Top Things to do in Yangshuo: Best Activities & Must-Sees

Yangshuo is one of the most spectacular destinations in Guangxi, the region located in southern China famous for the karst peaks that emerge from the waters of the Li River and the rural landscapes that look like they have come straight out of an ancient Chinese ink painting.

If you're wondering what to see in Yangshuo, this Trip.com guide will help you discover how to balance the tranquillity of the countryside and river cruises with the vibrancy of the town centre, to build a complete trip that goes far beyond a simple sightseeing tour.

🎫 Top Things to Do in Yangshuo

• 🚢 Li River cruise (Guilin-Yangshuo): from approx. £24, sailing among the karst peaks that inspired the 20 Yuan note.
• 🎋 Yulong River bamboo raft: from approx. £31, a quiet, manually-poled journey through rice paddies and stone bridges.
• 🎭 Impression Sanjie Liu show: from approx. £27, an evening performance on the river featuring hundreds of performers.
• 🍳 Chinese cooking class: from approx. £42, local spices and traditional Guangxi dishes.
• ⛰️ Mount Xianggong viewpoint: from approx. £23, for sunrise over the mist-wrapped bend of the Li River.

✈️ What to Do in Yangshuo Based on Your Stay

Planning a trip to Yangshuo requires choosing the right pace. The difference between a one-day stopover and a longer stay is significant. Yangshuo is best appreciated at a slow pace, alternating between cycling excursions, river cruises, and walks through the countryside.

To give you a quick idea, here is what to do in Yangshuo in 1 day, 2–3 days, 4–5 days, or a week, depending on your travel style and that of your companions.

⛰️ Must-Visit Areas in Yangshuo

The charm of Yangshuo lies in its rich geographical variety. Indeed, it takes just a few kilometres to go from the commercial dynamism of the town centre to the silence of the rural valleys and farmland. It is precisely this contrast between the efficiency of the town, the local culture and the iconic profile of the karst peaks that makes this area one of the most emblematic destinations in southern China.

Here are five areas that perfectly capture the essence of the region:

West Street and the city centre: the hub of shopping and nightlife

The alleyways of West Street come alive after sunset, becoming the heart of the region's nightlife. This ancient thoroughfare is not just a meeting place from days gone by, but also the main hub for finding your way around the city.

• Things to do: stroll along the pedestrian avenue and the side alleys which, at dusk, fill with visitors and host the evening markets.
• Atmosphere: the area is defined by a striking contrast between traditional architecture and a vibrant contemporary scene, packed with live music venues, international cafés, and local street food stalls.
• Logistics: it’s a convenient choice for those wanting to stay close to restaurants, banks, tour agencies, and bus stations, with all the main city centre amenities right on your doorstep.

Yulong River Valley: the bucolic and silent soul

The Yulong offers a more tranquil experience, with bamboo rafts, rice paddies, and rural landscapes. Here, everything revolves around nature: resorts converted from old farmhouses, bamboo forests, plantations, and a slow pace of life that characterises the entire valley.

• Highlight experience: navigating on rafts steered by hand by local boatmen is the main activity in this protected ecological area, perfect for a moment of absolute silence immersed in nature.
• How to explore it: to travel through the region at a more leisurely pace and observe the agricultural life of the Guangxi province, a bicycle or electric scooter is the ideal choice.

Ten-Mile Gallery: a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and active vistas

The Ten-Mile Gallery is a scenic corridor featuring rock walls, trails, and natural attractions. It winds south of the city, intersecting the final stretch of the Yulong River.

• Activities: the Moon Hill area is a landmark for those who love climbing and outdoor excursions, offering ideal routes to explore on two wheels. In general, it is a dynamic itinerary, full of wide-open spaces where you can stop for a break.

📌 Useful tip: an original way to explore it is to hire an e-bike and follow the secondary dirt paths accessible along the route.

Xingping Ancient Town: history and old-world charm

The ancient village of Xingping, located about 45 minutes from the centre, preserves the traditional architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, now complemented by designer guesthouses, independent cafés, and small venues overlooking a bend in the Li River.

• Logistics: from a strategic point of view, this area is important because it is home to the Yangshuo high-speed railway station.
• A typical day: a wander through the traditional markets in the morning and a boat trip at sunset make a visit to Xingping a complete experience.

Fun fact: the classic itinerary involves exploring the historic alleyways and reaching the famous viewpoint, renowned throughout China for showcasing the exact scene depicted on the back of the 20 Yuan banknote.

Mount Xianggong and the Li River Valley: photography, wide-open spaces and relaxation

The area surrounding Mount Xianggong, located further north, is the ideal destination for a complete change of perspective. Here, panoramic views from above dominate, thanks to a terrace that has become an international landmark for lovers of landscapes and photojournalism.

