Yangshuo Travelers Recommend

With three days in Yangshuo, it’s possible to enjoy the highlights in town and the surrounding countryside. You also have time to enjoy outdoor activities and learn about local culture. Here are some ways to see and experience the best of Yangshuo in three days.

Day 1: Scenic Highlights

Rent a bike or a scooter, and head out to explore the countryside surrounding Yangshuo. Check out Ten-Mile Gallery and stop at highlights such as Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree, Butterfly Spring Park, and Totem Ancient Trail. Afterwards, explore one of the many caves in the area, including Silver Cave or Longmen Water Cave.

In the afternoon, explore Xingping ancient town, and then take a motorized boat down a stretch of the Li River. Stay for sunset and watch the ancient practice of cormorant fishing, or climb up Laozhai Mountain. Spend the evening back in Yangshuo, exploring West Street, the oldest and most famous street in town. Shop for souvenirs, and eat a dinner of local favorites such as Guilin rice noodles or Yangshuo beer fish. Enjoy after-dinner drinks at one of the many bars on and around West Street.

Day 2: Active Explorations

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for an active morning or day. Try your hand at rock climbing—the limestone walls around Yangshuo are world-class. Alternatively, go hiking or biking around the vast countryside. Guided options are available to help with route finding. For a quieter day, stay in town and try a cooking class, calligraphy class, fan painting class, or Chinese class. Afterwards, head to the Yulong River and enjoy a leisurely cruise on a bamboo raft. See famous bridges such as Yulong Bridge and Fuli Bridge.

Head back to Yangshuo and spend some time exploring the attractions in town, such as Yangshuo Park and Green Lotus Peak. End the evening watching Impressions Sanjie Liu, a show directed by Zhang Yimou. The theater performance uses the Li River as a stage and the mountains as a backdrop.

Day 3: Mountains and Tea Plantations

Get an early start and head out to Xianggong Mountain for views of the karst-dominated countryside. Afterwards, head over to Seven Faeries Peak Tea Plantation, where you can pick tea leaves and kumquats (in season). Then enjoy tea and learn all about Chinese tea culture. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to Shitoucheng ancient stone village, a mysterious centuries-old village made out of stone that's perched on top of a hill. Finally, head to Cuiping Hill for a magical sunset. Join a guided tour for a hassle-free experience and to maximize your last day.

With two days in Yangshuo, it's possible to tick off all of the town’s core attractions and explore the countryside, which is home to the Li and the Yulong Rivers. Here’s how to make the most of two days in Yangshuo.

Day 1: Active Explorations

Morning: Start your morning with some tai chi by the Li River, and then head out into the countryside for a hiking, biking, or rock climbing adventure; opt for a tour to ensure you don’t get lost on an unfamiliar route.

Afternoon: This afternoon, explore either Silver Cave or Longmen Water Cave. Afterwards, head to Xingping Ancient Town and spend some time in town before taking a motorized boat down to one of the prettiest stretches of the Li River. Watch sunset here, or from the top of Laozhai Mountain.

Night: Head to West Street, the oldest and most famous street in town. There are plenty of restaurants and shops, making it a great place to pick up some souvenirs and grab dinner. Try local favorites such as Guilin noodles, steamed Li River fish, or Yangshuo beer fish.

Day 2: Mountains and Rivers

Morning: Get an early start (try for sunrise if possible) and head out to Xianggong Mountain for some of Yangshuo’s best views. Afterwards, cruise on a bamboo raft down the Yulong River, passing the Yulong and Fuli bridges. Afterwards, explore the scenic Ten Mile Gallery, home to highlights such as the Big Banyan Tree and Moon Hill.

Afternoon: Head back to Yangshuo and grab lunch on West Street. Spend the rest of the afternoon in town, exploring attractions such as Green Lotus Peak and Yangshuo Park. Alternatively, try a cooking, calligraphy, fan-painting, or Chinese language class.

Night: Make your final night a memorable one by enjoying a performance of Impressions Sanjie Liu by acclaimed director Zhang Yimou; the show uses the Li River as a stage and the mountains as a backdrop. Opt for a package that includes dinner and transportation for a hassle-free experience.

Famed for its breathtaking scenery, Yangshuo and its surrounding countryside is home to dramatic limestone formations and the Li and Yulong Rivers, which offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Yangshuo.

Morning: Mountains and Rivers

If you’ve only got one day, get an early start and join a tour of Xianggong Mountain, the summit of which offers panoramic views of the karst-dominated countryside. If possible, try to make it for sunrise, when fewer crowds are worth the early start. 

Spend the rest of the morning floating down a river on a bamboo raft, and see famous bridges such as the Yulong Bridge and Fuli Bridge. Alternatively, head to Xingping Ancient Town and take a motorized boat down the Li River, where you’ll see the landscape featured on the 20 Yuan note. It’s also possible to hike or bike along the riverbank instead.

Afternoon: Villages and Countryside

Head back to Yangshuo and spend some time walking along bustling West Street, the oldest and most famous street in town. With plenty of shops and restaurants, this is a great spot to pick up souvenirs and grab some lunch. 

Afterwards, head back out to the countryside to do your choice of hiking, biking, or rock climbing; a tour ensures your safety and means you won’t get lost on unfamiliar routes. Another highlight to consider visiting is the scenic Ten Mile Gallery, with attractions Moon Hill and Big Banyan Tree. If you’d prefer to relax, stay in town for a cooking, calligraphy, or Chinese language class.

Night: Local Culture

Devote the evening to sampling local favorites such as Guilin noodles, steamed Li River fish, or Yangshuo beer fish. End your evening with a performance of Impressions Sanjie Liu; directed by acclaimed director Zhang Yimou, who also directed the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony, the show uses the Li River as its stage and the mountains as its backdrop. It’s a natural theater spectacle that you won’t soon forget, so secure a seat by booking your tickets in  advance.