Li River sunrise tour from Guilin: Photograph with the fisherman

Photograph the fisherman's dawn on the Li River before tour groups arrive

A half-day sunrise photography tour on the Li River departing from Guilin, where you travel by ferry to Xingping's most photogenic stretch, including the 20-yuan banknote view, with a local fisherman and English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup begins at 3:30 am. The tour ends by 8 am, leaving the rest of your day free. The guide speaks English or Chinese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Li River sunrise and fishing experience

• Pick up at hotel lobby
• Drive to the Li River
• Take ferry to sunrise spots
• Enjoy Li River sunrise with fisherman
• Return to Guilin or Yangshuo hotel

The experience

The classic photograph of the Li River is the fisherman with his cormorant at dawn, lantern lit, working the water with only a paddle and the bird's instinct: no hooks, no bait, just trust built over years. This tour takes you to that moment. You're picked up at your hotel lobby before sunrise, driven to the dock at Xingping, then ferried to the spots where the light hits the water and the mist still clings to the limestone peaks. The fisherman is there working as he has for decades, and the guide frames what you're seeing: the traditional method, the river's geography, the reason this particular stretch appears on the 20-yuan banknote.

The timing is the whole point. You're on the water between 5 and 6:30 am, when the light is lowest and the river is quietest. By 7 am you're heading back to Guilin or Yangshuo, which means you're back at your hotel by 8 am: early enough to rest, eat, and plan the rest of your day. The ferry ride itself is part of the photography. The guide knows which angles work and where to position you for the shots that matter. Round-trip transfer from your hotel is included, so there's no negotiating taxis in the dark or finding your way to the dock alone.

What’s included

• Round-trip private transfer from your Guilin or Yangshuo hotel.
• ferry ride to the sunrise photography spots on the Li River.
• the local fisherman's presence and his traditional cormorant fishing demonstration.
• English-speaking or Chinese-speaking guide for the full tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

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 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by happychinatours

Is this one for you?The 3:30 am pickup is early, but it's what puts you on the water before the light changes and before other groups arrive. If you're a photographer or serious about capturing the Li River at its quietest, the pre-dawn timing is the trade-off that makes it possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What time do I need to wake up for this tour?

Hotel pickup happens at 3:30 am, so you'll need to be ready in your lobby by then. The ferry departs Xingping dock around 5 am, and you're back at your hotel by 8 am.

Can I bring my camera or do I need professional gear?

Any camera works: phone, DSLR, mirrorless, compact. The guide positions you for the best light and framing. The fisherman's cormorant and the dawn mist are what make the shot, not the equipment.

What is the 20-yuan banknote view?

The Li River stretch near Xingping is so recognizable that it appears on China's 20-yuan note. The limestone peaks, the bamboo rafts, and the fisherman with his cormorant are the iconic elements, and this tour takes you to photograph exactly that scene at sunrise.

Is the guide fluent in English?

Yes, the guide speaks English or Chinese. You can request your preferred language when you book.

What happens if the weather is bad on the morning of the tour?

Sunrise photography depends on clear skies. If conditions are poor, contact the operator about rescheduling to another morning during your stay.