The Ten-Mile Gallery in Yangshuo (阳朔十里画廊) is renowned for its stunning scenery and uniquely shaped mountains that inspire endless imagination. During early spring, it is one of the best places to view vibrant rapeseed flowers. When former U.S. President Jimmy Carter visited Yangshuo, he learned from his security team that the many interesting small sights along the Ten-Mile Gallery would be missed if seen from a car. Carter then requested a change in the itinerary, opting for a leisurely bicycle ride through the gallery.
In response, the local government constructed a nearly 10-mile-long bicycle path in 2000, complete with viewing platforms and rest pavilions for visitors to fully enjoy the picturesque landscape. This path is fondly referred to by locals as the Carter Scenic Route. For those with more time, a combination of cycling through the Ten-Mile Gallery and drifting along the Yulong River is recommended. You can float down to Gongnong Bridge and then bike back, allowing for a truly immersive experience in the natural beauty of Yangshuo.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 3 – 4 hours |
| Length of Cycling | 22 Kilometers |
| Ticket Price | Admission is free, but you need to pay for the various attractions along the way |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0773-6978961 |
Location and Transportation
Ten-Mile Gallery is located in Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The specific address is along National Highway 321. The best way to get there is by renting an electric scooter:
- Stay Overnight: Find a guesthouse or hotel near West Street Pedestrian Street.
- Rent a Scooter: The next morning, rent an electric scooter and head towards Ten-Mile Gallery. Use navigation to Gongnong Bridge in Yangshuo.
Cost:
- Rental Fee: Approximately 20-30 RMB, negotiable.
- Parking Fee: 10 RMB per stop, with parking available at each point of interest.
Highlights of Ten-Mile Gallery
Dolphin Coming Out of the Water On the west side of the Ten-Mile Gallery lies a small reservoir, beside which stands a delicate and unique small peak. This peak, several dozen meters high, has been shaped by thousands of years of weathering and erosion, forming a spindle-shaped mountain that strikingly resembles a dolphin leaping out of the water. Among the numerous picturesque mountains in Guilin, this is the only one that resembles a marine animal.
Flaming Mountain To the west of the Ten-Mile Gallery, near the village of Baishandi, a towering peak rises with steep and smooth mountain walls. In the middle of the mountain wall, a suspended rock formation can be seen, with a cliff face stretching several dozen meters that is stained in hues of red and yellow, resembling blazing flames. Upon closer inspection, the contours on the cliff reveal a faint image of a monkey dancing amidst the flames, appearing as though it is being scorched by the fire.
Pigsy Sunbathing On the west side of the Ten-Mile Gallery, atop a high mountain, lies a large, horizontally positioned rock that bears a striking resemblance to Pigsy from the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” The rock looks like Pigsy lying on his back, sunbathing with his belly exposed, exuding a sense of humorous charm.
Golden Cat Emerging from the Cave On the eastern side of the Ten-Mile Gallery, at Bajie Cliff, there is a small cave. Inside the cave, to the lower right, there is a peculiar rock formation that resembles a golden cat about to emerge. You can see the cat’s head and front half of its body vividly and intricately sculpted by nature. Local legend has it that seeing the golden cat brings good fortune and wealth.
Horse and Elephant Rock About 200 meters south of the “Golden Cat Emerging from the Cave,” on the eastern side of the Ten-Mile Gallery, stands a towering mountain resembling a screen. At the base of the mountain, there is a cave with a large stalactite attached to the rock wall. From the roadside, this peculiar rock formation can be seen as two different animals: from the outside looking in, it resembles a white horse bowing its head to enter the cave; from the inside looking out, it looks like an elephant strolling out of the rock.
Dragon Horn Mountain In front of Longyanmen Village on the eastern side of the Ten-Mile Gallery, two peaks rise sharply from the green forest, standing side by side and piercing the sky. Their shape resembles dragon horns or a pair of jade shoots breaking through the ground. Locals consider this place a feng shui treasure land, calling it the “True Dragon Mouth.”
