REVIEW · RAFTING TRIPS
Yangshuo Xingping Longjing River Rafting
Longjing River rafting is built for a wet, noisy, full-body adventure. The 6-kilometer route cuts through the forest near Xingping, with more than 10 drops on the Warrior course and a remarkable 108 spiral bends. The Brave course raises the stakes with a 240-meter total drop and rougher water.
I like the mix of adrenaline and scenery here. You are not simply racing down a man-made chute: the route passes ancient trees, unusual rocks, fruit forests, clear streams, and spring-fed water. I also like the practical finish, with luggage storage, a hot shower, ginger tea, and shuttle transport included.
The main drawback is that this is not a gentle family float. You must be at least 140 centimeters tall and 8 years old, and the activity is unsuitable for people with mobility limits, motion sickness, or anyone over 70. Getting soaked is part of the deal, so poor clothing choices can turn a fun day into a chilly one.
Key points to know before you go

- Two rafting levels: Choose between the Warrior route, with a 180-meter drop, and the more forceful Brave route, with a 240-meter drop.
- Six kilometers of river: Both courses run through a natural valley with rapids, bends, rocks, trees, and clear water.
- A serious ride, not a lazy float: The Warrior route has more than 10 drops of 3 to 6 meters, while the Brave course includes turbulent water, eddies, and wave crests.
- Useful services are included: Your package covers rafting, sightseeing bus transport, a post-rafting shower, and ginger tea.
- Good access from Yangshuo and Guilin: The resort is about 30 kilometers from Yangshuo, 5 kilometers from the Li River, and roughly 90 minutes by road from Guilin.
- Pack for guaranteed splashing: Bring a complete change of clothes and wear flat sandals, plastic sandals, or hiking shoes instead of leather shoes.
Six kilometers of bends, drops, and fast water

The heart of the experience is the river itself. Longjing River runs through Dayuan Forest Farm in Xingping Town, inside Guilin Yangshuo National Forest Park. The setting is wooded and open, with mountains rising around the valley and water moving through a series of natural turns.
The route is 6 kilometers long, but the number that matters most is the change in height. The Warrior course drops 180 meters from start to finish. Along the way, you encounter more than 10 drops measuring about 3 to 6 meters, plus 108 tight bends. That creates a stop-start rhythm: a calmer stretch to catch your breath, then a drop, a turn, and another burst of speed.
The Brave course has a 240-meter total drop. Its description points to stronger current conditions throughout the run, with rapids, wave crests, spinning eddies, and sharp changes in direction. I would treat this as the better choice for confident rafters who want the water to do most of the talking.
The two courses give the activity a useful range. The Warrior option should appeal to someone who wants excitement but still wants time to look around. The Brave route is for someone who sees a large drop and thinks, that looks fun. The exact course choice should be confirmed when you book or arrive, since the supplied information describes both rather than stating that every booking includes a free choice.
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What the forest setting adds

The scenery keeps the rafting from feeling like a simple amusement ride. The river passes through a valley lined with overlapping mountains, forest, old trees, unusual rock formations, and fruit-growing areas. Water comes from clear streams and springs, giving the setting a cleaner, more natural feel than a heavily built resort attraction.
You will not spend the whole route calmly studying the view. A sudden bend or drop demands your attention. That contrast is part of the appeal. One moment you are looking at trees and rock faces, and the next you are gripping the raft as it hits a rapid.
The river lies only about 5 kilometers from the famous Li River, but the experience is quite different from a standard Li River cruise. A cruise gives you time to sit and watch the limestone scenery. Longjing asks you to work with the current, follow safety instructions, and accept that water will land wherever it pleases.
The area also offers alpine exploration and forest hiking, though this booking centers on rafting. If you are building a larger day around Xingping, those other activities may help explain why the resort can work as more than a short ride. Still, do not assume they are part of the $34 package. The listed inclusions are rafting, ginger tea, a shower, and sightseeing bus transfer.
