Kayaking was a great way to experience the Li River scenery and this tour definitely counted as a favourite among travellers visiting Yangshuo. The stretch of the Li-river south of Yangshuo, between Fuli and Liugong may not be as renowned as its counter-part up north, but it is still an amazing area to enjoy and renting your own kayak offers the opportunity to be on the water in a less touristy environment without tour boats and only a few bamboo-rafts drifting by. Floating down the river you are surrounded by the true rural riverside lifestyle of Yangshuo. The fishermen sit maintaining their nets, farmers let their water buffalo bask in the sun and enjoy the water while they slumber in the shade of a nearby bamboo tree.
Unfortunately, kayaking has been banned on the Li-river and trips are now organised on the Shazi river, a tributary of the Yulong river, about an hour drive from Yangshuo. While the surroundings are truly stunning and serene, there are several dams along this 2 hour stretch where you’d need to get out of the kayaks to pass the dams. With little current, many interruptions and full grown vegetation along most the shores it resembles a kayaking trip in a lake, rather than on a majestic river. Still worth to consider for young families but perhaps not as appealing for adult adventurers.
The kayaks used are the faster fibreglass versions or wide bottomed plastic canoes of a type suitable for children and beginners so you are not expected to have any previous experience. In addition the river along this stretch is very calm and easy to paddle so you don’t even need to be particularly fit. You should however beware of the sun which even on an overcast day can leave you burnt red as a lobster.
| Getting There: Kayak rental fees include transportation to/from the center of Yangshuo or accommodation near the center of Yangshuo. |
| Times/Duration: Kayak trip takes half a day with about 1.5-2 hours on the river. This depends on the season & current strength and can be done either in the morning (09:00am pick-up) or afternoon (1:00pm pick-up) |
| Cost/Prices: Price for a kayaking trip including transfers is 240Y per person. Discounts are available for groups. |
| Booking Information: Send us an email at info@yangshuo-insider.com. |
Do you still offer kayak tours? Many people have told me that they have been banned by the government. I have a party of four who would like to kayak on the Li River on April 13.
Patti
Hello Patty,
The issues have been resolved and kayaking services on the Li-river have resumed again. For a party of 4 we can offer the tour for 200Y per person including the transfers from and back to Yangshuo centre or countryside accommodation near the centre of Yangshuo.
they tell me the light show is a “no go”, is this true… or just this tour thing isn’t offering it?… Or it is all sold out for July 18-19 …… we have a typhoon coming in +/- 4 days… what about Yanshuo/Guilin?
Hi there,
The light show, on occasion is cancelled due to severe weather conditions, however our weather forecast for Yangshuo over the coming week isn’t great but that is often misleading. The forecast for today, for example, was thunderstorms and torrential rain. We had a glorious day today, blue skies and sunshine. In the event of a cancellation all tickets are refunded or rescheduled so there’s no risk of losing out financially.
Everyone I’ve booked tickets for, for the light show, has really enjoyed it, so I’m not sure who’s describing it as a “no-go” that seems a little bizarre to me.
I hope this helps,
Jono
Hi there,
The light show, on occasion is cancelled due to severe weather conditions, however our weather forecast for Yangshuo over the coming week isn’t great but that is often misleading. The forecast for today, for example, was thunderstorms and torrential rain. We had a glorious day today, blue skies and sunshine. In the event of a cancellation all tickets are refunded or rescheduled so there’s no risk of losing out financially.
Everyone I’ve booked tickets for, for the light show, has really enjoyed it, so I’m not sure who’s describing it as a “no-go” that seems a little bizarre to me.
I hope this helps,
Jono
Hi,
We are four guys who would like to kayak down li jiang, and we were wondering what the price is per person? We are planning to do so monday, tuesday, wednesday or thursday next week.
Kind regards
Anders
Hi there Anders,
I’ll email you directly with up to date prices,
Thanks for the enquiry,
Jono
Hello, I’m interested in.kayaking this week (I’m in Yangshuo now). Please advise costs and availability – I am travellimg solo. Thanks
Hi Thalia,
Let me know what day you were thinking and I’ll check for you,
Kind regards
Jono
Hi Thalia,
So availability is good all week, we have two departure times, 10am and 2pm, for either time you will be picked up from your hotel / hostel an hour before hand. You will go to Fuli town and kayak along the Li River to PuYi. Where you will be picked up and taken back to Yangshuo. The price is 200Y per person including the drive out to Fuli and back to Yangshuo from Puyi.
Please let me know if you would like me to book this for you,
All the best,
Jono
Dear Yangshuo Insider.
I’m taking my dad and grandma to Yangshuo to show them the beautiful scenery, and we would like to go Kayaking in Yangshuo on Li River Feb. 28th.
I have done it two times before. My grandma wouldn’t be able to kayak, but would be great if she could sit on the bamboo boat with the guy following us.
So two people kayaking and one sitting on the bamboo boat.
Could we please get an offer?
Thank you in advance.
Best wishes,
Steffen