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Yaoshan is the highest summit close to Guilin and near enough to the city that you are walking within an hour of leaving the hotel. At its foot are the tomb complexes of the Ming dynasty princes of Jingjiang, who held Guilin for more than two centuries; the remaining stone figures are worth the short detour before the climb.
The trail goes up through bamboo and mixed woodland, steadily rather than steeply, with the city and the karst plain opening out behind you. From the top the whole region makes sense: the isolated limestone towers standing on a flat plain, and the river threading between them. The descent follows a different line where the paths allow, which also happens to put the light behind the towers rather than into your eyes.
A cable car runs to the upper slopes, so the day can be arranged as a walk up and a ride down, or the other way round. Travellers who want a bigger mountain can swap this for Mao'er Shan, the highest peak in South China, at the cost of a much longer transfer - ask us for that alternative.
Morning — the trailhead and the tombs
Yaoshan is the highest summit in the immediate Guilin area, and it is close enough to the city that you start walking within an hour of leaving your hotel. At its foot lie the tomb complexes of the Ming dynasty princes of Jingjiang, who held Guilin for two and a half centuries; the stone figures and foundations that remain are worth the short detour before the climb.
Late morning — the climb
The trail goes up through bamboo and mixed woodland on a stone and earth path, steadily rather than steeply, with the city and the karst plain opening out behind you as you gain height. A cable car runs to the upper slopes for anyone who would rather save their legs, and the two can be combined — up by cable car, down on foot, or the other way round.
Midday — the ridge
The top gives the view that makes sense of the whole region: the isolated limestone towers standing on a flat plain, the Li River threading between them, and the city spread out along the water. On a clear day the horizon runs a long way; on a hazy one the towers still read as distinct shapes in a way they never do from the ground.
Lunch
Near the trailhead or back towards the city, depending on how the morning has gone.
Afternoon — the descent and return
You come down by a different line where the paths allow, which is the better direction anyway, since the light is behind the towers rather than into it. The afternoon ends back in Guilin with time in hand.
Note
Travellers who want a bigger mountain day can swap this for Mao'er Shan, the highest peak in South China, at the cost of a much longer transfer; ask us for the alternative and we will quote it separately.
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Day tour - no hotel night included.
| Group Size | Adult(Age:8-80) Price/p.p | Child(Age:4-7) Price/p.p | Infant(Age:0-3) Price/p.p |
| 2 PAX | from $302 | / | / |
| 4 PAX | from $192 | / | / |
| 6 PAX | from $158 | / | / |
| 8 PAX | from $140 | / | / |
| 10 PAX | from $130 | / | / |
| 20 PAX | from $101 | / | / |
| 30 PAX | from $91 | / | / |
Please read the notes below before you book. They cover entry formalities, pace, weather and what to bring.
Q: Is this tour private or shared?
A: It is a private tour. Only your own party travels with the guide and vehicle, so the pace and the order of stops can be adjusted on the day.
Q: What is the best season for this itinerary?
A: April to June and September to November bring the mildest weather and clearest light. The programme runs year round, and we adjust the daily timings in mid-summer and winter.
Q: Can you handle dietary requirements and accessibility needs?
A: Yes. Vegetarian, halal, gluten-free and allergy-aware menus are arranged when you tell us in advance. Step-free and low-mobility versions of the route can also be planned.
Q: How do we book and pay?
A: Send us your travel dates and group size for a same-day quotation. A deposit confirms the booking, the balance is due before arrival, and prices are guaranteed for 7 days.
