Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong River

When traveling in Guilin, the common way to see the breathtaking karst peaks that line the rivers is on a large boat. This is still the travel method of choice for most, but I have come to appreciate and love the slower and more peaceful method of the bamboo raft. The one and one half hour ride goes in one direction downriver, with a local farmer poling travelers like a gondola. The farmers get to be gondalier only once per day. Because of the tips, rafting is a lucrative job. The government wants all to benefit from this industry, so each farmer is limited to one trip per day, in order to give the opportunity to as many farmers as possible.

In order to make the rafts, the bamboo is heated in order to bend it to the right shape. The bamboo is lashed together and two bamboo chairs are lashed to the raft. The result is a safe, buoyant and fun method of travel. 

Join me on a Chow Fun Tour and experience life on the river.