Getting to Longjing River from Yangshuo and Guilin

The resort is in Dayuan Forest Farm, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County. It is about 30 kilometers from Yangshuo County and less than 30 minutes from the Yangshuo Exit of the Guiwu Expressway. Roads made of asphalt and cement lead directly to the scenic area.
From Guilin’s urban area, the drive takes about 90 minutes. From Yangshuo, the approach is shorter, though the exact time will depend on traffic and your pickup point. Special shuttle buses operate from Liuzhou, Guilin, and Yangshuo, and sightseeing bus transfer is included with the activity.
Pickup is optional. If you arrange it, keep your phone nearby and answer promptly when the driver calls. That small detail matters in China, where a missed call can create a needless delay at the start of the day.
Because the activity is valid for one day and starting times depend on availability, check the schedule before planning other fixed activities around it. Rafting is not the sort of outing you want to squeeze between two train departures. Give yourself road time on both ends, plus time to change after the ride.
How the rafting day unfolds
The day starts at the scenic area or with optional pickup. At the ticket office, you can use the luggage storage service before heading toward the river. This is useful because phones, wallets, spare clothes, and other loose items are poor companions on a rough-water ride.
Before you enter the water, staff explain the safety rules. A rafting guide accompanies you through the activity, and first-aid stations are placed along the river. This does not remove the need for caution, but it gives the outing a proper support system rather than leaving you to manage every problem on your own.
Once on the river, the pace depends on the section. The Warrior course alternates between rapids, drops, and bends. The Brave route is described as turbulent throughout, with eddies, torrents, and wave crests. You may spin, slow down, or hit a wave at an awkward angle. Follow the guide’s instructions instead of trying to improvise.
After the final section, you can use the hot-water shower. Ginger tea is also provided to help you warm up. These are small inclusions, but they matter after several kilometers in splashing water, especially during a cooler day or if you have packed too little clothing.
The sightseeing bus transfer completes the practical side of the day. The package does not simply leave you at the end of the river with wet clothes and no idea where to go next.
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Choosing between Warrior and Brave
The Warrior course is the more moderate of the two named options, though moderate does not mean mild. More than 10 drops of 3 to 6 meters and 108 bends make it an active ride. If you want a strong introduction to river rafting, this is the sensible place to start.
The Brave course adds another 60 meters to the total drop and is described with stronger language: turbulent current, torrents, eddies, wave crests, and demanding bends. I would choose it only if you are comfortable with fast water and sudden movement.
The supplied details do not provide a separate price for the two courses or explain how course assignment works. Ask before setting out if the choice matters to you. Also ask about any same-day conditions that could affect the route, since river activities naturally depend on water levels and operating conditions. Do not assume that the more dramatic option is automatically the better value. The right course is the one that matches your comfort level.
What to wear and what to leave behind
Bring an extra set of clothes. This is not a polite suggestion. You should expect to get wet, and a dry change makes the ride home much more pleasant.
Avoid leather shoes. Flat sandals, plastic sandals, or hiking shoes are recommended. Choose footwear that stays secure and handles water. Loose flip-flops may be a poor choice if they come off during a rapid, even though the supplied guidance specifically names flat sandals and plastic sandals as suitable.
Keep valuable items in the provided luggage storage rather than trying to protect them in a pocket. Rafting combines water, movement, and sudden drops. A waterproof phone pouch may help with photos, but the safest choice is to leave unnecessary items behind.
The river rules are straightforward. Do not get out of the raft without permission. Do not roughhouse, grab floating objects, or reach for plants and rocks along the bank. These actions can upset the raft or pull you toward an obstacle. Fishing, alcohol, drugs, fireworks, weapons, sharp objects, explosives, littering, and nudity are not allowed.
Safety and suitability
The safety setup is one of the stronger practical points. Staff give a briefing, rafting guides escort you, and first-aid stations line the river. That is reassuring, but the activity still asks you to follow directions and accept a certain amount of physical motion.
