2-Day Private Tour of Guilin Li River 3-Star Cruise + Yulong River Bamboo Rafting + Xingping Ancient Town

The best part of this two-day trip is the change of pace: a four-hour Li River cruise gives you time to watch the karst peaks pass, while a slow bamboo raft ride the next day brings you close to the water and riverside villages. The scenery is the main event, not a packed schedule of indoor stops.

I like two things in particular: you get a private car without strangers sharing it, and the trip pairs the famous Li River with quieter Yulong River scenery and time in Xingping. The main consideration is that your driver speaks Chinese but does not tour the sights with you, so you’ll need to manage each stop independently.

• Four hours on the Li River: A 3-star cruise runs from Guilin to Yangshuo, with karst peaks and onboard commentary.
• A night near West Street: Hotel and breakfast are included, leaving you a free afternoon and evening in Yangshuo.
• A gentle Yulong River ride: Bamboo rafting usually lasts about 40 minutes to an hour, though one outing ran 1.5 hours.
• Xianggong Mountain views: A one-hour stop gives you time to look over the Li River’s famous bend.
• A private car and Chinese-speaking driver: Transfers are for your group, but the driver does not accompany you inside attractions.

The Li River sets the pace

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This trip gives you two distinct ways to see the Guilin area. Day one is a long cruise through the celebrated karst scenery of the Li River. Day two trades the larger vessel for a bamboo raft on the Yulong River, followed by mountain views and a short ferry crossing to Xingping Ancient Town.

That pairing makes sense if you want the classic river route but also want a slower, more intimate stretch of water. The cruise covers a substantial distance and gives you a comfortable place to sit, eat, and listen to commentary. The raft is simpler and closer to the river’s surface, with green hills, fields, and villages along the banks.

The tour is private in the practical sense: your car is not shared with strangers. The cruise and raft, by contrast, are ticketed attractions, not private boat charters. If you expect a guide to stay beside you at every stop, note the distinction. Your Chinese-speaking driver handles pickup, transfers, and ticket assistance, but does not accompany you into the scenic areas. A separate Chinese- and English-speaking guide may be arranged by asking the operator, with an additional reservation required.

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Day one: Guilin to Yangshuo by river

Pickup is around 7:40 a.m. from a hotel in downtown Guilin. The drive to the cruise departure takes about an hour and 15 minutes, so have your bags and any needed identification ready before the car arrives. The driver can keep your luggage in the vehicle during the cruise, then collect you in Yangshuo afterward.

The 3-star Li River cruise takes about four hours. You’ll pass the region’s signature karst peaks, with the river offering a long, restful view rather than a quick photo stop. There is onboard commentary, but an audio guide is not included. The seats are assigned by computer, so you cannot choose a particular seat in advance.

Comfort matters on a four-hour boat ride. A clean vessel, comfortable seating, and a meal option can make the difference between simply enduring the journey and enjoying it. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. If you’d like lunch onboard, you can buy it separately; one available set meal included fish and four side dishes and was described as reasonably priced.

The cruise is self-guided in the sense that your driver does not escort you around the boat. Listen to the commentary if you want more context for the scenery, and bring your own entertainment or simply settle in and watch the river. The cruise is the day’s main activity, so there is no need to rush through it.

After arriving in Yangshuo, you have a short stop at West Street, followed by a free afternoon and evening. The itinerary lists about 30 minutes for the West Street visit, but the wider afternoon is yours to use at leisure. You might walk the street, find a riverside cafe, or keep things quiet after the early start. Your one-night stay is at New West Street Hotel, near the area, and breakfast is included.

That unscheduled time is a useful feature, not a gap to fill at all costs. You can explore at your own pace or rest before the second day’s drives and stops. Meals beyond breakfast are your responsibility, as are drinks and personal purchases.

Day two: raft, mountain, and old streets

The second morning starts with a drive of about 30 minutes to the Yulong River. Bamboo rafting is a calm, low-to-the-water way to see this smaller river and its rural surroundings. The usual ride is approximately 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the raft ticket and boarding pier. The pier cannot be chosen in advance; options may include Shuie Di, Fuli Bridge, Jinlong Bridge, or Jima.

The river is generally presented as a peaceful stretch, but do not assume you’ll stay perfectly dry. The route can include small drops, and splashes are possible. If you want to protect your shoes and trouser hems, bring a plastic shoe-and-pant cover or buy an inexpensive one locally. Put it on after you board, since it can be slippery while walking.

One reported ride lasted about 1.5 hours, longer than the usual estimate. That can be a pleasant bonus if you have time, but it also shows why you should treat the schedule as an outline rather than a promise. During major holidays, queues at the raft pier can be long, and the operator may adjust the order or timing of the day.

Next comes a roughly one-hour drive to Xianggong Mountain, followed by about an hour at the viewpoint. From here, you look down on the Li River’s first bend, with peaks lining the river’s curves. It is a rewarding contrast with the cruise: from the water, the mountains rise around you; from above, you can see how the river threads between them.

The mountain is a photography stop, but you do not need a camera to appreciate the view. Light and weather affect what you can see. Mist or drizzle may soften the distant peaks, while clear conditions make the river’s shape easier to pick out. The tour does not promise a particular weather window, so pack for changing conditions rather than expecting a postcard-perfect view.

