Rafting at the Yulong and the Li River

Rafting at the Yulong river is one of the activities you have to do if you want to experience the Yangshuo limestone mountains at its best. So where do you start? What does it cost? How do you go there? And go back? Is it safe? Questions that will be solved on this page.

Rafting on the Yulong River

The start of the river raft at the Yulong River starts at the bridge just before you reach Moonhill, about 8km south of Yangshuo town center. Many people choose to come on bicycle and bring the bike on the raft which is usually not a problem.

Locals still use rafts for fishing

At the bridge just before Moonhill, the Big Banyard Tree is nearby, plenty of rafts are waiting to carry you downstream. There is place for 2 people on the raft and the whole journey takes about 2 hours. When taking off, the quickly the limestone mountains show their beauty. Few places around Yangshuo are more scenic then this area (though there are other beautiful areas).

Rafting at the Yulong river

Some people see the rafts and doubt the safety. However, as the river doesn't flow fast, these rafts, approved by the government, are all safe. The raftsmen are all licensed. And the journey of the raft is limited. In other words, you can only do the 2 hours raft which is safe.

Farmers using the river to catch fish, do the laundry and dishes

Once you're on the raft, sitting and enjoying the peaceful countryside, the limestone mountains beauty opens. Even if you have cycled the area, the view from the river is very different, despite that the walking and cycling paths are so nearby.

Along the way you will see local farmers using the river for daily activities as laundry, opening areas so the water can go into the rice fields and bathing the buffaloes.

There are hundreds of rafts on the river

Closer to the end of the journey you will come to the famous Dragon Bridge. The bridge is old and still in use. In the area there are several similar bridges.

Bridge over the river

Near the dragon bridge the journey ends. The costs for the journey should be around Y150. You can take the boat back but much nicer is to see the same area while you ride your bicycle. The whole Yulong river area is worth more then one visit. My advice is to start with a bike ride around, and then do a separate visit with a raft. You will enjoy the limestone mountains at its most when you do both.

Rafting at the Li River

Rafting is these days also possible at the Li River, right at the end of West Street. Although the scenery here is not as spectacular as at the Yulong river, it's certainly worth to spend an hour or so on one of the rafts to see Yangshuo town and the surrounding from the river side.

The rafts at the Li River with comfortable chairs and umbrella

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