Li River bamboo rafting Guilin private day tour: Five stops

Five Guilin landmarks in one day, anchored by an hour drifting the Li River's karst peaks

A private day tour from Guilin hotels combining five major sites: Reed Flute Cave, Daxu ancient town, one hour on the Li River by electric bamboo boat, Xianggong Hill viewpoint, and the Impression Sanjie Liu outdoor theater. An English-speaking guide and driver pick you up at 9:30am and return you around 10:30pm. The itinerary is customizable if you want to skip any stops. Admission fees to each site are paid on-site and are not included in the tour price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Reed Flute Cave1h 30m
2. Daxu Old Town1h
3. Li River1h
4. Impression Sanjie Liu1h 30m

Guilin and Yangshuo highlights tour

• Pick up from Guilin hotel at 9:30 am
• Drive 30 minutes to Reed Flute Cave
• Walk 500 meters inside Reed Flute Cave
• Drive 1 hour to Daxu Ancient Town
• Visit Daxu Ancient Town and Longevity Bridge
• Drive 1.5 hours to Yangdi pier
• Take 1-hour bamboo boat on Li River
• Drive 20 minutes to Xianggong Hill
• Enjoy panoramic views from Xianggong Hill
• Attend Impression Sanjie Liu light show at 7:30 pm
• Return to Guilin hotel around 10:30 pm

The experience

The day starts with a 30-minute drive to Reed Flute Cave, 7 kilometers northwest of downtown Guilin. You walk around 500 meters inside the cave (it descends 240 meters deep in a U-shape) past stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations lit by colored lighting. The cave visit takes about an hour. From there, it's a one-hour drive to Daxu ancient town on the Li River's east bank, 23 kilometers southeast of the city. The town has stood for over 1,000 years, with roots in the Northern Song Dynasty. You'll see the Longevity Bridge (built in the Ming Dynasty), the Gaozu Temple, Qing Dynasty assembly halls, and a two-kilometer bluestone street lined with preserved buildings. Budget an hour to walk through.

After Daxu, a 90-minute drive takes you to Yangdi pier, where you board an electric bamboo boat for one hour down the Li River to Nine Horses Hill dock. This is the section famous for its karst landscape: steep cliffs, limestone peaks, bamboo groves and farming villages reflected in the water. The scenery is the centerpiece of the day. From the river, you drive 20 minutes to Xianggong Hill in Yangshuo, where you climb to a viewpoint overlooking the "First Bend of the Li River" and the surrounding karst mountains. Photographers favor this spot for the mist and dramatic peaks.

At 7:30pm, the guide takes you to the Impression Sanjie Liu outdoor theater on natural islands in the Li River. The performance uses the water, twelve mist-shrouded hills and the sky as its backdrop, with the hills and their reflections becoming the ever-changing scenery. The show runs as a three-dimensional experience with natural sound effects from valleys, streams and wind. After it ends, the driver returns you to your Guilin hotel around 10:30pm. The performance may be cancelled if there is heavy rain or if the water level rises above a certain threshold.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 9:30am and return around 10:30pm.
• English-speaking guide and driver for the full day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers between sites.
• one hour on the Li River by electric bamboo boat.
• entry to Reed Flute Cave, Daxu ancient town, Xianggong Hill viewpoint, and the Impression Sanjie Liu outdoor theater (admission fees paid on-site).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

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.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Jerry's Guide & Driver Service

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to visit multiple Guilin highlights in one day with a private guide who speaks English and can adjust the pace to your interests.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What is the Li River bamboo boat ride like on this tour?

The Li River section lasts one hour on an electric bamboo boat from Yangdi pier to Nine Horses Hill dock. The route passes through the most famous stretch of the river, lined with karst peaks, bamboo groves and farming villages. The boat accommodates up to four people per raft.

Do I need to buy admission tickets separately for each site?

Yes, all admission fees are paid on-site with your passport. Reed Flute Cave costs CNY90 per person; the Li River boat is CNY140 per person; Xianggong Hill is CNY60 per person; and the Impression Sanjie Liu show is CNY328 per person. The guide will help you purchase them.

What is Daxu ancient town and how much time do I spend there?

Daxu is a 1,000-year-old town on the Li River's east bank, originally formed in the Northern Song Dynasty. It features the Longevity Bridge (a Ming Dynasty stone arch), temples, assembly halls and a two-kilometer bluestone street with well-maintained historic buildings. The visit takes about one hour.

What happens if the Impression Sanjie Liu show is cancelled?

The outdoor theater performance may be cancelled if there is heavy rain or if the Li River water level rises above a certain threshold. The guide will inform you of any cancellation on the day and discuss alternatives.

Can I skip some of the stops if I don't want to visit all five sites?

Yes, the itinerary is customizable. You can reduce or remove one or two stops if you prefer fewer attractions in the day. Discuss your preferences with the guide when booking or at pickup.