Yangshuo, located in the heart of China’s Guangxi Province, is renowned for its stunning karst mountains, serene rivers, and charming rural landscapes. If you’re planning a trip to this picturesque destination, this 3-day Yangshuo itinerary will guide you through the must-see sights and activities. From cruising the Li River to cycling by the Yulong River and savoring the famous beer fish, you’ll experience the best of Yangshuo in just three days. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful region.
Day 1: Exploring the Li River and Yangshuo’s Vibrant Streets
Morning: Breakfast in Guilin
Start your day with a hearty breakfast in Guilin, the gateway city to Yangshuo. There are plenty of local eateries offering traditional dishes, such as rice noodles or steamed buns, to fuel up for the day ahead.
Late Morning: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo
The highlight of Day 1 is the scenic boat ride along the Li River. This is one of the most beautiful parts of your journey, offering breathtaking views of towering karst mountains, tranquil waters, and lush green landscapes. The river cruise is often considered the most stunning experience of the entire trip.
Ticket Information: Tickets for the Li River cruise can be purchased through the official Li River Scenic Area (漓江景区) WeChat account. There are two types of boats: three-star and four-star. The three-star boat costs ¥215 per ticket, which includes both the river cruise and the entrance fee for the scenic area. There are discounts for certain groups, but it’s important to note that everyone (except children) must buy a full-price ticket and claim the discount later at the dock with proof of eligibility.
Seating and Departure Times: The boats do not allow for seat selection as tickets are randomly assigned. However, this is not an issue as most passengers will end up on the upper deck, which offers the best views. Boats depart at 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 10:00 AM, with the option to choose your departure time in advance.
Cruise Details: The three-star boats depart from Mopanshan Pier (磨盘山码头) in Guilin and head to Longtoushan Pier (龙头山码头) in Yangshuo, covering a distance of about 4 hours. Keep in mind that the cruise is one-way, and if you’re driving, you can arrange a driver to take your car to Yangshuo or take an official shuttle service.
Luggage: You are allowed to bring luggage onboard, and the crew will help keep your bags secure during the cruise.
Transport to the Pier: The pier is located some distance from the city center. You can choose to take a taxi directly to the Mopanshan Pier for about ¥40, which is more convenient and saves you time. Public transport options may involve longer wait times and are less reliable.
Afternoon: Cycling by the Yulong River
Once you arrive in Yangshuo, the next adventure is to rent an electric bike and cycle along the Yulong River. You’ll find plenty of rental shops offering bikes at reasonable rates. Bargain for a good price—during the off-season, you can rent a bike for as low as ¥30 (though ¥20 is more typical). Cycle towards the Yulong River International Camping Base (遇龙河国际露营基地), passing the Gongnong Bridge (工农桥) (a scenic spot in the heart of the “Ten-Mile Gallery”). The bridge provides stunning views of the surrounding limestone peaks, making it a great stop for photos. The route is relatively quiet, offering a peaceful and picturesque setting perfect for cycling.
Evening: Beer Fish and Strolling West Street
For dinner, don’t miss trying the famous Yangshuo beer fish (阳朔啤酒鱼), a local delicacy. Most restaurants along the streets serve this dish, and the two most popular places are Master Chef (大师傅) and Xie Sanjie (谢三姐). The fish, typically caught in the Li River, is cooked with beer and a variety of spices. While prices may vary, expect to pay around ¥68 per 500 grams of fish. If you’re looking for a more straightforward dining experience without the tourist traps, try Laobing BBQ (老兵烧烤), where the fish was fresh and the flavors authentic.
After dinner, take a stroll down West Street, the lively pedestrian area in Yangshuo. It’s full of shops selling local crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. However, be aware that the prices are often inflated, so be ready to haggle for a better deal. The street also has several lively bars with music, offering a fun atmosphere to enjoy after a long day of sightseeing.
Day 2: A Day of River Drifting, Cycling Adventures, and Cultural Shows
Morning: Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong River
Start your day with a relaxing bamboo rafting experience on the Yulong River. This section of the river is split into multiple parts, but the most popular and scenic segment runs from Shui’edi Pier (水厄底) to Gongnong Bridge (工农桥). The raft ride is typically for two people per boat, with tickets priced at ¥200 per raft. If you’re traveling with children, be aware that they will need their own seat and ticket as well. It’s a good idea to purchase your tickets in advance, especially if you plan to visit during peak times.
The rafting journey is a one-way ride, floating downstream. There are shuttle buses available that run between the two piers, so you can enjoy the entire experience without worrying about getting back. We opted to ride an electric bike to Shui’edi Pier, enjoy the raft ride downstream, and then take the shuttle bus back to the pier. From there, we cycled along the banks of the Yulong River, soaking in the natural beauty.
Ticket Information: To purchase tickets for bamboo rafting, follow the Yulong River rafting (遇龙河漂流) WeChat account. The tickets for the Shui’edi Pier section are particularly popular, so make sure to book early. The ticketing system can be unreliable, so don’t hesitate to try multiple times to secure your spot.
Rafting Experience: The bamboo rafting experience lasts around 30 minutes and covers a distance of about 2 kilometers. There are four small dams to navigate, and the journey is peaceful, surrounded by lush landscapes and karst hills. During hot weather, it’s a good idea to wear flip-flops, as you’ll be able to dip your feet into the refreshing water. On cooler days, you may choose to skip the water activities.
Important Note: Some people may offer tips to the bamboo raft operators to ask them to slow down or remove life vests for photos, but this practice is not permitted. The staff won’t ask for tips, and if they do, it’s best to report them. It’s entirely unnecessary to provide additional payment for a slower ride or photo opportunities.
Afternoon: Cycling the Ten-Mile Gallery and Yulong River
After your rafting adventure, it’s time to hop back on the bike and cycle along the scenic Ten-Mile Gallery and the other side of the Yulong River. Use your phone’s navigation to head towards Shuangliu Yiduting (Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion, 双流义渡亭), where you can enjoy stunning views as you pedal along. Don’t miss the smaller, quieter roads along the riverbank—these often lead to hidden gems of beautiful scenery that might not be visible from the main routes.
Once you reach Shuangliu Yiduting, you can head back or cycle to the foot of Moon Hill (Yueliang Mountain, 月亮山), another iconic natural landmark in the area. You can see the hill from the road without needing to enter the paid park area. In Yangshuo, the beauty is in the exploration—don’t feel the need to buy tickets for every single attraction. Sometimes, the best views are the ones you discover simply by walking or cycling around the area.
The Ten-Mile Gallery is famous for its breathtaking views, and while there are some commercial activities such as hot air balloon rides, helicopter tours, and horseback riding, these experiences can be quite pricey and only last a few minutes, making them not the best value for your money.
Evening: Cultural Performances – “Impression Liu Sanjie” or “Guilin Eternal Love”
To round off your day, enjoy one of the two famous cultural performances in the Yangshuo area: Impression Liu Sanjie (印象刘三姐) or Guilin Eternal Love (桂林千古情). Both are renowned shows, but your choice may depend on the weather. If it’s raining, opt for Guilin Eternal Love, which is performed indoors. If the weather is clear, Impression Liu Sanjie is a spectacular outdoor show set against the stunning karst mountains, directed by the famous filmmaker Zhang Yimou. Although this show has received some mixed reviews, it is still an impressive experience worth seeing, given the magnitude of the production.
Ticket Information: Both shows are available at discounted rates from various travel agencies, especially during the off-season. Don’t just accept the first price you’re offered; make sure to compare prices from different agencies. For example, we bought Guilin Eternal Love tickets for ¥180 but later discovered others had gotten VIP tickets for just ¥160, and regular tickets for ¥200. It’s a good idea to compare prices and ask around to avoid falling for inflated rates.
Seating: There are different ticket categories for Guilin Eternal Love including luxury, VIP, and regular seats. The VIP and regular tickets are typically only a 10-20 yuan difference, with VIP seats being closer to the center of the theater, while regular seats are positioned to the side. If you’re not visiting during peak season, you’ll likely get a good seat in the middle even with a regular ticket. If you do visit during peak times, consider purchasing the VIP ticket for better seating.