• The highlight: climbing the steps towards the summit in the early hours of the morning allows you to witness the spectacle of the sun rising through the low clouds and the river mist that envelops the rocky peaks.
• Context: in the most remote valley of the Li River, the pace is that of the most authentic rural China, characterised by wide green spaces and slow rhythms, completely isolated from the urban chaos.

⭐ Top 5 Activities and Landmarks in Yangshuo

Planning an itinerary to decide what to see in Yangshuo means selecting experiences that allow you to discover the daily life, traditions, and most famous natural landscapes of Guangxi.

If you want to make the most of your time and don't know where to start, these five suggestions bring together some of Yangshuo's most iconic experiences and can be adapted to different types of trips.

Yulong River by bamboo raft

The water-level excursion lets you discover the most authentic and rural side of the area. The standard route crosses ancient stone bridges and small artificial dams that create fun, gentle drops during the descent.

• General cost: between 200 and 320 Yuan (approx. £19–£31) per raft. The rafts only take a few passengers at a time (generally 2 passengers per raft).
• Ideal time: approx. 2 hours (though the duration may vary depending on the river route selected) to enjoy the experience at a leisurely pace.

Logistical note: access to the raft may be subject to safety restrictions, including a total weight limit of approximately 150–160 kg for two passengers. Pregnant women are generally not permitted. For any age and height restrictions, it is advisable to check the specific conditions of your chosen route before booking.

🎋 Book your bamboo raft on the Yulong River on Trip.com

Visit West Street (Xi Jie)

After a day spent among the fields and the silence of the rivers, this pedestrian street offers a radical change of scenery. It is the perfect place to buy hand-painted paper fans or to taste traditional sesame sweets while watching the flow of travellers.

• Entry: free.
• Best time: in the evening, from dinner time onwards, when the street lights up with lights and street food stalls.

Did you know... In the 80s, it was one of the first places in all of China to welcome Western backpackers, becoming a famous meeting point between Eastern and Western culture.

🛍️ Discover the complete guide and reviews for West Street on Trip.com

“Impression Sanjie Liu” show

Prepare yourself for a unique open-air evening show, staged directly on the waters of the Li River and framed by the karst landscape of Yangshuo. Co-directed by the celebrated filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the event transforms the twelve surrounding mountains into the largest natural stage on the planet.

• General admission: from approx. £25–30 for standard sections.
• Ideal time: 70 minutes for the show (performances begin after sunset, usually between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm depending on the season).

Top tip: The cheapest standard tickets (Sector C) often only offer simple stools in the lower rows. Choosing VIP tickets (Sector B) allows you to sit higher up in the stands, guaranteeing both a more comfortable seat and a stunning panoramic view of the water choreography and light shows.

🎭 Book tickets for Impression Sanjie Liu on Trip.com

Moon Hill

A limestone mountain characterised by a large, natural semicircular hole that pierces right through the rock. Historically known for its 800-step stairway and climbing walls, the area is currently undergoing renovation work. Access to the main hiking trail and viewpoints may be restricted, so it is advisable to check locally before planning a climb.

• How to admire it today: the access path to the Moon Hill Scenic Area is currently closed. The mountain can still be viewed from the outside along the Ten-Mile Gallery road, without accessing the hiking trail. As you move along the road, the natural opening in the rock changes perspective and can appear as anything from a thin crescent to a wider shape.

📌 Tip: for a scenic stop, Moon Hill Village, located opposite the mountain, offers several spots from which to view and photograph the arch. Before planning a visit to the area, check for any updates on reopening and access arrangements.

⛰️ Book a tour to the Moon Hill Scenic Area on Trip.com

Mount Xianggong viewpoint

If you are looking for one of the most well-known viewpoints in the Yangshuo area, this terrace offers a spectacular perspective of the characteristic "U" bend that the Li River makes between the limestone peaks.

Reaching the summit takes just about fifteen minutes of walking up the steps from the base, offering an unforgettable view of the river bend and the surrounding mountains.

• Entry: approx. £7 (60 Yuan).
• Perfect for: photography enthusiasts, early risers and those looking for breathtaking views of karst landscapes.
• Logistics: as it is located in an isolated area about a 45-minute drive from the centre of Yangshuo, it is advisable to arrange private transport in advance or join an excursion, especially if you want to reach the viewpoint in time for sunrise.

⛰️ Book your sunrise tour of Mount Xianggong on Trip.com

🍜 What to Eat in Yangshuo

The culture of southern China has revolved around the flow of rivers for centuries. In Yangshuo, this deep connection with water shapes not only the visual landscape, but also ancient daily habits and the intense flavours served at restaurant tables.

