Biking in Yangshuo, China: Pedaling Through Ancient Villages and Karst Mountain Peaks

By Mark Wiens 52 Comments

Yangshuo, China is an incredibly beautiful destination and there’s no better way to experience the countryside scenery than to jump on a bicycle and pedal your way through the mess of karst limestone mountains, lazy rivers and ancient Chinese villages.

First, take a look at this 2:45 video about biking in Yangshuo

I took most of the footage with one hand as I steered with the other hand. There were a few near bike tumbles while filming this video – but luckily, no injuries recorded!

Yangshuo, China (about 1 hour away from Guilin), is a popular tourist destination for both Chinese and foreigners alike.

Unlike the boisterous urban cities that China is so well known for, Yangshuo is a small town (by Chinese standards) and for the most part it still retains its farm-like feeling.

Even though herds of Chinese tour groups unload their buses all over the place, it’s easy to escape it all with the help of a bike.

Just 15 minutes by bicycle in many directions from the main part of Yangshuo and one can be transported into a completely rural setting where traffic becomes obsolete, obnoxious honking horns disperse and locals seem to live in the same manner as generations of their ancestors did.

Things to do in Yangshuo, China — Bike Riding in Yangshuo, China

The countryside landscapes and terrain make Yangshuo a perfect place to tour by bicycle.

Sometimes when the scenery is just too beautiful it’s necessary to park the bikes and just gaze through the depths of beauty.

We parked our bikes quite a number of times to refresh ourselves in the cool river!

One of the most beautiful areas to ride in Yangshuo is to various locations along the gorgeous Yulong River.

The peacefulness of the region along with little ancient farming villages is a treasure chest full of surprises. You never know when a random travel experience may develop!

Dragon Bridge, which is about 45 minutes away from central Yangshuo town, is a tranquil area that is home to a picturesque stone bridge.

The half circular bridge constructed of perfectly fitting stones is a true spectacle of craftsmanship – and the setting along with Yulong River makes it even more impressive.

It’s no wonder that Dragon Bridge is a hot-spot for wedding photos!

Biking in Yangshuo offers a chance to get away from main roads and to dive just a little deeper into a rural setting of China (it still exists!), explore the countryside and walk around ancient Chinese villages.

Renting a Bike in Yangshuo

There are an abundance of bicycle rentals in Yangshuo, especially around the West Street area. You should also be able to either rent or ask for a good place to rent a bike at your hotel / hostel.

Here are some normal prices:

Chinese bike – 5 – 10 CNY ($0.78 – $1.57) per day (Tandem bikes are also common to rent)
Medium quality mountain bike – 10 – 20 CNY ($1.57 – $3.13) per day
High quality Giant or Merida bike – 20 – 40 CNY ($3.13 – $6.26) per day

You can manage to do a lot of bike rides in Yangshuo on a simple 1-speed Chinese style bike, but it’s a lot of fun to ride a multi-geared higher quality mountain bike if you are willing to pay a little more.

I assure you that you will have a rewarding time in Yangshuo if you rent a bike and head out for a cruise!

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