A sourced account of travelshorts’ 2024 trip. Opinions and costs describe that journey; hotel benefits, prices and access may have changed. Summaries are editorial paraphrases, attributed to the creator. Read our source notes.
Travel day 15 of 23 · Reconstructed date: 2024-04-07 · Source: travelshorts · Editorial edition: 3 November 2026.
What happened on day 15
- Experienced09:20
Li River
Took a 4-hour scenic 4-star river cruise down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo, viewing karst mountain formations and the 20 RMB banknote scenery in Xingping.
Video evidence (3)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 4:21Caption timestamp checked
The cruise time itself is about four hours, and it's going to go slowly from here in Gulin all the way down to Yangshuo, where we're going
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 26:10Caption timestamp checked
This is the spot where the 20 RMB note is depicted. We've taken our photos holding the note.
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 36:26Caption timestamp checked
Well, we're off the boat. There's hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people here.
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 4:21Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Checked into Yangshuo Mountain Retreat along the Yulong River, enjoying peaceful views from the balcony.
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 41:21Caption timestamp checked
we've arrived at Yangshuo Mountain Resort,
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 41:21Caption timestamp checked
- Experienced18:50
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Had dinner at Yangshuo Mountain Retreat riverside restaurant, confirming consumption of Mountain Retreat fried rice, sweet and sour pork, and pizza.
Video evidence (2)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 58:18Caption timestamp checked
And the Mountain Retreat fried rice has arrived.
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 59:25Caption timestamp checked
Rice is good, beef's good, pork's good, pizza good.
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 58:18Caption timestamp checked
What the creator thought
Recommendation
Travelshorts’ observation: Booking Li River 4-star cruise tickets via Trip.com was less than half the official direct price ($60/£41 vs $120 adult).
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 6:29Caption timestamp checked
It's just less than half the price, which I don't understand how they can do that, really, because the tickets we got are
Transport
Travelshorts’ observation: Taxis cannot enter the immediate pedestrian wharf area at Yangshuo pier; travelers must walk through the shopping street to the main road to hail or call a taxi.
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 40:28Caption timestamp checked
when you walk out of the pier area by the boats, keep walking down the street as far as you can go, turn right so you can come out of that area, and then you're able to order taxis from by here.
Where they actually stayed
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Actually stayed · 2 nights · Day 15 · Day 16
Room recorded: River view room with balcony.
Travelshorts’ account: Spectacular tranquil location by the river, much more peaceful than the big cities, and great value at £144 for two nights.
Observed during this stay: balcony, gardens, riverside restaurant. These are historical observations, not a current amenities guarantee.
Video evidence (2)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 44:54Caption timestamp checked
Total cost for two nights came to, I think, £144,
- YANGSHUO in CHINA is so BEAUTIFUL but THINGS GO VERY WRONG! · 0:55Caption timestamp checked
We've come down for our breakfast. We're sitting here on a table overlooking the river and
Getting around
Taxi: Guilin to Li River
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 0:44Caption timestamp checked
Journey time in a taxi was about one hour and it cost 98 RMB, which is around £10.
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 0:44Caption timestamp checked
Ferry: Guilin to Yangshuo
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 4:21Caption timestamp checked
The cruise time itself is about four hours, and it's going to go slowly from here in Gulin all the way down to Yangshuo, where we're going
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 4:21Caption timestamp checked
Taxi: Yangshuo to Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Actual
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 41:15Caption timestamp checked
So after a 20-minute journey in the taxi,
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 41:15Caption timestamp checked
Costs mentioned in the videos
Historical amounts with their original currencies and price scopes. Listed prices and category summaries are distinguished from amounts paid; these are not a day-total calculation.
- Taxi from Guilin hotel to cruise dockCN¥98.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Guilin
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 0:44Caption timestamp checked
Journey time in a taxi was about one hour and it cost 98 RMB, which is around £10.
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 0:44Caption timestamp checked
- 4-Star Li River Cruise ticket (Adult, upstairs deck)£41.00
Transaction · Paid · PER_PERSON · Li River
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 6:15Caption timestamp checked
I paid £41 for me, which is about $60 US,
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 6:15Caption timestamp checked
- 4-Star Li River Cruise ticket (Child, upstairs deck)£22.00
Transaction · Paid · PER_PERSON · Li River
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 6:20Caption timestamp checked
and I paid £22 each for Matthew and Holly,
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 6:20Caption timestamp checked
- Yangshuo Mountain Retreat hotel stay (2 nights)£144.00
Transaction · Paid · TOTAL · Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
Video evidence (1)
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 44:54Caption timestamp checked
Total cost for two nights came to, I think, £144,
- CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT · 44:54Caption timestamp checked
Watch the original account
CHINA'S BEST RIVER CRUISE Li River Cruise From Guilin To Yangshuo on a 4 STAR BOAT
Travel day · Uploaded 2024-10-05 · Day 15