4 Boat Trips in Guilin That Earn the Early Start

1.1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · from $209Our pick

This 8 to 9-hour private tour pairs a 4-hour Li River cruise with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, lunch on board, Yangshuo countryside, and West Street. Your guide joins you on the boat, explains the scenery, and helps manage the return drive to Guilin. The cruise uses large motorized boats, not small private vessels.

“The river cruise was a fantastic way to see the famous Guilin karsts, and the visit to Yangshuo and the charming surrounding countryside was wonderful. Tony was a great guide, patiently answering our questions and giving us plenty of time to enjoy our walk after the cruise. Highly recommended!”

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2.Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 89 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $82Best value

You’ll be picked up in Guilin at about 8:00am, driven to Zhujiang Pier, and set off on a four-hour Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Choose a 3-star boat with a box lunch or a 4-star boat with a buffet. Andy coordinates the trip, while drivers such as Mei handle transfers. English support varies by boat.

“Magnifique ballade nous emmenant à notre prochain lieu de séjour..les paysages sont magiques et reposants, le bateau est vaste et la box suffit amplement et est delicieuse délicieuse Merci à notre guide qui nous a emmèné et à tout géré!”

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3.4 Star Luxury Li River Cruise with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $92

You’ll leave downtown Guilin around 8:00 AM for Zhujiang Pier, then spend about four hours aboard a comfortable four-star boat to Yangshuo. Expect dramatic karst peaks, villages, bamboo groves, waterfalls, an onboard Chinese or Western buffet, and audio commentary by QR code rather than a live English guide.

“Loved it but would have preferred a Chinese/ English speaking guide to have information as we cruise. With the qr code it was a bit difficult to follow. Eventually is quite expensive for just a car ride to the pier and the cruise. With an English speaking crew that explain ms the scenery and the traditions of the areas we see it could have been more value for money.”

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4.1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat and Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $89

This 12-hour private Guilin outing links Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, a 50-minute Xingping River boat ride, Yangshuo West Street, and the Liu San Jie night show. An English-speaking guide such as Andy, Jerry, Jeff, or Jacky handles transport and translation, though guide assignments vary. Plan for stairs, long drives, extra entrance fees, and a late finish.

“This is a great tour. Be prepared to walk a lot and the tour will conclude by 10 pm once you start in the morning at 9. Lee ( Jackie ) was our guide and the driver and he took great care of us. He is very professional, speaks good English and a vRead more”

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