The Lijiang River (漓江), renowned for its breathtaking scenery and iconic karst landscapes, offers a captivating journey between Guilin (桂林) and Yangshuo (阳朔). Whether you’re a nature lover or a photography enthusiast, cruising along the Lijiang River provides a serene and scenic experience. With two main routes—Guilin to Yangshuo and Yangshuo to Yangdi or Guanyan Piers—this guide covers the available cruise options, schedules, and essential travel tips to help you make the most of your adventure along the river.
Lijiang River Cruise: Guilin to Yangshuo Route
There are two types of cruises available between Guilin and Yangshuo: the three-star and four-star cruises.
1. Three-Star Cruise:
- Departure Time: Two cruises available at 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
- Departure Pier: Mopanshan Pier (磨盘山码头), located 25 kilometers from Guilin city center.
- Arrival Pier: Longtoushan Pier (龙头山码头) in Yangshuo.
- Transportation Tips: After arriving at Longtoushan Pier, it’s about a 10-minute walk to downtown Yangshuo. Many motorbike taxis will try to solicit passengers—it’s best to politely decline.
2. Four-Star Cruise:
- Departure Time: One cruise at 10:35 AM.
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours.
- Departure Pier: Zhujiang Pier (竹江码头), located 26 kilometers from Guilin city center.
- Arrival Pier: Longtoushan Pier (龙头山码头) in Yangshuo.
Travel Tips:
Both the three-star and four-star cruises follow the same route, offering identical scenic views along the river. Tickets for both cruises can be purchased through the WeChat app by searching for “漓江售票处” (Lijiang Ticket Office). While there are direct buses to the piers, they run infrequently, so taking a taxi from Guilin city is recommended, which takes about 40 minutes.
Seating Information:
Window seats offer a better view, but most passengers spend their time on the deck enjoying the scenery. Seat selection is random, and passengers are encouraged to go to the deck for the best experience.
Scenic Highlights:
During the cruise, you will pass some of the most famous landmarks of the Lijiang River, including:
- Wangfu Rock (望夫石)
- Yangdi (杨提)
- Boy Worshiping Guanyin (童子拜观音)
- Nine Horse Fresco Hill (九马画山)
- The backdrop of the 20 RMB bill (The best view of this site is from the stern of the boat).
The boat crew will announce each scenic spot via a broadcast, providing brief explanations. There are also professional photographers on board, but it’s advisable to choose wisely if you decide to use their services.
Meals Onboard:
- Three-Star Cruise: Meals are available for purchase, such as a seafood platter priced at around 100 RMB. The food is a bit pricey, so consider bringing snacks.
- Four-Star Cruise: The ticket includes a buffet meal with various Chinese dishes.
Lijiang River Cruise: Yangshuo to Guilin Route
For the return route, cruises are available from Yangshuo to Guilin, with two types of cruises offered: the three-star and four-star cruises.
1. Three-Star and Four-Star Cruises:
- Departure Time: Cruises depart between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
- Departure Pier: Longtoushan Pier (龙头山码头) in Yangshuo.
- Arrival Pier: Passengers can choose between Yangdi Pier (杨提码头) or Guanyan Pier (冠岩码头).
Scenic Highlights Along the Route:
As the boat sails from Yangshuo, passengers can admire iconic sites such as:
- Bilian Peak (碧莲峰)
- Fishing Village (渔村)
- Xingping Ancient Town (兴坪古镇)
- Laozhai Mountain (老寨山)
- The 20 RMB Scenic Spot (20元背景)
- Nine Horse Fresco Hill (九马画山)
- Boy Worshiping Guanyin (童子拜观音)
The boat will arrive at Yangdi Pier around 5:00 PM and at Guanyan Pier by 6:00 PM.
Return Journey Options to Guilin
Guanyan Pier (冠岩码头):
After disembarking at Guanyan Pier, it is about 34 kilometers from Guilin city. Public buses do not operate in the evening, so taking a taxi is the only option for the return trip.
Yangdi Pier (杨提码头):
Yangdi Pier is located 39 kilometers from Yangshuo’s West Street (西街), with dedicated shuttles available to take passengers back to Yangshuo after disembarking.
By choosing the right route and cruise option, you can tailor your experience on the Lijiang River to your preferences, whether you’re looking for comfort, affordability, or scenic highlights.