China - Li River versus Three Gorges cruise

Are going to China in July 2009. Which is better Li River or Three Gorges because we don%26#39;t have time to do both. Is Three Gorges river now too high to merit the trip? Gateway will be Chengdu from Lhasa. Thanks for sharing.

China - Li River versus Three Gorges cruise

Li River is quite a short cruise compared to 3 gorges. Better still are the raft rides around Yanghsuo. Spending a few days in and around Yangshuo is better in my opinion.

China - Li River versus Three Gorges cruise

thanks, this was one of the things we were considering!

Li River is basically a day trip. Beautiful! Three Gorges is a good three-day cruise, but pick the right (Western style) ship.

If you want to save time, Do Li River Cruise as it takes 4 hours from Guilin to Yangshuo. If you do Yangtze Tour, it takes three days, moreover, you need to do it from Chongqing to Yichang, then fly to Shanghai, Xian or Beijing for your next stop. If you do Li River cruise, you need to fly to Guilin, do the cruise next morning to Yangshuo, one or two nights at Yangshuo then back to Guilin airport to your next stop. Just weigh both choice.

Morgen Mo

You might also consider doing the 3 Gorges cruise via hydrofoil, if you want to save time.

I%26#39;m a fan of neither, but I went on the 3 Gorges cruise in winter a couple of years back. If you%26#39;re interested in the full report and candid photos, email me at ellyse99@yahoo.com and put ';TripAdvisor'; and your own username (eg janet17130) in the subject line.

Reports on the hydrofoil are that you cannot see much out the windows because of the speed and wave splashing/dirty windows. I suggest you skip both Yangtze and Li River cruises. Instead head to Yangshuo and take several boat/raft rides. You can take a smaller boat ride upstream which is more interesting and not as lengthy. Then take a private bamboo raft ride down the Li River a bit. Nice quiet peaceful boat ride to examine the shores of this river. Then take the Yulong River raft ride, along with everyone else in the area...but still it is fun.

I never tired of the karst hills around Yangshuo. They are so unlike anything in the USA. Plan on three or four days for touring and visiting in the area. See Guangxi or Guilin Forum postings for more ideas.

I agree with most of the replies. I just came back from Yangshou and surrounding areas for 9 days. I went to the Three Gorges a few years ago, and while it was interesting and a bit of history-making to see the changes, it was long -- 3 days. I much preferred the relaxing and beautiful and tranquil rides down the Li River and Yulong River on bamboo rafts. Go there and experience so much more. The rice terraces in Longsheng are spectacular, too, north of Guilin.