Yulong River (遇龙河)** in Yangshuo, China – a serene paradise of karst landscapes, bamboo rafting, and

#chinatravel ### **Why Visit Yulong River?** 1. **"Little Li River" Charm**: A quieter, more intimate alternative to the Li River, with crystal-clear waters winding through postcard-perfect karst peaks and rice paddies . 2. **Ancient Bridges**: Discover 600-year-old stone bridges like **Yulong Bridge** (Ming Dynasty) and **Xiangui Bridge** (Song Dynasty), each steeped in legends . 3. **Bamboo Rafting**: Glide on hand-poled rafts past water buffalo, wildflowers, and villages—thrilling yet peaceful with small dam drops . 4. **Cycling & Hiking**: Explore riverside trails through fields and villages, ranked among China’s top biking routes . --- ### **Top Experiences** #### **1. Bamboo Rafting** - **Best Routes**: - **Jinlong Bridge → Jiuxian Village** (6 km, 90 mins, ¥320/raft): Most scenic with 9 dam drops . - **Shuiedi Dock → Gongnong Bridge** (3 km, 50 mins, ¥200/raft): Popular for shorter trips . - **Tips**: - Book online via WeChat (*Yulong River Official Mini Program*) – slots open at 8 PM the day before . - Arrive early (8 AM) to avoid crowds; wear waterproof shoes for dam splashes . #### **2. Cycling Adventures** - **Classic Route**: Yangshuo West Street → Gongnong Bridge → Yulong Bridge (30 km, 4–5 hours) . - **E-bike Rentals**: ~¥30/day; stop at **Fuli Bridge** for moon-shaped reflections . #### **3. Hidden Gems** - **Jiuxian Village**: Qing Dynasty stone houses and waterwheels . - **Fairyland Viewpoint**: Near Gongnong Bridge for sunrise/sunset photos . --- ### **Practical Tips** - **Best Time**: April–October (avoid June–July heavy rains) . - **Getting There**: - From **Yangshuo**: Rent a bike (¥15/day) or taxi (¥50) to docks . - From **Guilin**: 1.5-hour drive (90 km) . - **Packing List**: Sunscreen, hat, waterproof bag, and cash (some vendors don’t accept cards) . --- ### **Sample Itinerary** - **Morning**: Bamboo rafting from **Jinlong Bridge**, explore **Jiuxian Village**. - **Afternoon**: Cycle to **Fuli Bridge**, picnic by the river. - **Evening**: Sunset at **Gongnong Bridge**, dinner in Yangshuo’s West Street. **#yulongriver #yangshuoadventure #guilintravel #bamboorafting**