Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin
Guilin, China

Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin

Outty Ranking 62 4.1 · 61 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $132
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.1/5

Based on 61 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin worth booking?

Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin is a 8-hour experience in Guilin, China, from $132 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 61 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
62 / 100
Rating
4.1/5 (61)
Duration
8 hours
From
$132 per person

This private tour leads you to experience the classic and unforgettable cruise along Li River for 4 hours. It is one of the must-do highlights in Guilin. English driver cum guide service and Self-guided on a cruise. This is the perfect chance to enjoy the picturesque view along Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. A private transfer no matter you stay in Yangshuo or come back to Guilin.

What you get

    About this experience

    This private tour leads you to experience the classic and unforgettable cruise along Li River for 4 hours. It is one of the must-do highlights in Guilin. English driver cum guide service and Self-guided on a cruise. This is the perfect chance to enjoy the picturesque view along Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. A private transfer no matter you stay in Yangshuo or come back to Guilin.

    What's included

    Included

    • Lunch
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Guilin/Yangshuo
    • Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
    • An English-speaking driver cum guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Optional Tour in Yangshuo

    What you'll see and do

    1. Li River

      You will be met at your hotel lobby between 8:00am to 8:30am. Join in a group tour to the pier. Embark on a deluxe cruise and enjoy the picturesque scenery along Li River for about 4 hours.

      240 minutes here

    2. Xingping Town

      Chinese lunch will be served on board around noon. Just enjoy the delicious food while being amazed by the beautiful natural scene. The cruise will pass by Xingping Old Town at 1:00pm and reach Yangshuo Pier at 1:30pm. Yangshuo is a historical Chinese town of over 1,000 years with Western influences.

    3. Upon arrival, you will have some free time to explore Yangshuo on your own. Your local guide will let you know the pickup time and location. You could choose to stroll along the West Street. When the tour is concluded, if you choose to stay in Yangshuo, your guide can provide direction to your hotel in Yangshuo. If you are going back to Guilin, you will be picked up at the designated location and transferred back to Guilin. Estimated time of arrival at 6:30 pm.

    4. Yulong River

      You are suggested to ride a bicycle to visit the country area along Yulong River or you may choose to take the Bamboo rafting in Yulong River.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    5. Impression Sanjie Liu

      You are also suggested to enjoy the Impression Show of Liushanjie in the evening in Yangshuo.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • 3Star Boat+Lunch Box

      3 Star Boat for Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, Self-guided and lunch box is served at around 12:00 on board. Pickup included

    • 4Star Boat + Buffet Lunch

      Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 8 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Top China Travel

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

    Photos

    Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin, photo 2Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin, photo 3Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin, photo 4Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin, photo 5Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin, photo 6Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 61 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    5 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Organization

    4 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Pace and timing

    3 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    61 verified traveler reviews for Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    35
    4 star
    13
    3 star
    3
    2 star
    5
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    Passenger01426040617 · May 2025

    Wonderful family holiday to China! 🇨🇳

    A wonderful 2 week tour with our family (6 adults) through Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Hong Kong. Rebecca was great at Top China Travel, she gave us plenty of ideas and was flexible with what we wanted to do. It was fantastic to be on a private tour as gave us flexibility to travel at our own pace. Our guides were so knowledgeable, thanks to Bill, Helen, Cherry, Richard, Lisa & Ken! Each time we arrived in a city they were there waiting and always made sure we left on time. They also recommended other activities. Thanks for sharing your beautiful country with us, we will always treasure China, it was fantastic!

    via Tripadvisor

    aymar2lb · March 2025

    Glorious Guilin

    A fantastic time with a fabulous team. Perfect logistics. From the driver to our diamond guide, we have been enthralled ! We can't wait to come back.

