The Most Scenic Drives Around Yangshuo

Forget the guidebooks that tell you to just rent a bicycle. While two wheels offer intimacy, four wheels offer freedom—the freedom to chase the golden hour across vast karst fields, to discover hidden villages where time moves slower, and to carry your entire world in the trunk as you navigate what is arguably China’s most dreamlike landscape. Yangshuo’s beauty is no secret, but to experience it by car is to command your own personal cinematic reveal. This is not about point A to point B; it’s about the symphony of winding tarmac, towering limestone pillars, and the ever-present Li River as your co-pilot. Here are the most scenic drives that will redefine your perception of Guangxi.

The Classic: The Yulong River Valley Meander

This drive is the gentle, poetic introduction to Yangshuo’s soul. While the Li River gets the fame, its tributary, the Yulong, offers a more accessible and equally stunning parallel journey.

The Route and Its Rhythm

Start in the town of Yangshuo itself, heading towards the iconic Yulong River Bridge. From here, the road narrows and begins to flirt with the riverbank. You’re not driving to a destination; you’re driving through a living postcard. The route winds through villages like Jiuxian and Chaoyang, where you’ll share the road with farmers on tractors and ducks waddling to the water. The beauty here is in the slow pace. Every bend offers a new composition: a solitary fisherman on a bamboo raft, a stone bridge draped in wisteria, and emerald-green rice paddies reflecting the jagged peaks.

Must-Stop Detours

Do not hesitate to park and explore. The Gongnong Bridge area is a hub for bamboo rafting—a serene alternative to the busier Li River trips. Further along, seek out the ancient Fuli Bridge, a stunning stone arch that has witnessed centuries. The drive culminates near the Shili Huafeng (Ten-Mile Gallery), where you can switch to a bike or electric cart for an even closer look, but having your car allows you to cover more ground and escape the crowds at your own whim.

The Adventure: Into the Karst Hinterlands via 321 National Road

For those who hear the call of the wilder, less-tamed landscapes, this drive is your anthem. Heading west from Yangshuo on Provincial Road S305, which connects to the 321 National Road towards Rong’an, you leave the tourist clusters far behind.

A Landscape of Grandeur

The valleys here are wider, the mountains more imposing and densely packed. You’ll drive through vast citrus groves and terraced fields carved into the hillsides. This is the Yangshuo of geographical drama. The road climbs and dips, offering panoramic viewpoints that are yours alone. On a misty morning, the peaks appear as islands in a sea of cloud, a scene straight out of a classical Chinese ink painting.

The Village of Xingping: A Crown Jewel

A crucial detour off this route is the historic fishing village of Xingping. The drive from Yangshuo to Xingping along the Li River’s edge is spectacular, but continuing past it reveals the true magic. This is the home of the iconic view found on the 20 RMB note. Park your car and take a short hike up Lao Zhai Shan for that legendary photograph. Xingping itself, with its ancient flagstone streets and quiet riverfront, is a world away from the buzz of West Street.

The Serene Escape: The Li River’s Northern Loop

This circuit is for the purist who wants to feel the presence of the Li River throughout the journey. It’s a longer drive, perfect for a full-day expedition with a picnic packed.

From Yangshuo to Yangdi

Head north from Yangshuo towards Yangdi. This road is less traveled by tourists and is a favorite among local photography enthusiasts. You’ll pass through working villages where life revolves around the river and the land. The view of the Nine Horses Fresco Hill from this angle is unique and often unobstructed.

The Crown of the Journey: Xingping to Fuli

After exploring Xingping, instead of returning the way you came, take the road that follows the Li River south towards Fuli. This stretch is arguably the most visually rewarding drive in the entire region. The river snakes its way through a forest of karst peaks. You’ll see the famous Yellow Cloth Shoal and the 20 RMB note view from multiple vantage points. The road is well-paved but intimate, making frequent stops for photos an absolute necessity. Ending in Fuli, known as the "Fan Town," allows for a cultural stop before a short drive back to Yangshuo.

Driving Tips & Local Hotspots

Navigating Yangshuo’s beauty requires some practical know-how to enhance the experience.

Renting and Navigating

Renting a car is straightforward in Guilin, with international licenses often accepted. A small SUV is ideal for the occasional rougher side road. Use a combination of Google Maps (with a VPN) and the reliable Chinese app, Gaode Maps. Download offline maps. Most scenic roads are well-signposted in English and Chinese.

Beyond the Wheel: Culinary and Cultural Pitstops

A scenic drive is punctuated by memorable stops. Keep an eye out for rustic farmhouse restaurants signposted with "nongjiale". Here, you can feast on beer fish (the local specialty), bamboo tube rice, and fresh vegetables. The village of Longtan, nestled in a deep valley, offers stunning tranquility and a glimpse into minority culture. For a touch of modern whimsy, seek out the Alila Yangshuo Sugar House, a stunning boutique hotel in a renovated sugar mill—a perfect spot for a sophisticated cocktail with a view.

Timing is Everything

Dawn and dusk are not just golden hours for photographers; they are magical times to drive. The low sun casts long, dramatic shadows across the peaks, and the tourist buses are absent. Conversely, avoid driving the main routes during Chinese national holidays, when traffic can overwhelm the narrow roads.

The roads around Yangshuo are threads that stitch together a tapestry of sublime landscapes, ancient culture, and serene moments. They invite you to go beyond the itinerary, to turn down that unmarked lane just because it looks interesting, and to find your own private vista of one of the world’s most beautiful places. So fuel up, roll down the windows, let the humid, earthy air fill the car, and start your engine. The painting is waiting, and you’re about to drive right into its heart.