Yangshuo
Go to Yangshuo for limestone peaks above rice fields, bamboo rafts on the Yulong River, and a small town that works as a base for cycling and walking.
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Yangshuo is a small county-level town in Guangxi, southern China, under the city of Guilin. People come for the scenery: rounded limestone peaks rise from flat farmland, and the Li River winds between them. Many restaurants, shops and guesthouses cluster in the town center.
Come if you want to spend your days outdoors. Walk or cycle between villages, take a bamboo raft down the Yulong River, or climb a hill for a view over the peaks. Rent a bike in town and ride out to the rice fields. Many stays in the center are a short walk from the river. Plan two to three nights to cover the river, the countryside and a day on a bike. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, while summer is hot and humid. Winter is cool and misty.
Yangshuo in five
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arriveMany small shops, bike rentals and raft operators accept only Chinese mobile payments. Foreign cards are rarely accepted at market stalls, so carry some yuan in small notes.Money and costs
- Get Amap for maps and bus routesGoogle Maps is blocked in mainland China. Install Amap (Gaode) before you leave home, and keep a data plan active so it works on the road.Phones and eSIM
- Choose the Li River cruise or the bus from GuilinThe cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about four hours and passes the karst hills. The bus is much faster. Take the boat for the view and the bus if time is short.Getting around
- Book a bamboo raft on the Yulong River earlyRafts run on the Yulong River near town. Agree the price and the route with the boatman before you step on.
- Rent a bicycle for the countrysideAsk the rental shop for a map of the rice field and river routes, and check the brakes before you leave.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yuan (CNY)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; visa for the rest Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, misty
- FebruaryCold, damp
- MarchWet, humid
- AprilRainy, misty
- MayHot, humid
- JuneHot, rainy
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, rainy
- SeptemberWarm, drier
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberMild, clear
- DecemberCool, misty
Right now in Yangshuo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 37%
Yangshuo
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°18°37%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Wed30°21°88%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu25°18°90%Thursday: Rain. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri23°18°56%Friday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 56%.
- Sat26°19°72%Saturday: Rain. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Sun27°17°64%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 64%.
Updated 02:26 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Xingpingabout 30 to 45 min by roadA fishing village on the Li River, shown on the back of the 20 yuan note, with river views and short boat rides.
- Yulong Riverabout 15 to 30 min by roadBamboo rafts and riverside villages, best reached by bike or taxi.
- Guilinabout 1 to 1.5 hours by busThe larger city, with the main airport, the rail station and Elephant Trunk Hill.Read the guide
- Longji rice terracesabout 3 to 4 hours by roadThe Dragon's Backbone terraces, a long day trip with hill walking.
Before you go to Yangshuo
Rules for Yangshuo, checked
- Check visa and visa-free rules for your passport on the National Immigration Administration site before you fly.Source
- Declare cash above the limit and any restricted goods on your arrival form. Customs officers may check bags.
- Drones must be registered in China, and flying near many sites is restricted. Check the rules with the CAAC before you bring one.
- Carry only your own medicines, in original packaging, and check the rules for controlled drugs before you pack.
Plan around Yangshuo
Bus, Li River cruise and bikes between Guilin and town
Read the guideMoney and costsMobile payments, cash and typical prices for a day in town
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules by passport and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayWest Street, the riverside and quieter lanes outside town
Read the guideGuangxi overviewGuilin, Longji and the wider region around Yangshuo
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data for Amap, bike apps and calls
Read the guideYangshuo FAQ
Is Yangshuo worth visiting?
Yes, for the karst hills, the Li and Yulong rivers and short bike rides. The town is small, with a busy evening scene on West Street and quiet lanes away from it.
How many days do you need in Yangshuo?
Two to three days covers the town, a bamboo raft ride and one countryside bike trip. Add a day for Xingping if you have time.
How do you get from Guilin to Yangshuo?
By bus, which takes about an hour and a half, or by the Li River cruise, which takes about four hours. Check current departures in Amap or with your hotel, since times change.
Is Yangshuo better than Guilin?
Yangshuo is smaller and more relaxed, with the rivers and hills close to town. Guilin has the main airport and rail station and more hotels, so you can stay in Yangshuo and fly into Guilin.
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities qualify for visa-free stays, but the rules change, so check the National Immigration Administration site before you book.
Can I visit Yangshuo on a day trip from Guilin?
Yes, by bus, which is quick enough for a long day. The cruise takes about four hours each way, so a day trip by boat leaves little time for the countryside.