While it’s been a few years since we toured China with our five kids, while traveling the world full-time, and our amazing StroudInc Team, the memories are still vivid. This fantastic part of the world can be difficult to access (the visa process alone requires some help and patience), but it is a magical world once you’ve gotten into it!
When we visited the Li River cruise in China, which is located in the Guangxi Province, we didn’t know what to expect. Our tour company designed our 17-day China tour, and we were a bit skeptical about a river cruise with five young children. That is not always the most fun experience! However, we loved it. The kids did get a little bored, but the tour kept it fun with some interactive options, fun snacks, and tea service. Every single time our memories of this amazing tour include this river cruise on the Li River and how epic and astoundingly beautiful this river is!
China is amazing. It has an ancient and rich history; it’s no wonder that when we stepped into this country, we decided we wanted to visit important and historic landmarks. Like the Great Wall, for instance, we couldn’t go to China and not visit it! Or even pass up the opportunity to spend a full day with pandas — sooo cute! However, we also wanted to visit places that are not so popular (at least for foreign tourists) and that hold so much value.
Let’s talk a little about the Li River, which is a gem in southern China! The Li River is known for its peaceful views and the dreamy Karst Mountains that look like they came out of a painting. Their stunning green peaks provide a fantastic background to the river cruise.
The river flows between the towns of Guilin and Yangshuo. It should be on top of the list for family travel in China.
When we visited this river cruise in China, we were in awe! We saw pictures when doing our research, but it’s still so breathtaking once you are standing there. The scenery was something out of this world: it’s simply epic. And our boat cruise was perfect, as it had enough space for sitting outside and also inside.
A tip for traveling in China: you might be surprised, as I was, to find that most of the tourists in China are Chinese. Foreign tourists are a bit rare to see. You are mostly going to see people from other parts of the country. Similar to Americans touring around America, the Chinese enjoy their vast country and all it has to offer!
What does this mean for you? It means that most of the tourists are going to know the customs and how things work in China while you’ll be a bit left in the dust! We were constantly grateful for our tour guide in China. The country is so large that each big city speaks its own language, essentially, as the dialects are so different. We had a different tour guide in each city, and for good reason. A “small town” in China can be two million people! Large cities are more like 30 million. The scale is large in a country with over a billion people!
The tea service on this river cruise is a great example. We had no idea what the customs were for a Chinese Tea Service and were grateful our tour guide was there to help us. It can be quite formal.
Another point to consider: when we were on the boat, our kids felt a little bit nauseous. I’d highly recommend you come prepared in case you get motion sickness. Thankfully, our kids felt fine by just sitting outside and getting fresh air, but some people might need to take something to feel better.
Also, if you’re booking a cruise that serves food, most of the cruises offer a buffet that has Chinese and Western choices. You will be able to find fish, chicken, eggs, and also veggie options. If you have any food restrictions or special dietary requirements, I’d advise you to pack snacks for you and your kids in case you get hungry!
Take into consideration that some cruises may not have the best food, or food not suitable for your kids. So, once you finish the tour, you might be able to enjoy a lunch upon your return. During your cruise, you will also be able to enjoy any complimentary drinks like tea and water.
When taking the Li River cruise in China, you have many options. And, of course, they all depend on your budget, type of trip, and if you (like us) have kids. Our boat tour was so much fun! Everyone enjoyed it in spite of the motion sickness some of our kids had.
To our surprise, the standard Li River cruise price is not expensive at all. Here are some suggestions we found that you might like to try out.
When booking these tours, make sure you do it in advance, especially if planning to travel during peak season or with a large group! Check the weather, as some boats are not suitable for rainy or stormy days.
Once you choose your tour, there’s really not much to do, but there is A LOT to see! Some boats do include a guide who speaks various languages that can help you be entertained during your tour. However, most cruises do not include a guide who speaks your language or have them as a complimentary service.
If you are not offered a guide or choose not to pay, I’d suggest you do your research on the Li River cruise in China. This will help you get an idea of what you’re seeing and its historical importance in this country.
If you take the bike ride tour, you can enjoy up close the picture-perfect landscapes of the Li River! Also the Karst mountains while you ride along the Yulong River Valley. But perhaps the most interesting part of these kinds of tours is that you get to see the rice paddies, tea plantations, local markets, and villages of Southern China!
You’re bringing your kids to this riverboat adventure, just like we did with our crew. What should you bring to make this visit enjoyable?
You’ll want to stay in the Guilin area, as many, if not all, tours pick you up at your hotel!
You can find many kid-friendly hotels in Guilin, which is the area we stayed in. It’s very practical to stay here! Many transport options are available to take you back to your hotel in case the tour does not provide it for you. Let me tell you about the best hotel options for visiting the Li River from Guilin!
If you’re traveling with a family, you’ll want to look for a hotel with many amenities. For example, the Guilin Village Creek Inn offers villas (for big families like ours), mountain views, and varied food options. Plus, you can ask for shuttle service and a cooking class at an additional cost. And if you know us, you know we love a cooking class during our trips!
You can also stay in the Guilin Osmanthus Tree Resort. This hotel has a kids pool, family room, and also offers lots of activities and culture classes! It’s near the Reed Flute Cave and the Elephant Trunk Hill, the symbol of the city of Guilin. This is a place you’ll likely see during your Li River cruise tour! No matter what you choose, be sure to look for hotels near the Li River area.
Once you know where you’re going to stay, how do you get around? Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy! Some hotels are just walking distance from the Li River (check your location before though).
Other ways to get to the Li River River Cruise in China can include:
Private Transport: This might be a private shuttle, something your hotel can provide you with upon request. Try booking it in advance, or with your tour (as many of them include transport). They take you directly to the cruise pier and it is a great option if you have a large group.
Taxi or Car Ride App: This is super convenient and a not-too-pricy option, as the rides can be $28 USD. Need help ordering one? You can ask at the front desk of your hotel to help you book one. The perk of this one is you don’t have to book in advance, and it’s fast.
By Bus: If you’re near the Guilin city center, there are many bus routes. They can drop you off where most of the Li River cruises begin, and only take 15 minutes. This is a budget-friendly and convenient way to get there.
Just make sure to leave early to avoid any delays! And also be mindful that when using a bus, you may have a bit of a challenge with the language.
Lastly, let me give you my final tips for making your family visit to the Li River cruise in China a smooth and unforgettable experience!
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Find a nice hotel near Mont Saint Michael from Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more of Mont Saint Michaelwhile having fun through exciting activities from GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need to rent a car to navigate the city? Visit Rentalcars.com.
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Want to have a photo shoot while traveling? Check out flytographer!
Capture your best memories in Mont Saint Michael as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
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