The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of Li River, decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and lined bamboos. A poem says: "The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hair-pins."

Originaing in Mao'er Mountain in Xin'an county northeast of Guilin, the Li River winds its way southeast for about 437 km, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle, Zhaoping and finally meets Xi River in Wulin. It boasts the largest and most beautiful scenic area in China and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Li River Cruise
There are different types of cruise lines, start from different piers along the Li River, you might choose a wharf at Zhujiang, Caoping, Yangshuo, Xingping or Yangdi, depends on how many hours you plan to stay on this river.

1) Li River Cruise from Zhujiang Wharf to Yangshuo
This is the most favorite cruise route, most of the foreigners take this cruise.   Well, Li River is by far the main reason to visit Guilin.  Pickup from the hotels in Guilin in the morning, you will be transferred to the Zhujiang Wharf by coach for 40 minutes, the cruise starts between 09h00 to 09h30.

Double-decker and triple-decker river boats which weigh anchor from a pier at Zhujiang, about 40 minutes from Guilin by bus, and meander through the sleepy countryside are relaxing way to enjoy the superlative river scenery and life along its banks. In contrast to the burgeoning cities of the north, it is quiet here; the rural scenery is magnificent. You will enjoy the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank.

After about 4 to 5 hours, the one-thousand-year-old town - Yangshuo, the disembarking point, comes into sight. It is well-worth browsing around this quaint town and its environs. Explore the old town freely for the rest of the day.

2) Li River Cruise from Caoping to Yangshuo
Most of ships depart from Zhujiang Wharf, are non-stop ships to Yangshuo, but few will stop 2 hours at Caoping Wharf, to pickup passengers stay overnight in the Caoping Village.  These passengers drove from Guilin to Caoping the day before.

Another reason for these ships to stop at Chaoping, is to visit Crown Cave.  Most of passengers on the ship will climb up hundreds of steps to visit this cave.  Really worth to go, otherwise you have to stay on board for two hours to wait for all passengers to come back.  The ship will not leave Caoping until everyone shows up.  The lunch will be served after the Crown Cave visit.

If you are on schedule to catch an afternoon flight after Li River Cruise, do not take this ship.

3) Li River Cruise from Yangshuo to Fuli
Another golden line on the Li River.  If you do not stay overnight in Guilin, take overnight sleeping bus directly from Hong Kong-Shenzhen border or Guangzhou, this will be your first choice to explore the Li River.

Cruise start between 09h00 to 09h30, from Yangshuo Wharf.  You need to ask your local tour guide to make a reservation for ticket one day in advance.  Well, if you arrive late at Yangshuo, you might also go directly to the wharf next morning, if there is still vacancy on the ship, you are welcome on board.

It takes about 3 hours on route.  The Chinese meals will be offered for lunch by ship staffs.  To be frankly speakly, it is so-so.  Recommend you to buy some bread and milk before you get on board.  There are some bakeries on the street.  The scenery on Li River is the main focus on route, who cares lunch?  You can have it anywhere.  The best place is in the front of the ship.  When everyone is having lunch in the ship, the decks are empty.

You can take the cruise back from Fuli to Yangshuo.  Or we recommend you to rend a bike in the early morning, take it to the ship, it will be load on the upper decker, then you ride through the old town of Fuli after the cruise, continue to ride to Yangshuo.  About 1 hour ride, the view is magnificent.

4) Li River Cruise from Yangshuo to Yangdi
The ships are quite similar as the cruise from Yangshuo to Fuli, the same company runs this line.  You might also carry your bike to the ship, but the ship goes against the stream, it takes 5 hours to arrive at Yangdi Wharf.  The worse thing is that you have to meet hundreds of big ships coming down the river - They are heading from Zhujiang Wharf to Yangshuo.  They will destroy the harmony experience on River!

It is also a pity that the ship engine makes more noices when the ship goes upstream.