Yangshuo Bike Guide: Best Routes, Itinerary & Tips

Guilin's Yangshuo County, with its unique karst landscapes and rural scenery, attracts countless visitors every year.

While bamboo rafting on the Yulong River offers classic vistas, escape the tourist trail by pedaling through Yangshuo's living tapestry of rice paddies and karst peaks.

Here, bicycles unlock hidden rural narratives cars and e-bikes cannot reach, explore narrow paths stitching together riverbank hamlets, Ming-dynasty stone bridges, and water buffalo-dotted fields where farmers still plant seedlings by hand.

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• Why Is Cycling the Most Recommended?
• Baisha Town with Yulong River Bamboo Raft Cycling Route: Where Culture Meets Karst
• Best Times for Yangshuo Biking: From September to November
• The Shili Gallery Cycling Route: Yangshuo's Essential Scenic Ride
• Epic Yangshuo Countryside Loop: Seeking Hidden Gems
• Ride With Us: 5-Day Guilin Biking Adventure

Why Is Cycling the Most Recommended?

When visiting Yangshuo, you typically have three choices: cycling, renting an electric scooter, or taking a vehicle tour. But here's the secret: Yangshuo's true magic lies hidden down village lanes, along quiet river paths, and beyond ancient bridges. These charming spots are often inaccessible by car or even electric scooter due to the rural terrain. That's why cycling emerges as the most liberating and authentic way to truly experience Yangshuo.

You can stop at any time to listen to the gentle rush of water flowing over a weir, feel the lush texture of rice paddies swaying beside you, and exchange a friendly wave with a local herding water buffalo. Free from the hum of engines and blaring horns, you'll slip effortlessly into the slow rhythm of rural life, becoming part of the landscape itself.

Cycling also offers a gentler pace, enhancing safety. If a playful animal darts across your path or you encounter an unexpected situation, the slower speed and direct control of a bicycle make it much easier to react calmly.

The Shili Gallery Cycling Route: Yangshuo's Essential Scenic Ride

• Route Overview: Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion → Chaoyang Weir → Jima Wharf → Wanzhou Pavilion → Zhuyu Pavilion → Shui'edi Wharf → Gongnong Bridge
• Distance: 7km (approx. 1-2 hours)

Gongnong Bridge

If you are thinking about exploring the Yangshuo's countryside by cycling, this is your must: a concentration of the region's most breathtaking karst mountains, rivers, and rice paddies. Staying at a hotel within the Shili Gallery area makes it easier to join this route directly from your doorstep and cycle it in either direction.

Start at Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion. Pedal 500m southeast along the Yulong River to reach Chaoyang Weir. This famous stone weir is a perfect spot to pause (best not to step on the weir), dip your feet in the cool water, and soak up the scenery.

Continue southeast for another 500m. At the first junction, turn left, then immediately right. After 500m, you'll arrive at Jima Wharf. Here (and later at Shui'edi Wharf), you'll likely see queues of visitors waiting for iconic bamboo raft rides.

From Jima Wharf, head south 500m. Look for a riverside path branching east then take it. This scenic trail winds past charming rest pavilions like Wanzhou Pavilion and Zhuyu Pavilion. After about 2km along the river, rejoin the main Shili Gallery road.

Cycle southeast on the main road for 2.2km. Watch for signs pointing to Shui'edi Wharf, and follow them 400m to reach the Wharf itself.

From Shui'edi Wharf, follow the river path 1km before merging back onto the main road. Cycle 1.8km further to reach Gongnong Bridge. This is a great spot for admiring sunsets and being your grand finale: pause on the bridge to watch bamboo rafts glide through the karst peaks.

West Street Round-Trip Route

• Route Overview: Pan Tao Road (West Street Entrance) → Longyue Road → Township Road Y066 → Chaoyang Village → Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion → Chaoyang Weir → Jima Wharf → Wanzhou Pavilion → Zhuyu Pavilion → Shui'edi Wharf → Gongnong Bridge → Guangcheng Road → Kangzhan Road → Pan Tao Road (West Street Entrance)
• Distance: 19km (approx. 2-3 hours)

West Street

Perfect if you're heading straight after disembarkation of your Li River cruise or West Street hotel to explore Yangshuo's countryside.

