1Highlights
The Yulong is often called 'the little Li River', but it is a different experience from the big cruise rather than a cheaper version of it. Bamboo rafts move at water level past rice fields, buffalo, old stone bridges and villagers doing their washing โ quiet enough to hear the pole push off the riverbed. It runs roughly 16 km, operated in separate sections, and the most-used stretch is Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian. The other half of the appeal is cycling the riverside lanes: rent a bike in Yangshuo, ride the Ten-Mile Gallery, turn off into the fields and stop wherever the view earns it. There is no gate ticket โ what you pay for is the raft or the bike.
- Gate ticket
- None
- Length
- About 16 km, run in sections
- Classic section
- Jinlong Bridge โ Jiuxian
- Raft capacity
- Usually two people
- Best season
- Roughly MayโOctober
- Raft pricing
- Negotiated โ agree before boarding
2Tickets
There is no gate ticket on the Yulong โ the river is open and what you are buying is the raft service. Rafts are priced by section, each with its own rate and duration, and usually seat two; peak season pushes rates up. Because rates are not standardised, the section, duration, whether the return leg is included and the total must all be settled before you board. Cycling costs nothing beyond the rental.
| Raft, Jinlong BridgeโJiuxian | Reference ยฅ200โ300 per raft | Seats two, around an hour; the most-used stretch. |
|---|---|---|
| Raft, other sections | Per locally posted rates | Rates and durations differ by section โ ask before committing. |
| Bicycle rental | Reference ยฅ30โ60 per day | Widely available in Yangshuo; a deposit or ID is normally required. |
| E-bike rental | Reference ยฅ60โ100 per day | Better for longer loops; watch the battery and road surface. |
Three different boat experiences, three separate tickets๏ผGuilin has three water experiences that visitors constantly confuse. The Li River cruise is a large scheduled passenger boat running Guilin to Yangshuo over roughly four hours, sold by boat class through official channels. A Yulong River bamboo raft is a short, negotiated ride on a small tributary near Yangshuo โ no gate ticket at all. A Li River bamboo raft around Xingping or Yangdi is a third thing again, on the main river, also negotiated on site. None of these tickets covers another, and the word 'raft' alone does not tell you which river you are on. Decide which experience you actually want before paying anyone.
Some things here have official prices, others are negotiated โ know which๏ผThe Li River cruise, Reed Flute Cave and the Longji gate ticket all have published official prices sold through official channels. Bamboo rafts, fisherman photo sessions and chartered cars generally do not have standardised rates โ quotes vary between operators and between seasons. For anything in the second group, settle four things before you commit: which route or section, how long, whether the return leg is included, and the total for the whole party. Agreeing after you are already on the water is the single most common way visitors get surcharged here.
Settle four things before you step onto a raft๏ผWhich section you are doing, how long it takes, whether the return leg is included, and the total for everyone on board. Agreeing mid-river is how surcharges happen, and at that point you have very little room to negotiate. Booking through your guesthouse or a platform is the other way to fix the price in advance.
Water levels and fog can cancel the day โ leave slack in the plan๏ผGuilin's rainy season runs roughly April to June. After heavy rain the river can rise past safe operating levels and cruises and rafting are suspended, often with only same-day notice. Heavy fog can erase the terraces and the hilltop views entirely. None of this is predictable far ahead, so the practical defence is scheduling: put the weather-dependent items early in your trip, keep one spare day, and check the local forecast the night before.
Klook
Compare Yangshuo rafting and cycling products with published prices
Because Yulong rafts have no standard rate, the practical value of a booked product is that the price is fixed and visible before you arrive at the pier. Klook lists Yangshuo rafting and cycling day tours, some bundling bike or e-bike rental. On the listing, confirm which river section the raft covers, the duration, whether transport to the pier is included, and the policy if rafting is suspended for high water.
- A published price removes the on-site negotiation
- Confirm which river section the product actually covers
- Check which section, how long and whether the return leg is included
- Sailing schedules and suspensions follow the operator's decision on the day
- Read the change and cancellation terms before paying
Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. We may earn a small commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we would use ourselves.
3Getting There
The Yulong lies northwest of Yangshuo town, and its piers โ Jinlong Bridge, Jiuxian and Gongnong Bridge โ are ten to twenty minutes out. Cyclists can simply ride from Yangshuo towards the Ten-Mile Gallery and turn into the lanes.
From Yangshuo along the Ten-Mile Gallery, then into the riverside lanes.
Yangshuo town to any of the piers in ten to twenty minutes.
Covers longer loops with less effort; keep an eye on the battery.
Sensible for groups or a tight schedule; agree the price first.
Cycling is arguably the better way to see the Yulong๏ผA raft covers one section of river; a bike strings together the Ten-Mile Gallery, Jiuxian and Gongnong Bridge, and lets you stop anywhere. If you do not cycle often, an e-bike removes the problem โ the lanes roll more than they look from a distance.