🐟 Beer Fish and the secrets of local cuisine

You can't leave Yangshuo without trying its signature dish: Beer Fish. The preparation is simple yet characteristic of Guangxi cuisine: a fresh carp (or catfish) is seared whole in a hot wok, skin and all. It is then slowly stewed in a broth made from local Liquan beer, enriched with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, chilli, garlic, and soy sauce.

The result is a succulent and fragrant dish, perfect for sharing in the middle of the table. If you want to discover the secrets of using a wok and the spices of Guangxi, taking part in a local cooking class is an interesting way to explore the local culinary traditions. You can easily book your cooking class in Yangshuo on Trip.com.

🎋 The ancient art of cormorant fishing on the Li River

For over a millennium, the region's fishermen have used a unique symbiotic fishing method: cormorant training. These elegant aquatic birds dive from the edge of bamboo rafts to catch fish and bring them back to the fisherman.

Although today it has become a demonstration for the purpose of preserving intangible cultural heritage and the actual sessions are protected, watching this practice at twilight, with oil lanterns illuminating the water between the karst peaks, remains one of the most thrilling visual experiences of the trip.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit Yangshuo

Yangshuo is characterised by a subtropical monsoon climate. This means that humidity and rain aren't negative elements to be avoided, as they help create the landscape's signature atmosphere: it is, in fact, the water that forms the mystical mist enveloping the karst peaks.

In general, autumn offers the best conditions for enjoying outdoor activities without the summer heat, but the region retains a unique charm at any time of year.

Of all the seasons, autumn (October–November) is considered the best time to visit: the weather is mild and the skies are clear, offering the crispest views.

Spring, on the other hand, offers blooms and intense colours. The frequent rain and morning mists create that “ancestral” atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Chinese painting for which Yangshuo is world-famous.

⚠️ Important note on Golden Week: If you choose autumn to visit Yangshuo, keep in mind that the first week of October (1–7 October) coincides with the so-called “Golden Week” (Chinese National Day). During this period, Yangshuo experiences extremely heavy tourist crowds, and flight and hotel prices increase significantly. It is therefore highly advisable to plan your visit from mid-October onwards.

🚆 Day Trips from Yangshuo

Yangshuo's strategic location also makes it easy to explore other areas to discover the exceptional agricultural, urban and artisanal heritage of Guangxi, taking advantage of the good road and rail connections.

Here are three excursions perfect for those wanting to see a little more without venturing too far.

🌾 Longji Rice Terraces (Longsheng)

It is a vast system of agricultural terraces created over the centuries on the mountainsides by the Yao and Zhuang peoples. The landscape changes its appearance with the seasons: reflective pools of water in spring, intense green in summer, and brilliant gold just before the autumn harvest.

• Time from Yangshuo: about 2.5–3 hours by private car. Scheduled tourist buses can take up to 4–4.5 hours, depending on stops and road conditions.
• How to get there: by joining an organised day tour or booking a private driver (recommended options to make the most of your time on a day trip).
• Don't miss: the high-altitude viewpoints above the traditional wooden villages of Ping'an and Jinkeng, reachable by trekking through the cultivated fields.

🏙️ Guilin City Centre – Reed Flute Cave and Sun and Moon Pagodas

If you want to spend a day in a city that has managed to integrate its characteristic karst peaks into its urban fabric, Guilin is well worth a trip. The centre is characterised by expansive parks, artificial lakes connected by canals, and iconic twin pagodas.

• Time from Yangshuo: about an hour and a half by direct bus.
• How to get there: the direct bus leaving from the centre of Yangshuo (or a private taxi) is the most straightforward, comfortable, and fastest solution.
• Don't miss: the Reed Flute Cave with its spectacular illuminated stalactites, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas reflecting on Shanhu Lake.

💡 Logistical note: The high-speed train takes only 30 minutes, but since the Yangshuo railway station is located in Xingping (about 50 minutes from the centre), the train option ends up doubling the overall travel time.

🏮 Xingping Ancient Town and the Li River landscape

Xingping is an ancient village where time seems to have stood still, famous for the bend in the Li River immortalised on the back of the 20 Yuan banknote. By dedicating a half-day trip to it from Yangshuo, you can explore its historic alleyways, take a boat or raft trip, and venture as far as the nearby Fuli Ancient Town, renowned for its ancient tradition of hand-painted paper fans.

• Time from Yangshuo: about 45 minutes.
• How to get there: taxi, private car, or very frequent local buses. If, however, you are arriving directly by train from other Chinese cities, the Yangshuo railway station is right here: you just need to take the local shuttle bus outside the station (5 Yuan) to reach the historic centre in 15 minutes.

📌 Don't miss: The official 20 Yuan viewpoint, the stone-paved streets of the historic centre, and the river pier for sunset photos.

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