No visit to Guilin is complete without a visit to Yao Mountain (Yao Shan). It isthe highest and largest of Guilin city's mountains(within a radius of 20 km) and can be seen as a prominent landmark from many places in the city and suburbs.
Although not a typical karst peak the ascent and summit afford spectacular views over thekarst formations桂林的landscape.
Yao Shan and the surrounding area have many aspects, features and attractions that make it an unmissable visit. Yao Shan even has it's own golf course!
Highlights of Yao Mountain
Golf course among the karst foothills of Yao ShanYao Mountain is located in the eastern suburbs of Guilin, about 10 km (6.2 miles) from the city center. It is famed forspectacular views, diverse wildlife, and ancient tombs. Its main peak reaches 909 meters (accessed by the mountain road plus a path off to the north), but the lower south peak is the one that has been developed for tourism.
The Cable Lift
There are superb views during the ascent and from the top, which you can get to either bycable chairliftor with a hike up the hill itself.
The direct hike is a rough steppedwalking pathon both sides of the chairlift, if you fancy a 1-hour cardio-vascular workout! Travelers can take the cable lift (40 RMB one-way, 75 RMB return) to reach the top of the hill. The cable-way has a length of 1.4 km (0.9 miles), and one-way takes 20 minutes.
It is the first tourist cable-way in Guangxi. There is also a rough stepped walking path on both sides of the chairlift you fancy a cardio-vascular workout!
The Mountain Road
There are other ways to get to the top. You can literally walk or take a bike all the way to the top via a road! If you do this, once at the top, the gate entrance fee is just 10 RMB.
You can also walk to the top via the road route as many local people and students do regularly, or you can hire abicycle or an electric scooterquite cheaply from the local village if you want a quicker journey!
Walking or biking to the top is quite safe, and once at the top, the gate entrance fee is just 10 yuan. Pedal bicycles are available to hire locally – as well as electric or E-bikes (around 4 yuan per hour) from the local village of Leng Shui Tang (' Cold Water Village' ).
Taking the road-based route to the top is also good forsmoother walkingand you will be able to see vineyards and various different types of horticultural activity including the tapping of the fir trees for their sticky resinous sap. There are alsonatural spring waterfallswhich you might only get to see via themain road route.
Temples
Golden Guanyin Buddha Statue - Yao Shan GuilinAbout 450 meters above sea level isYao Temple,built during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC), which gave the mountain the name. At an altitude of about 700 meters isBailu Temple, once the residence of a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty (618–907).
Summit Attractions - Golden Statues, Shrines, Stalls...
At the summit, there are various attractions includinga set of beautiful golden statues,a viewingtelescope, a sundial and amazing views over the unique peaks of the Guilin karst landscape.
There are various shrines and a temple at the top. There's also entertainment in one of the various visitor buildings, with ethnicChinese dancers and musicians, alongside stalls selling local crafts and gifts.
野生动物——包括恒河猴
Walking and cycling in spring, summer, and autumn when the mountain is a rich tapestry ofexotic butterflies,birdsandwildflowersarehighly recommended.
There are even a few troupes ofrhesus monkeys! (They generally shun human contact so not always easy but there are a few 'characters' that regularly visit the university campus below who 'cajole' students into supplementing their winter diet!)
The Toboggan Run
The journey down is no less interesting and even rather thrilling depending on your taste for adventure!
The toboggan run! Yes, really!Aside from the cable car and walking, going down offers the fun alternative ofa wheeled toboggan runthat can take you down the last half of the mountain on a metal chute track!
The toboggan run was completed in 1996, withthe second longest such run in Chinaand the first in Southwest China. (The speed is limited for tourist use) It runs through dense inclined forests that would otherwise be inaccessible and you can stop for a look around.
Fengshui and Yao Shan
Yao Mountain is a popular area for cemeteries and burial grounds because of theexceptionalfengshui.See also:the culture of death in China.
Travel Essentials
- Open:8:30am－6:00pm
- Bus:13 or 24 (only 2 yuan!) heading east out of the city and get off at Tombs of Prince Jingjiang stop.
You can take the 24 bus from the first stop on Jiefang East Road, where it crosses Zhongshan Road on the way to Liberation Bridge. If the weather is fine and you choose the chairlift there's a pleasant 10-minute stroll from the Tombs of Prince Jingjiang stop to the Yao Mountain chairlift entrance for a chairlift ascent.
The road leading to Yao Shan recently had a facelift and is a pleasant journey - peppered as it is with unique karst peaks en route.
- Taking a taxifrom the city center costs about 30 yuan.
Nearby Attractions
Guilin Geological Museum
Tyrannosaurus Rex versus Triceratops - Guilin Geological MuseumAt the foot of the mountain where the chairlift terminates, you will find Guilin's very own Geological Museum which houses a very fine collection of minerals, rocks, precious stones and fossils.
There are many fascinatingdisplays that really are worth the visit in their own right – someastounding exhibitsand some fun stuff too!
This is a much overlooked but highly recommended visit! Genuinely amazing and rounds up the trip to Yao Shan very nicely! See more onGuilin's Geology.
Guilin Tea Science and Research Institute
Guilin Tea Science and Research Institute,which can be found along the newly face-lifted route to Yao Shan, is also worth visiting. There you will get to knowdifferent types of tea, the production process, and enjoy a tea ceremony while sipping small cups of various teas.
Other Famous Peaks in Guilin
Take your first steps towards Guilin here!
Guilin is 72-hour visa free.来自51个国家的旅行者n onward flight from Guilin to a third country/region are able to benefit from this policy. If you are able to use Guilin as your transit airport, why not plan in an up-to-3-day tour of Guilin? See more onGuilin Visa-Free Travel - How to Make the Most of It.
Tour Guilin with China Highlights.Popular itinerary choices:
- 3-Day Essence of Guilin Tour: the most classic Li River and Yangshuo Tour
- 为期4天桂林风景的d Minority Culture Discovery Tour
- 6- Day Guilin, Longsheng, and Yangshuo Relaxation Tour
There's so much to see and do - you may want to stay longer...Start planning your tailor-made Guilin tour here.
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