14 Li River and Yangtze Cruises Worth Flying For

1.Huangpu Night Cruise: Cozy Vibe & Modern Shanghai Glow

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 520 reviews · 1 day · from $21Our pick

Cruise the Huangpu River for about 45 minutes, passing the Bund, Lujiazui towers, Oriental Pearl Tower, and historic bridges. Choose a daytime or evening sailing, then select indoor, semi-open, or open-air viewing areas. Tickets cost about $21, but outdoor and seated areas may require an extra RMB100. Collect paper tickets at the pier with your passport and booking code.

“It was an amazing experience from start to end. Really enjoyed the beautiful buildings on both sides of Huangpu River at night. Just a smooth ride.”

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2.Private Evening Tour: VIP Huangpu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · from $128Top rated

Spend an evening with your own Shanghai guide and driver, visiting Yuyuan Old Street, cruising the Huangpu River from the VIP deck, viewing Pudong’s towers, and walking through Xintiandi. Guides such as Autumn, Mary, Tom, Linda, and Roy are praised for strong English, local insight, flexible pacing, and helpful photos.

“Great and knowledgeable tour guide. She helped me with great pictures. Would highly recommend this trip.”

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

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

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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4.4 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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5.Chongqing: Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Board near Hongyadong pier for a 45-minute evening cruise on Chongqing’s Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. You’ll pass modern buildings, riverbank scenery, and the Grand Theatre while the city lights come alive. The boat usually runs between 19:00 and 21:00. Bring your passport, arrive early, and consider the optional 80-yuan VIP seating if you want a better view.

“The cruise was very nice and I would recommend to buy the vip package for 80 Yuan on board.”

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6.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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7.Guangzhou: Pearl River 1-hour Night Cruise (Optional Piers)

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 39 reviews · 1 day · from $15Best value

Take a Pearl River night cruise for about 40 minutes, or up to 70 minutes from Xidi Pier. Choose among six piers, including Tianzi, Haixinsha West District, and Canton Tower Fortune Pier. Your ticket includes an open-air seat, but you must check your email for the exact sailing time and ticket collection instructions.

“magnifique moment même s'il faisait très froid. Un peu compliqué à trouver le point de départ.”

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9.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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10.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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11.3 star Li River Cruise & Sightseeing Tour

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

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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12.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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13.4D3N Yangtze River Victoria Cruise: Chongqing to Yichang

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 9 reviews · 4 hours - 4 days · from $647

Spend three nights aboard a Victoria five-star ship sailing from Chongqing to Yichang. You will pass through the Qutang and Xiling Gorges, visit Shuanggui Mountain, Shennv Stream, and the Three Gorges Dam, and enjoy Chinese and international meals onboard. Andy’s private China Tours arranges the ship details and English-speaking support.

“Tour along the Yangtze river was a great experience. Food was amazing. Soft drinks and juices are included in lunch/dinner, so skip the drinking packages, they are not worth it. Drinks and cocktails are cheap anyway and there‘s not enough time in between to enjoy all of these flat rates. Staff is really friendly and helpful. However, if you enroll in all the excursions, get some drinks in the bar in the evening and the luggage transportation, be prepared to spend another good amount on the cruise ship 😅 Bring some cash for the guys that transport your luggage from the pier to the ship (there are hundreds of steps)…”

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14.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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