Moon Hill

Any part of a Yangshuo tour would not be complete without a visit to Moon Hill, a beloved tourist site, located 8 km from West Street, the oldest street in downtown Yangshuo. Moon Hill is named after its moon-shaped hole; this majestic miracle of nature is a Karst formation with a 50-meter semicircular hole in its center, often referred to as “a big rock with a hole in it!”

The Moon Hill seen from a distance

Moon Hill measures 380 meters in height, 410 meters in length and 22 meters in width and resembles the various phases of the moon, from crescent to a beautiful full moon from various angles. Moon Hill is located in the earliest and most mature rock field in Yangshuo, and is considered one of China's most interesting crags in the area. All climbing routes on Moon Hill are set on the steep, rugged crag around its giant moon-shaped arch.

Quick Facts about Exploring Moon Hill

• Entrance Fee: 11 RMB
• Opening Hours: 8:00-17:30
• Suggested Visiting Time: 1-2 hours
• Location: 8 km from West Street, Shili Gallery Scenic Area, Yangshuo County, Guilin City

Moon Hill Yangshuo Map

Rock Climbing on Moon Hill

You don’t have to be an adventure-seeking climber to find Moon Hill an exciting challenge! Depending on your speed and stamina, climbing to the top of the Hill takes under an hour. At present, there are 37 rock climbing routes for above-average climbers, with 15-to-40-meter climbing length and different angles of elevation. 

After a rigorous climb to the top of Moon Hill, the splendid views that surround you will offset the hard work it took to get you all the way to up to the top and back!

Moon Hill Hiking

The height of the Hill is about 380 meters. The slope, with its dense trees and bamboo forests, makes it an enjoyable place for hiking. Visitors can hike to the top along the small, steep path, with installed safety rails, which takes around 30 minutes and several bottles of water!

Yangshuo countryside and karst landscapes

After you’ve climbed the 800+ marble-paved steps leading to the top, stand still and can catch your breath underneath the incredibly lush trees and bamboo forest while enjoy a stunning, peaceful panoramic view of Yangshuo Town’s Karst formations, rivers, and farming villages. Besides being exquisite, the trees provide cool shade against the summer sun and will also help you stay cozy and warm on cold days!

How was Moon Hill formed?

Geography: Karst Rock Erosion 

Guilin is fortunate to have many beautiful, classic Karst landscapes and like most formations in the region, Moon Hill is Karst. The wide hole through Moon Hill was once a limestone cave formed in the phreatic zone. The crustal movement caused the deformation of the cave and led to the formation of the arch. Due to erosions caused by water and wind, a through hole of a regular shape was formed in the hill, which puts you in the mind of the moon rising behind the horizon. 

A Fairytale: The Moon Palace

People from ancient times wove hundreds of tales around the moon. One of them is the belief that there is a Guanghan Palace on the moon where Chang’e the Goddess of the Moon, her pet Jade Rabbit, and the woodcutter, Wu Gang, all live.  It’s believed that these “beings” can be seen from the earth whenever they make appearances on the surface. Many visitors to Moon Hill think that various portions of its formation resemble these lunar residents!

How to get there?

Moon Hill is one of the key sights within Guilin’s Shili Gallery (十里画廊), a picturesque road extending 16 km (10 miles) from Yangshuo to Moon Hill. Due to traffic control of the area, taxis, tourist buses and private cars are not allowed to enter. Therefore, to reach Moon Hill, you will need to take a Santana taxi or ride a bicycle from downtown Yangshuo to the entry gate of Shili Gallery.

Biking along Shili Gallery in Yangshuo

By Bus

Buy a ticket for the sightseeing buses to get to Moon Hill. These buses run to all the attractions within the Shili Gallery Scenic Area between 8:00-18:00. It costs 20 RMB for a ticket and is valid for one day.

By Bike

As the saying goes, “No bike trip! No Yangshuo!” Cycling is the most popular way to explore Yangshuo, and Shili Gallery is the most popular cycling route. At the end point of Shili Gallery, it is recommended you tour Moon Hill by bike. There are many shops and hotels providing bike rental services. The rental prices usually vary from 10 RMB/day for light-style bike to 20 RMB/day for a mountain bike, with security deposit (approximately 200 RMB).

Remarks: A time-saving and energy-preserving alternative would be to rent an electric scooter. It will only set you back 50 RMB/day, and provides an exciting way to get around!

Travel Tips

• The best time to visit Moon Hill is in autumn, with mild temperatures and clear weather.
• There are some small cafés at the bottom of Moon Hill where you can have just a snack or a full meal, and the staff speaks English.
• The stairs on Moon Hill are steep and will be slippery after rain, so please do your homework and gear- up sufficiently for hiking; the terrain can be challenging.
• Give yourself about 2-3 hours for a round-trip biking tour between West Street and Moon Hill; there are some local villages and markets along the route worth a stop and visit.
• Taxis are seldom used in Yangshuo, but you can easily find one near the roads next to West Street. Taxi drivers don’t usually charge by distance, so it’s wise to negotiate the price before taking a taxi.

Remarks: An itinerary for a fun-loving, memorable Yangshuo Tour should include the Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, Bamboo Rafting on the Yulong River, Hiking or Rock Climbing on Moon Hill, and Cycling along the Yangshuo Countryside. It’s an ambitious task, and takes two-three days to cover these activities. You won’t regret it!

Nearby Attractions

• Big Banyan Tree: 1.5 km (0.9 mile) from Moon Hill; 20 minutes by foot and 7 minutes by bike.
• Yulong River (Gongnong Bridge Pier): 2 km (1.2 miles) from Moon Hill; 30 minutes by foot and 10 minutes by bike.
• Butterfly Spring: 3.5 km (2.2 miles) from Moon Hill; 50 minutes by foot and 17 minutes by bike.
• West Street:  8 km (5 miles) from Moon Hill; 2 hours by foot and 40 minutes by bike.