- 3 Days Best Guilin
- 4 Days with Yangshuo
- 4 Days with Longsheng
- 1 Day Li River cruise
- Hiking around Guilin
Top Guilin Attractions
More Things to Do
Top 10 City Tours
Code: GL16
Independent Li River Cruise
Guilin is one of the most popular destinations in China with stunningly beautiful natural scenery. There is a saying in China that "East or west, Guilin landscape is the best".
Guilin Li River cruise
The best recommendation is to take a Li River cruise to fully appreciate the natural scenery. Journeying on the river is quite a treat both for your eyes and for your mood. Here you will see incomparable scenery with crystal clear river, various shapes of hills, and farmers and oxen working in the fields. If you appreciate traditional scroll paintings you will find a nice reflection in the water.
First, let's start with the cruise ticket. This is quite easy to buy one by yourself at one of the service stops with advertisements in both English and Chinese. Or you can ask the hotel staff to book tickets for you with some additional service charge.
It is very important that you should buy the ticket the day before the cruise, because the ship sets off at around 9 a.m. and you might miss the cruise if you buy the ticket on the day.
First, let's start with the cruise ticket. This is quite easy to buy one by yourself at one of the service stops with advertisements in both English and Chinese. Or you can ask the hotel staff to book tickets for you with some additional service charge.
It is very important that you should buy the ticket the day before the cruise, because the ship sets off at around 9 a.m. and you might miss the cruise if you buy the ticket on the day.
Cruising on the Li River, Guilin
There are two kinds of cruise ships available on Li River. One is the 3-star ship and the adult ticket is CNY265.00 with a Chinese box lunch. You can also take the 4-star ship at CNY360.00 or CNY400.00 at the lower or upper decks respectively. The ticket also includes a buffet lunch.
The 3-star ships depart at Mopanshan Wharf at 08:30-09:30 every day generally, while the 4-star ships sail from 08:30 to 09:30 every day from Zhujiang Wharf. It takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Guilin downtown area to either Zhujiang Wharf or Mopanshan Wharf. The taxi fare is around CNY100.00. Please take your passport when you board the ship and also arrive the wharf at least 30 minutes before departure to leave enough time for passport inspection.
You will spend around four hours on the cruise. Usually it arrives at Yangshuo at around 2pm. There is no cruise ship available from Yangshuo back to Guilin. You can take a bus back to Guilin from Yangshuo on the day or just stay one night at this beautiful town.
A river guide is available on the cruise. She/He will explain the amazing legends when you enjoy the bewithching natural scenery. If you have any questions, you can also ask for help from the guide.
The 3-star ships depart at Mopanshan Wharf at 08:30-09:30 every day generally, while the 4-star ships sail from 08:30 to 09:30 every day from Zhujiang Wharf. It takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Guilin downtown area to either Zhujiang Wharf or Mopanshan Wharf. The taxi fare is around CNY100.00. Please take your passport when you board the ship and also arrive the wharf at least 30 minutes before departure to leave enough time for passport inspection.
You will spend around four hours on the cruise. Usually it arrives at Yangshuo at around 2pm. There is no cruise ship available from Yangshuo back to Guilin. You can take a bus back to Guilin from Yangshuo on the day or just stay one night at this beautiful town.
A river guide is available on the cruise. She/He will explain the amazing legends when you enjoy the bewithching natural scenery. If you have any questions, you can also ask for help from the guide.
Li River Scenery in Yangshuo
The Li River journey can be divided into three parts. The first part is from Guilin to Yangdi, the second from Yangdi to Xingping, and the last section is from Xingping to Yangshuo.
Now let's start with the first section, which consists of various scenic spots such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Gamecock Hill, and Father & Son Rock. It is quite easy to get their names from their natural appearance. For example, the Elephant Trunk Hill looks like a giant elephant drinking water with its trunk, and the Gamecock Hill looks like two cocks having a contest with each other.
