The Yulong River winds for roughly forty kilometers south of Yangshuo in the Guangxi Autonomous Region of China. Less visited than the Li, it cuts through a landscape of limestone karsts, rice paddies and rural villages untouched by mass tourism. The journey by bamboo raft between ancient stone bridges forms the centerpiece of the experience.

Practical information at a glance

• Access: depart from Yangshuo by bicycle, electric scooter or taxi — expect about 10 km to reach the Gongnong Bridge area.
• Recommended duration: half-day to full day depending on the section chosen.
• What to wear: lightweight clothing, shoes that can get wet; bring a light rain jacket during the rainy season.
• Bamboo raft: paid activity, rates negotiated on site with local boatmen — no fixed official tariff.
• Bicycle: rentals available in Yangshuo; the riverside path is passable and gently rolling.

What you'll see

Along the Yulong, karst peaks succeed one another as a backdrop to cultivated fields. Water buffalo sometimes ford across the river. Several stone arch bridges dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties span the river at regular intervals. The bamboo rafts glide through gentle rapids, allowing close observation of riverside vegetation.

History and context

The Yulong valley has been inhabited for centuries by Zhuang and Han agricultural communities. The stone bridges — including the famous Fuli Bridge and Gongnong Bridge — were built to connect villages before the era of modern roads. The karst landscape results from limestone erosion that began tens of millions of years ago, the same geological process that shaped the entire Guilin-Yangshuo region.

Highlights of your visit

Bamboo raft descent

Boatmen maneuver long poles to guide the raft through gentle rapids. The descent typically covers several kilometers, with stops possible near the bridges. The experience is serene and motorless, allowing you to hear birdsong and the current.

Gongnong Bridge

This single-span stone arch bridge is one of the valley's best preserved. It frames the river beautifully with karsts in the background, particularly striking early in the morning before tour groups arrive.

Bicycle excursion

The cycling path alongside the Yulong from Yangshuo passes through hamlets where agricultural life unfolds without tourist staging. It's the most independent way to explore the valley at your own pace.

Terraced rice paddies

During the growing season (spring-summer), flooded fields mirror the sky and karsts. In autumn, golden ears of rice contrast with the green hillsides. The landscape transforms dramatically depending on the season.

Photography tips

Morning light, before 9 am, creates a gentle mist over the river that softens backgrounds and isolates the karst peaks. Gongnong Bridge photographs well from the lower riverbank, including its reflection in calm water. Avoid peak hours (10 am–2 pm) when rafts accumulate and clutter the frame. A moderate telephoto lens allows you to isolate buffalo or boatmen without disturbing them.

Location and access

The Yulong River is accessible from Yangshuo, a town itself connected to Guilin by road (approximately 1.5 hours) and by boat on the Li. The main embarkation point for rafts is near Gongnong Bridge, southwest of Yangshuo. The cycling path is passable without motorized assistance. Accessibility for people with reduced mobility is limited: riverbanks are earthen and bridge approaches have steps.

Nearby attractions

• Yangshuo — essential base camp, with markets, restaurants and bicycle rentals.
• Li River — the boat descent from Guilin to Yangshuo offers the region's most iconic karst panorama.
• Moon and Sun Hill (Yueyue Shan) — natural site near Yangshuo, recognizable by its two stacked limestone arches.
• Fuli Village — craft village famous for hand-painted fans, accessible from the Yulong.