6 Best Mountaintop Views in Guilin and Yangshuo

Guilin and Yangshuo located on the beautiful Li River, are also surrounded by mountains, so there are several places where you can get incredible mountaintop views. If you are a photographer or pursue natural beauty, you will find much inspiration on these mountain tops.
 Xianggong Mountain is located on the west bank of Li River, which offers a panorama of Yangshuo landscape. If you come to Yangshuo, do not miss this mountain. It is a steep but only 15-minute climb to reach the top. You can sit on the benches at the sightseeing stage and take in the incredible view of the forked river.The best time to take photos here is in the early morning on sunny days. Due to its gorgeous view and easy access, it may draw huge crowds at sunrise. 

View from the Top of Xianggong Mountain

 Laozhai Mountain is near Xingping Town of Guilin, with an altitude of over 300 meters (984 feet). The view seen from the summit is superb, maybe the best you can find in the area. However, the mountain is fairly steep, with over 1,100 stairs to the top of the mountain. The entrance to the stairs is about a 10-minute walk from Xingping Dock, where you take the bamboo boat across the Li River. Although the hiking path is well maintained, the hiking process would be tiresome. Generally, it will take 30-45 minutes to hit the top. To see the stunning vistas and some great photo ops, it is recommended to climb up the rocks to the side of the viewing platform after you reach the top. In the next morning, you can take pictures of the sunrise and misty Li River. While, if you go there in the afternoon, the sunset in the west, the fields, and Xingping Town in the east are unmissable.
 

Green Lotus Peak

Gren Lotus Peak, or Bilan Peak, sits on the bank of Li River. It got its name from its shape like a lotus, as well as the lush forests on the mountain. In addition, due to the smooth front of the Peak, local people also call it "Mirror Mountain". You can hike it from the path on the northwest of the Peak. Stone carvings of many famous calligraphers in Qing Dynasty can be seen on the summit or on the rocks by Li River.
 Damian Hill is located about 3 km (1.9 mi) from Xingping Town. It is the only place in Guilin where you can see the entire horseshoe bend of Li River.

It is quite hard to find the mountain, as the path is not clearly marked. Therefore, please use map apps in your mobile phone or hire a tour guide to find the way to the peak. There are quite a few stairs, not very steep, but it also includes some steep steel stairs without handrail, so be careful. It takes about one hour to climb to the top. Remember to wear appropriate shoes and pack plenty of water. When you get there, you will be welcome with an incredible view. This place is also said to be the most worthwhile place in China.

Mountaintop View of Damian Hill

 Yangshuo is a fascinating place, while the TV Tower Hill is the best place to get a bird’s eye view of Yangshuo town. This hill gets its name as Yangshuo TV station’s receiving tower just sits on the summit.

Finding the path leading to the TV Tower is a little tricky. The starting point is located on a main road, Pan Tao Road, which is within walking distance from the West Street. Follow the signs and head up right to the paved pathway. It will take about 40 minutes to reach the top. The views are beautiful on the way up so hike slowly and enjoy it. There is a gate when you get to the summit. You can walk through it to see the great city view of Yangshuo and take spectacular shots.
 Wuzhi Hill, also called Cuiping Hill, is a bit out off the beaten path. But photos with its unique views over the countryside and famed karst mountains can be seen in many guidebooks and websites. This hill can be reached by taxi from Yangshuo, or by scooter if you are adventurous for biking. The hike up to the top is a medium intensity on well-paved stone steps, taking around 20 minutes. On the top, you can see Karst mountains rising everywhere. Below, two rivers weave between the peaks and you may also see villagers fishing on their rafts below. The most important is that you can enjoy the spectacular view without any crowds on Wuzhi Hill.

Countryside around Wuzhi Hill

Village Houses by Wuzhi Hill

No matter which place you will choose from the above 6 mountains, it will be a feast for your eyes and soul.