Nanning Travel Guide
Nanning Guide by Wendy Wei Tours
The Li River Cruise is divided into two types. One is the big boat cruise and the other one is the private Li River motorized raft cruise.
Available for all ages (and heights!), the big boat Li River Cruise lasts for around 4 hours from Guilin to Yangshuo. The period of time just depends on the water level in the Li River. Take the big boat and you’ll enjoy all of the stunning scenic point along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo. The river turns 90 degrees at the Cattle Valley with the Green Lotus Rock, Bat Rock and rocks in other shapes. Expecting Husband Rock looks as if a women with a baby on the back is expecting the return of husband. The Crown Cave is also located by the Li River. But the boat doesn’t stop during the cruise.
When the boat arrives at Yangdi, you’ll be amazed at the natural beauty. The section between Yangdi to Xingping has the most amazing highlights to enjoy. Wave Stone Legend, Fairy Pull the Mill, Xialong Scenery, Nine-horse Fresco Hill, the background of 20 RMB note – Reflection of Yellow Cloth all are situated there.


The private Li River motorized raft cruise is appropriate for those who don’t want to spend so much time on the Li River. But the pregnant women, children under 1.2m tall (1.2m tall not included) and the elder above 70 years old (70 years old included) are not permitted to take it due to safety concerns.
The private cruise can just accommodate 4 passengers. It runs along two sections on the river. One is between Yangdi and Nine-horse Fresco Hill and the other one is between Nine-horse Fresco Hill and Xingping. Whether the private cruise is available is subject to the water level in the Li River.

Best time to enjoy the Li River Cruise?
It is safer to enjoy the cruise from October to March and in May, July and August as it rains a little in Yangshuo.
How to get to the Li River Cruise?
There is no direct bus from Guilin city to the pier in Guilin. The only option is to rent a vehicle to the pier (the pier for the 3-star cruise is called Mopanshan Pier and the pier for the 4-star and 4.5-star cruises is Zhujiang Pier). For the private rafting, there are piers in Yangdi and Xingping.
Additional Li River Cruise Advice
- As at 4th October 2020, the return cruise from Yangshuo to Yangdi is available & operating. It typically operates between April to October. The same applies for the Yangshuo to Guilin return cruises.
- There are one or two vegetarian dish options on the 4-star and 4.5-star boats. If you are vegetarian, it is suggested that you have lunch at the very first beginning as some meat may drop into the vegetables when other passengers pick it.
- There is a security check at the pier just like that at the airport. It is recommended that you arrive at the pier 30 minutes at least in advance.
- All types of tickets on the 4-star and 4.5 star boats are capped with the same pricing due to the accounting reason. But the actual pricing is higher than that on the ticket.
- For the Private Li River Cruise Rafts, persons over 65 years of age and under 120 cms tall are not permitted on-board.
Guangxi Museum
Are you interested in learning the history and culture of Guangxi Province? The best place to start is by visiting Guangxi Museum which offers a variety of antique collections including minority antiques, ceramics, tea culture and more!
South Lake Park
Located in the central downtown area of Nanning City, South Lake Park offers a flush green park with quiet surrounding in the center of Nanning. The park has no corresponding entrance fee and is a popular place for locals to relax in the middle of the city.
Yiling Cave
Situated only 18 kms from Nanning City, the Yiling Cave is a famous karst cave, locally known as “the Underground Palace”. The cave features stalactites, stalagmites, stone flowers and stone pillars with different shapes.
Yangmei Ancient Town
With a history of over 1,000 years, Yangmei Ancient Town has the best-preserved old buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Within the town, there are over 700 buildings of that kind, including residents, docks and estates are dotted around Yangmei Town.
Bama Longevity Village
As a settlement for ethnic minorities, Bama Longevity Village enjoys a good reputation around the world. With the unique natural environment, exceptional air and one-of-a-kind spring water, it has raised countless the most centurions within an area, worldwide.
Detian Waterfalls
Would you like to know why several former US presidents had spoken highly of the Reed Flute Cave after visiting it? It features its own unique charm, which some consider to be distinct from any other attractions in the world!
Tongling Grand Canyon
Situated 29 kms from the Detian Waterfalls, Tongling Grand Canyon offers waterfalls in caves, underground rivers, old trees, ancient hanging coffins, streams and primeval vegetation. It is also home to more than 2,000 types of plants.
Quyang Lake
Located 28 kilometers northwest of Jingxi, Quyang Lake is ideal for photographing the stunning sunset. This is a man-made reservoir with incredible scenery featuring tens of peaks standing in the lake, this attraction offers a unique view to appreciate.
Baimo Cave
Baimo Cave is located 30 kilometers from Bama Town and is considered to be one of the main highlight in Bama. The karst cave offers four different ‘palaces’ (caverns) as well as several sinkholes on which stands cliffs and tens of stone pillars with heights of up to 80 meters!