Li River Rafting from Guilin: Bamboo Boat & Xianggong Hill

Bamboo raft for four on the Li River, karst peaks from Xianggong Hill, a 30-meter stone bridge framing farmland.

A private tour from Guilin that combines bamboo rafting on the Li River's most beautiful section with visits to Xianggong Hill and Fuli Bridge. You're picked up by private car around 8:30am, driven roughly 90 minutes south to Yangdi pier, then board a bamboo raft that seats four and drifts past local fishermen, water buffalo and countryside. The tour includes entry to Xianggong Hill for views of the karst scenery and a stop at the 56-kilometer-old Fuli Bridge, a stone arch spanning farmland and streams. An English-speaking driver accompanies you throughout. The whole outing runs four to six hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Li River cruise and local sightseeing

• Pick up from Guilin at 8:30am
• Drive to Yangdi pier
• Board bamboo boat for Li River cruise
• Visit Xianggong Hill for scenic views
• Visit Fuli ancient Bridge and countryside

The experience

The drive from Guilin to Yangdi pier takes about 90 minutes in a private car, covering roughly one hour south of the city. Once there, you board the bamboo raft (each one holds four people), and float the section of the Li River considered most scenic. The raft sits low enough that you can reach the water, and the route passes local fishermen at work, water buffalo, and the green countryside that defines this stretch of river.

After rafting, the tour moves to Xianggong Hill, where you climb for views across the Li River surrounded by the dramatic karst peaks southern China is known for. The final stop is Fuli Bridge, a stone arch 30 meters long and 10 meters high, built over the upper reaches of the Yulong River about 56 kilometers from Guilin. The bridge sits in farmland with green mountains beyond and streams running beneath it: a vantage point for seeing the countryside rather than passing through it.

Your English-speaking driver handles all transport and timing, so you move between the three sites without arranging logistics. The whole day runs between four and six hours from pickup to return. Children under 1.3 meters or seven years old cannot board the bamboo boat due to government restrictions. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for this tour.

What’s included

• Private car or MPV pickup from your Guilin location around 8:30am.
• 90-minute drive to Yangdi pier.
• bamboo raft tickets for the Li River's most scenic section.
• entry to Xianggong Hill with views of the karst peaks.
• visit to Fuli Bridge and the surrounding villages.
• English-speaking driver service throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (7 to 70 years) · Under 7: 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by 桂林传美旅游服务有限公司

Is this one for you?You operate the bamboo raft yourself (it seats four and floats low on the water), so this suits travelers who want to be on the river rather than watching it pass. The private car and English-speaking driver mean you don't arrange transport between the three sites, which works well if you're new to the area or prefer not to navigate on your own.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Li River like when you're on the bamboo raft?

The Li River at this section is lined with karst peaks and farmland, and the raft floats low enough that you can touch the water. You'll see local fishermen at work and water buffalo grazing along the banks, giving a close view of how people live on the river rather than a distant scenic overview.

How long is the drive from Guilin to where the rafting starts?

The private car picks you up around 8:30am and drives roughly 90 minutes to Yangdi pier, which sits about one hour south of Guilin city. After rafting and visiting Xianggong Hill and Fuli Bridge, the whole outing takes four to six hours total.

What is Fuli Bridge and why visit it?

Fuli Bridge is a 56-kilometer-old stone arch spanning the Yulong River, 30 meters long and 10 meters high. It sits in farmland surrounded by green mountains and streams, and it's considered the best vantage point in the area for seeing the countryside: the bridge frames the landscape rather than interrupting it.

What does the tour include and what do I need to arrange myself?

The tour includes private car pickup from your Guilin location, the 90-minute drive to Yangdi pier, bamboo raft tickets for the Li River section, entry to Xianggong Hill, a visit to Fuli Bridge and surrounding villages, and an English-speaking driver throughout. You don't arrange accommodation or meals. Those are on you.

Are there restrictions on who can take the bamboo raft?

Children under 1.3 meters tall or under seven years old cannot board the bamboo boat due to government regulations. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for this tour. The raft itself is stable and suitable for all other fitness levels.