Amidst the karst landscapes of southern China lies the quaint town of Yangshuo in the Guangxi Province. Nestled either side of the Li River, Yangshuo is popular amongst tourists, offering picturesque mountain landscapes, various hiking trails and river cruises. However, we felt the urge to find a different view of Yangshuo and headed to the top of one of it’s many karst mountains for a better look!
In all honesty, this climb was a piece of cake compared to the likes of The World’s Deadliest Trail and you can even make it to the top in a little over an hour! The key word here being “can”.
If you’ve checked out our Instagram account, you’ll know we’re prolific selfie takers and whatever the advised climbing time, we usually have to double it!
Aside from the ascent to the top where the TV antenna & viewing point stand, one of the biggest challenges is actually finding the path leading to the trail … It took us a while! But, luckily for you, we’ve tried our best to map it out for you with some pictures we took along the way! What is waiting for you at the top are some of the most staggering views over Yangshuo … Possibly the whole of China!
From West Street, (one of the main hubs for travellers) turn right onto Pantao Road and cross the street using the over pass. There are two overpasses on this street, use the overpass opposite the park.
Keep the road on your right hand side and keep walking up the street until you see Tianma Xiang signposted. This street is on the corner by the China Postal Savings Bank. Turn left down this street.
Keep going down the small street until you see these two gateways. When you reach this, follow the road round to the left.
You’ll come to another gateway with two large metal gates. Before the gates, take a right down a small narrow street (where the scooter is pictured).
This street is narrow and fairly steep. Keep walking straight along it. There is a small shop with a blue canopy outside, this is the last place that you can buy food and drink before you reach the top. The owner was very friendly and the prices were cheap!
You’ll come to a fork in the road. Keep going straight up the narrow alleyway. Be careful, there are quite a few scooters that use this street and are not expecting to see tourists, so you may have to dodge out of the way!
When you reach this green door way at the top of the street, make a right turn. There will be a row of houses to your left with numerous sofas outside. Keep walking past these until you come a graffitied alley way. Don’t be put off by the pairs of eyes that will follow you down the street!
When you reach the alley way turn left and walk through it. There are some stairs at the end, walk up these and then turn left.
You’ll come to another set of stairs. Keep going, you’re nearly there!!
On your right hand side, you’ll see the start of the path. You’ve made it!
The path is not too strenuous, but gets harder as you make your way to the top via stair sections. Don’t forget to admire the views on the way up as well which are equally as impressive!
After roughly 45 minutes of climbing, you will reach a little white house with a gate. The keeper of the TV Antenna will greet you and for a small fee (10 CNY) will offer you a bottle of water, or even a beer if you want to really celebrate making it to the top!
With our without a beer, there is nothing quite like drinking in a view like this. Many tourists only see Yangshuo at ground level or from the comfort of their bamboo rafts. Little do people know, that in less than an hour you can be high above the pinnacles, enjoying a birds eye view!
About the Authors: Charlie and Charlotte are the wanderlusting couple behindTheWanderLovers.com. They have swapped their city life in London for an action packed journey across the globe. Hand in hand, they’re taking on one country at a time and creating a life they don’t wish to escape from! Through their couple’s travel and lifestyle blog they hope to inspire future travellers that anything is possible if you just buy that one way ticket … One Life. One Love. Live. Follow the journey on Instagram, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.
Brianna says
10/21/2016 at 7:20 amThat is an amazing view! I love how detailed you are in how to get there- super helpful! Also, the fact that the hike is not that long makes it even better 😛
The Wanderlovers says
10/25/2016 at 5:38 amHey Brianna! The view really was one to savour and gave such a different perspective of the town from up there. If you follow our directions it really is as easy as it sounds! And yes, always a plus to know the hike isn’t actually torture! Even more reason to go see!
Ijana says
10/23/2016 at 9:36 amHow did you even find this little hike to begin with?? That’s awesome you have such detailed directions, cause that looks like a view I would love to see if I make my way to China one day!
The Wanderlovers says
10/25/2016 at 5:42 amHey ljana,
As usual we couldn’t resist wandering a but further than the tourist trail and we found ourselves in the residential streets of Yangshuo and found the start of the trail. We are so glad we persevered and found such an amazing view! You should definitely check it out if you visit. The view is particularly stunning as the sun sets.
John says
10/24/2016 at 4:11 amWow! This is a great finding. I love that view!!
The Wanderlovers says
10/25/2016 at 5:44 amReally was worth getting away from the main streets which is what lead us to the start of the path. The view was the result of a major case of curiosity!
Birthe (from Wandering the World) says
10/25/2016 at 11:12 amWhat an amazing view! Thanks for mapping it out, maybe we’ll get there someday. 😉
Laura says
04/22/2019 at 3:37 amThank you so much for sharing the hiking route with us. We were following your directions today and made it to the top with a spectacular view!! We would never have found the entrance to the trail without your detailed description.
Best,
Laura
Kristin says
04/23/2019 at 6:47 pmYay!!