Yulong River Bamboo Rafting

Drifting through rice paddies and karst peaks on a bamboo raft — the quieter Li River

Qianyi L.
By Qianyi L.·Updated May 2026·10 min read
Bamboo raft on Yulong River with karst mountains, Yangshuo, Guilin, China

Overview

The Yulong River offers a more intimate version of the famous Li River experience — smaller, quieter, and accessed by traditional bamboo raft punted by a local boatman rather than a motor cruise. The river flows through a landscape of karst peaks, water buffalo, and rice paddies that feels unchanged for centuries. The 8-kilometre stretch between Jiuxian Village and Gongnong Bridge is the most scenic. This is Yangshuo's finest experience and far less crowded than the main Li River cruise.

Plan your visit

Best time to visit

April to October. Avoid after heavy rain when water levels rise.

Getting there

From Yangshuo town: bicycle (40 minutes) or taxi to Jiuxian Village departure point.

Nearby

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