The experience is not suitable for children under 8, people shorter than 140 centimeters, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with motion sickness, or people over 70. These limits are important, not minor footnotes. The course includes drops, tight bends, fast current, and raft movement.
If you are unsure about motion sickness, do not assume that open air will solve the problem. Spinning in eddies and riding wave crests can be uncomfortable even without an enclosed vehicle. Pick a calmer activity if sudden movement is a concern.
The best rafting season is April through October. That period is specifically recommended for this activity. Conditions can still vary, so dress for the day and keep your plans flexible enough to handle a change in timing.
Is $34 a fair price?
At $34 per person, the value looks good if you want an active day rather than a sightseeing transfer. The fee includes the rafting experience, ginger tea, a hot-water shower, and sightseeing bus transport. Luggage storage is available at the ticket office, and safety support is built into the operation.
The price is especially useful for anyone comparing this with a simple river attraction where you pay separately for transport, equipment, and basic facilities. Here, the post-ride shower and warm drink solve two immediate problems after getting wet. The included bus transfer also reduces the need to arrange every movement yourself.
The value is weaker if you dislike rough water or expect a quiet nature outing. You could spend the day near the river and see the forest without signing up for drops and rapids. At Longjing, the main product is physical excitement. The scenery is a bonus that makes the ride more memorable, not a substitute for the ride.
Only two verified ratings are available, both giving the activity the highest score. One short assessment called it the best rafting experience that person had tried. That is a strong signal for excitement, but it is a small sample, so I would judge the outing mainly by its course details, included services, and your comfort with water.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Yangshuo plans are still shifting, but you should still check current availability and the exact start time before booking.
Who should book this rafting trip?
You should consider Longjing River if you want a full-day outing with genuine speed, drops, and natural scenery near Yangshuo. It suits active adults, older children who meet the age and height rules, and anyone who would rather hold a paddle than sit quietly on a boat.
It is also a good match if practical details matter to you. The route has staff support, first-aid stations, luggage storage, a shower, ginger tea, and shuttle service. Those touches do not change the river, but they make the day easier to manage.
I would skip it if you have mobility limits, strong motion sickness, or a low tolerance for cold, wet clothing. I would also avoid booking it as a relaxed family outing without checking the course intensity first. The Warrior route is the less forceful choice, but it still includes drops and fast turns.
FAQ
Where is Yangshuo Xingping Longjing River Rafting located?
It is in Dayuan Forest Farm, Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, in southern China. The resort is about 30 kilometers from Yangshuo County and about 5 kilometers from the Li River.
How long is the rafting route?
The rafting route is 6 kilometers long. The Warrior and Brave courses both use a 6-kilometer river course, with different total drops and water intensity.
How much does the activity cost?
The listed price is $34 per person for the one-day activity.
What is included in the price?
The package includes rafting, ginger tea after rafting, a hot-water shower after rafting, and sightseeing bus transfer. Luggage storage is available at the ticket office.
How high are the drops?
The Warrior route has more than 10 drops measuring about 3 to 6 meters. Its total river drop is 180 meters. The Brave route has a total drop of 240 meters.
What should I wear for rafting?
Bring an extra set of clothes because getting wet is expected. Wear flat sandals, plastic sandals, or hiking shoes, and avoid leather shoes.
Is the activity suitable for children?
It is not suitable for children under 8 years old or for anyone under 140 centimeters tall. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed.
Can I cancel the booking?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.
Should you book Longjing River rafting?
Book it if you want speed, drops, and a proper wet-weather adventure within reach of Yangshuo. The combination of a 6-kilometer course, forest scenery, two difficulty levels, safety staff, transport, and a hot shower makes $34 a reasonable price.
Choose the Warrior course if you want excitement with a little more breathing room. Choose Brave only if rough water and a larger total drop sound appealing. Pack dry clothes, leave fragile belongings in storage, follow the river rules, and expect the day to end with a smile, a warm shower, and very wet shoes.
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