Always, the Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is available for every day. You could take any one of the 3 types of cruise boats to Yangshuo from Guilin.
If you are staying in Yangshuo and planning to travel to Guilin by boat, the return cruise boat is a great option. It is usually available from April to October. On the condition that the water level breaches a set level, the return cruise will be canceled out of safety concerns.
As at 28th March 2021, there are 2 x routes for the return cruise. One is from Yangshuo to Yangdi and the other one is from Xingping to Guilin. The first route is always available every day from April to October while the second may be unavailable. Whether the second one is available is decided by the local marine bureau. It can just be confirmed 2 days prior to the cruise date at earliest.
As the return cruise runs upstream, it always lasts for around 4 hours. It also features the most stunning highlights along the river to appreciate. As at 28th March 2021, there are 3-star and 4-star return cruises from Yangshuo to Yangdi available every day (depending upon schedule). The 3-star return cruise normally departs at 10:30 am from Shuidongmen Pier in Yangshuo and ends at Yangdi Pier at around 14:30 pm. The pricing of the seating on the 3-star return cruise is also 78 USD per adult. The ticket includes a one-way private transfer from any hotel in Yangshuo or Xingping Old Town to Shuidongmen Pier and a simple Chinese packaged lunch on the boat.
As at 28th March 2021, the 4-star return cruise from Yangshuo to Yangdi is always available. Usually, It leaves at 13:00 pm from Shuidongmen Pier in Yangshuo and ends at Yangdi Pier at around 17:00 pm. The route from Xingping to Guiin for the 4-star return cruise departs at 12:30 pm from Chaobanshan Pier in Xingping and arrives at Zhujiang Pier in Guilin at around 16:30 pm.
The current pricing of the Lower Deck Seating is 99 US dollars per adult, that of the Upper Deck Seating is 115 US dollars per adult and that of the VIP Seating is 139 US dollars per adult. The ticket also includes a one-way private transfer from any hotel in Yangshuo or Xingping Old Town to Shuidongmen Pier and the Chinese buffet afternoon tea on the boat.
Alternatively, if you want to have more privacy, the private Li River motorized raft cruise could offer it. The private cruise will take you to enjoy the karst scenery between Xingping and Nine-horse Fresco Hill or between Yangdi and Nine-horse Fresco Hill.
