An 800-step climb to a natural arch, about 8 km from Yangshuo on the Ten Mile Gallery loop.
Bottom line: Moon Hill is a karst peak pierced by a natural arch, about 8 km from Yangshuo. Climbing to the arch costs around 30 RMB and takes 20-40 minutes up roughly 800 steps; the view from the top is the best easy panorama near town.
The formation is exactly what the name suggests: a rounded limestone hill with a crescent-shaped hole right through it, worn out by water over millennia. From the road it reads as a silhouette against the sky; from inside the arch you look out over the Ten Mile Gallery, the Yulong River valley, and a sea of karst towers. It is one of the few Yangshuo viewpoints you can reach on foot in under an hour.
The hill rises to roughly 380 metres, with the arch itself sitting high on the southern face. The opening is about 50 metres tall, which is why it is visible from kilometres away along the valley road. Geologically it is a remnant of an old underground river channel - the same process that carved the region's caves, except here the roof collapsed and left a window through the rock.
| Section | What to expect | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Base to midpoint | Shaded steps, steady gradient, a rest pavilion | 10-15 min |
| Midpoint to arch | Steeper and more exposed, handrails on the worst parts | 10-20 min |
| Descent | Faster but harder on the knees | 15-20 min |
There are roughly 800 steps in total. They are uneven in places and can be slick after rain, so proper shoes matter more than fitness. Water is sold at the base and occasionally partway up, but carry your own in summer. The arch itself has a viewing platform with room to sit, which is the real reward - most of the best photographs of the valley are taken from there rather than from the summit path.
The whole loop is about 1.5 km of walking with roughly 150 m of elevation gain - short enough that heat and timing matter more than distance. Start before 9am or after 4pm in summer.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Climb admission | about 30 RMB | Per person, tickets at the base |
| Bike / e-bike parking | 5-10 RMB | At the trailhead |
| Car parking | about 10 RMB | Small lot, fills at weekends |
| Water and snacks | 10-20 RMB | Priced for tourists |
Most visitors arrive on two wheels. The Ten Mile Gallery cycling route passes directly below the hill, and an e-bike makes the whole Yangshuo loop effortless - see the e-bike rental guide for current rates.
By public bus, take a Gaotian (ι«η°) or Lipu (θ桦) direction service from Yangshuo Bus Station (ι³ζ汽车η«) and ask to get off at the Moon Hill junction (???????????????) β about 20 minutes and Β₯5. An e-bike from Yangshuo town is roughly 10 km and 30 minutes via the Ten Mile Gallery; see the Ten Mile Gallery cycling route for the ride. A taxi or DiDi from the town centre costs about Β₯30β40 and takes 15 minutes.
You do not have to climb. The arch is perfectly visible from the road, and the roadside paddy fields give you the classic composition with water in the foreground. This is the right choice if it is midday in July, if you are short on time, or if stairs are a problem. Photographers often prefer the late-afternoon view from the fields anyway, when the light rakes across the arch.
Early morning and late afternoon are both cooler and better lit. Midday in summer is genuinely unpleasant - the upper steps have no shade and the limestone radiates heat. After heavy rain the steps stay slippery for a day, so check conditions before committing. Autumn and spring offer the most comfortable climbing weather, and haze in winter can soften the view from the top.
Moon Hill fits naturally into a single loop: cycle the Ten Mile Gallery, climb Moon Hill late morning, eat near the Yulong River, and finish with a bamboo raft. It also pairs with the Yulong River and the Big Banyan Tree, both of which are within a few kilometres. If you want the region's most famous sunrise instead, plan a separate early start at Xianggong Hill, which is a much longer drive.
Source & verification: Admission and parking figures are August 2026 typical prices; the climb may close temporarily after heavy rain.
Admission to the climb is around 30 RMB per person. Parking and bike parking cost about 10 RMB. There is no charge to simply look at the arch from the road below in the Ten Mile Gallery.
Most people take 20-40 minutes to reach the arch, depending on fitness and how often they stop for photographs. The descent is faster, around 15-20 minutes. Allow about 90 minutes in total for the visit.
Moderate. There are roughly 800 steps, some of them steep, with little shade on hot days. It is manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness, but take water and avoid climbing at midday in summer.
Yes. The arch is clearly visible from the Ten Mile Gallery road, and that roadside view is the classic photograph. Cycling or e-biking past it costs nothing and takes no effort.
It sits about 8 km south of Yangshuo town inside the Ten Mile Gallery. By e-bike or bicycle it takes 20-30 minutes on flat road; a taxi or DiDi takes about 15 minutes. Many visitors cycle it as part of a longer loop.
It is the most accessible panorama close to town and pairs easily with a cycling day. For the classic Li River sunrise over the karst peaks, Xianggong Hill is superior but much further away and requires an early start.
The hike itself is short: roughly 800 steps on a single stepped path, about 20-40 minutes up and 15-20 minutes down depending on fitness and photo stops. Budget around 90 minutes for the whole visit including time at the arch viewpoint. If you cycle out through the Ten Mile Gallery, the ride adds 20-30 minutes each way on flat road.
No β they are in different cities. Moon Hill is the natural karst arch about 8 km from Yangshuo, near Guilin in Guangxi. Tiger Hill (Huqiu) is a historic leaning-pagoda hill in Suzhou, Jiangsu, over 1,300 km away, and belongs to a completely different trip. If you are comparing Yangshuo viewpoints, the relevant alternatives are Xianggong Mountain for the Li River sunrise and Laozhai Mountain near Xingping.
Moon Hill is the natural midpoint of a cycling loop.
Explore Road Trip Routes