Moon Hill

What Is Moon Hill?

Moon Hill (Yueliang Shan) is a limestone peak with a dramatic moon-shaped hole through its summit, located about 8 km south of Yangshuo town along the Ten Mile Gallery road. It's one of Yangshuo's most recognizable landmarks and the hike to the top — about 800 stone steps — rewards you with the best 360-degree panorama in the region. The arch itself is massive: about 50 meters high and wide enough to fly a small plane through.

The Hike

The trail starts at a small ticket booth at the base. It's well-maintained with stone steps all the way up — no scrambling required. The climb takes 30-40 minutes at a steady pace. There are rest platforms with benches every few hundred steps, and the path is shaded by trees for most of the way. The first major stop is the arch itself: you walk through the moon-shaped hole and can stand inside it for photos. Continue another 5-10 minutes higher to the upper viewpoint for the full panorama — this is where you get the postcard shot of the surrounding karst peaks stretching to the horizon. The upper viewpoint is less crowded because many visitors stop at the arch.

Practical Info

• Entrance fee: 15 RMB — one of the best-value attractions in Yangshuo
• Getting there: 30-minute bike ride from Yangshuo town along the Ten Mile Gallery road. The route is flat and scenic. Taxi costs about 30 RMB one way. You can also combine it with a bus to the base (ask for "Yueliang Shan").
• Best time: Start hiking by 8 AM to beat the heat and the tour groups. Late afternoon (4-5 PM) is also good — the golden light on the peaks is spectacular and there are fewer people.
• What to bring: Water (no vendors on the trail or at the top), sun protection (the summit is exposed), and sturdy shoes — the stone steps can be slippery after rain.
• Facilities: Basic toilets at the base. A few vendors sell water and snacks at the entrance — stock up here.

Combine With

Moon Hill sits at the southern end of the Ten Mile Gallery road, making it the perfect endpoint for a morning bike ride. Start in Yangshuo town, ride south past the Yulong River bridge and the Big Banyan Tree, reach Moon Hill around 10 AM, hike up, descend by 11:30, and ride back for lunch. Or do it in reverse: taxi to Moon Hill first thing, hike in the cool morning air, then bike leisurely back to town with stops along the way. The Yulong River bamboo raft piers are also on this road — you can raft in the morning and hike in the afternoon.