The Moon Hill



The highway from Guilin turns southward at Yangshuo and after a couple of kilometer crosses the Jingbao
River. South of this river and just to the west of the highway is a limestone pinnacle with a moon-shaped
hole penetrating the hill. Hence the name Moon Hill.

It's one of Yangshuo's most visited sights. With an elevation of 380 meters, the hill is 230 meters in relative
height and 410 meters in length. There are over 800 marble stairs leading to the cave. The stairs were
completed in 1981, giving easy access to those who want to get a close view of the cave. 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. 

Legend has it that there is a Guanghan Palace on the moon inhabited by the beauty Chang'e, the Jade Rabbit, and Wu Gang the woodcutter.
People in olden days thought they saw these immortals when they came upon spots on the moon's surface. Visitors to Moon Hill call to each
other's attention that there are nature formed rock images of Chang'e, the Jade Rabbit and Wu Gang the woodcutter.

At foot of the hill lies a tiny village called Moon Hill Village. The village offers a haven for those who would like to stay off the touristy places and
around Yangshuo. It is a tranquil village free from the pollution, stress and turmoil that plague most of the cities we live. The traditional life style
continues as time stands still here.

On a sunny day, blue sky and white clouds can be seen through the cave 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, forming a marvelous spectacle in Yangshuo. 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 intercepted and invited to visit these
other caves.

Moon hill is usually part of day's sightseeing. You can ride a bicycle through smaller villages to get to Moon
hill. There are several routes that you cam take to get to Moon Hill.