Taking boat rides on the Li or Yulong rivers is a very popular activity as the rivers dominate the town and showcase the magnificent scenery. Rafts with small outboard motors are the favoured transport. You can also incorporate a bike ride out into the countryside then put your bikes on the raft for a trip back to town.

My favourite raft rides are in Xing Ping. The scenery there is the very best and even the Chinese 20 Yuan note has a picture of a local scenic sight.

Spectacular views are the raft ride treat along the Li River from the village of Yandi to Xingping. This trip takes a little over two hours. Along the way you pass the famous Nine Horse Mountains where the raft driver will stop for photo shots. You can also choose to have your photo taken and laminated by professional photographers who have set up shop on the river bank. This is done while you wait... a very short time. Locals are also there to sell you snack food or fruit.

The rafts are very safe and stable. The river is not very deep so even non-swimmers would have no problems if they fell off, but the raft driver would never allow this to happen. All operators are licensed and closely monitored by the local Government.