Yangshuo and Moon Hill

(Flickr/mgjefferies) http://www.flickr.com/photos/ogcodes/11110... (Creative Commons)

Unlike most mountains, the karst hills of Yangshuo poke up randomly as the Li River meanders around their bases. Covered in lush, green vegetation, the natural formations create a dramatic landscape best viewed from Yangshuo’s natural arch, known as Moon Hill.

Having drawn visitors with its unique formation for many years, Moon Hill was first climbed by Todd Skinner in the 1990s. Skinner was famous for his free climbing ability, and helped popularize the area with backpackers and hikers visiting China. Although there are climbing routes on Moon Hill, most visitors take the easier path to the summit, or the trail that goes through the arch.

Besides Moon Hill, Yangshuo is popular with visitors looking to take cave tours or bike through the magnificent landscape created almost entirely out of karst formations.

Know Before You Go

Biking to Moon Hill from Yangshuo county is very popular when you on the western street; you can cycle along the head towards the main road from your hotel. This path will lead you down to a large weir where you can cross the river. From here a small path but will take you through Fen Lou Village to the Jin Bao River. Cross the river and take the concrete road turning right when it meets the main road and bike 5 min to Moon Hill. This takes again about 40 minutes and is a very scenic taking you through two villages.