The Yulong River threads green water through Yangshuo karst, with bends that only read as a continuous ribbon from the air. From a raft you see one pool. From an untethered hot-air balloon the river can open under the basket when wind carries you that way. On the Guilin hub it is a soft may-see on the balloon card — aerial framing only, never a raft day ticket.
Cabin light, cloud and season change how clearly named sights read from the air. Keep every landmark as a soft may-see and sell the inclusions — air time, meeting details and weather honesty — ahead of an endless list of place names.
The Yangshuo Karst Untethered Hot Air Balloon Tour is the signature untethered balloon: about 30 minutes free-flight, from USD 253 per person, up to about 500 m, often timed around sunrise or sunset. After check-in at the Yangshuo balloon field you may see the Yulong with soft Moon Hill and karst context. The entry From is the Yangshuo 10-Mile Gallery 5-Minute Helicopter Tour (about 5 minutes, from USD 129). The Yangshuo Li River 22-Minute Helicopter Tour (from USD 549) covers longer Li River country. Named sights are route- and weather-dependent — you may see them rather than a guaranteed overflight. This is an untethered free-flight hot-air balloon, not a helicopter.
Shared or small-group untethered hot-air balloon; private or small-group choices appear on some booking options. Soft may-see only — a balloon follows the wind, so no river bend is promised. This hub does not sell tethered balloon flights, airport-transfer helicopters, or Longji-only / cruise-only ground packages.
Untethered balloon flights meet at the Yangshuo balloon field. Some options include hotel pick-up and drop-off — confirm on your voucher. Exact check-in time follows the sunrise or sunset window on your booking. Exact timing is confirmed after booking. This hub uses more than one meeting place: the Yangshuo balloon field for the untethered free-flight, and Gongnong Bridge for helicopter tickets. Your voucher names the exact desk — do not treat one pin as the meet for every ticket. No hard passport rule is stated beyond booking names. Bring photo ID if asked at the field or helipad. Check dates and prices when you book.
Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Balloon and helicopter flights are heavily weather-dependent. Soft “you may see…” for Moon Hill, Yulong River, Xingping, Nine Horses Fresco Hill and the Ten-Mile Gallery. Fog, rain, thunderstorms or air-traffic control can cancel flying. If conditions are not suitable, follow the refund path on your booking. Helicopter ticket age bands on the listings checked start at age 4. Balloon free-flight age rules follow your voucher — confirm when you book. A public hard passenger weight limit in kg or lb is not stated on the balloon or helicopter listings checked — follow check-in guidance.
To look for the Yulong River from an untethered balloon, book the Yangshuo karst balloon on the Guilin hub. Prefer the entry helicopter From? See the 5-minute Gallery tour. Live prices are shown when you book.
See Yulong River from a hot air balloon over Guilin. Book the Yangshuo Karst Untethered Hot Air Balloon Tour.