Named after its moon-shaped hole, Moon Hill is one of the highlights of Yangshuo’s countryside. As surely as Elephant Hill is the most iconic among Guilin’s hills, Moon Hill is Yangshuo’s icon.
Moon Hill is a huge piece of rock with a moon-shaped hole in its center. The 800 marble stairs called "Appreciating Moon Path" can lead you to the top of the hill and to get a close view of the Moon Cave. Like most karst caves, there are lots of peculiar shaped stalactites hanging on the ceiling of the Moon Cave. Some are like Buddha’s warrior attendants, some like the goddess of the moon and some like jade rabbits. When cycling passed Moon Hill, with the change of viewpoints, the Moon Cave will take on the different looks of a "full moon", "half moon" or "crescent moon".
Moon Hill is also an great place for rock climbing. With 14 rock climbing routes on the north-west side, Moon Hill offers plenty of challenges for both amateur and professional climbers.
Features of Moon Hill
Moon HillThe moon-shaped hole measures 50 m wide and 50 m tall, under the arch of which are stalactites of various shapes. One of the stalactite resembles the jade rabbit (the mythical character that is said to sit with Chang’e in the moon palace — see Moon Festival Legends).
The walk up to the hole is on about 1,000 stone steps (15–20 minutes’ walk). The summit is a further 10–15 minutes' climb on a rough mountainside path. The scenery from the half moon, or better still the summit, is well worth the trek. It is the best you will get in the area with easy access.
At foot of the hill lies a tiny village called Moon Hill Village. The village offers refreshments.
Li Village (Li Cun 历村 /lee tswnn/), the other side of the main road offers hotel accommodation and restaurants. The other side of Li Village is the continuation of a cycling route on smaller roads through the villages. Viewing the hole from various angles on the road the other side of Li Village it is like seeing the phases of the moon.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Moon Hill is in autumn, as it is drier, and the temperature is mild. If climbing the hill in the summer, early morning and late afternoon are less hot.
Travel Essentials
- Location: one kilometer southwest of the Big Banyan Tree, 2.5 kilometers southwest of Butterfly Spring, and eight kilometers south of Yangshuo
- Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Transport: It takes about an hour to ride a bike (rented at West Street) to Moon Hill. Minibuses to Gaotian (高田 /gow-tyen/) from Yangshuo Bus Station stop at Moon Hill (月亮山 Yueliang Shan /ywair-lyang shan/).
