Yulong River

The Yulong River is a tributary of the Li River in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China, notable for its karst landscape and close association with the tourist town of Yangshuo. It runs through rural lowland sections framed by limestone peaks.

Small, scenic stretches of calm water, low riverbanks and dramatic karst hills form the river’s most photographed scenes; short bamboo-raft excursions and flat riverside walking or cycling are common visitor activities. Towns and villages along the river offer boat access, simple eateries, and trails that run parallel to the water.

The river provides a quieter alternative to the main Li River photographic routes, with many short, easily reached viewpoints and riverside rice paddies close to settlements.

The Yulong has long supported local agriculture, fishing and small-scale river transport for riverside communities. In the late 20th century the river and its immediate surroundings became a focus for tourism as Yangshuo developed into an international visitor destination.

Situated in Guangxi, the river flows through Yangshuo County and nearby villages such as Xingping, in the karst region southeast of the city of Guilin. Yangshuo town is the main service centre for visitors to the river.

• Bamboo rafting: Short, manually poled bamboo rafts operate on calm stretches of the river and are a common way to experience the karst scenery.
• Best viewing times: Photographers often prefer early morning or late afternoon light for the best contrast on the karst peaks and reflections in the river.

What to See#

• Xingping: A compact riverside village best known as a common embarkation point for short bamboo-raft trips and riverside walks; located on the river’s lower reaches near Yangshuo County.
• Yangshuo: The county town serving as the main visitor base for trips on the river, with guesthouses, bike rentals, and riverside trails that follow the Yulong’s course.

The Yulong River (part of the Li River area) is accessed from Yangshuo in Guangxi. From Guilin take a bus or coach to Yangshuo (about 1-1.5 hours by road). From Yangshuo Bus Station you can take a local taxi, short local bus, or rent a bicycle to reach Puyi or Xingping villages (about a 15-30 minute drive), where the popular riverside access points and bamboo-raft launches are a short walk from road drop-offs.

• For the classic Yulong River experience, take a bamboo-raft run in early morning or late afternoon light when the river is cooler and the light is best for photos and the number of rafts is lower.
• Avoid China's national holidays (for example Golden Week) if you want fewer crowds; alternatively head to quieter upstream sections around Xingping and Fuli rather than the most popular downstream stretches.
• Many visitors overlook the riverside cycling path between Yangshuo and Xingping - renting a bike to follow the Yulong's course gives continuous karst views and access to small villages that raft tours miss.
• Book raft operators and guides through reputable Yangshuo vendors or your hotel; local operators can advise which stretch is running, water levels, and the best pick-up/drop-off logistics to link with a bike or bus return.