Yulong River (遇龙河)
The quiet Little Li River, drifted by bamboo raft past rice fields and peaks

Picture this: you are lying back on a small bamboo raft, feet trailing in the cool water, a boatman standing at the stern pushing you gently forward with a pole. On either side are rice paddies and karst peaks rising one by one, mirrored in water so still it looks like glass — no engine noise, no big tourist boats passing, just wind, birds and the sound of the river. That is the charm of the Yulong River.

The Yulong River (遇龙河) is a small river that flows parallel to the larger Li River through the countryside of Yangshuo County, about 8 kilometres from Yangshuo town and roughly 70 kilometres from Guilin. Because its karst-and-water scenery is every bit as lovely as its big sibling, only at a smaller, more intimate scale, people have nicknamed it the "Little Li River" (小漓江).

What makes the Yulong special is how rural it still feels — the rafts here are two-person bamboo rafts poled by hand, not motorboats. Along the way you pass rice paddies, water buffalo, old villages and centuries-old Ming-dynasty stone bridges. Come to raft, come to cycle the riverbank, or do both: it is one of the prettiest and most relaxing days of any Guilin trip.

The other half of the Yulong's charm is on land. This river is one of the prettiest cycling routes in China — rent a bike or an e-bike from the West Street area in Yangshuo town and ride along the river past rice paddies, old villages and the foot of the peaks, stopping to photograph the ancient stone bridges whenever you like, no rush.

The route is fairly flat and shaded, suiting beginners and families alike. You can hop on a raft partway, or simply loop back. Late September to mid-November is the best weather (around 28°C, little rain) and the season when the paddies turn gold for harvest — so beautiful you'll be stopping for photos every couple of minutes.