Major city · China
Yangshuo阳朔
Give Yangshuo 2–3 nights: one day on the Yulong River by bike or raft, one on the Li River stretch at Xingping, one for Moon Hill and the caves.
Yangshuo is a small county town on the Li River, ringed by limestone karst peaks, about 65 km south of Guilin. It has no airport and no useful railway station of its own, so you arrive by bus, taxi or boat from Guilin or by high-speed rail to Yangshuo/Xingping station. The town itself is walkable in an afternoon; the reason to stay is the countryside around it — river valleys, cycling tracks, caves and world-class rock climbing. It is now mainly a domestic Chinese destination, so expect Chinese menus and few English speakers outside hotels.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, rain and crowds), Chinese New Year and the first week of October
- Airport
- KWL
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Yangshuo110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Yangshuo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyYangshuo is calm and clean by Chinese city standards; the real risks are bag-snatching from motorbikes while you cycle, unlicensed petrol scooters…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKWL Guilin Liangjiang International (Nearest airport, in Guilin.
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice noodles¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerbottle in a bar / can from a shop¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town, after bargaining¥10–30 (≈ US$2–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥80–150 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥900 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,100 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KWL Guilin Liangjiang International (Nearest airport, in Guilin. Airport shuttle to Yangshuo northern bus station, about 90 min, ¥50.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Apr (18 rain days), driest Nov (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yangshuo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
18 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
18 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Dec
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk. Electric minibuses run five routes at ¥1 a ride. Bicycles rent for ¥20–50 a day (better brands about ¥50); electric scooters about ¥100 a day and need no licence, while petrol vehicles do. Taxis are few and refuse the meter — agree a price first, roughly ¥10–30 in town after bargaining. Motorbike taxis do short hops for ¥8–15. Minibuses from the bus terminal reach Gaotian (Moon Hill), Jinbao via Baisha (Yulong Bridge), Fuli and Xingping for a few yuan.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Xingping and the Yangdi–Xingping river stretch
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Minibus from Yangshuo bus terminal, about 45 min, ¥5.5 (≈ under US$1); or cycle out and take a raft
The most famous Li River scenery, including the view printed on the ¥20 note. Go early, before the big tour boats.
Moon Hill
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Gaotian minibus from the bus terminal, then a short walk to the steps
Steep stepped climb through the arch; the Gaotian van leaves every 15 min and the last one back picks up around 18:30.Steep stepped climb through the arch; the Gaotian van leaves every 15 min and the last one back picks up around 6:30 PM.
Yulong River valley
goDoor to door: 20–40 min to the riverside tracks
Bike or scooter west from town, or minibus towards Jinbao via Baisha
Riverside cycling tracks and stone bridges; the paths are easy to lose, so take a map or guide.
Guilin
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Express bus from Guilin Bus Terminal, every 20 min, about 1.5 h, ¥22 (≈ US$4)
Use it as your arrival or departure leg, not a day trip in both directions.
Longsheng rice terraces
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Bus or car north via Guilin, then local transport up to the villages
Doable as a long day trip if you start early, but staying overnight in Ping'an allows for sunrise views without the rush.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
West Street (Xijie) and Guihua Lu
The old tourist core, bars and cafés on the creek; loud at night, walkable to everything.
Diecuilu and Pantao Rd
Main bus station sits at the corner; more hotels, quieter, 10–15 min walk to West Street.
Riverside, south end of town
Hotels near the Li River foot of town; calmer, still a short walk to the centre.
Yulong River valley villages
Guesthouses 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) out among the fields; you need a bike, scooter or arranged shuttle.Guesthouses 3.1–6.2 mi (5–10 km) out among the fields; you need a bike, scooter or arranged shuttle.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–700 (≈ US$50–100) excl. bed
- High
- ¥700 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 3 nights × CN¥350 | CN¥1,050 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CN¥500 | CN¥3,000 |
| Airport shuttle KWL to Yangshuo, one way2 × CN¥50 | CN¥100 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × CN¥40 | CN¥80 |
| Li River cruise, one way from Guilin2 × CN¥400 · cheaper by joining a tour group | CN¥800 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥527 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥966 per person per day, bed included | CN¥5,797≈ US$850 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Noodle soup or rice noodles | ¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: bottle in a bar / can from a shop | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bicycle rental, one dayBetter brands about ¥50. | ¥20–50 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Electric scooter rental, one day | About ¥100 (≈ US$14) |
| Local minibus ride | ¥1–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi within town, after bargaining | ¥10–30 (≈ US$2–5) |
| Local guide, per person per day | About ¥100 (≈ US$14) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥80–150 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi and minibus touts at Guilin station overcharge; buy from the counter at the bus terminal instead.
- Petrol scooters and motorbikes are illegal without a Chinese licence; police mostly ignore electric scooters.
- Bag-snatching from motorbikes happens to cyclists — use a closed basket and lock it.
- Shops pay guides commission, so guided 'shopping' stops are overpriced; bargain hard and shop without a guide.
- Businesses move or close often; a listed address may be out of date.
- In the winter dry season Li River cruises may start halfway down the river, with a bus leg first.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Yangshuo阳朔
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请带我去这个地址Please take me to this address
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most embassies are in Beijing and consulates-general in Guangzhou or Chengdu; there is no consulate in Yangshuo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Guilin Airport → Yangshuo, shuttle: ¥50 (≈ US$7), about 90 min
- Guilin → Yangshuo, express bus: ¥22 (≈ US$4), about 1.5 h
- Li River cruise, Guilin → Yangshuo: ¥400 (≈ US$60)+, slower than the bus
- Taxi within town: ¥10–30 (≈ US$2–5) after bargaining
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shao qián)
- 太贵了 — Too expensive (tài guì le)
- 我不要导游 — I don't want a guide (wǒ bú yào dǎo yóu)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
Carry small notes for minibuses and rafts; many small vendors take cash or a phone payment app only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Yangshuo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, rain and crowds), Chinese New Year and the first week of October · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KWL: shuttle times, taxi fallback and the last bus from Guilin, field-checked.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: West Street, Guihua Lu, Diecuilu/Pantao Rd and the riverside.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Moon Hill, Yulong Bridge, Xingping raft pier, caves) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.