To the Dragon Bridge and the Yulong River

There are many road leading to the Dragon Bridge, here's one possible way to enjoy it the best.

The legendary Dragon Bridge

We start in Yangshuo and cycle out of town using the main road to Baisha, 8 km away. In the center of town follow the direction to the highway. It's a few kilometers to the Yulong river.

View from Yulong Bridge in the direction of the Dragon Bridge

You can cycle to the Yulong Bridge (and further to Jinbao, at the moment, August 2010, this bridge is under construction) and board a raft here. There are some beautiful views over the Yulong river to the north.

There are clear markers on the road from Baisha to Dragon Village and Dragon Bridge. The Dragon Village is still very small but you can start with a rafting experience. A good option here is to raft to Juixian and cycle from there further back to Yangshuo.

Left: Dragon Village from the bridge, right: Dragon Bridge with rafts waiting

If you want to cycle all the way, cross the Dragon Bridge and go left. This is a road that will also bring you to Jinxian (stay left otherwise you will follow the gravel road via the Zuthou valley to Gaotian, see this page for more details).

Cycling at the southern side of the Yulong river offers some spectacular views over the countryside, quite different from what you would experience when you raft the same area. Villagers burry their loved ones with views on the river. You will see plenty of graves on the way.

It is a clear small road with some occasional local traffic passing you. At the Jinxian bridge you can go for a swim, it's a hugely popular place and safe.

At the bridge at Jinxian Village,
this is a major boarding point for rafting and a good place to swim

Cross the bridge here (to where you can board the rafts) and cycle through the village to Jima (the first part is a dirt road to the bus parking place).

The Jinxian bridge

The road from here on might be a bit busy with buses bringing tourists for boarding the rafts. Continue from here to Jima village. After the village you can choose to go directly back to Yangshuo by staying on the main road or, follow the dirt road at the junction to Moonhill, 3km to the right (after the village).

My friend Phil who had not been cycling in 10 years enjoyed the Yulong river

This path leads to the Giggling Tree Guesthouse (good food and drinks here) and further to Dragon River Resort and the Gong Nong Bridge. You will have some very beautiful countryside views on this part of the river.

View point at Dragon River Retreat

You will pass the Dragon River Retreat and arrive at the Gong Nong Bridge.

Regardless how many times I have seen this, I am always impressed...
view from the Gong Nong Bridge

From the Gong Nong Bridge is an easy way back to Yangshuo town center. Should you want to cycle this whole trail, expect a full day journey, in km's, to Baisha, Dragon Bridge to Gong Nong Bridge and back to Yangshuo, around 30km. This sounds maybe a lot but in fact, if you take your time, it will be an easy ride.

Other cycling options around Yangshuo

• Liugong
• Puyi (via Liugong)
• Fuli-Puyi (an alternative road)
• Yangshuo - Aishen - Gong Nong Bridge
• Gong Nong Bridge - Longtan - Back track to Yulong River
• Back road to Baisha
• Baisha - Dragon Bridge - Jima - Gong Nong Bridge - Yangshuo
• Yangshuo - Yongcun - Lexiang - Moonhill
• Backtracking behind Moonhill to Fenglou, Tongmen Hill - Jinxian
• Valley behind the Zuthou Mountains (Yulong river area)
• Bicycling to Putao, Jinbao and Gaotian
• Cycling to Xingping using the back (or secret) road
• Cycling from Xingping to Guilin
• Special bicycle map Yangshuo countryside

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