The second section is the soul of Li River. It includes Wangfu Rock, Guanyan Rock, Banbian Du, the Carp's Image on the Rock Wall, Kowtow to Goddess of Mercy, the Eight Immortals Cross the Li River, the Nine-Horse Fresco Hill, the Reflections of the Green Peaks and the Charming Landscape of Xingping, all of which are endowed with beautiful and impressive fairy tales.
Now let's start with the first section, which consists of various scenic spots such as Elephant Trunk Hill, Gamecock Hill, and Father & Son Rock. It is quite easy to get their names from their natural appearance. For example, the Elephant Trunk Hill looks like a giant elephant drinking water with its trunk, and the Gamecock Hill looks like two cocks having a contest with each other.
The second section is the soul of Li River. It includes Wangfu Rock, Guanyan Rock, Banbian Du, the Carp's Image on the Rock Wall, Kowtow to Goddess of Mercy, the Eight Immortals Cross the Li River, the Nine-Horse Fresco Hill, the Reflections of the Green Peaks and the Charming Landscape of Xingping, all of which are endowed with beautiful and impressive fairy tales.
For example, Wangfu Rock is the symbol of the pure love of a wife to her husband. This couple was stranded on the bank of the river and almost starved to death. So the husband climbed to the top of the mountain to check if there was any boat that could take them back. Unfortunately he fell down from the mountain and died. When the wife found him, she killed herself next to her husband. Their bodies became stones and one of the stones is always staring at the other. Here comes the name.
On the Yellow Cloth Shoal, you will see the landscape on banknote CNY20.00. Here is a story that the lord of heaven had seven beautiful daughters. These girls were attracted by the picturesque scenery and had themselves turned into mountains. When the weather is fine, you can see the Seven Fairy Maidens reflect clearly on the water. There is a large beige flagstone under the water surface. It seems as if there is a wide yellow cloth covering the riverbed. That's how the shoal got its name.
Guanyan Rock is about a magic hat conquering an evil dragon. The entrance of the cave is the mouth of the dragon. This cave is famous for the gorgeous Karst landscape.
The Nine-Horse Fresco Hill looks like a giant mural in several colors, seen from afar. Visitors are happy to see if they can count nine horses while the cruise passes here.
You will also see one of the mountains as the portrait of the Goddess of Mercy at a distance, the image of one carp on the mountain and so on.
On the Yellow Cloth Shoal, you will see the landscape on banknote CNY20.00. Here is a story that the lord of heaven had seven beautiful daughters. These girls were attracted by the picturesque scenery and had themselves turned into mountains. When the weather is fine, you can see the Seven Fairy Maidens reflect clearly on the water. There is a large beige flagstone under the water surface. It seems as if there is a wide yellow cloth covering the riverbed. That's how the shoal got its name.
Guanyan Rock is about a magic hat conquering an evil dragon. The entrance of the cave is the mouth of the dragon. This cave is famous for the gorgeous Karst landscape.
The Nine-Horse Fresco Hill looks like a giant mural in several colors, seen from afar. Visitors are happy to see if they can count nine horses while the cruise passes here.
You will also see one of the mountains as the portrait of the Goddess of Mercy at a distance, the image of one carp on the mountain and so on.
Beautiful rural scenery of Yangshuo
The last portion of the river is famous for the combined harmonious beauty of rural life and nature, especially in Xingping. You will see green mountains, bamboo rafts, dense forests, small fishing villages, orchards and cormorant fishing. If you take a cruise in summer, you may frequently see the farmers working in the farmland and buffalo drinking water at the riverside. Words are not enough to fully present its beauty, so we hope you will have a chance to experience it for yourself.
Once you disembarking at Yangshuo, you can wander along the famous West Street, which has a history of more than 1,400 years. Shops sell local items covered with strong native features at a reasonable price. Cafes and western style bars line the street. Some of people here speak English quite well, so communication will not be a problem. It is a perfect mix of western and oriental culture!
You may choose to stay overnight in Yangshuo so that you can have more time to appreciate this breathtaking natural countryside scenery. Actually it is quite easy to rent a bicycle either from hotels or stalls along the streets. You can ride to visit Moon Hill, the Big Banyan Tree and some other famous scenic spots there more freely at your own pace.
