Open Travel Guide
Hiking in Guilin

Guilin Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

The trails that define Guilin, with distances, elevation, and when each is actually passable.

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This guide covers 10+ hiking trails in Guilin — Ping'an Seven Stars Chasing the Moon and Nine Dragons Five Tigers Viewpoints, Dazhai (Jinkeng) Red Yao Terraces Ridge Walk and Yao Mountain (Yaoshan) Summit top the list. Every recommendation carries its practical details: typical costs, the best time to visit, and what to know before you commit.

Guilin travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Guilin, Guangxi, China. Famous for the Li River, karst peaks and the Longji Rice Terraces.

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

  1. 1

    Ping'an Seven Stars Chasing the Moon and Nine Dragons Five Tigers Viewpoints

    About 5-6 km loop of stone steps between the two main viewpoints3-4 hoursmoderateTerraces lie between 600 and 800 m above sea level; roughly 300 m of ascent from the village base

    Stepped village paths climb to the two classic Ping'an viewpoints overlooking the Longji terraces.
  2. 2

    Dazhai (Jinkeng) Red Yao Terraces Ridge Walk

    About 6-8 km of paths and walkways between the Dazhai viewpoints3-5 hoursmoderateTerraces at 600-800 m; the Golden Buddha Summit viewpoint sits near the top of the cable car

    Footpaths and boardwalks through Red Yao villages to terrace viewpoints such as Golden Buddha Summit and Thousand-Layer Heaven's Ladder.
  3. 3

    Yao Mountain (Yaoshan) Summit

    Summit paths of 3-5 km; a stair route also climbs from the base2-3 hours with cable car; 3-4 hours on footeasySummit 909 m, the highest peak near Guilin city

    Guilin's highest hill near the city, with a cable car (admission plus return ride reported at ¥110 (~$16.30), 1,416 m line) and summit viewing platforms.
  4. 4

    Fubo Hill (Fubo Shan)

    Short stair climb of under 1 km round trip1-1.5 hours including the caveseasyLow riverside hill; a short climb of about 20 minutes

    A compact stair climb on the west bank of the Li River with Tang and Song stone carvings, caves and views of the city.
  5. 5

    Laozhai Hill (Xingping) Viewpoint

    Short climb of about 1.5 km round trip1.5-2 hoursmoderateSteep stone steps with roughly 200 m of ascent

    Steep steps up to a rocky lookout above Xingping with a sweeping view of the Li River and karst peaks; the descent after sunset is a safety risk.
  6. 6

    Moon Hill (Yueliang Shan) Arch Climb

    About 1.5-2 km round trip1.5-2 hourseasyStairs of roughly 800 steps to the natural limestone arch

    The famous natural arch near Yangshuo, reached by about 800 steps, with views across the karst plain from beneath the arch.
  7. 7

    Xianggong Hill Viewpoint

    About 2 km round trip from the car park1.5-2.5 hoursmoderateClimb of roughly 150-250 m to the upper platform

    The Li River bend viewpoint reached by a stepped path; popular for sunrise when river mist fills the valley.
  8. 8

    Maoershan Main Summit

    Summit route of about 10-14 km round trip depending on shuttle use6-8 hourshardSummit 2,141 m, the highest in South China

    A full-day climb to the highest point in South China, through cloud forest and rhododendron zones, at the source of the Li River.
  9. 9

    Diecai Hill (Diecaishan) Mingyue Peak

    Under 2 km round trip1-1.5 hourseasySummit about 223 m; roughly 150 m of stair ascent from the road

    Stone steps lead up Diecai Hill (Folded Brocade Hill) to Mingyue Peak, which overlooks the Li River and the city.
  10. 10

    Yulong River Riverside Walk (Yulong Bridge to Jima)

    About 6-8 km one way along the river and farm lanes2-3 hourseasyFlat; negligible climb

    A flat riverside route past ancient arched bridges, rice fields and water buffalo, the easiest way to walk among the karst peaks.

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

Easy

Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.

Moderate

Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.

Hard

Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.

Expert

Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.

Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.

High

Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.

Medium

Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.

Medium

Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.

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