A short ferry crossing takes you toward Xingping, then you have around an hour and a half to explore the ancient town. Its stone lanes and old residential buildings offer a change of scale from the wide river views. You can stroll, browse, and take a break for local food before the return drive.

If you want a simple bite, look for changfen, a rice noodle roll. One small eatery near the old town served a signature version for CNY 15. That price and dish are a useful pointer, not a meal included in the tour. You’ll need to pay for food yourself, and an hour and a half does not allow for an elaborate lunch if the schedule is running tight.

The return trip is listed for about 4 p.m., with drop-off in Guilin city, at the airport, or at Guilin Railway Station. The expected return window is 4 to 6 p.m. Traffic and weather can shift the schedule, so avoid planning a tight connection immediately afterward.

What the private car changes

The private car is one of the tour’s strongest practical points. Guilin, Yangshuo, the Yulong River, Xianggong Mountain, and Xingping are separate stops, and arranging each transfer yourself would take time and coordination. Here, your group has one driver for the two days, and the car’s luggage space means you can leave larger bags in the vehicle during the cruise.

A clean, comfortable vehicle and a helpful driver can make the early start and second-day transfers much easier. Still, this is transport with assistance, not a fully guided tour. The driver can help with tickets and pickups, but you’ll need to navigate the cruise, raft pier, mountain, and town on your own.

The driver speaks Mandarin Chinese. If you do not speak Chinese, keep your phone available for messages and clarify pickup points and times before leaving the car. The operator re-confirms pickup details in advance, and you should arrive at the agreed meeting point ten minutes early.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The listed price starts at $219.60, while the private Chinese-speaking-driver package is also shown from US$190.99. Prices can depend on the selected package, so check the final amount and inclusions for your dates before booking.

The value comes from bundling the main transport, four attractions or transfers by water, a hotel night, and breakfast. The included items cover the 3-star Li River cruise, Yulong River bamboo rafting, Xianggong Mountain, Xingping ferry, tolls, parking, fuel, environmental fees, seat reservations, ticketing service, instructor fees, and operator insurance. Round-trip hotel transfers are included.

You’ll still need to budget for lunch, dinner, drinks, and personal expenses. The tour does not include an audio guide or a tour guide. Nor does the private-car format mean private access to the cruise or bamboo raft. If you want an English-speaking guide, ask about arranging one separately and confirm the added cost.

For two or more people, the bundled transport and overnight stay can be especially useful. Solo travelers should compare the final price with other ways of arranging transport and accommodation. The itinerary’s value depends on how much you want the convenience of a private car and the combination of river, mountain, and town stops.

Before you book

You must provide each passenger’s identity information so cruise and raft tickets can be booked, and you’ll need to show identification when boarding. Infants and children count in the passenger headcount, and participants must be under 70 to take part. For groups of three, accommodation is a triple room or a room with an extra bed; groups of five receive one standard room plus a triple room or extra bed.

Water levels can affect the cruise. If the Li River floods or the water level is too low, the cruise company may suspend service, and the operator will inform you. Major holidays can bring long waits at the raft and ferry piers. If your dates fall around May Day or National Day, expect possible changes to the order and timing of stops.

The tour suits you best if you want the region’s classic river scenery without planning each transfer, and you are comfortable exploring attractions independently. It is less suitable if you need a guided explanation at every stop, want to choose exact boat seats or a raft pier, or require a tightly timed return.

Should you book this Guilin tour?

Book it if the Li River cruise is a priority and you also want a gentle raft ride, a high viewpoint, and time in Xingping without arranging separate transport. The clean private car, hotel night, and free Yangshuo afternoon make the two days easier to manage, while the scenery provides a good mix of river-level and elevated views.

Think twice if you want an English-speaking guide included, dislike uncertain queue times, or have a firm connection in Guilin on day two. The strongest fit is a small private party that values convenience and can handle self-guided stops. Bring identification, protect your clothes on the raft, and leave breathing room in your return plans.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is a two-day tour with one night of accommodation. The Li River cruise takes about four hours; the full schedule spans two days.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup is around 7:40 a.m. on the first day from a hotel in downtown Guilin. The operator confirms the precise pickup time in advance, and you should arrive ten minutes early.

Is the car shared with other groups?

No. The private tour includes a car for your group, without sharing with strangers.

Is a tour guide included?

No tour guide or audio guide is included. The driver speaks Chinese and provides transfers and ticket assistance, but does not accompany you inside attractions.

How long is the Yulong River bamboo raft ride?

The usual estimate is about 40 minutes to one hour. The actual duration can vary with the ticket and route; one ride lasted about 1.5 hours.

Can I choose the bamboo raft boarding pier?

No. The pier cannot be specified in advance. Possible piers include Shuie Di, Fuli Bridge, Jinlong Bridge, and Jima.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Other meals and beverages are not included. Food may be available to buy on the cruise.

Where does the tour drop me off on day two?

Return drop-off is available in Guilin city, at the airport, or at Guilin Railway Station. The expected return window is 4 to 6 p.m., depending on traffic and weather.

What identification do I need?

You must provide traveler identity information when booking and present identification when boarding the cruise and bamboo raft.

Are there age restrictions?

Participants must be under 70. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount.