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Bottom line: Rent a ¥30–60 e-scooter in Yangshuo, ride the Ten Mile Gallery riverside track to Xiatang Pier, have lunch in Jiuxian Village, and push to Qianli Jiangshan if your battery is strong. No license needed, but Amap is essential.
Quick answer
- No license: Rental e-scooters are treated as electric bicycles.
- Price: ¥30–60/day (US$4–8). Deposit ¥200–300.
- Best start: Fengming Parking (凤鸣停车点) near the Ten Mile Gallery entrance.
- Morning route: Gongnong Bridge → Tianqingse Coffee → Jima Pier → Xiatang Pier on the riverside track.
- Afternoon option: Qianli Jiangshan (千里江山图) if you rent the stronger ¥60/day scooter.
- Return deadline: Most shops close at 7–8 PM.
Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total distance | 35–55 km depending on afternoon option |
| Riding time | 4–6 hours plus stops |
| Best for | Active travelers, couples, photographers |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate (riverside path is flat; Qianli Jiangshan has hills) |
| License needed | No |
| Best season | March–May and September–November |
| Avoid | Midday summer heat and national holiday crowds |
Morning: Ten Mile Gallery riverside route
Start by 8:00 AM if you want the riverside track to yourself. Travelers report that by 9:00 AM the main road begins to fill with buses and tour groups, but the narrow riverside path stays quiet longer.
The route
- Fengming Parking (凤鸣停车点) — rent here and head south.
- Gongnong Bridge (工农桥) — a few minutes from the rental point; good morning light on the river.
- Tianqingse Coffee (天青色咖啡) — a riverside stop for coffee or water.
- Jima Pier (骥马码头) — the bamboo-raft put-in point.
- Xiatang Pier (夏棠码头) — quieter than the main piers, with fewer tour groups.
Key turn: At Jima Pier, do not continue on the main road. Look for the smaller riverside track on the right. Local rental-shop owners often point this out; it is the difference between a busy road and a quiet country ride.
Midday: Bamboo raft & village lunch
If you want a break from riding, book a short Yulong River bamboo-raft section. Most piers let you leave the scooter at the put-in and collect it at the take-out, or you can simply watch the rafts drift by.
For lunch, Jiuxian Village (旧县村) has family-run restaurants. Travelers report a typical lunch costs around ¥25 per person and some owners let you charge the scooter for free while you eat — a useful boost before the afternoon.
Afternoon: Qianli Jiangshan or Moon Hill
Option A — Qianli Jiangshan (longer, more scenic)
This route takes you farther from town toward the "Thousand Li Landscape" viewpoint. Travelers who tested this with two people on one scooter recommend the ¥60/day model with an 80 km range, because the final climb is steep and drains power fast. One report started from a hotel near Ten Mile Gallery, rented the stronger scooter, and found the ride comfortable.
Option B — Moon Hill (shorter, easier)
If your battery is below 50% after lunch, or if you are new to e-scooters, ride to Moon Hill (月亮山) instead. It is closer to town, the road is paved, and you can be back in Yangshuo by mid-afternoon.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Local price | USD estimate |
|---|---|---|
| E-scooter rental (short-range) | ¥30/day | $4 |
| E-scooter rental (long-range) | ¥60/day | $8 |
| Deposit | ¥200–300 | $28–42 (refundable) |
| Yulong River bamboo raft | ¥80–160 | $11–22 |
| Lunch in Jiuxian Village | ¥25–40 | $3.50–5.50 |
| Coffee/water stops | ¥10–25 | $1.50–3.50 |
*USD estimates based on August 2026 exchange rates. Actual prices vary by shop, season, and battery condition.
Tips for foreign visitors
- Battery check: Ask "电池满吗?" (diàn chí mǎn ma?) and watch the owner plug the scooter in. A full bar on the display is not enough; verify the charger actually connects.
- Pick a newer scooter: Faded paint and worn seats often mean an older battery with only 30–35 km range.
- Helmet: Usually provided. Wear it — rural roads have potholes and loose gravel.
- Payment: Rental shops prefer cash or WeChat/Alipay. Foreign credit cards are rarely accepted.
- Language: Learn the Chinese names for your stops. Pointing at a map in Amap is easier than explaining in English.
- Safety: Ride defensively. Cattle, water buffalo, and farm trucks share the road. Avoid night riding.