Option 1 — the Li River cruise (the one people mean)
A four- to five-hour boat from Zhujiang Pier near Guilin to Yangshuo, through the karst scenery on the ¥20 note. Departs around 09:00–10:00, arrives mid-afternoon. Includes lunch, which is forgettable.
- Book a day ahead; seats are assigned by boat class.
- The best views are from the upper deck, and the front fills fast.
- You arrive in Yangshuo town centre, which is the point.
- Not running during the dry season when water levels are too low — check before relying on it.
Option 2 — high-speed rail (the trap)
Yangshuo Station (阳朔站) is actually in Xingping, about 40 minutes by shuttle from Yangshuo town. It is convenient for Xingping itself — which has the best of the karst scenery — and inconvenient for West Street.
From Guilin: 25 minutes to Yangshuo Station, then a ¥20 shuttle or ¥80 taxi. Total door to door: about 90 minutes. Compared with the bus, it is not faster. It is more comfortable.
Option 3 — bus
From Guilin Qintan bus station, roughly every 20 minutes, 90 minutes, ¥30. Drops you in Yangshuo town. Unglamorous and the most practical option if you are not doing the cruise.
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Li River cruise | 4–5 h | ¥210–450 | The scenery; arriving by water |
| High-speed rail + shuttle | 1.5 h | ¥27 + ¥20 | Comfort, Xingping |
| Bus | 1.5 h | ¥30 | Direct to Yangshuo town, cheap |
| Private car | 1.5 h | ¥300–400 | Luggage, families, flexible stops |
The itinerary that works
Two nights in Guilin is one night too many. Do this instead: arrive Guilin, sleep one night, take the morning cruise to Yangshuo, stay two nights there, and either cycle the Yulong River loop or take the shuttle to Xingping for the viewpoint. Fly out of Guilin or take the high-speed line on to Guangzhou.