Green Lotus Peak (Bilian Peak)

Green Lotus Peak (Bilian Peak) sits at the junction of the Li River and Jinbao River at the eastern edge of Yangshuo town, rising directly from the riverbank to 97 metres. It is the closest significant karst peak to the town centre and one of the most climbed — the stone steps are well maintained, and the summit gives a clear view over the river confluence and the town spread below.

The peak is at its best in the early morning, before tour groups arrive from Guilin. The river reflection and the surrounding peaks are visible from a small viewing platform near the top, and the light in the first hour after sunrise hits the water in a way that makes the karst colours particularly vivid. It is one of the shorter climbs in the area (about 30 minutes to the top) and worth doing for orientation on your first day in Yangshuo — from the top you can see the landscape you will explore in the days that follow.

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Green Lotus Peak sits at the confluence of the Li River and the Jingbao River and marks the official end of the Li River cruise from Guilin. Its name comes from the resemblance of the peak to a lotus bud rising from water, an image that Chinese landscape aesthetics made poetic for a thousand years. Tang dynasty poets wrote about it; local fishermen used it as a navigation landmark. The peak now has stairs carved into its face for tourists, which is about as good a summary of how China's relationship with its landscapes has changed as you'll find.

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