How hard is the Moon Hill hike?

It is a steep but straightforward climb of about 800 stone steps, 30-40 minutes at a steady pace. The path is maintained, shaded for most of the way, and has bench platforms every few hundred steps — there is no scrambling. The stone steps get slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip rather than flip-flops.

What does Moon Hill cost?

15 RMB at the ticket booth at the base, which makes it one of the best-value sights in Yangshuo. Toilets are basic and at the bottom; there are no vendors on the trail or at the summit, so carry water.

How do I get to Moon Hill from Yangshuo town?

It is about 8 km south, along the Ten Mile Gallery road. The bike ride takes around 30 minutes on flat, scenic road; a taxi is roughly 30 RMB each way. By bus, ask to be dropped at 'Yueliang Shan'.

When is the best time to climb Moon Hill?

Start by 8 AM to beat both the heat and the tour groups. Late afternoon, 4-5 PM, is the other good window — fewer people and golden light across the peaks. Whichever you choose, keep going 5-10 minutes past the arch to the upper viewpoint, where most of the crowd has stopped.

What should I combine with Moon Hill?

The classic morning loop is a bike ride south along the Ten Mile Gallery, past the Big Banyan Tree and the Yulong River bridge, reaching Moon Hill around 10 AM, up and down by 11:30, and back into town for lunch. You can also taxi out early, hike in the cool morning, and cycle back slowly — the Yulong raft piers are on the same road, so rafting and the climb fit in one day.

Moon Hill

Hike 800 stone steps through a natural arch for the best panoramic view in Yangshuo.

By Guilin & Yangshuo Travel Guide · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Updated Sep 16, 2026

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.

The Upper Viewpoint

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

The Classic Morning Loop

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.

Reverse It

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.

Questions Travelers Ask

? How hard is the Moon Hill hike?: It is a steep but straightforward climb of about 800 stone steps, 30-40 minutes at a steady pace. The path is maintained, shaded for most of the way, and has bench platforms every few hundred steps — there is no scrambling. The stone steps get slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip rather than flip-flops.
? What does Moon Hill cost?: 15 RMB at the ticket booth at the base, which makes it one of the best-value sights in Yangshuo. Toilets are basic and at the bottom; there are no vendors on the trail or at the summit, so carry water.
? How do I get to Moon Hill from Yangshuo town?: It is about 8 km south, along the Ten Mile Gallery road. The bike ride takes around 30 minutes on flat, scenic road; a taxi is roughly 30 RMB each way. By bus, ask to be dropped at 'Yueliang Shan'.
? When is the best time to climb Moon Hill?: Start by 8 AM to beat both the heat and the tour groups. Late afternoon, 4-5 PM, is the other good window — fewer people and golden light across the peaks. Whichever you choose, keep going 5-10 minutes past the arch to the upper viewpoint, where most of the crowd has stopped.
? What should I combine with Moon Hill?: The classic morning loop is a bike ride south along the Ten Mile Gallery, past the Big Banyan Tree and the Yulong River bridge, reaching Moon Hill around 10 AM, up and down by 11:30, and back into town for lunch. You can also taxi out early, hike in the cool morning, and cycle back slowly — the Yulong raft piers are on the same road, so rafting and the climb fit in one day.