The Water Sets the Clock

Special Notes

Water levels, weather, flights, and hotels will be confirmed for your specific dates. These details will be itemised in the written quote.

• Three Items Not Included in the Base Price — This route is available to book. The four-night river-view suite in Yangshuo, a professional photographer, and ceremonial décor are not included in the base price, nor do they guarantee that rooms or dates have been reserved. These must be arranged separately per order, with costs and feasibility details set out in a written quotation.
• Sunrise, Bamboo Rafts and Fishing Boats — The sunrise at Xianggong Mountain, bamboo rafting on the Yulong River, and fishing boats at sunset are the specific locations and time slots you will visit together with your guide and driver. The page does not state that photography services or pre-arranged ceremonies are included. If you require additional photography or setup, please refer to our written quotation.
• Boats in the Dry Season — In November and December, the Li River typically enters its low-water season. The boat on Day 5, the bamboo raft on Day 6, and the fishing boat on Day 8 are all subject to the water level on the day of the trip. If water levels are insufficient, the journey from Guilin to Yangshuo may be transferred to the road, with a drive of approximately ninety minutes. Any changes to the rest of that day’s itinerary will be included in the written quote. These months are bookable; cancellations are not announced in advance here.
• The one early start — Day seven leaves before dawn for the Xianggong Hill sunrise, and you are informed of this in writing before placing an order. You can decline that start on the order: day seven then runs as Xingping Ancient Town on a late-morning start, at no change in price. Nothing else on this route starts before 8:00.
• Sunrise weather — a sunrise is weather, and no one sells weather. Rain or heavy mist means no colour from the viewpoint, and we do not pretend otherwise. Four nights in one place is the cushion: on a lost morning the guide and vehicle are yours to try again on the following day, with the cave and the sunset moved back half a day. What holds either way: the climb, the view of the bend, and a morning nobody else in the town is having.
• Departure calendar — Departures during the national holiday week, 1 to 7 October, are confirmed on a case-by-case basis against boat and hotel availability before a date is held.
• The cave is not named before you book — which cave runs on your dates is settled with the operator against operating conditions, then named in your written confirmation.
• Two flights and a boat — Rebooking will affect two domestic flight segments, the boat on day five, and four consecutive nights in Yangshuo. Flight numbers, times, cabin classes, boat grades, and deck details are listed in the written quotation; they do not indicate that inventory has been secured or that schedules have been fixed.
• The Bund on your first evening — your guide is with you end to end. People approach visitors on that waterfront with an invitation to practise English or see a tea ceremony, and it is a known scam that ends in a bill. It is a standing rule on this route, not an option you choose.
• Visa window — Check visa exemption or visa requirements against your passport and departure date. The policy dates on the page do not replace written confirmation for this specific booking; you may also request quotes for other months.
• US passports — Guests holding a US passport or entering under a transit visa-free policy may find that a ten-day itinerary with entry and exit via Shanghai does not meet the policy's requirements for onward travel to a third country and permitted days of stay. Whether the trip can proceed is to be confirmed in writing against your travel documents before payment; this page will not block the booking directly.
• Confirmation and changes — The confirmation deadline, rescheduling, and refund conditions are included in every written quote; separate standard terms are not published on the page.