A bamboo raft on the Yulong River is one of the gentlest ways to see the Yangshuo countryside. Choose a calm day, a shorter stretch and the right hour, and it suits families and couples equally.
If you are picturing a slow drift but worry about children, water and sun, that care is well placed. A few checks make the ride relaxed.
What is the Yulong River raft ride?
You sit on a small bamboo-style raft with a boatman and drift past fields, bridges and limestone hills. The hills belong to the South China Karst, inscribed by UNESCO (the United Nations heritage agency) in 2007[1].
It is slower and quieter than the Li River cruise. The river runs through the Yangshuo countryside, so you can pair it with cycling lanes and village walks.
Who enjoys it most?
Families with children who like water, couples looking for a quiet hour, and photographers who prefer a low angle. Yangshuo sits at about 137 m, so grandparents will not feel altitude[2].
It is less suited to anyone afraid of water, or anyone who cannot step in and out of a small raft. In that case a village walk is a better choice.
How long and when?
Allow most of a morning or an afternoon. Morning is cooler and calmer, while late afternoon gives softer light. Midday is hot, with strong sun and heavier crowds.
Avoid public holiday weeks, such as the 2026 National Day holiday, which ran 1 to 7 October[3]. Rain makes rafts slippery, so keep a flexible day in your plan.
How do you get there from Malaysia?
Fly to a Chinese gateway first, then continue to Guilin. Guilin Liangjiang Airport is about 28 km southwest of the city centre[4]. From there, bus, taxi or a private car takes you to Yangshuo.
Malaysian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay without a visa[5]. Rules can change, so check the official source before you fly.
Our Guilin to Yangshuo transport guide compares your options for the last leg.
Where should you base yourself?
Choose Yangshuo town for evenings and food, or a countryside guesthouse for quiet. Yangshuo West Street received over 21.1 million tourists in 2023, with Chinese and English signage[6]. That helps non-Mandarin speakers, but it is busy at night.
Our West Street versus countryside guide helps you choose.
What should you check before you pay?
Ask the operator these questions.
- Where does the raft start and end, and how long is the ride?
- Are life jackets provided, and in children’s sizes?
- Is there a canopy or shade, and what happens in rain?
- What is the age or height rule for children?
- How do we get back to our hotel afterwards?
What do seniors and children need?
Bring a hat, sunscreen and a waterproof pouch. Children should wear a life jacket for the whole ride and stay seated. Seniors should check how easy it is to board and step off, and choose the shortest stretch.
Save 120 for an ambulance[7]. Carry cash as well as your phone, since renminbi is legal tender and merchants are urged to accept it[8].
What about halal food and prayer?
Plan a proper halal meal before or after the ride, and carry snacks and water. Look for the green Arabic sign and 清真 (qingzhen), and favour Hui-run restaurants, since the Hui avoid pork[9].
In February 2025 JAKIM (Malaysia’s Islamic development department) removed the China Islamic Association from its list of recognised foreign halal certification bodies[10], so check halal.gov.my. Pray at your guesthouse before you leave and again on return.
Are there better options in some cases?
If rain is heavy, switch to a covered village visit. If your group wants views from higher up, consider Xianggong Hill and Xingping. For a bigger river day, see the Li River cruise guide.
How does it fit a wider route?
Put the raft on a day with little else. Combine it with a gentle cycling loop, as in our cycling and bamboo raft route. For more days in the area, see the Yangshuo slow stay or the attractions topic page.