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Bottom line: Start with Route 1 if you are new to scooters. Route 2 is the sweet spot for most travelers. Route 3 is only for confident riders with a full battery and a full day.
Route overview
🟢 Easy
West Street Loop · 10 km · 2–3 h
Flat roads, rice fields, and karst backdrops. Perfect for beginners and families.
🟡 Moderate
Yulong River Loop · 25 km · 4–5 h
Villages, bamboo rafts, and the Moon Hill viewpoint. Plan a lunch charging stop.
🟠 Epic
Xingping Loop · 45 km · 6–7 h
20-yuan viewpoint, Xingping old town, and the Li River. Full battery required.
New to two wheels here? The Yangshuo cycling guide overview compares every route and rental option in one place.
Route Map & GPS Coordinates
The three loops all start from Yangshuo town and fan out into the karst countryside. Use these coordinates to plan stops and keep Amap (Gaode) offline maps loaded before you leave town.
- West Street start point: 24.7775°N, 110.4987°E — the main rental hub, good for Route 1 and Route 2.
- Yulong River end point: 24.7512°N, 110.4234°E — near the lower Yulong piers, a common turnaround for Route 2.
- Xingping loop waypoint: 24.8580°N, 110.5200°E — the 20-yuan viewpoint area, reached on Route 3.
Cell signal is reliable on the main roads but patchy on village backroads. Screenshot the route or download the PDF route map as a backup.
Route 1: Easy West Street Loop 🟢
Distance: 10 km · Time: 2–3 hours · Difficulty: Easy · Best for: First-time riders, families with older children
Route: West Street (西街 / Xījiē) — Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊 / Shílǐ Huàláng) — Yulong River bridge (遇龙河桥 / Yùlóng Hé qiáo) — Return.
Highlights: Flat country roads, rice paddies, and iconic karst peaks in the background. The morning light around 7–8 AM is exceptional, with little traffic.
Tip: The main Ten-Mile Gallery road has tour buses. Use the parallel village backroads for a quieter ride.
- 'On a test ride in April 2026, we took the back road parallel to the main Ten-Mile Gallery route. At 7 AM, we didn't see another vehicle for 15 minutes — just mist rising from the rice fields and farmers starting their day.'
Route 2: Moderate Yulong River Loop 🟡
Distance: 25 km · Time: 4–5 hours · Difficulty: Moderate · Best for: Riders with some experience who want depth
Route: West Street — Jima Pier (骥马码头 / Jìmǎ mǎtóu) — Jiuxian Village (旧县村 / Jiùxiàn cūn) — Gongnong Bridge (工农桥 / Gōngnóng qiáo) — Moon Hill (月亮山 / Yuèliàng Shān) — Return.
Highlights: Bamboo rafts on the Yulong River, the old stone houses of Jiuxian, Gongnong Bridge, and the Moon Hill limestone arch.
Charging stop: Many guesthouses and restaurants in Jiuxian Village let you charge while you eat. Plan a lunch stop there.
- 'During our July test, we stopped at a family-run restaurant in Jiuxian Village for lunch (¥25 per person / ~US$3.50). The owner let us charge the scooter for free while we ate. Battery went from 45% to 80% in 45 minutes.'
Route 3: Epic Xingping Loop 🟠
Distance: 45 km · Time: 6–7 hours · Difficulty: Epic / Advanced · Best for: Experienced riders with a full day
Route: West Street — Xingping (兴坪 / Xīngpíng) – 20-Yuan Viewpoint (二十元人民币背景 / èrshí yuán rénmínbì bèijǐng) — Li River (漓江 / Lí Jiāng) — Return.
Highlights: The famous 20-yuan banknote scenery, Xingping old town, cormorant fishermen along the Li River, and rural Guangxi backroads.
Warning: This route is long with mountain sections. Start with a 100% battery, ride in Eco mode when possible, and do not attempt it with an older scooter.
- 'This route tested our battery management. We started with 100% at 8 AM, reached Xingping with 55%, and had 12% left when we returned to Yangshuo at 3 PM. We rode in Eco mode for the last 10 km. A newer scooter would have handled this more comfortably.'
Real rider notes
- Start early (7–8 AM) to avoid midday heat and tour-bus traffic on the main roads.
- Amap (Gaode) offline maps are more reliable than Google Maps for rural lanes.
- Always carry the rental shop's WeChat number and a photo of the scooter's license plate.
- Rain ponchos are sold at most rental shops for ¥5–10. Buy one before you need it.