Yangshuo activities

There's plenty to do these days in Yangshuo. Yangshuo activities traditionally were centered around bicycling in the beautiful scenery and hang out at night in one of the many western styled cafes.

So, what kind of activities can you do in Yangshuo? Do I have to book them? Do I need to bring my own bicycle? Is it dangerous? Let's see what there is to do.

Rafting

Of all the activities in Yangshuo rafting on the Yulong river is probably the most essential. There can be little discussion about it. Haven't done the rafting, haven't seen Yangshuo! Yes, I would go that far. You wouldn't go to Beijing and skip the Forbidden City? Or go to Paris and forget the Eiffel Tower, Cambodia and leave Angkor beside? You wouldn't. And so is the bamboo rafting trip on the Yulong river.

Rafting at the Yulong River

How, where, what and how much, you can read at the rafting at the Yulong river page. It's apart of cycling my favorite of all Yangshuo activities!

Moonhill

Traditionally the most visited rock formation around Yangshuo, Moonhill is located a few kilometers south of the Yangshuo town center and a must see place.

Get a bicycle and cycle along the main road south. After a few kilometers you will see Moonhill from the roadside. You can climb up and shoot a few photos. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes (depending on your physical condition to climb up. Views are quite spectacular from inside Moonhill.

Moonhill Yangshuo

Read and see more about Moonhill in Yangshuo

Cycling and visiting caves

Of all the possible Yangshuo activities I love cycling the best. Getting around in the area of Yangshuo to see some of the spectacular landscape is best done on bicycle. No, not because I like cycling a lot but because it is the easiest way to go around. Motorbikes are in some areas less practical as the paths through the paddifields are not always suitable for motorbikes.

There are two ways to start cycling around. You can get free maps in town or you get a local guide. If you have limited time, a guide is worth. There are many guides available. My recommendation is Jessie Lu, a local girl who speaks not only excellent English but has a vast knowledge of the area and will be able to help you out with other things to organize. You can get in touch with here by filling in this form.

More about cycling and visiting caves on this page.

Cormorant fishing

Of the Yangshuo activities, cormorant fishing is one of the few nighttime events. Some fishermen go out at night with a few cormorants. Go with them on a boat and see how this phenomenon works.

Cormorant fishing

Liu Sanjie show in Yangshuo

Liu Sanjie Show Yangshuo

A few years ago this show started just outside Yangshuo town. From the beginning on it was a huge success and not for nothing. It's now one of the main Yangshuo activities and an absolute must to see.

The show is very spectacular. It is directed by movie director Zhang Yimou and is performed by local villagers and fishermen, particularly local minority groups as Zhuang and Yao.

Zhang Yimou makes use of the natural resources which make the spectator realize how beautiful Yangshuo is.

You can read more about the Liu Sanjie show in Yangshuo

Ballooning

Quite new in Yangshuo is the opportunity to get up in a balloon and see the spectacular surrounding from above, You have 2 different options:

• Just up and down at a stationary place, takes about 10 minutes
• A free flight. The balloon goes around in the area for either one or two hours.

The organization of ballooning is by experts in the field and completely safe.

Ballooning in Yangshuo

Kayaking from Fuli to Liugong or to Puyi

Kayaking give you a complete different view over the limestone mountains. With a guide and at least 2 people you will explore an area around Yangshuo which is not visited much. The cruises don't come here and few take a bicycle to visit this area as the roads and paths are not in the best condition.

It is however worth a visit. You can start from the Snow Lion Resort and peddle all the way down to Puyi, about 2 to 3 hours. It's a wonderful exercise. Read more about kayaking here

Yulong river swimming

I love swimming, one of the reasons I live nearby the sea. Of the Yangshuo activities swimming is not a hot thing number 1. However, it is great swimming in the Yu Long river. With little current and no deep water it is a safe place. Go in the direction of Moonhill. Before the bridge go right and follow the dirt path to the Li River Retreat.

Caution with swimming, make sure you stay in the calm water and do not go in the fast water streams. Accidents do happen only with people who do not take care.

Yi Li River swimming

You got to do everything once in your life, swimming in the Li River is not recommended if you are not a good swimmer. There's quite a bit of current and you can't go far in the water. Local kids play here. Beware also for boats. Not recommended. The Yulong river is a much better, safer and cleaner place.

Xingping

Xingping is a little village about 20 km north on the east bank of the Li River. You can go there by bus, boat and bicycle. A popular way to visit the village is to cycle to Xingping and take the boat back.

More about Xingping you can find here.

Longer bike rides

If you are into cycling like me, then there's good news. There are some little visited areas around Yangshuo where few people go. I have set up a few possible routes I have done in the past and which I can recommend. Again, if you feel you need a guide, please contact Jessie.

You may want to read some of my own stories about traveling and cycling in and to China, Guilin and Yangshuo. Read some of them here.

Kids playing with rafts on the Li river

Rock climbing

Of all Yangshuo activities rock climbing is probably the most spectacular to do. There are good rock climbing's to do around Yangshuo, Around West Street you can find a few good rock climbing shops with professional guides and equipment. I can not recommend one as I never done any rock climbing, I guess it was always about fear of falling down:) I guess. However, people who done it were very enthusiastic about. If this is your kind of fun, there's good peaks to climb.

Walks

Although walking is maybe not the most popular of the Yangshuo activities, it certainly can bring you to a few difficult to reach places and spectacular areas few people visit. You can get a guide (though usually they are not keen on walking) or get a detailed map and find your way around.

The main road is never too far and you will be able to find a bus back to Yangshuo town.

Walking along the Li River on a rainy day

Guilin has a few attractions itself to visit, see for yourself what Guilin can offer.

Not enough? West and south of Yangshuo are two less visited cities worth to visit if you have time: Liuzhou an Hechi. But most visited apart of Yangshuo in this part of China are Longsheng, Sanjiang and Zhaoxing with their rice terraces, Dong villages, Drum Towers and Wind and Rain Bridges. And Jessie can organize trips to all these places.

Back to the top of Yangshuo Activities