Guilin to Yangshuo - Backroads & Boat

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• Day 1: Meet in Guilin

  Lunch & Dinner 53 km

  Your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel in Guilin in the morning with your bikes ready to go with racks and panniers set up for you to take your overnight gear. The van will return to Yangshuo and have your main gear waiting for your arrival and the end of the next day. Once on the road you'll be surprised how quickly we get off the city streets. Within minutes we'll be winding through quiet lanes and alleys , passing by vegetable plots and local homes to reach the countryside. Our secret route takes us away from any traffic and is mostly sealed all the way (single track is there for the mountain bikers). We cycle through dozens of villages before emerging in Daxu, an ancient water town. After lunch it's a short ride along the Li River to Caoping where we board a motorised bamboo raft for the two hour punt along the most picturesque scenery along the Li. We stay in a secluded local guesthouse in Xingping for the evening.

• Day 2: Cycle to Yangshuo

  Breakfast & Lunch 45 km

  Our last day of cycling is a highlight! This section is famous for its beautiful karst mountains and is a fantastic start to the day as we cross the river on a local ferry before heading into the hills for some of the finest views of the tour. We ride away from the river and pass through Baisha town, where we’ll visit the regions largest produce market, before taking our time riding down the lush and serene Dragon River valley. Nestled amongst paddy fields, overlooked by the centuries old Yu Long (Dragon Meeting) Bridge, we will stop for lunch in a local farmer’s restaurant by the river and with the option for a refreshing swim. From here we cycle small countryside trails and paths to emerge in legendary Yangshuo, popular with travellers from all over the world, where the tour ends! Here you'll meet your luggage, and you're free to take your onward travel but we highly suggest another day or two is worth the stay in the Yangshuo area.

• Why does the tour finish in Yangshuo but no accommodation is provided there?

  This tour is a great alternative for those wishing to travel from Guilin to Yangshuo by boat - but find the crowded tourist boats unappealing - or simply want to see more of the fabulous scenery along one of China's most famous rivers in a more in depth and fun way.

  We've designed the tour this way to cater for those with a tight time frame, those who may wish to return to Guilin accommodation directly after the tour or those who may have their own accommodation in mind for further stay in Yangshuo.  We have shower facilities in our shop in Yangshuo so it is possible to freshen up after the tour finishes in the late afternoon and we can direct you to convenient transport back to Guilin, Yangshuo hotels or onward travel.

  We offer several other multi day tours that include time in Yangshuo and beyond.  Feel free to contact us for further details about a tour that suits you or advice on accommodation and activities in Yangshuo.  We've been based in Yangshuo for over 15 years and are happy to pass on our experience and knowledge of the region.

• Is the tour difficult?

  Not at all.  But it can be if you want it to be! The route between Guilin and Yangshuo offers a myriad of routes, from easy to challenging, so we can customise the riding to your ability without compromising any of the views and experience.  Just let us know what your riding level is when you book.

• What happens to our luggage? Do we have to carry anything?

  You only need to carry what you need for each days riding.  We reccommend a small backpack that can fit your camera, sunscreen, any extra clothing, wallet, passport, etc.  If you need us to supply a handlebar bag just let us know if you prefer one.  

  The rest of your luggage will be transported to the next destination and be waiting for you when you arrive.  

• Can we change the itinerary or customise the tour?

  Not for publicly listed dates, but if you have your own group or date in mind, Yes.  If you want to make a private booking we can help design a tour that suits you.  You may have ideas based on any of our tours or something in mind that you can't find on our website.  Just get in contact with us and let us know what you have in mind and we'll try our best to make it happen!

• Do you cater for vegetarians?

  Yes we do!  If you have any dietery requirements just let us know when you book in the space provided (Additional Requests).  For any severe alergies or other conditions it is best that you let us know in advance so that we can prepare and/ or advise you on what we can provide or what you might need to bring so that are well catered for.

• What about Covid 19?

  Covid restrictions have passed for most countries and it is now possible to obtain tourist visas for China. For China you may need to provide a personal Covid test within taken 24 hours before your departure, these are only checked randomly, and can also be taken on arrival.

  During all our tours we take care to avoid any transferring of any viruses, such as Covid, through providing hand sanitisers and minimising exposure.  As with any illness, all care will be made for the participants well being during the tour and we will help with any arrangements that need to be made if the participant needs to leave the tour (this will be at the cost of the participant).  Costs for unused segments of tours cannot be refunded, for any reason, as all tour costs are paid in advance.

• How to I make a booking and payment?

  Simply go to the "Dates" section of the tour page and click on the "book now" button, or click on "book" on the website header and select your preferred tour and departure date.  If you are booking onto an on demand tour and have your own dates in mind there will be an facility for you book here too.

  Before you book, we recommend that you read through the tour details and our booking terms and conditions. You can contact us about the trip if you have any questions at info@bikeasia.com or set up a time to chat about the tour.  

  Upon completion of your booking form we’ll send you an acknowledgement email and invoice for a deposit. All long trips (7 days or more) require a deposit of 300USD to guarantee your place. Trips departing within 60 days at booking will require full payment. Once your deposit is received, we’ll also send you a pre-trip information pack that will give you added information about the tour, the region you’ll be travelling through, a checklist of things to prepare, suggestions for packing, training tips and more.  For shorter trips and day tours we require full payment 30 days prior to the commencement of the tour or as soon as convenient if booking within 30 days of departure.

  Payments can be made on credit card via Paypal or through a direct bank transfer in most currencies. Information on payments will be present on your initial deposit invoice. Paypal payments will incur a 4% fee.