Moon Hill

» Yangshuo, Guang Xi

Moon Hill Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Moon Hill, located eight kilometers (five miles) south of the Yangshuo County, is one of popular attractions in Yangshuo. There is a wide, semicircular hole through in its peak through which the sky can be seen like a full moon, hence the name.

The beautiful legend

Legend has it that there is a Guanghan Palace on the Moon inhabited by the enchanting goddess of the moon - Chang'e, the pet of the goddess - the Jade Rabbit, and the woodcutter - Wu Gang. People in old days thought they saw these immortals when they came upon spots on the moon's surface. Visitors climbing the Moon Hill will find that there are nature-formed rock images of Chang'e, the Jade Rabbit and the woodcutter Wu Gang, which inspire endless beautiful imagination.

What to enjoy

The marvelous sky through the superb moon-shaped hole

A winding path with about 800 steps, called "Appreciating Moon Path," which leads from the bottom of Moon Hill to its windy, arched peak. When climbing, you have opportunities to appreciate the sky through the hole from different angles, appearing as a full, half or crescent moon depending on the angle.

On a sunny day, blue sky and white clouds can be seen through the hole and on cloudy and rainy days, the "moon" is deep in mist. Viewed from different places, the moon takes on different shapes, sometimes full moon, sometimes half-moon and sometimes crescent moon, forming a marvelous spectacle in Yangshuo.

The journey up to the summit is an arduous one. The path gets narrower, rougher and more slippery as you near the peak. The scenery overlooking the countryside through the half moon, however, is well worth the trek, which is probably the best you will get in the area.

The Moon Cave

You will arrive at the Moon Cave in which there hang stalactites of various shapes, some are like Buddha's warriors, some are like the Jade Rabbit; and some are like the goddess of the moon - Chang'e, creating the scene of the Guanghan Palace on the Moon mentioned in Chinese legends.

The panoramic View

Standing on the peak and looking around, you get the whole view of the surrounding countryside, the wooded mountains, gurgling rivers, green fields, and simple houses, all of which make it quite a intoxicating panoramic picture.

The Moon Hill Village

At foot of the hill nestles a tiny village called Moon Hill Village, just across the road from the Moon Hill. The village offers a haven for those who would like to stay off the touristy places. It is a tranquil village free from the pollution, stress and turmoil that plague most of the big cities. The traditional life style continues as time stands still here. You may enjoy many delicious food including tomato and egg omelets, fresh fish, steamed chicken, and tasty winter melon soup. The villagers will always be pleased to see you and will give you a great welcome.

Climbing up to the peak of the Moon Hill

Moon Hill is the most attractive and characteristic climbing spot in Yangshuo. With an elevation of 380 meters, the hill is 230 meters in relative height and 410 meters in length. The body of the hill is in northeast to southwest direction. The rock where the climbing route locates faces northwest. Here you can find fourteen bolted routes in total: eight of them are on the right rock face, two routes on the either side of the hole of the hill respectively, and the last four routes with different overhangs where the hole links to the crag.

Each route was coded in order from left side of upright rock. Route 4 and Route 6 each has two pitches. Although these routes are on the same rock face, they vary in direction, layout and size of every holds. So climbers can enjoy different challenges here. Climbing gurus may try the most difficult routes above the hole and rest on the summit enjoying the wonderful view of the whole Yangshuo. With 14 rock-climbing routes on the northwest side, Moon Hill offers sufficient challenge to both amateur and professional climbers.

Other exciting caves around the Moon Hill

A series of caves have been opened up not far from Moon Hill - the Black Buddha Cave, New Water Caves and Dragon Cave. If you head out to Moon Hill, you will undoubtedly be invited to visit these other caves.

Attractions around » Yangshuo, Guang Xi

Natural Scene

• Moon Hill
• Schoolboy Hill
• Green Lotus Peak

Historical Site

• Xingping Town

Cultural Site

• Moon Hill
• Schoolboy Hill
• Big Banyan Tree

Shopping & Leisure

• West Street

Moon Hill Highlights

Geological Formation in Great China

• Diecai Hill
• Fubo Hill
• Elephant Trunk Hill
• Seven Star Park
• Moon Hill
• Duxiu Peak
• Resonant Sand Bay
• Schoolboy Hill
• Tianshan Grand Canyon
• Pagoda Hill
• Taklamakan Desert
• Monster City
• Multi-colored Bay
• Seven-Star Crag Scenic Area
• Snail Hill
• Forest of Odd-Shaped Peaks
• Wangfu Rock
• Tuyugou Valley
• Dawakun Desert
• Feiyun Cliff
• Maolan Karst Forest Natural Conservation

