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Climbing in Yangshuo

Yangshuo is the most popular rock climbing destination in China. It is a backpackers mecca, famous for its tooth-like hills, only 90 minutes by road from Guilin.

Something for everyone: There are plenty of nice "juggy" beginners routes, a vast array of 5.8 to 5.10 routes, and then there is more and more being logged by the serious climbing fraternity for you to discover and try your finger tips at. Yangshuo's karst has its own guidebook being circulated locally.

Famous rock climbers to onsight the toughest routes in Yangshuo include Todd Skinner (first 5.13) and Chris Sharma (5.14b).

Easy access: Flat valleys between the karst hills and a network of highways and decent dirt roads mean that you never have to walk far. There are many crags within 30 minutes by minibus or cycling from the little town.

Also read Top Outdoor Activities in Yangshuo.

Professional Climbing Trip Providers

There are five or so climbing outfits in Yangshuo providing climbing guides to set up the routes and keep you safe, equipment, and transport to the cliffs. A typical price for a day’s climbing is 200–300 yuan.

Karst Climber — one of the pioneers of rock climbing in Yangshuo, established in 2000, it has a strong brand reputation. Insight Adventures (formerly pioneer Chinaclimb) — established 2010 under the new name, but still specializing in school group adventures.

X-Climber — established in 2002, they boast the best climbers, well-trained guides, and flexibility

Terratribes — founded in 2008 by two Chinese outdoor enthusiasts, they offer high-quality, community/environmentally-sensitive trips

Spiderman Climbing — a small outfit offering half-day and day-tours for beginners and advanced climbers.

The Best Time to Climb

Climbing in Yangshuo

See Guilin Weather. Fall is the best time to climb, with warmth (but not too hot) and lower rainfall from late September through November.

Winter is generally cold, damp (though low rainfall), and generally unpleasant on the rock faces. However, when the southerlies blow temperatures can get into the sunny 20s °C, dropping off quickly at dusk. There is daylight from 7:30am to 6pm even in the middle of winter. If you don’t mind the cold you can have the rock to yourself in the low season.

Spring, from mid-March to mid-May, is wet with rising temperatures.

Summer is scorching with high rainfall, but it generally falls in torrential bursts that dry up an hour after you’ve sheltered. Some crags have faces that don’t get soaked even in the worst downpours. Sun protection is a must for the fair skinned.

The Yangshuo Climbing Festival

The Yangshuo Climbing Festival has now been going for five years.

It takes place over a weekend (in November), and includes bouldering and other climbing competitions, climbing training, taster climbing opportunities, and other outdoor activities like a 20-km countryside running race, a mountain bike race, and camping.

Include Yangshuo Climbing in Your China Tour

Climbing in Yangshuo

Book a Yangshuo tour with China Highlights. We can seamlessly include a half-day or a day of climbing in your itinerary, with professional climbing staff, equipment, and routes suited to your requirements, without you needing to book up with a climbing outfit or make arrangements yourself.

List Yangshuo climbing on our tailor made form along with the other things you would like to do in China, and we will design you a custom-made tour from scratch. Free consultancy and unlimited changes ensure that you can discover China your way.

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