I read an article about the 5 best places to kayak in China... I wish I could remember where I read it. But kayaking a river would be the best cruise I think.

did the river cruise in the spring 2 years ago out of guilin, 2500 for a week per person for double cabin, meals are ok. no snacks between meals on the boat or midnight buffets. travel through the night and new city to visit each day, fly home at end, boat goes through the picture on the 20 rmb bill. best to bring food for snacks and booze on your own.

I've done the Li River a couple of times. The first time in the morning, there was still mist out, looked better. I did the motorized raft. The cruise ship is too crowded, The raft is water level. I heard the ships meals were crap and read a review that they saw the crew washing the dishes in the river later.

I usually cruise or surf the world wide web in china It's actually quite fun. You need to stop staying in one location and move around. 

make sure you get on a boat with foreigners and not a chinese boat i went on a cruise on a chinese boat it was miserable the sites stops and sites were great but the boat unreal