This one is a favorite with everyone who does it. The hike follows paths which are beside the Li river. This section of the river is regarded as the most spectacular one.

Arriving in Yangdi, walk down to the Li River bank. You have to start the walk from across the river. Ferry tickets for the first two crossings (Yangdi and Langkuo) are sold near the riverside, now costing Y16 for the package. An alternative is to take the bamboo punt for roughly Y15 (negotiable). There are many touts offering punt rides, and if you are tired you can opt for one of these to carry you downstream (no doubt the price will go up if you look particularly tired!) - After the crossing, climb up a short and narrow muddy path, join a pretty route through the paddy field. From here on you will not see the river until the next village, Langkuo, about 45 mins away. When in Langkuo, walk up to the end of the village toward the river to board the ferry.

After the crossing, the path goes for long stretches on the walled riverbank so watch your steps!! It is nearly 3 hrs walks to the next ferry in Huashan village (Nine Horses Hill village). This is the most beautiful part of the trail. Walking along the bank you can enjoy the picturesque landscape of the Li River. There is a little island in the river with glazing grey bulls - typical scenery in Chinese paintings.

After crossing the river at Huashan (Y4), you have done 2/3 of the trail. It is another two hours' walk to reach Xingping. From Huashan, you go through a gravel road past little farmhouses, gradually getting busier as you approach the tourist metropolis of Xingping.

Instead of walking, you can take a three-wheeled truck from Huashan to Xingping for Y5. It saves your time and energy so that you can climb to Laozhai Shan standing next to the wharf in Xingping, and enjoy the most beautiful view of the Li River.

Xingping is beautiful and has a tourist attraction where the scenery appears on the Chinese twenty yuan note.