The best part of this Guilin day tour is the change of pace: first you reach the famous Li River view printed on the ¥20 note, then trade the road for a slow bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River. Between those stops, Xingping’s old stone street and Yangshuo’s karst peaks give the day more texture than a quick photo run.
I like the mix of river time and easy cycling, and the small-group format can make a long day feel more manageable. I also like that the ride is paired with time in Xingping, where you can walk beyond the banknote viewpoint. The main caution: service quality is not guaranteed, and raft restrictions, possible extra charges, and package differences are worth sorting out before you go.
- Key points before you book
- From Guilin to Xingping’s banknote view
- A bamboo raft on the Yulong River
- Ten-Mile Gallery by bicycle
- The small-group format and the ride between stops
- What the price buys, and what it does not
- Who should choose this Guilin day tour?
- FAQ
- Does the tour include a Li River cruise?
- What time does the tour leave and return?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is the Yulong River bamboo raft included?
- Can one person ride a double bamboo raft?
- Are there weight limits for the double raft?
- Can children ride the bamboo raft?
- What should I bring for the raft ride?
- What happens if I need to cancel?
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Key points before you book
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7 / 7- The ¥20 view is in Xingping: You get a photo stop at the Li River viewpoint, followed by a stroll along the town’s roughly one-kilometer stone street.
- The bamboo raft is on the Yulong River: The included raft is for two people, and the ride can leave you wet.
- Cycling is part of the listed package: The Ten-Mile Gallery ride is included in the cycling option, but alternative packages substitute other attractions or shows.
- Expect a full day: Pickup begins around 8 a.m.; return is generally around 6 p.m., with traffic and weather able to change the order or timing.
- The group has up to eight passengers: A five-, seven-, or nine-seat vehicle may be used, depending on the number of people booked.
- Check raft rules and package price: The tour’s listed starting prices differ across options, and double-raft limits are strict.
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From Guilin to Xingping’s banknote view
The day starts with hotel pickup in Guilin or, for some Yangshuo County hotels, a pickup arranged in the local area. The scheduled departure is around 8 a.m. The operator confirms the precise pickup time the day before, and you should be ready ten minutes early. The ride to the first stop takes you out of Guilin and toward the Li River, so settle in for a substantial day on the road.
Around 10:40 a.m., the tour reaches the Xingping section of the river. The best-known stop is the viewpoint associated with the back of the ¥20 renminbi note. The scene around Huangbu Shoal is a classic view of the Li River’s karst peaks and reflections, and the photo connection makes it easy to understand why this particular bend has become a favorite stop.
A photo platform is useful, but don’t mistake it for a full Li River cruise. The cruise is not included. This is a land-based visit to the viewpoint, so you can take in the river and get your picture without spending hours aboard a boat. If you want a longer stretch on the Li, you’ll need to arrange a cruise separately.
After the photo stop, you’ll have time to walk in Xingping Ancient Town. Its stone street runs about one kilometer, with old brick-and-tile buildings and assembly halls along the way. The street extends toward Banyan Tree Pool and the old ferry terminal by the river. It’s a welcome counterpoint to the viewpoint: instead of just seeing a famous image, you get a brief look at the town that grew beside the water.
The stop is still short in the context of a busy day. If you like browsing slowly, checking every lane, or lingering by the river, you may wish for more time. But the walk adds useful context and gives you a chance to stretch your legs before the next drive.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Guilin.
A bamboo raft on the Yulong River
Around 12:50 p.m., the tour moves to the Yulong River, often called the Little Li River. Here, the experience shifts from a road-side view to the water itself. The two-person bamboo raft is manually operated and travels among karst peaks, bamboo groves, banana trees, and rural stretches along the riverbank.
This is the day’s quiet center. The raft is a more intimate way to see the countryside than a vehicle, and its slower pace lets the river scenery unfold rather than flash past a window. The Yulong is distinct from the Li River stop: you’re not revisiting the banknote scene, but seeing another river setting with its own wooded banks and mountain shapes.
