Li River Drift

Li River Drift

Drifting is the recommended way to enjoy the Li River. Floating along the river on a bamboo raft, you’ll be surrounded by picturesque landscapes on both sides — a truly delightful experience.

There are six docks along the Li River drift route, in the following order: Yulong Bridge Dock, Xiatai Village Dock, Chaoyang Dock, Hongqi Dock, Windmill Dock (Dock 028), and the final Gongnong Bridge Dock. The full drift usually takes about five hours. You can also choose to drift in sections, commonly divided into the upper half and the lower half. The upper half is from Yulong Bridge Dock to Xiatai Village Dock, and the lower half is from Chaoyang Dock to Gongnong Bridge. The lower half drift is the most recommended and common option. A popular way to experience it is to bike the upper half and drift the lower half, allowing you to enjoy both the thrill of rafting and the fun of cycling.

The reason for recommending biking the upper half and drifting the lower half is that it’s well-balanced. The upper section of the Li River offers plenty of scenic views along the biking route that you can’t fully appreciate while drifting. For example, there’s Fulizhi Bridge, which is one of the best spots to view the pastoral scenery on both banks. There’s also Yulong Bridge, which looks similar to Fulizhi Bridge but is more famous, as well as Jiuxian Village, known as the “General’s Mansion” and “Scholar’s Pavilion.” You can enter these areas for free to admire ancient architecture, ruined city walls, old wells, and more, while also taking a rest. The lower half is ideal for rafting, featuring the most iconic scenery of the Li River, making rafting a better choice than biking. After the drift, it takes about 20–30 minutes to bike back to Yangshuo from Gongnong Bridge Dock.

Dining Options

When visiting the Li River for drifting, most meals are had in Jiuxian. There are many farmhouse restaurants to choose from, with Lao Gen Farmhouse Restaurant being especially popular for its delicious food and generous portions — many tourists visit specifically for it. Recommended signature dishes include Braised Chicken, Lipu Taro, Stir-fried Rape Blossoms, and Beer Spinefish. On the river, you may encounter locals selling grilled fish, grilled corn, and other snacks from their rafts. You can grab a bite if you’re hungry, though the grilled fish can be a bit pricey.

Address:

Li River, Yangshuo County, Guilin City (Boarding docks: Jinqiaqiao, Yulong Bridge, Yima, Shui’edi, Wanjing, Xiatai, and Qing’edu Docks in Yangshuo County)

Phone:

0773-6910808

Opening Hours:

8:00–17:00; please check the actual opening times of each dock with the scenic area.

Ticket Prices:

Prices vary depending on the type of bamboo raft and the drift section. For example, the Wanjing–Camel Crossing River section (shared raft/8-person raft) costs 45 RMB. For detailed pricing, please call the scenic area directly.