We initially planned to see Impression Liu Sanjie, but due to the rain, we switched to Guilin Eternal Love. Our regular tickets ended up being located right next to the VIP seats, which was a nice surprise. So, it’s really about personal preference and the weather.
Show Review: Guilin Eternal Love is essentially a large-scale dance performance featuring beautiful costumes, stunning choreography, and impressive stage effects. The performances were vibrant, with many talented dancers, but the cultural storytelling elements were somewhat generic. However, for the price, it was a very enjoyable show, and the stage effects were particularly impressive.
Day 3: Exploring the Beauty of Silver Cave and Departure
Morning: Sunrise at Xiang Gong Mountain
Originally, we planned to catch the sunrise at Xiang Gong Mountain, but unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate—it was rainy, so we scrapped our early plans and enjoyed a relaxing sleep instead. By noon, we finally woke up and ventured out for lunch, taking it easy for the rest of the morning.
Afternoon: Half-Day Tour to Silver Cave (Yinziyan)
For the afternoon, we decided to explore Silver Cave (Yinziyan, 银子岩), one of the most famous caves in the region. Since we didn’t have our own transportation, we booked a half-day tour through the hotel’s travel agency. The tour was ¥80 per person, which included entrance fees and transportation to and from the cave.
Silver Cave Highlights: Silver Cave is often regarded as one of the most beautiful karst caves in Guilin, and it certainly lives up to the reputation. The stalactites and stalagmites in the cave are impressive, with formations that have created a surreal and magical atmosphere. If you’re in the area and want to experience a top-notch karst cave, Silver Cave is highly recommended. The views inside are incredible, and the unique rock formations are definitely worth seeing.
Day 4: Departure from Yangshuo
On the last day of our trip, we needed to catch a flight from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. To get there from Yangshuo, we took the shuttle bus from the Yangshuo Bus Station. The buses run every two hours and cost ¥60. However, when we arrived at the bus station around noon, we encountered some confusion and attempted scams. Someone claimed to be a staff member and told other tourists that the bus wouldn’t depart until 5 p.m. If they were in a hurry, they could follow him. I ignored this and went to the ticket counter, where I purchased tickets for the 2 p.m. bus.
This experience highlights a common issue with Yangshuo’s official services. At the bus station, there were no clear signs, no uniforms on the staff, and no guidance on bus schedules or routes, leaving the station vulnerable to unofficial middlemen who mislead tourists.
Final Tips for Visiting Yangshuo
Accommodation: If you’re not driving, it’s best to stay near West Street (西街). This area offers convenience for dining and shopping. The best location is around the street where the Campanile Hotel (康铂酒店) is located, but avoid staying directly on West Street as it can be noisy at night.
Dining: For meals, it’s advisable to stick to chain restaurants where prices are more transparent and the quality is guaranteed. One of the best meals I had in Yangshuo was at Liao Ge Tu Ji Yu (Liao Ge’s Freshwater Fish, 廖哥土鲫鱼). While most local restaurants serve similar dishes like Guilin rice noodles, it’s important to note that local prices differ from those charged to tourists. If you’re with a local, you can have them order for you, and just tell the restaurant you want the same dishes they ordered. This will save you quite a bit. Otherwise, you can opt for takeaway, as the prices are similar to dining in. Finding a truly satisfying restaurant on your own can be tricky.
Transportation: Yangshuo is a small town, and the main attractions are all within close distance of each other. Renting an electric bike is the best way to explore—driving a car can actually be more of a hassle and less convenient for getting to scenic spots.
Shopping: Yangshuo is known for its picturesque landscapes, but it’s not easy to take the scenery with you. There are plenty of souvenir shops, but the products typically have a low cost-to-value ratio. If you’re into photography, consider booking a photo shoot with a local photographer. There are many opportunities to capture beautiful pictures against the stunning natural backdrops of Yangshuo.