There is a practical trade-off. You may get wet, so protect phones and bags, and consider bringing a change of clothes and shoes. The operator warns that belongings lost in the water are your responsibility. Keep valuables secured rather than loose in a pocket or open bag.
The double raft has firm safety rules. Pregnant people, anyone aged 70 or older, people with heart conditions or high blood pressure, people who have been drinking, and those with mobility impairments cannot ride. Children at least one meter tall must ride with an adult and occupy their own seat. Pets are not allowed.
Weight limits matter, too. A passenger over about 100 kilograms must charter an entire raft, and two passengers together cannot exceed about 160 kilograms. A single person may face an empty-seat charge because the raft requires at least two passengers to depart. If you cannot use the double raft, the stated alternatives are an eight-person bamboo raft or a walk along the riverbank. Contact the operator ahead of time to coordinate.
One service account describes a rough raft landing that left bags and phones soaked, as well as smoking during the ride. That is not a reason to assume every trip will go the same way, but it is a good reason to protect your belongings and speak up if the raft is being handled carelessly. The other practical theme is simple: ask about any extra charge before boarding, especially if you are travelling alone or need a different raft arrangement.
Ten-Mile Gallery by bicycle
At about 2:50 p.m., the tour reaches the Ten-Mile Gallery area for cycling. The name refers to a scenic stretch of roughly ten kilometers, with peaks, fields, villages, and rural views along the way. The included package provides bicycle use, so you can cover more ground than you would on foot while still moving slowly enough to notice the surroundings.
This is a good way to finish the active part of the day. The route connects pastoral scenery with local sights such as Totem Ancient Road and the Big Banyan Tree, though the exact stops and time available can depend on the day’s schedule. The supplied plan also names Tianlai Butterfly Spring, but the tour’s package choices vary. Check the option you are booking rather than assuming every listed attraction is included.
Cycling has its own limits. You’ll be riding after a morning transfer, a town visit, and a river activity, so this is not a leisurely standalone bike holiday. The tour description gives no detailed route map, cycling distance for the included ride, or promise of a guided cycling session. Treat it as a scenic outing, not a technical ride or a guaranteed stop at every attraction in the area.
The alternative packages change the afternoon plan. Choices include Butterfly Spring or Silver Cave, Xianggong Mountain or Peach Blossom Spring, or a ticket for either Impression Liu Sanjie or Guilin Romance Park. These are options, not a bundle of extras on top of cycling. If a cave, viewpoint, or show matters more to you than a bike ride, compare the package names and price before paying.
The show option needs particular care. An account describes poor seating for European ticket holders at the edges beneath bamboo, with mosquitoes nearby, and says the performance was missed or not delivered as expected. That does not establish what every performance booking will be like, but it makes confirmation worthwhile: ask which show is included, what ticket category you receive, and how the operator handles a missed or unusable ticket.
The small-group format and the ride between stops
The tour is advertised for groups of eight or fewer, with a minimum of two participants. Depending on the number booked, transport may be a five-, seven-, or nine-seat vehicle. The vehicle information specifies capacity for eight passengers excluding the driver. That is small enough to be less cumbersome than a large coach, though it does not mean a private tour.
The driver is identified as Chinese-speaking, and the tour information does not name a guide or promise English-language guiding. Some stops are marked as guided, but if you need detailed commentary in English, confirm what is actually provided before booking. The driver’s role is also a major part of the day: safe driving and a smooth itinerary can make a long transfer day far more comfortable. One account praises the driver’s safe driving and the well-paced schedule, while another describes a shabby car and unpleasant conduct. The contrast is a reminder that transport and service can vary.
There is also a report of an unwanted restaurant stop, with pressure around an expensive dish. Food is not listed as included, so don’t assume lunch is part of the tour price. If the driver proposes a meal stop, clarify where you are going and whether you are free to choose what to order. A quick, polite question before sitting down can prevent an awkward bill later.
