Li River Cruise

The stretch of the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is one of China’s most celebrated landscapes: hundreds of steep limestone peaks rising straight from the water, reflected in the river and often wrapped in mist, as in a classical ink painting.

The cruise takes about four hours, passing water buffalo grazing on the banks, fishermen on bamboo rafts and villages framed by bamboo. Lunch is served on board, and the boat lands at Yangshuo, a lively town surrounded by peaks. The views around Xingping, where the river curves between some of the most famous peaks, are a highlight of the journey.

In Yangshuo, a bamboo-raft ride on the quieter Yulong River, a cycle through the countryside and the open-air light show Impression Liu Sanjie are easy additions. Spring and autumn bring the clearest views.