yulong and Ten Mile Gallery is about 20 km and flat, suitable for most fitness levels.
Gongnong Bridge, Yulong Bridge (the oldest stone arch), and the old village of Jiuxian are the classics. Arrive before 8 am for mist and no crowds.
By e-bike (20-30 min), taxi/DiDi (15 min), or car (park at a trailhead). The river is west of Yangshuo town; rafts depart from piers like Jinlong Bridge and Shuai Gen Di.
Early morning (before 8 am) for soft light, mist, and few people. Avoid midday in summer (hot) and national holidays (crowded). Spring and autumn are most comfortable.
Yes - they are different. The Li River cruise is grand and long; the Yulong is intimate, low, and surrounded by villages and bridges. Many travelers enjoy both.
Pair a Yulong raft morning with an e-bike afternoon.
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