What to Bring

Every Activity

General Packing List

Bring these regardless of which activity you've booked.

🧴

Sunscreen

SPF 50+ minimum. Yangshuo's subtropical sun is intense, especially at altitude or on the water. Apply before you arrive — we won't have time at the start.

🧢

Hat / Cap

A wide-brimmed hat for hiking and culture tours, or a baseball cap for climbing and via ferrata. Helmets are provided where required.

💧

Water Bottle

We provide water on all tours, but having your own reusable bottle means you can drink at your own pace. 1 litre minimum for half-day, 2 litres for full-day.

💰

Small Amount of Cash

For snacks, soft drinks, or optional extras at village stops. Most vendors in rural Yangshuo accept WeChat Pay or cash, but not international cards.

📱

Charged Phone

For navigation, photos, and emergency contact. Download the tour details and our WhatsApp number before you leave your accommodation.

💊

Personal Medication

Bring any prescription medication, allergy medication, or personal first aid items you regularly use. Tell your guide about allergies or medical conditions at the briefing.

Activity-Specific

What to Wear & Bring by Activity

All technical safety equipment is provided. The lists below cover clothing and personal items only.

🧗

Rock Climbing

We provide: harness, helmet, rock shoes, rope, belay device

Clothing: Comfortable sports clothes that you can move freely in. T-shirt and shorts are fine in summer. Avoid anything baggy that might catch on rock.
Footwear: Bring whatever you're comfortable in — sports shoes, trainers, even sandals. We provide climbing shoes at the crag.
Sunscreen: Apply before you arrive. Limestone reflects heat and UV significantly.
Snacks: Energy bars, fruit, or nuts are welcome. We take breaks at ledges where you can eat.

Leave at home: Jewellery, bulky watches, and anything you'd be upset to scratch or lose.

⛰️

Via Ferrata

We provide: harness, helmet, via ferrata lanyard, gloves

Clothing: Sports clothes — T-shirt and long or short trousers. The iron rungs and cables can scrape bare skin, so long sleeves are worth considering.
Footwear: Sturdy trainers or hiking shoes with ankle support. Avoid flip flops or smooth-soled shoes — the fixed iron footholds require some grip.
Sunscreen: Apply before you arrive. In summer, via ferrata routes are exposed to full sun for extended periods. This is the activity where sunburn is most common.
Sunglasses: Useful when looking up at handholds against bright sky.

Summer tip: Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before your start time — once the harness is on and you're on the cliff, there's no good moment to reapply.

🏊

Caving & Canyoneering

We provide: wetsuit, helmet, harness, headlamp

Swimwear to wear under the wetsuit: You'll put on our full wetsuit over your swimwear. Bring whatever is comfortable and moves freely.
Water shoes with toe protection: This is the one non-negotiable item. You need closed-toe water shoes designed for river or canyon use. Flip flops come off in current and offer zero grip on wet rock. Soft-soled swim socks are not enough either. If you don't have a pair, any outdoor gear shop in Yangshuo sells them for around ¥80–150.
Full change of clothes: You will get wet. Bring a complete set of dry clothes to change into afterwards — top, bottom, and underwear. Leave them in a dry bag in the vehicle.
Towel: We have a limited supply. Bring your own for comfort.

Leave at home: Valuables, cash, and anything that can't get wet. A waterproof phone case loan is available — ask your guide.

🚣

Kayaking & SUP Paddleboarding

We provide: kayak/SUP board, paddle, CE life jacket, dry bag

Quick-dry clothing: Swimwear or light sports clothes that dry fast. Avoid cotton — it stays wet and heavy for hours.
Footwear: Closed-toe water shoes or strapped sandals. You'll step in and out of the river at launch and landing points. No flip flops — they come off in the water and provide no grip on wet rock or riverbank.
Sunglasses with a retainer strap: Water glare is strong on the Yulong River. A strap keeps them on if you capsize.
Full change of dry clothes: Leave a complete set in the vehicle. Even without a capsize, you'll be damp from splash and humidity by the end.

A dry bag is provided — keep your phone, wallet, and camera inside it throughout the paddle. Don't bring anything into the kayak that isn't waterproofed.

🥾

Hiking

We provide: guide, route planning, transport, water & snacks

Footwear: For easy valley trails, sturdy trainers are fine. For ridge or mountain trails, hiking boots with ankle support are strongly recommended — karst rock is uneven and slippery when wet.
Lightweight layers: Mornings can be cool on ridge hikes even in summer. A light jacket or long-sleeve layer is useful at elevation.
Trekking poles: Optional but useful on steeper descents, especially if your knees are sensitive. We have a limited supply — ask when booking.
Blister plasters: If you know your shoes rub, bring plasters. The guide's first aid kit covers injuries, not shoe-fit issues.

🏮

Local Culture Tour

We provide: guide, transport, food tasting, workshop materials

Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes — village paths are uneven. Light trainers or casual shoes are ideal. No special footwear needed.
Camera: Culture tours offer the best photography opportunities of any of our activities. Your guide knows the best light and will ask community members' permission before photographing.
Cash: Local artisans sell directly along the route. Prices are fair and purchases support the community directly. Most vendors don't accept card.

Village life moves at its own pace — the best moments are unscripted. There's no rush on this tour.

When You're Visiting

Seasonal Tips

🌸 Spring (Mar–May)

Mild temperatures (15–25°C). Occasional rain — pack a light waterproof layer. The karst landscape is at its lushest. Best season for photography. Light hiking boots recommended.

☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug)

Hot and humid (28–38°C). Prioritise sunscreen, a hat, and quick-dry clothing for all activities. Water activities feel excellent. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible — guides will adjust accordingly.

🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov)

The most comfortable season for outdoor activity (18–28°C). Dry, clear days. Ideal for climbing and hiking. Light layers for mornings. Generally the best all-round season.

❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb)

Cool and often misty (8–16°C). Bring a warm mid-layer and wind-resistant jacket. Canyoneering is paused in winter. Climbing, via ferrata, hiking, and culture tours run year-round. The morning mist on the karst is spectacular.