Mao'er Mountain (Cat Mountain)

桂林猫儿山景区

Guangxi, Guilin★ 4.6·25.2546°N, 110.2768°E

Ticket Price

Peak season CNY 100, off-season CNY 60

Duration

3-4 hours

Rating

4.6 / 5.0

About Mao'er Mountain (Cat Mountain)

The highest peak in South China and the source of the Li River, this sub-alpine mountain in northern Guangxi is beloved for cloud seas, rare plants and spectacular sunrises.

Highlights

• Highest peak in South China (2,142 m) and the source of the Li River. • Sub-alpine forest and rare plants. • Sunrise and cloud-sea viewpoints.

Suggested Route

Drive to the pass → hike or take a shuttle to the summit viewpoint; allow 3-4 h.

Food & Lodging

Mountain guesthouses; Xing'an town lodging is available.

Facilities

Parking, restrooms, a shuttle and limited wheelchair access.

Travel Tips

1) Mountain weather is unpredictable; go on a clear sunny day or the views suffer greatly. 2) There is a hotel at the summit and many visitors stay overnight to catch the sunrise. 3) As the highest peak in southern China, it's popular with hikers. The main route goes from the gate on foot to the Grand Canyon, then back toward Azalea Garden, past Laojieshan, through Hemlock Park and alpine dwarf forest to the summit—a one-way hike of about 10 hours. Not recommended without extensive outdoor experience.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October)

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.