Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way is to WhatsApp us at +86 177 7738 5667 — tell us which activity you're interested in, your dates, group size, and experience level, and we'll confirm availability and details within 4 hours. You can also use the contact form on our website or email us at hello@yangshuowildways.com.

We recommend booking at least 2–3 days in advance to ensure guide availability and equipment preparation. For larger groups (6+ people) or during peak season (May–October), book 5–7 days ahead. That said, we do occasionally accommodate same-day bookings when guides are available — just WhatsApp us and we'll let you know immediately.

No experience is required for any of our activities. Our guides provide full instruction at the start of every session. Most first-time climbers are moving confidently on beginner routes within the first 30 minutes. The via ferrata is specifically designed for people without climbing experience — the fixed iron rungs do the technical work; you just need to follow the guide and trust the safety system.

Ages vary by activity: Rock climbing — 4 years old. Via ferrata — 8 years old (not recommended for younger children; ages 8–13 who aren't confident handling the gear or are nervous about heights need to be accompanied by a parent, unless the parent agrees to let them take part on their own with the guide). Kayaking — 6 years old (in a tandem kayak with a parent). SUP — 8 years old (it requires more balance than kayaking). Hiking — 6 years old. Caving — 6 years old. Canyoneering — 10 years old. ATV off-roading — 16 years old with a driving licence to ride solo, or 8 years old as a passenger (after a trial ride on site, parents decide, with the guide's advice). Local culture tours — no minimum age. For children under 7, a parent or guardian must participate in the same activity.

Several of our activities are excellent for families. Kayaking on the Yulong River is particularly family-friendly — children from age 6 can paddle in a tandem kayak with a parent on calm, shallow water. Local culture tours have no age minimum and are often the highlight for younger children (cooking, crafts, village life). Hiking on easy routes is suitable from age 6. Rock climbing and via ferrata work well for adventurous kids from age 8–10. Canyoneering and caving suit older, more adventurous children (around 10+).

Your guide assesses conditions before every trip. Light rain generally does not stop activities — rock climbing in light rain is common, and kayaking in warm rain is actually enjoyable. We cancel or reschedule when conditions are genuinely unsafe: electrical storms, high river levels for water activities, or strong winds at altitude. If we cancel due to weather, we reschedule at no extra charge or offer a full refund. We never run activities when participant safety would be compromised.

Yes — private bookings are available for all activities. Many of our guests book private tours for couples, families, or small friend groups. Private tours allow us to customise the pace, route, and itinerary to your group. Minimum group size is 1 (solo bookings are welcome). Maximum group size depends on the activity: climbing and canyoneering cap at 8 per guide, kayaking and hiking at 10, cave exploration and culture tours at 12. For larger groups, we can provide additional guides.

Yes. All technical safety equipment is included in the activity price: harnesses, helmets, ropes and belay devices (climbing/via ferrata), wetsuits and safety lines (caving/canyoneering), CE-certified life jackets and paddles (kayaking/SUP). Climbing shoes are provided at the crag. You only need to bring appropriate clothing and footwear — see our What to Bring guide for specifics per activity. Transport to and from the activity site is the one thing the price does not cover — see the transport question below.

All our guides speak English — this is a core requirement for working with us. Our primary guide team is bilingual in English and Mandarin. For culture tours and village visits, your guide handles all translation and communication with local community members.

We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers outdoor adventure activities. Check that your policy covers the specific activities you're booking — some standard travel policies exclude activities like rock climbing or canyoneering. We do not require proof of insurance to participate, but we advise all guests to have appropriate coverage. World Nomads and similar adventure-focused insurers are popular choices for travellers to China.

Absolutely — combining activities is very popular and we're happy to build a custom itinerary. A classic combination is a morning kayak on the Yulong River followed by an afternoon rock climbing or via ferrata session. Full-day combinations typically include a riverside or village lunch and two distinct activity experiences; transport between venues is quoted separately, or you can make your own way between them. Tell us how many days you have in Yangshuo and we'll suggest the best combination.

Cancellations made 48+ hours before the activity: full refund. Cancellations made 24–48 hours before: 50% refund. Cancellations less than 24 hours before: no refund (guide time and logistics are already committed). Cancellations due to weather or safety conditions assessed by our guide: full reschedule or full refund, no questions asked. If you need to cancel, please WhatsApp us as early as possible — we can often accommodate rescheduling even on short notice.

It varies by activity. Kayaking on the Yulong River and local culture tours require minimal fitness — most people in normal health can participate comfortably. Rock climbing, via ferrata, and hiking require basic fitness and the ability to walk for extended periods. Canyoneering is the most physically demanding — you should be comfortable in water (a wetsuit and life jacket are provided) and able to scramble over uneven terrain. When you book, tell us your fitness level honestly and we'll advise on the most appropriate activity and pace.

We accept cash (Chinese Yuan/RMB), WeChat Pay, and Alipay. For international guests, cash is most reliable — ATMs are available on West Street in Yangshuo. We do not currently accept international credit cards directly, though this may change. If payment method is a concern, WhatsApp us before booking and we'll work something out.

No — all our activity prices cover guiding, equipment, and safety cover, but not transport to and from the activity site. You have two options. The easy one: we send a private car to your hotel and bring you back afterwards — $15–30 return for a 4-seater or $20–35 return for a 6-seater, departing from Yangshuo town. The fare varies with the distance to each activity site, so we confirm the exact figure when you book. The independent one: make your own way to the site and meet your guide there. Download DiDi (China's equivalent of Uber) — it works in every Chinese city, the English interface handles destination entry, and it is good value. Bikes and e-scooters also work for the closer sites. Tell us which you prefer when you book and we'll confirm the meeting point and time accordingly.

At your hotel, in most cases — if you book the private transfer, we collect you from your accommodation and bring you back afterwards, so there is nothing to find. If you would rather travel independently, we meet you at the activity site instead. Either way, when you book we send you the exact meeting point, a WhatsApp location pin, and confirmation of your start time. If anything is unclear on the day, WhatsApp us and we will sort it out.

Yes — we offer hotel pickup before activities and drop-off afterwards, charged as an extra on top of the activity price. Just mention your hotel name and address when booking and we'll quote the transfer and arrange the details. This is the easiest option if you're unsure how to find us, travelling with children, or staying outside the town centre. Pickup is available for all activities; if you would rather not pay for a transfer, you can make your own way to the activity site instead.