    via Tripadvisor

    Kenny_L_Traveler · October 2019

    Rip Off

    This tour is a rip off. When booking, the description states that they will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at downtown Guilin. This is true to an extent, only if you book the "optional" Yangshuo walking tour. The Yangshuo walking tour is "optional" but if you do not book it for an additional 120 RMB per person, they will tell you that you need to find your own ride back to Guilin once the boat from Guilin to Yangshuo is day tour is over. They will tell you that you can take a separate bus (paid by yourself) from Yangshuo to Guilin if you do not decide to join this "optional" Yangshuo walking tour. You will only receive a ride back to downtown Guilin by this tour company if you pay the additional 120 RMB per person. The 4 hour cruise ride is for the most part, pretty boring. You will see the exact same mountains for the whole 4 hour journey. The lunch they give you on the boat is basically a microwavable meal that you can find at any frozen section of a grocery store. As for the additional "optional" walking tour in Yangshuo, that was a

    via Tripadvisor

    Hao L · October 2019

    Great views, terrible tour agency, avoid at all costs

    Pros: - beautiful views of the karst mountains and li river - cruise was comfortable and not too crowded Cons: - we got down to our hotel lobby *3 minutes* after the pickup time of 7:30am, and the bus literally left without us. We had to ask the hotel front desk for help to contact the tour agency because they did not call nor email us about leaving without us. They gave us vague answers about coming back to get us, but never showed up, and ended up telling us we should just taxi to the pier ourselves. We spent an extra 100 CNY to taxi to the pier and called the guide repeatedly to confirm they would not leave on the cruise without us, and after waiting 15 mins at the pier, we found the guy and the rest of the group. He was impatient and did not care about our transporation issue, and did not offer any sort of apology or reimbursement for our taxi. - The tour guide basically didn't do anything besides give us the tickets to the cruise and sat with us on the boat. He didn't talk at all about the scenery or landmarks along the cruise, but we instead had to listen to the mostly chinese automated dialogue over the cruise loudspeakers. He mostly just sat around doing nothing and trying to push another side excursion (extra cost) to us. - The included food on board the cruise is about airline quality. Did not care for it at all. The extra snacks offered are inflated about 5-6x the normal price in Guilin or Yangshuo. - We got off at Yangshuo town after the cruise and again, the tour guide did not *guide* us at all through the town. He told us to just freely explore the town and meet at a hotel for the bus pickup back to Guilin. - We got to the pickup point 15 mins before departure to avoid another ditching mishap, and the bus ended up getting there 10 mins late. Everyone who was there boarded immediately and the driver closed the door in less than a minute without as much as counting the number of people on board, and left. So careless.

    via Tripadvisor

    TobsnBrand · September 2019

    Beware of this operator

    Dont get me wrong, the Li-river itself is beautiful, you should definitely visit this beauty of nature. But be wiser than me and choose an other operator. The guide barely speaks english and the informations are mostly provided in the chinese language. It also is said, that the tour is finished at 4 oclock, this is not true. If you dont go for the optional tour (which costs around 200 and is definetely not worth the money), you start your journey home to the hotel in guilin at around 8 oclock from yangshou. If you want to be at the hotel earlier, you are forced to do the optional tour, then the journey to your home starts at around 6. Furthermore there is plenty of advertisement and they want to sell a lot of souvenirs to you. Nonetheless at the way home, the guide said, that there are 3 stops where everybody has to get off the bus. What about the hotel drop off you paid for? Jokes on you - you wont get that. In conclusion. Spend a little more money and you will get more of your well earned holiday.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $132 to $236
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    21
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Top China Travel, who run 10 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.1.

    See everything Top China Travel runs

    Why this scores 62

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)47
    Review evidence (18% weight)78
    Booking momentum (14% weight)73
    Value for money (12% weight)71
    Listing quality (10% weight)70
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Guilin.

    How much does Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin cost?

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    Prices start at $132 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Guilin usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin take?

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    Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Guilin is not rushed.

    Is Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 61 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Guilin, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin?

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    Around 21 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Guilin can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Guilin and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Guilin within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Guilin?

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    On Outty we rank every Guilin experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour, Longji Rice Terraces with Minority Village Private Day Tour, 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Guilin?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Guilin?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin?

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    Included: Lunch; Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Guilin/Yangshuo; Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo; and An English-speaking driver cum guide. Not included: Gratuities; and Optional Tour in Yangshuo. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1 listed pickup location in and around Guilin. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin offered in?

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    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin?

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    Across 61 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    What booking options are available for Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin?

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    There are 2 options to choose from, including 3Star Boat+Lunch Box, 4Star Boat + Buffet Lunch. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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