Featured Hotels Near Li River Scenic Area Essence

Yangshuo Shangri-La Resort is a top choice, offering panoramic views of the karst mountains and the Lijiang River from every room. The resort blends traditional Guilin architecture with modern luxury, featuring private bamboo raft experiences and authentic Guangxi cuisine at its on-site restaurant. Guests enjoy easy access to the Yulong River dock—just a 10-minute walk—for scenic river cruises.

Another standout is Xingping Ancient Town Boutique Guesthouse, located in a historic village along the Lijiang. The guesthouse uses local stone and timber in its design, preserving Ming Dynasty aesthetics. From your window, you can view the iconic Nine Horses Painting Cliffs. Nightly cultural events include Dong ethnic long-table banquets and bonfire dances, immersing travelers in indigenous traditions. Both properties offer complimentary shuttles to major attractions, ensuring seamless exploration.

The most convenient option is taking a dedicated tour bus or HopeGoo a hotel shuttle service. Many travel agencies offer door-to-door transfers from key spots like Elephant Trunk Hill and Dongxiang Street to Xingping Pier, covering the 90-minute journey. For public transit, take Bus 83 or 204 from Guilin Bus Station to Yangshuo, then switch to an electric tricycle to reach Xingping.

For a more immersive experience, rent an electric bicycle and ride along the Lijiang Greenway. This route passes through the Yangdi Section and offers prime views of the Nine Horses Painting Cliffs. Travelers can pause freely for photos and enjoy the serene ink-wash landscape. Some premium resorts also provide drone photography services, capturing aerial footage of the river’s winding course—a memorable keepsake.

Travelers can engage in several distinctive cultural activities. Join a bamboo weaving workshop in Xingping Ancient Town, where locals teach traditional fishing net crafting using native bamboo—offering insight into the Zhuang and Miao people’s river-based lifestyles.

Don’t miss the Impression Liu Sanjie open-air spectacle, directed by Zhang Yimou. Performed against the natural backdrop of the Lijiang River, this show blends folk songs, lighting effects, and dance to showcase the soul of Guangxi’s ethnic music.

Also recommended is a dawn landscape painting tour at sites like Huangbu Reflections or Nine Horses Painting Cliffs, guided by professional artists who help capture the fleeting interplay of mist and light. Some boutique lodges offer tea ceremonies, teaching guests how to taste Guilin Maoxian tea alongside local osmanthus cakes, evoking the refined spirit of southern Lingnan culture. These experiences deepen cultural immersion beyond sightseeing.

Huangbu Reflections is known as the "most photogenic mirror" along the Lijiang River. Between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM, when morning mist floats above the water, the mountain silhouettes create a perfect ink-wash painting effect, ideal for long-exposure shots that blend flowing water with still reflections.

Another top spot is the Nine Horses Painting Cliff, where natural rock formations resemble nine horses whose shapes shift under different sunlight angles. Arrive before 10:00 AM to use backlighting techniques for dramatic silhouettes. During bamboo raft rides from Yangdi to Xingping, guides often assist with optimal framing and provide waterproof camera bags and tripod mounts.

Some high-end resorts even offer drone timelapse photography, capturing the entire sunrise sequence from above—a truly unique visual souvenir.