Butterfly Spring Park Located in the middle of the Ten-Mile Gallery, Butterfly Spring Park is an eco-friendly park built by enthusiasts who carefully crafted a natural habitat similar to the one butterflies thrive in. Visitors can enjoy the company of butterflies, watching them flutter in colorful, dazzling displays. The park offers a unique experience of harmony between humans and nature. It features a butterfly garden, a butterfly conservation area, an educational exhibition room, a butterfly handicraft workshop, and a cableway for park viewing.
Baopu Garden Situated at the foot of Yangjiao Mountain, Baopu Garden is a culturally rich tourist spot designed by experts and professors, highlighting traditional Chinese farming civilization and rural life. The garden includes a restored historical courtyard from the period when educated youths were sent to the countryside during the 1960s and 70s. It serves as a place for former educated youths to reminisce and for the younger generation to learn about this significant chapter in Chinese history.
Qin Emperor’s Expedition Near Longyanmen Village, the cliffs display various intricate patterns and shapes, resembling birds, beasts, utensils, and human figures. On the upper part of a cliff near the national road turn, there is a pattern that vividly depicts a warhorse, a chariot, and rows of soldiers in ancient Qin dynasty armor. These figures bear a striking resemblance to the terracotta warriors in Xi’an, giving the scene the name “Qin Emperor’s Expedition.”
Peacock Welcoming Guests In front of Longjiao Mountain, a small, graceful hill resembles the head and neck of a peacock. The adjacent peaks, arranged in a colorful and towering formation, look like the peacock’s magnificent feathers. This natural scene, named “Peacock Welcoming Guests,” warmly greets visitors from afar.
Qing’e Ferry Scenery Located west of Gongnong Bridge, this area features vast fields with two rivers flowing through—Yulong River on the right and Jinbao River on the left. Their confluence was once called “Qing’e Ferry.” From the bridge, the landscape unfolds with overlapping mountains, bamboo groves, playful shepherd boys, layered rice fields, and hidden villages, making it an ideal spot for photography and painting.
Camel Crossing the River East of Ten-Mile Gallery, near Gongnong Bridge, a mountain resembling a camel can be seen. This “camel,” appearing leisurely as if about to cross the river, is a striking natural formation along the meandering Tianjia River, which flows like a white silk ribbon through the endless fields. The scene is aptly named “Camel Crossing the River.”
Beauty Dressing Up Looking south along the road from Gongnong Bridge, a peak beside Moon Hill stands out. With its rounded top and slender form, it resembles an elegant Eastern beauty, her long hair flowing as she gazes ahead, seemingly absorbed in dressing up.
Young Lion Emerging from the Forest In front of Moon Hill, the peaks behind Lichun Village are picturesque, resembling jade shoots sprouting from the earth and covered in lush greenery. Among them stands a peak that looks like a playful young lion leaping out of the forest. Nearby, “Nine Oxen Ridge” looks like a herd of oxen resting in a meadow, “Lying Tiger Mountain” resembles a tiger crouching in the forest, and “Duck Tail Mountain” appears as a duck diving for food. These varied formations offer a feast for the eyes.
Scenic Viewing Pavilion About 100 meters south of the Big Banyan Tree, there’s a garden-style pavilion with a two-story, hexagonal design. From this scenic viewing pavilion, one can see the Fenglou fields to the northwest, the Big Banyan Tree and Qing’e Ferry to the east, Juilong Pond to the north, and the Ancient Banyan Tree High-Tech Agricultural Demonstration Park to the south, all in one panoramic view.
Rock Climbing Sanctuary The Moon Hill area is renowned for its rock climbing spots, attracting enthusiasts from around the world. Among the many climbing sites, Moon Hill Cave, Yangjiao Peak, Chuanyan Peak, and Jinmao Out of the Cave Mountain are the most famous. Moon Hill Cave is a massive arch-like hole, over 20 meters high and 30 meters wide, resembling a moon. The rock walls feature 12 routes left by climbers, and a “ROCK&ICE” magazine article mentions a total of 16 routes of varying difficulty. Climbing these classic routes is a source of pride for climbers.