Garden & Park in Great China

• Nanwan Monkey Island
• Summer Palace
• Norbulingka Park
• Tiger Hill
• Yuantouzhu
• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Mt. Lushan
• West Hill
• Diecai Hill
• Fubo Hill
• Elephant Trunk Hill
• Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone
• Yuexiu Park
• Liuyuan Garden
• Jinshan Temple
• Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden
• Stone Bell Hill
• Tianyi Pavilion
• Eling Park
• Long Island
• Window of the World
• Splendid China
• Seven Star Park
• Yuelu Academy
• Moon Hill
• Luhuitou Park
• Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
• Beijing Zoo
• Fragrant Hill
• Duxiu Peak
• Jinshitan Scenic Area
• Dragon Pavilion
• Schoolboy Hill
• Chongqing Zoo
• Wangjiang Park
• Wenshuyuan
• Beihai Park
• Old Summer Palace
• Siberia Tiger Park
• Turtle Garden
• Pagoda Hill
• Yueyang Tower
• Village of Ethnic Culture
• Mural Hill
• Snail Hill
• Yuquan Park
• Liyuan Garden
• Panmen Gate
• Shizilin Garden
• Yuyuan Garden
• Big Banyan Tree
• Grand View Tower
• Xinghai Park
• Merryland World
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Heyuan Garden
• Geyuan Garden
• Laodong Park
• Grand View Garden
• Shenyang Forest Wild Zoo
• Botanical Garden
• Drum Hill
• White Pagoda Mountain Park
• Five Spring Park
• Waterwheel Park
• Guiyang Forest Park
• Sun Island Park
• Zhaolin Park
• Wenfeng Park
• Hangzhou Botanical Garden
• Guyi Garden
• Green Lake Park
• Canglang Pavilion
• Chakpori Hill
• Water Park
• Jade Buddha Park
• Orchid Pavilion
• Children's Park
• Jade Emperor Pavilion
• Qianling Park

Moon Hill FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How is the climate of Guilin?
2. What is the best time to visit Guilin?

  Food

1. What should I pay special attention to in term of food and drink in Guilin?
2. Can I find western food in Guilin and Yangshuo?
3. What tour meals will be supplied?

  Shopping

1. Need I catch any cash?

  Travel

1. May I know more about Li River cruise?
2. What about the lodging in county-level scenic areas around Guilin City?
3. Will the shift between different scenic spots take a lot of time?

  Customs

1. Is there any taboo I need to pay attention to during my trip?

  Other Hints

1. What should be prepared about my apparel during the sightseeing of Guilin's mountains scenery?

• What is the best time to visit Guilin?

  Generally speaking, the best time to visit Guilin is between April and October, when Guilin exhibits her immortal beauty.

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• How is the climate of Guilin?

  Guilin has a subtropical monsoon climate. The most important thing to know about Guilin (and Yangshuo) weather is that it can get very hot, humid, and it rains a lot! The rainy season begins from April in Guilin City, so please carry rain gear with you. The average temperature for the year is 19.3 centigrade with a July average temperature of 28.3 degrees. The average rainfall for the year is 192.6 cm per month.

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• What should I pay special attention to in term of food and drink in Guilin?

  The local field snails are tasty and renowned. However, this snack fails to agree with everyone. Additionally, Malatang or chuanchuanxiang (a kind of spicy hot snack, somewhat like hot pot) is delicious but it should be avoided by tourists suffering intestinal tract disease.

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• Can I find western food in Guilin and Yangshuo?

  Can I find western food in Guilin and Yangshuo?

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• What tour meals will be supplied?

  Sour and spicy food dominates the tour meals provided by us and the rice serves as the main food. If you want to make some special requests, please make it clear beforehand.

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• Need I catch any cash?

  Yes. Sometimes you had better catch some cash because you can not get cash from your account through your bank card somewhere. You can ask help from the guides of our agency.

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• May I know more about Li River cruise?

  The low water period of Li River occurs from December to February of the year ensuing. During this period the Li River cruise usually starts from Yangdi to Xingping or begins with Yangdi to Dashuang and then return Yangdi.

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• What about the lodging in county-level scenic areas around Guilin City?

  The county-level scenic areas such as Yangshuo, Longsheng and Sanjiang are different from the Guilin City in term of the lodging places. The hotel accommodation is relative moist and is in a small scale, but the rooms are neatly.

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• Will the shift between different scenic spots take a lot of time?

  These scenic spots of Guilin are relatively near to another one, so you need not waste much time on the way and your sightseeing is leisurely. If you pay a visit to Yangshuo, Longsheng or Sanjiang area, it will take you more time on the way. However, you can feat your eye on the charming scenery.

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• Is there any taboo I need to pay attention to during my trip?

  The guides will inform you of the customs of ethnic groups inhabited in those scenic areas. Please respect the life and belief of the local people and avoid any conflict with them.

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• What about the lodging in county-level scenic areas around Guilin City?

  The county-level scenic areas such as Yangshuo, Longsheng and Sanjiang are different from the Guilin City in term of the lodging places. The hotel accommodation is relative moist and is in a small scale, but the rooms are neatly.

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• What should be prepared about my apparel during the sightseeing of the Guilin's mountains scenery?

  When visiting in Longsheng you may experience a mountain climbing. It is suggested that you choose a pair of suitable and comfortable and skidproof shoes. Moreover, you should climb according to your strength.

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