If you prefer to get back to Guilin on the day, there are buses available from Yangshuo bus station every 15 minutes, starting from 08:00 in the morning and ending at 18:00. The fare is CNY20. It is quite easy to find your way to Yangshuo bus station. The locals are happy to help if you need.
Once you disembarking at Yangshuo, you can wander along the famous West Street, which has a history of more than 1,400 years. Shops sell local items covered with strong native features at a reasonable price. Cafes and western style bars line the street. Some of people here speak English quite well, so communication will not be a problem. It is a perfect mix of western and oriental culture!
You may choose to stay overnight in Yangshuo so that you can have more time to appreciate this breathtaking natural countryside scenery. Actually it is quite easy to rent a bicycle either from hotels or stalls along the streets. You can ride to visit Moon Hill, the Big Banyan Tree and some other famous scenic spots there more freely at your own pace.
If you prefer to get back to Guilin on the day, there are buses available from Yangshuo bus station every 15 minutes, starting from 08:00 in the morning and ending at 18:00. The fare is CNY20. It is quite easy to find your way to Yangshuo bus station. The locals are happy to help if you need.
More Related Tours: Yangshuo Bicycle Routes: Biking along Ten-Mile Gallery.
One-Day Tour to Rural Area: Li River cruise from Yangdi to Xingping, Xingping Town, Silver Cave, West Street.
Yingxi Mountain Forest: 2 days, Feixia scenic spot, Yingxi Mountain Forest, The Third Tribe Ancient Yao House.
One-Day Tour to Rural Area: Li River cruise from Yangdi to Xingping, Xingping Town, Silver Cave, West Street.
Yingxi Mountain Forest: 2 days, Feixia scenic spot, Yingxi Mountain Forest, The Third Tribe Ancient Yao House.
Hi,
please can someone help us with an advice?
We will be in Guilin for the Li River Cruise.
As far as we undertstood from internet, we need first to get to the Liberation Bridge or Zhujiang Port (Pier) in order to get on boat.
We will be statying at Xinghuicheng 5栋1单元904, Guilin.
Do you know there is a bus service from our place to the Liberation Bridge or Zhujiang Port (Pier)?
And wehere will the most convenient bus departure ?
From where will be the best to take the boat? we we can take it (closest bus stop)?
what are its schedule?
how much will cost per person?
Thank you so much,
Kind regards,
Flori
If you want to take 3-star Li River cruise, you need to go to Mopanshan Wharf. Out of Xinghuicheng, walk about 800 meters to Xi Cheng Nan Lu Bei (Hua Sheng Tang) Station to take bus k2. After 18 stops, you will arrive at Fu Xing Lu Kou Station. Then transfer to bus no. 9 to Qi Feng Lu East Station (19 stops). The bus fare is about CNY 4 per person. The operating time of bus k2 is 7:20 - 19:10, and bus no. 9 is 7:20 - 17:30. From Qi Feng Lu East Station to Mopanshan Wharf, the distance is about 3.2 km. There is no bus between them, so you need to hail a taxi. The taxi fare is about CNY 12. As Mopanshan Wharf is at remote area in Guilin, the public transportation is not convenient for foreigners, so I suggest you take a taxi from your hotel to the wharf. The taxi fare will be around CNY 80.
If you decide to take 4-star Li River cruise, you need to go to Zhujiang Wharf. Taking a taxi is the best choice as bus no. 9 Zhujiang line was closed. The taxi fare from your hotel to Zhujiang Wharf is around CNY 80.
thanks for your detailed replay; much appreciated!
What about taking the curise from Lijiang River Cruise Ticket Center (漓江游船售票中心), address Binjiang Rd, Xiangshan, Guilin, Guangxi, China (广西壮族自治区桂林市象山区滨江路), 779W+Q8 Xiangshan, Guilin, Guangxi, China?
Is there any bu(es) to this address from our flat?
Cheers,
Flori
Also, how do I get back from xingping to guilin downtown?
Please help.