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Bottom line: The Yulong River valley is the best cycling area in Yangshuo. Use the backroads, start early, and avoid the main Ten-Mile Gallery highway for the most enjoyable ride.
Quick answer
- What it is: A mostly flat cycling route through the Yulong River valley, passing rice fields, karst peaks, bamboo rafts, and small villages.
- Best for: Travelers who want exercise, scenery, and a slower pace than an e-scooter or car.
- Distance: 15–25 km for a typical loop.
- Time: 2–4 hours depending on stops.
- Cost: Bike rental ¥20–40/day (US$3–6). No entrance fee for the route itself.
- Best start: Fengming Parking Area or near Gongnong Bridge; both have rental shops and avoid West Street crowds.
Overview
The Yulong River (遇龙河 / Yùlóng Hé) is the quieter, greener cousin of the Li River. A cycling loop along its valley is one of the most satisfying half-day activities in Yangshuo. The route mixes paved country roads, narrow village lanes, and riverside paths. You will pass farmers working in the fields, bamboo rafts drifting downstream, and karst peaks reflected in irrigation channels.
Travelers report that the best scenery is on the backroads parallel to the main Ten-Mile Gallery road, not on the busy highway itself. Start early to avoid midday heat and tour-bus traffic.
How to get there
Starting points
| Start point | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Fengming Parking (凤鸣停车点) | Many rental shops, easy parking, designed as a cycling hub | Can be busy with tour groups |
| Gongnong Bridge (工农桥) | Central to the valley, close to bamboo rafting piers | Fewer rental options than Fengming |
| West Street area | Convenient if you are staying in town | More traffic and slightly higher rental prices |
Getting to the start
- From Yangshuo town, cycle or take a short DiDi/taxi to Fengming or Gongnong Bridge.
- Many hotels offer free or cheap bike delivery to your accommodation.
- If you are driving, park at Fengming Parking Area and rent bikes there.
Navigation search terms
| Destination | Search in Amap / Gaode |
|---|---|
| Fengming Parking | 凤鸣停车点 / Fengming Parking |
| Gongnong Bridge | 工农桥 / Gongnong Bridge |
| Yulong River | 遇龙河 / Yulong River |
| Jima Pier | 骥马码头 / Jima Pier |
| Xiatang Pier | 夏棠码头 / Xiatang Pier |
What to expect
The classic loop: Fengming → Gongnong Bridge → Jima → Xiatang → return
This is the most popular cycling loop in the valley. It follows quiet roads and riverside paths, with optional stops at piers, cafes, and viewpoints.
Highlights along the way:
- Gongnong Bridge: The classic view over the Yulong River and bamboo rafts. Best in the morning or late afternoon.
- Jima Pier (骥马码头 / Jìmǎ Mǎtóu): A bamboo-raft departure point with calm water and mountain reflections.
- Xiatang Pier (夏棠码头 / Xiàtáng Mǎtóu): Smaller and less crowded than Jima. A good place to watch rafts pass through small weirs.
- Country backroads between Jima and Xiatang: Travelers consistently report this as the prettiest section — rice fields, narrow lanes, and very little traffic.
- Riverside cafes: Several small cafes along the route serve drinks and snacks with terrace views. Good rest stops on hot days.
Alternative: Ten-Mile Gallery main road
The main Ten-Mile Gallery road is wider, paved, and easier to navigate, but it carries tour buses, cars, and scooters. Use it only if you want a fast connection or are cycling with young children.
Bamboo rafts and bikes
Rafts are one-way. If you take a raft down the river, you can cycle back to your starting point on the parallel road. This is a popular half-day combination. A shuttle bus usually returns raft passengers to the upstream pier for a small fee.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Price (RMB) | Approx. USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bicycle rental | ¥20–40/day | ~US$3–6 | Multi-hour rates also available |
| E-bike / e-scooter rental | ¥50–100/day | ~US$7–14 | For longer or hillier routes |
| Mountain bike rental | ¥40–80/day | ~US$6–11 | Better for rougher village paths |
| Bamboo raft (Jima → downstream) | ¥160–200/raft | ~US$22–28 | Per raft, usually seats 2 |
| Riverside cafe drink | ¥15–40 | ~US$2–6 | Coffee, fresh juice, water |
| Deposit | ¥200 cash or ID | — | Varies by shop |
*USD estimates based on August 2026 exchange rates. Verify current prices before you go.
Tips for foreign visitors
- Start early: The valley is cooler and quieter before 9 AM. Midday summer heat is draining.
- Avoid the main road: The Ten-Mile Gallery highway is scenic but busy. Ask your rental shop for the "small road" (小路 / xiǎolù) route along the river.
- Bring water and sunscreen: There is limited shade in open rice-field sections. A hat and refillable water bottle are essential.
- Watch for scooters and farm vehicles: Country lanes are shared with locals. Keep to the right and ring your bell on blind corners.
- Payment: Rental shops usually accept cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. Foreign cards are rarely accepted. See our digital setup guide →
- Helmet: Most rental bikes do not include helmets. Ask if you want one, or bring your own.
- Lock your bike: Use the provided lock whenever you stop at cafes or viewpoints.
- Phone navigation: Download Amap (Gaode) offline maps. Google Maps is unreliable in rural Yangshuo.
- Rain plan: Paths can get muddy after rain. If the forecast is bad, consider an e-scooter or a shorter loop.