Yao Mountain (尧山), located in the eastern suburbs of Guilin, is the highest peak within the city. Named after the Yao Emperor Temple situated on its slopes, the mountain boasts a rich diversity of karst landforms and features the world’s largest natural reclining Buddha landscape. Renowned for its ever-changing and vibrant seasonal scenery, Yao Mountain is considered the best place to appreciate the stunning beauty of Guilin’s landscape.
The scenic area is not only home to the colorful natural beauty of Yao Mountain but also includes several recreational spots such as the Jijing Wangling (the tomb of the King of Jingjiang), a tea expo garden, and a golf club. These attractions allow visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature while enjoying various leisure activities, making Yao Mountain a perfect destination for relaxation and exploration.
Travel Information about Yao Mountain
Tickets and Opening Hours:
Admission Fee: 70 RMB (includes round-trip cable car) + 22 RMB for Jingjiang Wangling.
Opening Hours:
- Peak Season (April to November): 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Off-Season (December to March): 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Jingjiang Wangling: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Best Time to Visit
Yao Mountain is famous for its colorful seasonal scenery, making it a year-round destination. Each season offers unique attractions:
- Spring: Enjoy blooming azaleas.
- Summer: Appreciate the lush pine and bamboo.
- Autumn: Pick wild chrysanthemums.
- Winter: Marvel at the icy landscapes.
Getting There
Location: Yao Mountain is located in the eastern suburbs of Guilin, approximately 8 kilometers from the city center.
Transportation: Take bus route 24 to Jingjiang Wangling Station.
Attraction Ratings
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Uniqueness: ★★★
- Adventure: ★★★
- Cultural Value: ★★
- Romance: ★
Highlights of Yao Mountain
Main Peak of Yao Mountain
Yao Mountain’s main peak stands majestically at an elevation of approximately 909.3 meters (with a relative height of 760 meters). This towering summit offers breathtaking natural scenery that varies with the seasons, making each visit a unique experience. Along the mountain, visitors can explore numerous attractions, including the Guanyin Platform, Guanyin Statue, Yao Emperor Tribe, and Tianzi Spring.
Yao Mountain is famous for its diverse and vibrant rhododendron species, which bloom in a variety of colors including purple, green, red, orange, pink, and ochre. The rhododendrons here are particularly renowned, making March and April the ideal months for visitors to come and admire these beautiful flowers.
Touring Options:
- Cable Car and Slideway: After arriving at the scenic area, visitors must walk a considerable distance to reach the foot of the mountain. From there, they can opt for the cable car or slideway to enjoy the stunning views of Yao Mountain. The scenic cable car takes you directly to the summit, where you can gaze upon the picturesque landscape below. The fields glimmer like mirrors, and the cottages seem to be painted into the scenery. The breathtaking view of thousands of green peaks surrounding the city of Guilin is truly captivating. For a more thrilling experience, visitors can choose the slideway on the way down, which offers an exhilarating sensation akin to “ground snow sledding.”
- Hiking: For those who prefer to hike, a well-trodden path starts to the left at the foot of the mountain. This route leads directly up the mountain, although there is a steep section where many hikers use both hands and feet to ascend. The trail can be challenging, with dense grass along the sides, requiring time and effort—typically about two hours to reach the summit.
Jingjiang Wangling (King Jingjiang’s Tomb)
Jingjiang Wangling refers to the royal tombs of various kings enfeoffed in Jingjiang (Guilin) during the Ming Dynasty. Located at the southwestern foot of Yao Mountain, it is the largest and best-preserved cluster of Ming Dynasty princely tombs in China. Together with other royal and noble tombs, the Jingjiang Wangling complex forms an extensive burial site that spans a hundred miles, rich in the characteristics of the Jiangnan region. The entire tomb complex is imposing and is often referred to as the “First Tomb of Lingnan.”
The layout of the Jingjiang Wangling is rectangular, featuring a central axis that sequentially includes the tomb gate, middle gate, offering hall, and underground tomb. Each royal tomb is enclosed by two walls, generally divided into an outer and inner courtyard. The outer section contains various structures such as side rooms, the tomb gate, Spirit Way, jade belt bridge, as well as stone figures and beasts, while the inner section consists of the middle gate, offering hall, stone figures, and the underground tomb.
The most intact site currently open to visitors is the tomb of King Zhuangjian. The door nails of Zhuangjian’s tomb are arranged in a 9×7 pattern, indicating the king’s status. In Ming and Qing architectural standards, the highest number of door nails was 9×9 for emperors, while princely tombs typically featured 9×7.
The doors also feature beast heads holding rings, known as “Jiao Tu,” which are said to be the ninth offspring of the dragon. Legend has it that Jiao Tu enjoys sleeping; hence, it is tasked with guarding the door. When guests arrive, knocking on the door wakes it, allowing Jiao Tu to observe the visitors.
Tea Expo Park
Tea Expo Park, also known as the Guilin Tea Research Institute in Guangxi, is a provincial-level applied tea research institution. The park features unique pastoral landscapes, making it an excellent spot for visitors to enjoy tea and relax. With extensive tea production bases, the park becomes particularly picturesque during the tea-picking season, attracting tea lovers and holiday visitors alike.
Visitor Experience Centers: The park has two large greenhouses. One includes areas for tea planting experience, tea manufacturing experience, oil tea production workshops, tasting areas, and product displays.
Tea Culture Research Center: Here, guests can enjoy tea ceremony performances and watch displays of local tea customs from Guangxi, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s tea culture.
Tea Garden Leisure Center: The leisure center and the royal culture exhibition hall offer a tranquil environment for visitors to savor tea while enjoying high-quality services, including dining options, medical facilities, and a hall for cultural souvenirs. The park also features a museum that comprehensively showcases the history of the Jingjiang Wang and recreates the royal culture of the Ming Dynasty’s Jingjiang kings and their tomb culture.
Guilin Landscape Golf Leisure Club
Located at the foot of Yaoshan Mountain, the Guilin Landscape Golf Leisure Club is the largest golf course in Guangxi. This comprehensive golf resort combines leisure, vacationing, sightseeing, entertainment, and wellness, providing a unique experience for its guests. The environment of the club is tranquil, elegant, and refined, meticulously designed to cater to customers’ needs.
Breathtaking Scenery: Surrounded by mountains, the club offers stunning views reminiscent of a traditional Chinese landscape painting.
Course Design: The course spans 8,400 yards (approximately 7,650 meters) with 27 holes, featuring a well-thought-out design that flows smoothly.
Comprehensive Facilities: The club is not only a place for golf but also serves as a wellness retreat. Guests can indulge in various recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and leisure.