Karst peak with a moon-shaped natural arch piercing the rock — climbed for the panoramic view or biked past on the standard Yangshuo loop.
At a glance
- What it is
- Outdoors
- Also known as
- 月亮山 (Yuèliàng Shān)
- Opening hours
- 7 AM – 6 PM
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours
- Best time to visit
- Morning before noon heat; afternoon golden hour for the arch lighting
- Getting there
- Taxi / DiDi from metro
- English
- Some English signage
- Cards accepted
- Cash only
- Entry
- Walk-in — no booking
- Wi-Fi
- No public Wi-Fi
- Address
- Gaotian Township, Yangshuo County · 桂林市阳朔县高田镇
Moon Hill is a 230m karst peak 8 km south of Yangshuo town, named for the perfect crescent-moon arch eroded through the rock near its summit. Three engagement options: (1) ¥15 entry + climb the 800 stone steps to the arch (45 min one way) for the inside-arch perspective + valley views, (2) Rock climb the south face on bolted routes (Yangshuo is one of Asia's top sport-climbing destinations — 200+ routes on Moon Hill alone), (3) Bike or scooter past on the Yangshuo countryside loop, photographing the arch from the road. Most foreign tourists do #1 + #3 in the same morning. Don't combine with Yulong bamboo rafting same day (legs will be exhausted).
Highlights
- Natural moon archPerfect crescent eroded through 230m peak
- Sport climbing200+ bolted routes; one of Asia's top climbing areas
- Bike loopStandard countryside cycle route passes the south face
What Chinese travelers actually do here
Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.
- ▸800 steps to the moon arch top — moderate climb, 35-45 min one way. Wear shoes with grip; the steps are slippery when humid. Most foreigners finish without serious fatigue.
- ▸Photography: from inside the arch looking OUT gives the unique 'window' shot of distant karst peaks. From the road below looking UP gives the 'classic moon hill' postcard. Do both.
- ▸Yangshuo is Asia's top rock climbing destination (named in The North Face's 'Top 10 climbing zones globally' in 2018). Moon Hill alone has 200+ bolted routes from 5.8 to 5.13d. Climbing shops on West Street Yangshuo rent gear (¥150-300/day) + offer guided climbs (¥600+/day for foreigners).
- ▸Best on the standard 'Yangshuo countryside bike loop' — bike past on the road (free), THEN if you want, lock bike at the trail base and climb up (¥15 entry). Pure climbers skip the trail entry and book a guide for the bolted routes from the south side instead.
- ▸Don't combine Moon Hill climb with Yulong River bamboo raft same day — both involve sitting / standing in karst landscape for hours. Mix climb with bike-loop morning, raft afternoon, instead.
- ▸The 'inside the arch' photo angle requires actually climbing to the arch — about 600 of the 800 steps. Most tourists shoot from the road below; the elevated arch photo is the differentiated one.
Photos
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Yangshuo, Guilin, China [Yangshuo Travel Guide 2024]
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Moon Hill
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