Yangshuo sunrise tour from Guilin: Xianggong hill and bamboo boat

Sunrise over karst peaks, then a bamboo boat down the Yulong River

A half-day small group tour from Guilin departing at 4am to catch the sunrise at Xianggong hill, then a 90-minute bamboo boat ride down the Yulong River. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Xianggong hill requires a 400-step climb to the summit. The bamboo boat seats two people per craft.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunrise at Xianggong Hill and Bamboo Boat

• Meet driver at hotel lobby
• Drive to Xianggong Hill
• Watch sunrise and take photos
• Drive to Yulong River
• Enjoy 90-minute bamboo boat ride
• Return to hotel by transfer

The experience

The tour starts before dawn. Your driver picks you up at 4am from your Guilin hotel or 4:30am from Yangshuo, then drives to Xianggong hill on the west bank of the Lijiang River. The mountain sits between Huangbu Shoal and Nine-Horse Mural Hill, and photographers come here each year for the light, shadow, and morning glow at sunrise. You'll have time to watch the sunrise and photograph the karst landscape winding through the peaks below. The climb to the summit takes 10 to 15 minutes and covers 400 steps.

After sunrise, you drive 30 minutes to the Yulong River for the bamboo boat portion. The Yulong, known as the Little Li River, is a tributary of the Li River with dramatic karst cliffs, clear water, and ancient bridges. Your 90-minute bamboo boat ride seats two people per boat, so you'll share with one other traveler. The boat drifts through the silky water and the landscape that made this region famous for landscape painting.

The tour ends with a return drive to your hotel. Total time from pickup to drop-off is five hours. An English-speaking driver guides the entire day and handles all transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from your Guilin or Yangshuo location.
• sunrise viewing at Xianggong hill.
• 90-minute bamboo boat ride on the Yulong River with one other traveler sharing your boat.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departs from a hotel in YangshuoGuide in English or Chinese · 04:30Pickup at 4:30 am, with drop-off at your Yangshuo hotel; pickup is included

Departs from a hotel in GuilinGuide in English or Chinese · 04:00Pickup from your Guilin hotel, then drop-off at a Guilin hotel, the airport, the train station or a Yangshuo hotel; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00 and 04:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (5 to 69 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 24

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by happychinatours

Is this one for you?Choose the Yangshuo hotel pickup if you're already staying there and want a slightly later start. The Guilin pickup suits travelers based in the city or arriving by train or plane. Either way, the early departure is what gets you to Xianggong hill before the crowds and in time for the sunrise.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

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

Pickup is 4am from Guilin hotels or 4:30am from Yangshuo hotels, so you'll need to be ready before dawn. The tour runs from 4:30am to 9:30am.

How difficult is the climb up Xianggong hill?

The ascent has 400 steps and takes 10 to 15 minutes to reach the summit. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The climb is not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What is the Yulong River bamboo boat experience like?

The Yulong River is a tributary of the Li River known for its dramatic karst landscape and clear water. Your 90-minute bamboo boat ride seats two people per boat and drifts through the scenic landscape between ancient bridges.

Can I choose where to be picked up?

Yes, you can select pickup from your Guilin hotel or your Yangshuo hotel at checkout. Guilin pickups start at 4am. Yangshuo pickups start at 4:30am.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes the air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver, and hotel pickup and drop-off. Xianggong hill entry and the bamboo boat are paid separately on the day.