Li River Trip?

Does anyone have good recommendations on arranging a good and affordable Li River trip and moderate acccomodations in Guilin and Yangshuo? Also interested in cool ideas for side trips from either place. I am taking my 8 years old on his first international experience and want to give him a good cross-cultural experience while also some familiar comforts so that he isn't turned off to this kind of travel. Any ideas you have would be great!

Many  have been there reported that a Youth Hostel i sa good place, comfortable and safe.

[size=2][font=arial]Ordinarily, I'd recommend travelers to Yangshuo make no reservations at all for Yangshuo -- since it's a completely Western-friendly locale. But since you have an eight-year-old, I see why you'd want to.[/font][/size] [font=arial][size=2] [/size][/font] [size=2][font=arial]While I don't have any specific hotels to recommend, let me tell you a few quick opinions.[/font][/size] [font=arial][size=2] [/size][/font] [size=2][font=arial]1. Stay in Yangshuo, not in Guilin. There's still very little English in Guilin, while Yangshuo is THE backpacker mecca of China. [/font][/size] [font=arial][size=2] [/size][/font] [size=2][font=arial]2. So if you talk to a hotel/package operator, try to ask for this: Fly into Guilin, stay in Guilin one night, take the 4-hour Li River tour (there are many -- should be about $50 a person), then stay the rest of your time in Yangshuo.[/font][/size] [font=arial][size=2] [/size][/font] [size=2][font=arial]3. Don't know your boy, obviously, but he'll probably find plenty of things to do. You can rent a mountain bike for about $2 all day, plus a guide for another $6-10. There are a couple of caves to tour (although the level of safety is not exactly OSHA standards), and there's a great little hike up to Moon Hill. There are lazy raft rides (you can do the bike ride for an hour, then take a 3-hour raft ride back home with the bike on the raft). And in town, there's pizza and burgers and chocolate cake and ice cream.[/font][/size] [font=arial][size=2] [/size][/font] [size=2][font=arial]4. Finally, when are you going? It's uncomfortably hot most of the summer. [/font][/size] [font=arial][size=2] [/size][/font] [font=arial][size=2]Have a great time. I really envy your boy. I didn't get to China until I was 41 -- but when I got there I fell in love with the place and went back to teach English.[/size][/font]

hello, i can arrange the affodable river cruise and accomodations for you.