Bicycling in Yangshuo

No doubt bicycling in Yangshuo is one of the most popular things to do. No visit to Yangshuo can be complete with a day on a bicycle, visiting Moonhill, Camel Hill, a trip to some of the caves or just a bike ride to Fuli. These days motorbike, scooters are also very popular.

In the early 80's Yangshuo became a backpackers paradise. In those days traveling in China wasn't easy and many areas were restricted. In those days you couldn't even get off the bus in between Guilin and Yangshuo.

But Yangshuo was great with a few cheap backpackers guesthouses, it's banana pancakes, pizzas and local Chinese speaking some English. In those days it became a habit to get a bicycle and get around in the limestone mountain area. It was officially not allowed but bicycling in Yangshuo was accepted.

Those days are over now. There are no more restrictions in going around Yangshuo. The town has now many local guides. Local maps are now plenty available for Y5. Bicycling in Yangshuo is as popular as ever though nowadays motorbikes or even cars can be rented. A bicycle gives you the possibility to go inside the limestone mountains as many of the paths are unpaved and small.

Bicycles can be rented all over Yangshuo, Y10 for a day. Scooters are also popular thought they can not go deep in the limestone mountain areas as the paths are small and seldom paved. Scooter rental is Y80 a day. Like bicycles you are supposed to bring the scooter back before sunset.

Although going around is not very difficult, it is useful to get a guide. Guides can introduce you to local family life, not seldom relatives or close friends. This way you will be able to see a part of Yangshuo which on your own might be difficult to find. Bicycling in Yangshuo with a guide can give you some memorable experiences.

Bicycling with a map in the area

Once you arrive in Yangshuo many local guide will offer you their service. Some speak good English, some only what they need to know. Jessi, my local guide over the years is one of those who speaks excellent English and is able to tell you the detailed questions you may have.

However, there are a few good bike rides you can easily do yourself. Let's explore them::

Trail 1

Trail 1 leads you to the south eastern area of Yangshuo. It's an easy ride to do, mostly on good roads but with spectacular views. Cycle out of Yangshuo, pass first junction (the road to the left goes to Guangzhou). At the second junction, a small circle, go left. After a kilometer or so, you are in the padifields. The road here is in excellent condition. Follow this road for about 8 km, then take the junction to Yongcum and Lexiang. It is in fact the only major junction on this road and you won't be able to miss it.

Follow this road to the very end which leads you close to Moonhill. On the way you can visit the Watercave, a nice set of caves with some spectacular sceneries inside.

The ride is easy and will take you about half day. It may take a little longer if you go in the cave. Near Moonhill you can have your lunch. Bring enough water for on the way, there are few places to get water on the way.

Trail 2

You can go bicycling in Yangshuo in the direction of Moonhill as in trail 1. Take the same road as trail 1 out of Yangshuo and follow the main road until you reach the Big Banyard Tree. Before the bridge, it's about 4 km out of Yangshuo, go right. You will follow the Yulong river now. The path is pretty straightforward. It will lead you all the way to the 400 years old Yulong Bridge. The bridge it self may not be too spectacular in itself, the scenery for sure is.

From the Yulong Bridge there are two ways back. You can cycle a bit further and then turn right. The little town of Baisha is nearby. It's about 10km on the main road back to Yangshuo. Alternatively you can cycle back to the small junction you came from, a few kilometers back and turn left there.

Bicycling in Yangshuo along the Yulong River

You have to cycle back from the bridge and keep left on the main road. You will pass Dacun Men and and from there bicycling to Yangshuo.

There a third much longer alternative. After the Yu Long, cycle further. The path becomes wider and a bit rough. You can cycle all the way to the Jinlong bridge and then turn left. This road, maybe less spectacular, but quiet leads you to Gaotian, south of Moonhill. It's about 17 km to Gaotian so you need your time. Few tourist ever come here so expect some surprised looks of the locals. You may want to use a scooter for this road, most of this road is in good condition.

You can combine a bike trail with a 2 hour journey on a raft. Read more about rafting in combination with cycling along the Yulong river.

Other cycling options

Some who bicycling in Yangshuo choose Xingping as a option. Xingping is indeed a popular bicycle destination. Many tourist cycle to Xingping and come back by boat. Some put their bicycles on the roof of a bus and cycle back or the other way around. Xingping can be seen as Yangshuo 15 years ago: a small town where the tourist industry has arrived but not much exploited. There's a few hotels and guesthouses but Xingping is still nice and mellow.

Long distance cyclist may want to consider to cycle from here to Guilin on the old road north. In the first few kilometers you are still in the limestone mountains. The road crosses the Dayuan river (get a nice swim there) and goes into the hills with some climbs up to 500 meter. Some of the road is just gravel and therefore not easy to do.

Reach Guilin from Xingping on this road will take you the whole day, distance about 100 km. And it's worth the effort.

And in case you want to go off the beaten track, much further then a few towns in the surrounding area, here's a road few, if any have traveled: the road to Libo, a very spectacular though seldom visited road.

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