Guilin 1-Day Tour: Li River, Xianggong Hill & Yulong River

Three rivers and a summit in one day, guided in English

A full-day private tour of Guilin with an English-speaking driver-guide, covering the Li River by electric boat, a 20-minute climb to Xianggong Hill's panoramic overlook, and a bamboo raft float on the Yulong River. Hotel pickup is included from anywhere within 20 kilometers of Guilin city. The evening show is optional. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours and accommodates small groups on shared boats at each waterway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Li River1h
2. Yulong River1h
3. Impression Sanjie Liu1h 10m

Guilin and Yangshuo Scenic Tour

• Pick up from hotel or station
• Electric boat cruise from Yangdi to Nine Horse Hill
• Hike and view from Xianggong Hill
• Bamboo raft ride on Yulong River
• Watch Impression Sanjie Liu night show
• Return to hotel in Guilin or Yangshuo

The experience

Your driver-guide picks you up at 9:00 am from your hotel, Guilin Railway Station, the airport, or any location you name within 20 kilometers of the city center. The day starts on the Li River between Yangdi and Xingping Village: the stretch that appears in most guidebooks because the karst peaks here are the most dramatic in the region. You'll travel by electric boat for about an hour, sharing the small vessel with a few other passengers. The boat stays close to the water, letting you see the towering peaks, bamboo groves, and clear water up close in a way the larger cruises don't allow.

After the boat ride, you climb Xianggong Hill. The hike to the summit takes about 20 minutes and ends at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Li River and its surrounding karst landscape: one of China's most photographed views. From there, you head to the Yulong River for a bamboo raft float. This is a gentler experience than the morning's boat: you sit on the raft and drift along the clear, calm water with one other passenger, soaking in the quieter atmosphere that many travelers say is the highlight of the day.

In the evening, you have the option to watch Impression Sanjie Liu, a 70-minute outdoor show on the Li River directed by Zhang Yimou. The performance uses a 2-kilometer stretch of river and 12 peaks as its stage, with 600 performers, traditional bamboo boats, and cormorant birds. If you prefer, you can choose Guilin Romance Park instead, which showcases local history and folk traditions through performing arts and high-tech presentations. After the show, your guide drives you back to your hotel in Guilin or Yangshuo.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned private vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within 20 kilometers of Guilin city.
• electric boat ride on the Li River from Yangdi to Nine Horse Hill.
• entry to Xianggong Hill.
• bamboo raft float on the Yulong River.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (6 to 69 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Guilin Private Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout the day, so you'll hear the story of each site as you move through it. The tour works for any fitness level, though the Xianggong Hill climb is a 20-minute walk uphill: manageable for most, but worth knowing if stairs or slopes are difficult for you.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the Li River like between Yangdi and Xingping?

The Li River between Yangdi and Xingping holds the most distinctive karst peaks in the region: the ones featured in guidebooks and online travel photos. The electric boat travels about an hour along this stretch, passing towering peaks in various shapes, bamboo groves, and lush green hills with crystal-clear water below.

How long does it take to reach the top of Xianggong Hill?

The hike to the summit of Xianggong Hill takes about 20 minutes. Once you reach the top, you get a panoramic view of the Li River surrounded by towering karst peaks: described as one of China's most spectacular sights.

What's the difference between the electric boat and the bamboo raft?

The electric boat on the Li River is a small shared vessel that holds four passengers and travels for about an hour, letting you see the dramatic peaks and landscape from the water. The bamboo raft on the Yulong River is a slower, more serene experience where you float gently with one other passenger along calm, clear water, often considered the quieter, more peaceful part of the day.

Is the evening show included, or do I have to pay extra?

The evening show is optional. You can choose to watch Impression Sanjie Liu, a 70-minute performance on the Li River, or Guilin Romance Park, which features local history and folk traditions. If you skip the show, your guide will drive you back to your hotel after the Yulong River raft.

Does the tour include transportation to and from my hotel?

Yes, your driver-guide picks you up at 9:00 am from your hotel, the railway station, the airport, or any location within 20 kilometers of Guilin city center, and returns you to your hotel in Guilin or Yangshuo after the day ends.

Can children go on the bamboo raft?

Children under 1.0 meter tall are not able to ride the bamboo raft on the Yulong River. All other ages and fitness levels are welcome on the tour.