Best Guilin River Cruises — Our Top 8

1.1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · from $209Our pick

You’ll leave your Guilin hotel around 8:30 a.m. with a private English-speaking guide and driver, then cruise the Li River for about four hours to Yangshuo. Lunch is served aboard the boat. Afterward, you’ll see the countryside and walk West Street before a private transfer back to Guilin. Guide assignments vary, with Tony praised for his patient help.

“1-Day Guilin Tour to Reed Flute Cave, Xianggong Hill, Bamboo Boat & Night Show This tour was truly amazing, made even more special by our excellent English-speaking guide, Mr. Jeff. He is caring, attentive, and took very good care of us Read more”

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2.4 Star Luxury Li River Cruise with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $92

You’ll be collected from a downtown Guilin hotel around 8:00 AM, driven to Zhujiang Pier, and spend about four hours cruising to Yangshuo. The boat offers indoor seating, an observation deck, and a Chinese or Western buffet lunch. There is no English-speaking guide, but a QR code provides commentary in several languages.

“Hello, thank you for your booking. I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed your Li river tour .Wish you a great trip in China.Thanks!”

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3.Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Private Day Tour from Guilin

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 53 reviews · from $132

Meet your English-speaking driver and guide in Guilin for a four-hour Li River cruise to Yangshuo. Expect dramatic karst peaks, onboard Chinese lunch, and free time on West Street. Return to Guilin by car at a set time, or stay in Yangshuo. Guide quality and pickup communication can vary, so confirm the details before departure.

“This is a must do. The guide, Fifi, called me at the hotel the night before to make sure we knew where to meet. She spoke great English and made sure we made it. The river cruise is amazing.”

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4.Private day tour :Guilin-LiRiver bamboo boat-Yangshuo Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $135 per boat (seats 4)

Spend about 10 hours exploring Guilin and Yangshuo with a private English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Reed Flute Cave, Daxu Ancient Town, and the Li River by electric bamboo boat, then climb Xianggong Hill before Impression Sanjie Liu. Guides Jerry and Jeff are available when assigned.

“Unforgettable day. Jerry and his team did an amazing job!!! He gave us recommendations based on our preferences to make most of our time in Guilin. Jerry always available for any questions. He also helped us to book the transportation froRead more”

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5.Private Full-Day Li River Cruise and Liusanjie Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 27 reviews · 12 hours · from $263

You’ll cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo beneath karst peaks, eat lunch on board, stroll West Street, and watch the 70-minute Liu Sanjie show. A private English-speaking guide such as Jeff, Leo, Alonso, or Josef handles the long day, transport, and timing. Check the show-ticket payment terms before booking.

“Jeff was an outstanding Guide who took great care of us!”

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6.3 star Li River Cruise & Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 20 reviews · 1 day · from $82Best value

Start with pickup from a downtown Guilin hotel around 8am, then ride to Mopan Pier for a 3.5 to 4-hour 3-star Li River cruise. Enjoy karst peaks, farms, villages, and water buffalo, with lunch served onboard. After arriving in Yangshuo, you get about two hours to explore independently. English and Chinese support is available, but no private guide or return transfer is included.

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7.Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Biking & Flexible Pricing

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $152 per boat (seats 2)

This private Guilin to Yangshuo day trip combines a four-hour Li River cruise with West Street, countryside cycling, and the Yulong River. Your English-speaking driver and guide, possibly Blues Lee, Bruce Lee, or Mok, handles transport and bicycles. Boat tickets cost extra, so compare the standard and deluxe options before booking.

“Bruce lee is a great guide! Very kind, nice and polite!! I suggest him to everyone”

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8.Night Cruise on Two Rivers & Four Lakes with Lights

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $92

You’ll ride an air-conditioned sightseeing boat through Guilin’s Li River, Peach Blossom River, and four city lakes for about 1.5 hours. Large panoramic windows frame the Twin Pagodas and musical fountains, while an English-speaking driver handles hotel pickup and return. Evening departures vary, so confirm your exact time the day before.

“We had a great night experience ! On the fist boat, we can be outside most of the time to let us the best view possible 👍👍 The guide was reliable, sympathetic with useful information!”

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