Cruise or bamboo raft?

The cruise is a full journey from Guilin to Yangshuo, with assigned seats, a cabin, lunch, and an upper deck. It is the most comfortable way to see the river, and it handles light rain well. The downside is the group format, the fixed schedule, and the length: four hours is a long time on a boat if you are not enjoying the company.

The cruise is the better choice for families with small children, older travellers, and anyone who wants to combine transport and sightseeing. The cruise guide covers the details.

Rafts are two-person platforms with a boatman, poled along a section of the river. The Li River raft usually runs from Yangdi to Xingping, about 90 minutes, covering the best scenery. The Yulong River raft is shorter and gentler, through farmland and villages. Rafts are open to the weather and closer to the water.

The raft is the better choice for couples, photographers, and anyone who wants a more intimate experience. It is also cheaper and easier to fit into a half-day. The Yulong River guide and Xingping guide cover the routes.

The cruise runs in light rain and has covered areas; the raft does not. High water can cancel both, but rafts are more sensitive. In winter, the raft is cold and exposed; the cruise cabin is warmer. In summer, the raft is cooler and more pleasant.

If you have limited time and the weather is uncertain, the cruise is the safer bet. If the forecast is good, the raft is the more memorable experience. The water level guide explains the conditions.

Choose the cruise if: you need to get to Yangshuo, you have children or older travellers, you want comfort, or the weather is mixed. Choose the raft if: you want the best scenery in a short time, you are travelling as a couple, or you want to be close to the water.

You can also do both: cruise one way, raft on the Yulong the next day. That is what most three-day itineraries do. The 3-day route shows how.