Start at Pan Tao Road (West Street entrance). Turn right, cycling 900m until you see a pedestrian crossing. Cross to the opposite side onto Longyue Road. (Tip: If you hit a dual-carriageway near a gas station, you've gone too far!).

After 200m, pass the junction with Jingfeng Road and continue west on Longyue Road for 800m. You'll leave the town behind, entering a landscape of rice paddies, woodlands, and emerald-green karst hills.

Follow Township Road Y066 for 2km to a major fork. Stay straight on Y066 for another 2km, then take the western fork. After 500m, at a crossroads, choose the southwest path and continue 700m west to reach Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion on the Yulong River.

From here, follow the Shili route above to Gongnong Bridge.

Returning to West Street: From Gongnong Bridge, take main Guangcheng Road north for 4km to the major intersection of Jingfeng Road and Kangzhan Road. Cross straight over, then cycle 2km along Kangzhan Road and Pan Tao Road back to West Street entrance.

Baisha Town with Yulong River Bamboo Raft Cycling Route: Where Culture Meets Karst

For travelers dedicating half a day to experience authentic Yangshuo life alongside stunning landscapes, this immersive route delivers both.

• Route Overview: Pan Tao Road (West Street Entrance) → Chengxi Road → G321 Highway → Baisha Market → Yulong Bridge (Bamboo Rafting) → Xiangui Bridge → Village Road 027 → Jiuxian General Wharf → Jiuxian Xinglong Wharf → Township Road Y090 → Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion → Chaoyang Weir → Township Road Y066 → Xiangshui Road → Yuxi Road → Jingfeng Road → Fengming NW Road → Pan Tao Road (West Street Entrance)
• Distance: 29km (approx. 4-5 hours, including 1-hour rafting)

Yulong River

Start at West Street Entrance. Turn right onto Pan Tao Road, cycle 1km to Chengxi Road, then join G321 Highway. Ride 9km northwest to vibrant Baisha Market.

Immerse yourself here by wandering through stalls bursting with local produce, and discovering hidden street food gems. If your visit falls on dates ending in 1, 4, or 7, the town transforms into a sprawling country fair (winds down by noon).

After Baisha Market, cycle 3km along X099 County Road to historic Yulong Bridge. You can board here for a 1-hour return raft trip featuring two thrilling weir drops and climbs amid breathtaking scenery, which is ideal if this is your only raft experience. However, we recommend the Shui'edi Wharf to Gongnong Bridge section for the most scenic views and a more weir drops experience.

After your bamboo rafting, follow the Yulong River for 1km, then turn north. After 500m, head south for 4km to Xiangui Bridge. This 900-year-old single-arch stone bridge is Guangxi's oldest, showcasing rare masonry techniques, and remains in use today.

Take Village Road 027 2km past Jiuxian General Wharf and Jiuxian Xinglong Wharf. Merge onto Y090 Township Road for 2km to familiar landmarks: Shuangliu Ferry Pavilion and Chaoyang Weir.

After taking a break, cycle 3km on Y066 Township Road, then turn onto Longyue Road. After 700m, turn right onto the main Jingfeng Road for 2km. Turn north when you arrive at the crossroads onto Kangzhan Road, and after 2km, you will return to the West Street entrance.

Epic Yangshuo Countryside Loop: Seeking Hidden Gems

This demanding 41km ride is designed for cycling enthusiasts, as a pedal-powered pilgrimage through timeless villages and iconic karst landscapes, far from the crowds.

