China Travel Forum

I will take a river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (1/2 day or shorter if I can arrange it). I would like to see Yu Long Bridge, Moon Bridge, and/or Bright Moon Peak. Can I do this in the time left to me in Yangshuo before catching a bus back to Guilin? How late do the buses go back to Guilin? Frequency of service? Can I hire a taxi to do these sites or can I walk to them? I'm not so great on a bike anymore...(too old & too pudgy!). Any suggestions?

From personal experience in September last year, last bus back to Guilin leaves around 2130.

Otherwise you may go to Yangshuo in the evening of prior day, raft along Yulong River instead your cruise along Li River, then you can see the plcs you listed without any trouble.3-6 hours trip on Yulong so you have enough time for catching a bus going back Guilin.

Can I confirm this? I can take a river cruise on the Yulong and see the spots I mentioned previously? Does the cruise go up and back, or drop me off up by the Bridge and then I have to make my way back to Yangshuo to catch my Guilin-bound bus?

For rafting along Yulong river, usually done by biking+rafting+biking, departs at Yulong Bridge, ends at Gongnong Bridge;however, you may finish your rafting at any spot available in the halfway.
If you do not rent a bicycle for the trip between your accormadation and departure spot of raft, or between accormadation and your destination of raft,you may also choose a mini van to pick you up.
Moon Bridge and Bright Moon Peak can be reached either by bike from Gongnong Bridge, or by a tour carter similar to golf carter departs from the entrance of Xijie.RMB10 only for round trip.
3-5minutes walking distance between Xijie and bus station.

Have a look at my pages on Guilin and Yangshuo for the choices you have. If I were you I would get down to Yangshuo as soon as possible (bus or taxi)stay there as long as you can ..again have a look at what we did..and reserve the boat trip for Yangshuo. Once you get there you have a number of options from hiring an electric car to guides who organise where you want to go (again see my tip on guides).

All in all my advice is to spend more time in Yangshuo rather than Guilin!!

I would second that opinion. Get out of Guilin as soon as possible, make a beeline for Yangshuo.

The highlight of Li River is between Xingping and YangDi, you may arrange a day tour departs from Yangshuo early morning and return Guilin directly once you complete the tour.