[Photo from guilin.com]

Located in northeast Guilin, Yaoshan Mountain acts as the boundary of northeast Guilin and Lingchuan county. High and spectacular, the mountain (commonly known as niu shan) got its name from its resemblance to a barberry.

[Photo from guilin.com]

The highly elevated plateau that Yaoshan Mountain sits on was formed through the three tectonic movements of the Indonesian movement, 200 million years ago; the Yanshan Mountain movement, 70 million years ago; and the Himalayan movement, 2 million years ago.

Between 800 and 1600 million years ago, Yaoshan Mountain was originally a seabed. The plateau elevated above sea level 400 million years ago, during the Guangxi tectonic movement, only to be buried under a shallow sea afterwards. The rock mass, which was composed of sandstone and shale 360 million years ago, slowly eroded due to weathering and has been gradually reduced to a “mound” after millions of years. Clastic deposits can still be seen on the surface of the hills and foothills.

Famous for its changing scenery and gorgeous landscapes throughout the four seasons, Yaoshan Mountain is deemed as one of the best places to enjoy the Guilin landscape. As a “land of treasure”, Yaoshan Mountain boasts the large-scale and elegant Mausoleum of Seignior Jingjiang, the best preserved tombs of governors from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). A highly reputable prunus vase was unearthed at the site of the mausoleum.