A hill with a hole through it, 8.5 kilometres south of Yangshuo — the arch frames the sky from below, and from the top you look down on the whole karst valley.
Moon Hill stands in Gaotian village, 8.5 kilometres south of Yangshuo town, and is the symbol of the county. The hill is pierced by a natural arch roughly circular in shape, which is where the name comes from. From different angles on the approach road the "moon" changes shape — full, half, crescent — which is the reason people stop repeatedly on the drive in.
Around 800 steps go up through the arch and out onto the ridge above it. It takes forty minutes to an hour for most people, and the last stretch is steep. From the top you look down on rice paddies, the Yulong River valley, and karst peaks in every direction — the best panorama in the Yangshuo area.
It is the natural partner to the Yulong River: cycle or drive out, climb Moon Hill, then raft or walk the river on the way back. Our Yangshuo countryside day does exactly that sequence, which is roughly half a day in total.
8.5 km south of Yangshuo town on the Gaotian road. Parking at the base; the climb starts from the ticket office.
Morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat — the climb is exposed and there is little shade. Clear days in autumn give the longest views.
Fixed price per car, driver waits while you walk.
Tell us your dates and we will confirm the car, the driver and a fixed price within 2 hours.