Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
The Yulong River (遇龙河) is a small tributary of the Li that winds through rice fields and karst peaks a few kilometres outside Yangshuo town. You see it from a bamboo raft punted by a raftsman, sliding over low weirs, and the trip lasts anything from half an hour to an hour and a half depending on the dock. Most two-person rafts cost 180 to 320 yuan per raft in 2026. Book on the official 遇龙河 mini-program in WeChat (or 「i游阳朔」), which releases the next day's tickets at 20:00. Popular docks sell out within minutes in peak season, so be ready at eight. It is the best thing to do on the morning after the Li River cruise.
The full Guilin and Yangshuo plan is in the Guilin travel guide.
How the Yulong differs from the Li
The Li River cruise is a big boat on a big river. The Yulong is narrow and shallow, with no engines on the rafts, and close to the fields and villages along the banks. Where the Li gives you wide views of peaks, the Yulong gives you water-level views, old stone bridges and the quiet of being poled along. Don't treat either as a replacement for the other. If you have three days, do the Li on day two and the Yulong on day three.
Don't confuse these rafts with the motorised "bamboo" rafts sold on stretches of the Li near Xingping and Yangdi. If you want the hand-poled Yulong trip, check that the ticket says 遇龙河.
Choosing a dock
The scenic area runs more than a dozen raft routes, each starting from a different dock. Prices on the official site and 2026 listings:
| Route (start dock) | Approx. time | Weirs | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jinlongqiao (金龙桥) to Jiuxian | About 90 minutes | 9 | 320 yuan per raft |
| Jima (骥马), downstream | About 90 minutes | 9 | 320 yuan per raft |
| Shui'edi (水厄底), near town | About 40 minutes | 4 | 200 yuan per raft |
| Yulongqiao (遇龙桥) to Xiniutan and back | Varies | Varies | 180 yuan per raft |
| Fuliqiao (富里桥) | About 40 minutes | None | 200 yuan double, or 70 yuan per person (minimum 3) |
| Wanjing (万景) leisure float | About 30 minutes | None | 45 yuan per person, minimum charge 5, up to 8 per raft |
Standard rafts carry two passengers. On some routes a three-person raft costs 270 to 300 yuan. A solo traveller pays for the whole raft, or can share one at the dock.
How to pick:
- Most scenic, with a bit of splash: Jinlongqiao or Jima, the two 90-minute routes. Jinlongqiao has the faster water.
- Short on time: Shui'edi, which is close to town and good value, though it queues in peak season.
- With small children or grandparents: Wanjing or Fuliqiao, which have no weirs. In 2026 reports, Wanjing is the only route that accepts children under 1 metre and passengers over 70. Check the age and height rules on the mini-program before booking, as they vary by dock.
Booking
- Official channels only: the 遇龙河 WeChat mini-program or official account, or 「i游阳朔」. Online and walk-up prices are the same. Touts selling at a mark-up are common, so avoid them.
- Release time: 20:00 the evening before. Enter every passenger's ID details in the mini-program in advance, then submit as soon as tickets open.
- ID: tickets are real-name and checked against the original document at the dock, so bring the passport you booked with.
- Your hotel can help. If WeChat Pay doesn't work for you, or you miss the release, many Yangshuo guesthouses will book for a fee. Ask whether it includes the transfer to the dock.
On the raft
- You will get wet on weir routes, mostly feet and the lower back. Wear quick-drying clothes and sandals, and put your phone in a waterproof pouch.
- Sit still over the weirs and follow the raftsman's instructions about where to put your weight. Standing up for photos is how people end up in the river.
- There is no shade. Bring a hat and sun cream from April to October.
- Light is softest early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Midday glare flattens the colour of the fields.
- After heavy rain, weir sections can close at short notice. Refunds for cancelled trips go through the mini-program.
Seeing it from the bank instead
The riverside lanes between Yangshuo and the upper docks are flat and quiet, and bike and e-bike rental is cheap in town. A ride along the river costs a fraction of a raft and needs no booking, and it is the fallback if the rafts are closed or sold out. Many people do both: raft one section in the morning, then cycle back towards town.
Fitting it in
Spend the night after the Li River cruise near West Street or in a guesthouse along the Yulong, raft in the morning, and head back to Guilin after lunch. With a spare afternoon in Guilin, Duxiu Peak is central and quick. Save Reed Flute Cave for a fourth day.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Yulong River rafting?
In 2026, most two-person rafts cost 180 to 320 yuan per raft depending on the route. Leisure floats with no weirs cost 45 yuan per person.
How do I book a Yulong River raft?
On the official 遇龙河 WeChat mini-program or 「i游阳朔」. The next day's tickets go on sale at 20:00, and you need the passport of each passenger.
Which Yulong River section is best?
Jinlongqiao to Jiuxian or the Jima route, about 90 minutes each, for scenery and a few splashy weirs. Shui'edi is the quickest option from town.
Will I get wet on a Yulong River raft?
On routes with weirs, yes, a little. Leisure routes with no weirs stay dry.