• Route Overview: Pan Tao Road (West Street Entrance) → Jingfeng Road → Kangzhan Road → Guangcheng Road → Gongnong Bridge → Big Banyan Tree → Moon Hill → Township Road Y053 → Yong Village → County Road X100 → Township Road Y064 → Liugong Village → Township Road Y085 → Dutou Village Ferry (crosses Li River) → Linjiazha → Provincial Road S305 → Yangshuo Bridge → Guanlian Road → Pan Tao Road (West Street Entrance)
• Distance: 41km (approx. 6-7 hours, includes a 20-minute ferry ride)

Epic Yangshuo Countryside Loop

Start at the West Street Entrance. Cycle west 1km on Pan Tao Road, turn south onto Jingfeng Road for 2km, then southeast onto Kangzhan Road towards Guangcheng Road. After 4km, arrive at your first rest spot, Gongnong Bridge.

Continue 2km southeast on Guangcheng Road past two icons: Big Banyan Tree (1,500-year-old giant) and Moon Hill (moon-like limestone arch). Stop briefly to admire or take a photo if you haven't visited them earlier.

Turn onto Township Road Y053 and ride 10km through emerald rice valleys to Yong Village. Follow X100 County Road and then Y064 Township Road for 6km to Liugong Village.

You should slow down through hamlets. Not just for safety (watch for children/animals!), but to savor farmers' rhythms and the true pace of Yangshuo life.

From Liugong Village, cycle north 8km on Y085 Township Road to board the ferry from Dutou Village (20-minute scenic Li River crossing), you will reach Linjiazha. Feel free to appreciate Li River scenery here and take a break.

From Linjiazha, ride north 1km to join S305 Provincial Road, then head west 6km to cross Yangshuo Bridge. After the bridge, turn west onto Guanlian Road, then trace the Li River 2km back to West Street.

Best Times for Yangshuo Biking: From September to November

Top Choice: September–November

Considering cycling conditions, aim for autumn (September to November), when Yangshuo enjoys mild temperatures and minimal rainfall. This season rewards cyclists with effortless riding through karst landscapes, especially in mid-October, when rice fields are dyed gold across the countryside, offering a breathtaking spectacle for lovers of pastoral beauty.

Acceptable Summer Option: May–August

If you embrace heat and humidity, summer delivers long daylight hours ideal for ambitious rides. Sweat and rain dry almost instantly under the strong sun (a practical perk we call the "sweat-to-steam effect").

But beware, this coincides with monsoon season, demanding daily weather checks. Torrential downpours can flood riverside paths, forcing detours onto main roads, while swollen rivers churn with silt, leads to temporarily transforming the Li and Yulong's emerald waters into murky currents that reduced the beauty of the scenery.

Seasons to Reconsider: December–April

Early spring (March to April) is characterized by constant drizzle and biting winds, making it easy to feel unwell or even sick after a shower. Winter (December to February), while quiet, shrouds the land in a monotonous atmosphere: barren fields and leaden skies give Yangshuo's iconic scenery a desolate and silent feel.

Ride With Us: 5-Day Guilin Biking Adventure

Embark on this immersive journey through a vivid painting where limestone peaks surround timeless villages and rivers wind through emerald valleys. Explore the full journey: 5-Day Picturesque Guilin Biking Tour

• Day 1: Guilin arrival.
• Day 2: Guilin City to Xingping Ancient Town by bicycle (47km).
• Day 3: Xingping Ancient Town to Yangshuo County (40km).
• Day 4: Cycle around the Yulong River and Li River (50km).
• Day 5: Guilin departure.

Led by our local guides, who are seasoned cyclists with over a decade mastering these trails, and becoming your invisible safety net.

They'll handle everything from unexpected bike repairs (chains, flats, pedals) to revealing hidden viewpoints and sharing untold stories at landmarks. Their intimate knowledge ensures you glide through challenges, whether navigating sudden weather shifts or finding that perfect sunset shot.

This itinerary is merely a starting point. Want to linger longer at a riverside village? Add climbing a hilltop to your bucket list? We specialize in personalized cycling journeys tailored to your pace and passions.