Guilin tour: Li River boat, Xianggong Hill, Yulong biking

Three ways to see Guilin's karst landscape in a single day

A full-day tour of Guilin combining an electric boat ride on the Li River from Yangdi to Nine Horses Hill, a 20-minute climb up Xianggong Hill for views of towering peaks, and a bike ride along the Yulong River through villages and rice paddies. Includes an air-conditioned vehicle, driver-guide in English, boat passage, and bike rental. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours and departs at 8 am or 11 am to avoid peak boat traffic. You'll share the four-seat electric boat with other tourists.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Li River50m · entry included
2. Yulong River2h · entry included

Li River cruise, hill climb, and biking

• Meet driver-guide at hotel lobby
• Travel to Yangdi Village
• Take electric boat cruise to Nine Horses Hill
• Meet driver-guide at Nine Horses Hill Pier
• Drive to Xianggong Hill
• Climb Xianggong Hill for panoramic views
• Drive to Yulong River
• Bike along Yulong River countryside
• Transfer to Guilin or Yangshuo hotel

The experience

How do you actually see what makes Guilin famous (the limestone peaks, the river valleys, the working countryside) in one day without renting a car or navigating on your own? This tour strings together three distinct experiences that each show a different angle of the same landscape. You start with a driver-guide pickup at your hotel, then head south to Yangdi Village to board an electric boat for about an hour on the Li River. The route runs from Yangdi to Nine Horses Hill, passing bamboo groves, crystal-clear water, and the karst formations that rise straight from the riverbed. The boat holds four seats, so you'll share the ride with other tourists, which keeps the pace relaxed and the boat small enough to navigate the narrow sections.

After the boat returns to Nine Horses Hill Pier, your driver-guide meets you and drives to Xianggong Hill. The climb takes about 20 minutes and lands you on a peak with a panoramic view of the Li River and the towering peaks around it. This is the stop most visitors mention as the standout moment of the day. From there, you drive to the Yulong River, a tributary that flows through some of the most scenic limestone country in the Yangshuo area. The driver-guide sets up bikes for you, and you ride along a classic, quiet path that passes rice paddies, villages, farmers working the fields, bamboo groves, and ducks in the water. The biking is the part of the day where you slow down and move through the landscape instead of viewing it from a distance or from above.

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total, with departure times at 8 am or 11 am. The earlier slot is designed to get you on the river before the larger tour boats arrive. Your vehicle is air-conditioned, and the driver-guide speaks English. Bikes and boat passage are included. You'll need to arrange your own lunch. The tour ends with a transfer back to your Guilin or Yangshuo hotel.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide in English.
• electric boat on the Li River from Yangdi to Nine Horses Hill for about 50 minutes.
• entry to Xianggong Hill.
• bike rental for the Yulong River section.
• hotel pickup and return transfer to Guilin or Yangshuo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (8 to 70 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate 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?Book this if you have a full day free and want to combine three distinct experiences (hilltop views, a river cruise, and countryside cycling) in one itinerary. A half-day won't accommodate all three.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How crowded is the Li River boat ride?

The electric boat seats four people, so you share it with other tourists rather than traveling solo. The 8 am and 11 am departures are timed to avoid the larger tour boats that arrive later in the day, keeping the experience quieter than a midday departure would be.

What is the Yulong River biking route like?

The Yulong River path is described as classic, beautiful, and tranquil, running through rice paddies, villages, and bamboo groves with karst peaks in view. You'll pass farmers working in the fields and see ducks in the water. The route is designed for a relaxed pace rather than speed or difficulty.

How steep is the climb up Xianggong Hill?

The climb to the top takes about 20 minutes and rewards you with a panoramic view of the Li River and towering peaks. The tour notes that you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transport, a driver-guide in English, the electric boat passage on the Li River (about 50 minutes), entry to Xianggong Hill, and bike rental for the Yulong River section. Lunch and tips are not included.

Can I choose a different departure time?

The standard departures are 8 am or 11 am. A 9 am start is also available if you don't mind sharing the river with larger tour boats. Ask when you book if that timing suits your schedule better.