4Route & Photos
The two activities stack: cycle in the morning and raft in the afternoon, or the reverse. A typical ride runs Yangshuo โ Ten-Mile Gallery โ riverside lanes โ Jiuxian โ towards Gongnong Bridge and back, roughly 20โ30 km, half a day to a full one.
Avoid the middle of the day๏ผThe lanes offer little shade, so morning and late afternoon ride far more comfortably โ and midday light flattens the fields anyway. From roughly June to September the heat and humidity make this more than a comfort question.
Recommended Route
- 1
Set off from Yangshuo
Rent your bike and head towards the Ten-Mile Gallery.
- 2
Ten-Mile Gallery
Peaks lining both sides of the road โ Yangshuo's best-known cycling stretch.
- 3
Turn into the Yulong lanes
Leave the main road for the field paths: fewer people, better views.
- 4
Jiuxian old village
Grey-brick riverside houses and a good place to stop for tea.
- 5
Gongnong or Jinlong Bridge
The raft piers cluster here โ a natural point to swap onto the water.
Best Photo Spots
Jiuxian riverside
Old stone bridge, a raft and the reflection โ the composition the Yulong is known for.
Rice-field lanes
From roughly May to October the fields run green then gold; shoot as you ride.
From the raft, at water level
The low angle that a big boat cannot give you โ peaks reflected right beside the deck.
5Food & Stay
| Jiuxian farm kitchensChicken and river fish | Mid-range | Home cooking by the river, generally better value than Yangshuo. |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside farm restaurantsLight meals and drinks | Modest | Sparse along the lanes โ plan your stops rather than assume one appears. |
| Back in YangshuoBeer fish and Western food | Tourist pricing | The widest choice, at town prices. |
Carry water before you set out๏ผSupply points along the lanes are thin, and running dry mid-ride in summer heat is the most common way a good day turns bad. Save the proper meal for after you are back.
Where to Stay
- Guesthouses in the Yulong countryside look out over the rice fields โ quiet and photogenic, but you will want a scooter or bike.
- Yangshuo town keeps food and bike rental within reach and is the natural start point for a ride.
6Tips & Pitfalls
- Prices, sailing schedules, opening hours and reservation rules change; verify the official notice for your date.
- Carry your passport โ real-name ticketing and boarding checks may require the original document.
- Agree route, duration, return leg and total price before boarding any raft โ every time, with every operator.
- Check the forecast: suspensions after heavy rain are common, so put rafting on your most settled day.
- Ride early or late โ dawn and dusk are when the fields and peaks look their best.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent both earn their place: no shade in the fields, mosquitoes by the water.
- Download an offline map โ the lanes are lightly signposted and wrong turns are easy.
7Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Yulong River bamboo raft cost?
Rafts are priced by section. The most-used Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian stretch runs a reference ยฅ200โ300 per raft, usually seating two for around an hour. Rates and durations differ between sections and are not standardised, so before boarding confirm the section, the duration, whether the return leg is included and the total price.
What is the difference between the Yulong River and the Li River cruise?
They are completely different. The Li River cruise is a large scheduled boat running four hours through a grand karst corridor โ scale is the point. The Yulong is a bamboo raft at water level on a small tributary, passing rice fields, buffalo and old stone bridges โ quiet is the point, and you can stop. With enough time, do both; with one slot, pick the mood you prefer.
How should I plan a Yulong River cycling day?
Rent a bike in Yangshuo, ride the Ten-Mile Gallery, turn into the Yulong lanes, pass Jiuxian and turn back at Gongnong Bridge โ roughly 20โ30 km, half a day to a full one. Bicycles run a reference ยฅ30โ60 per day and e-bikes ยฅ60โ100. Early morning or late afternoon is by far the most comfortable window.
Can I go rafting in the rain?
Light rain is usually workable, but after heavy rain the river rises and rafting is suspended for safety โ and you often only learn this at the pier. Schedule rafting for the most settled day of your trip and keep a spare slot so a suspension costs you a reshuffle rather than the experience.
What if a raft operator tries to raise the price mid-trip?
Prevent it rather than argue it. Before boarding, settle four things: which section, how long, whether the return leg is included and the total for the whole party. Having your guesthouse arrange it, or booking a product with a published price, removes the negotiation entirely. Asking two or three operators first also tells you what the going rate actually is.
Combine With
Other Guilin sights that genuinely pair well with this one
Before You Go
The practical guides you will actually need here
All Guilin attractions
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GoChinaTravel Editorial Team
Our team of China travel researchers combines on-the-ground contributor insights, official government sources, and traveler community feedback to create the most detailed English-language China guides available. Every guide is fact-checked against primary sources (NIA, 12367, official attraction websites, Railway 12306) before publication.