The day is scheduled to return around 6:40 p.m. The order of stops may change with traffic or weather, and the operator says the trip generally ends around 6 p.m. That makes this a poor fit if you have a fixed evening booking in Guilin. Give yourself room for delays, especially if your hotel is outside the pickup zone.
What the price buys, and what it does not
The listed starting price is $90.69, but the package prices shown for particular combinations vary. The cycling package appears at a lower starting price, while options with caves, mountain viewpoints, or shows are priced differently. Treat the headline price as a starting point, and check the exact package, date, and included tickets at checkout.
For the cycling package, the core value is transportation from and back to the pickup area, the two-person Yulong River raft, and bicycle use at the Ten-Mile Gallery. You also get the Xingping viewpoint and town stop as part of the day’s route. That is a useful bundle if you want a quick overview of several Guilin and Yangshuo sights without arranging separate transfers.
It is less compelling if your main goal is to spend a long time at one place. Xingping is a short visit, the Li River stop is not a cruise, and the afternoon options are selective. The small group and transport can save planning effort, but they do not remove the need to check exactly what your chosen package covers.
Cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local time. In extreme weather or another unforeseen event, the operator may cancel and offer a reschedule or full refund. The voucher is valid only for its specified date and time.
Who should choose this Guilin day tour?
I’d consider it if you have one day for the Guilin-to-Yangshuo highlights and want a mix of river scenery, a historic-town walk, and a simple outdoor activity. It suits people comfortable with an early start, a long day, and a set schedule. The group size is also a practical middle ground: more personal than a large coach, without the cost of a private vehicle.
It is a weaker choice if you need an English-speaking guide, have mobility or health restrictions that rule out rafting, or want to spend a full day on the Li River. It may also frustrate anyone who expects every named attraction and show to be included. Confirm the package in writing, ask about pickup details and any raft surcharge, and protect your electronics before getting on the water.
Book it for variety, not for depth. The ¥20 view, Xingping’s old street, the Yulong raft, and the Ten-Mile Gallery make a satisfying sampler when the day runs smoothly. If one of those is your main reason for going, consider arranging it independently or choosing a tour built around that single experience.
Guilin Yangshuo Yulong River + Li River + Xingping Ancient Town + Twenty Yuan Background Picture One-Day Tour (8-person small group)
FAQ
Does the tour include a Li River cruise?
No. The itinerary includes a visit to the ¥20 banknote viewpoint in the Xingping section of the Li River, but the Li River cruise is specifically excluded.
What time does the tour leave and return?
Pickup is around 8 a.m., with the exact time confirmed the day before. The return is generally around 6 p.m., with the schedule listing about 6:40 p.m. Traffic and weather can affect timing.
How many people are in the group?
The group has up to eight passengers and requires at least two participants. The vehicle is selected according to the number of people booked.
Is the Yulong River bamboo raft included?
The cycling package includes a two-person Yulong River bamboo raft. Other packages pair rafting with a cave, mountain, park, or show option, so check the package you select.
Can one person ride a double bamboo raft?
The raft requires at least two people to depart. A solo rider may have to pay an empty-seat fee, so contact customer service before the trip to confirm the arrangement and cost.
Are there weight limits for the double raft?
Yes. A passenger over about 100 kilograms must charter the whole raft, and the combined weight of two people cannot exceed about 160 kilograms.
Can children ride the bamboo raft?
Children at least one meter tall must ride with an adult and occupy one seat. Children under one meter cannot ride the double raft. The tour information suggests an eight-person raft or a riverside walk as alternatives where appropriate.
What should I bring for the raft ride?
Take waterproof measures for your phone and other belongings, and consider bringing spare clothes and shoes. The tour warns that clothes may get wet and that lost belongings are your responsibility.
What happens if I need to cancel?
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date in local time. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund.
