Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery

► This is a guided tour by eco-friendly bicycle. If you need a private car, feel free to contact our travel consultants to arrange it for you.

► Route: Yangshuo - Gongnong Bridge - Big Banyan - Moon Hill - Gold Water Cave - Jianshan Temple - Yan Village - Tianjia River - Aishan Village - Yangshuo.

Exploring China’s most beautiful place, Yangshuo, on two wheels is a once-a-lifetime experience, especially cycling along the beautiful Ten-Mile Gallery, which is Yangshuo’s most unmissable highlight. This is a classical biking route with moderate difficulty, suitable for average travelers. It stretches from the Yangshuo town to Moon Hill, covering a total length of about 30 kilometers (19 mi). There are multiple tourist spots along the way that are worthy of your exploration, and our all-inclusive tour has included tickets to all of them. All you have to do is pedal and enjoy a dopamine rush. On the way, you can stop anywhere and wander around at any time.

Our tour guide will meet you at your hotel in Yangshuo and then you will take a bicycle from the rental booths under your guide’s assistance and start your biking trip from the bustling West Street, where you can also purchase some snacks and drinks before departure. Then your cycling tour along the Ten-Mile Gallery starts. Along the scenic road, you will be attracted by elegant peaks and pastoral rice paddies, and the unique karst scenery just makes people feel like walking in a painting, so it is called "Ten-Mile Gallery".

Ride southwards along Kangzhan Road for 30 minutes. After passing by Totem Ancient Path and the Butterfly Spring Park, we will arrive at today’s first stop, Gongnong Bridge, also one of the highlights of the Ten-Mile Gallery. Standing at the confluence of Yulong, Jinbao, and Tianjia Rivers, the iconic stone bridge is surrounded by karst peaks. You are highly suggested to stop here and feast your eyes with mirror-like waters and the rolling green peaks, and enjoy a whole picture of the beautiful Ten-Mile Gallery. You will be amazed at three adjoining peaks on the east side, resembling a giant camel crossing the river. Here is also the end stop of bamboo rafting. You can take great pictures of mountains reflecting on the water surface and bamboo rafts floating on the river. All of them make up an ink landscape painting.

Continue cycling for about 500 meters (550 yards), you will arrive at the Big Banyan Scenic Area. As its name indicates, it is famous for an old banyan tree that has been around for over 1,500 years, with a height of around 17 meters (56 ft.). With luxuriant branches and intertwined roots, the giant tree itself could be called a forest, covering an area of more than 100 square meters (120 sq. yd). It is also known as the Tree of Love. People in relationships often come here to make wishes for their future.

About 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) away from the Big Banyan is the Moon Hill which marks the end of the scenic Ten-Mile Gallery. It is so named because there is a naturally formed round hole on the top of the hill, just like a big bright moon. The mountain is about 380 meters (1,247 ft.) high and the moon-like hole is about 50 meters (164 ft.) high and wide, while its wall only measures a few meters thick. Seeing from different places, you will also observe the cave’s various shapes. What’s more, its unique arch shape and good quality rocks make it a perfect spot for rock climbers.

If you are still energetic enough, follow your private guide to climb about 800 steps and you can reach the observation deck under the moon arch within 40 minutes. The climbing is well worth it as you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the ethereal beauty of the surrounding karst peaks, with villages and paddies scattered around.

However, if you feel too tired to hike the mountain, then there is a village nearby which provides a great viewpoint. Just ride along the path on the south into the village and you will be guided to find a wide square, where you can gaze the Moon Hill into the distance. There are also many outdoor eating stops along the way where you can have a simple lunch and take a break.

Continue cycling for several minutes, you will arrive at the Gold Water Cave, a beautiful karst cave. Besides appreciating the pretty-lite typical karst landforms and seeing stalactites accumulated millions of years ago, here you may also encounter some local performances like Chinese calligraphy writing and local singing and dances. Different from other karst caves in Guilin, Gold Water Cave features a mud bath and a hot spring inside the cave, well worth a try. Nothing gets better than relaxing in a hot spring inside of a cave after a long cycling trip. If you want to enjoy the mud bath and the hot spring, don’t forget to take a swimming suit, a towel and flip-flops. The performances, mud bath, and hot spring are all included in the price.

After that, you will be guided to reverse the trip back to the Big Banyan Scenic Area, and then turn eastwards onto a country road. Head forward and you will pass by Jianshan Temple opposite the Big Banyan. The temple closed down several years ago and there are no monks inside anymore, but you can still enter to take in the traditional architecture. Continue riding to the east and go across a stone arch bridge to reach Yan Village, which is close to the Tianjia River. You may leave your bike at the roadside and enjoy the scenery at the river dam. Don't miss the sunset scene here. At that time, the sun will cast its golden light on the rippling river. Sometimes, there will also be small herds of cattle slowly passing by, presenting the peaceful idyllic scenery of this place.

Next, take a leisurely ride northwards to Aishan Village. Go across the Aishan Bridge and follow the asphalted road northwards to return to Yangshuo. Your 1-day Yangshuo bicycle tour just ends here. The guide will assist with bike return and escort you back to your hotel. Take a break and go out on your own for some authentic local food to satisfy your taste buds.
► Dinner Recommendation: Try Yangshuo Beer Fish at Local Chain Restaurants
Referring to signature dishes of Yangshuo cuisine, Beer Fish is listed on the top and you may find the whole street is serving the famous dish. The stir-fry-based dish is always cooked with fresh Li River fish and local beer, with a rich flavored sauce made from chili paste, tomato sauce, and fermented tofu, along with vegetables like green and red pepper to add complex flavor. Costing only about CNY70-80 (USD10-11), the famous dish tickles everyone’s taste buds. Generally, the famous local chain restaurants are recommended to taste it, like Dashifu and Xie Sanjie. Anyway, try to find the head restaurant as the branches cannot really compete with it. Your guide would be very glad to point out the location for you.