Plan at a glance
Architecture and location
The Sun and Moon Pagodas stand by Shan Lake in central Guilin and are landmarks within the Two Rivers and Four Lakes waterscape. The Sun Pagoda is known for its copper structure, while the Moon Pagoda is decorated with glazed tiles. An underground passage connects the two towers. Check separately whether the towers, passage, and lakeside paths are open.
Visit time and access
If you are only viewing the pagodas and their reflections from the lakeshore, allow about 30–60 minutes. Entry to the towers requires separate confirmation of access and tickets. The scenic area announced a closure and renovation in May 2026; as of November 5, 2026, its notices page showed no reopening announcement, so do not plan on entering the towers until you confirm access.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
See the pagodas and their reflection in Shan Lake
From the shore of Shan Lake, you can see both towers and their reflections. The Sun and Moon Pagodas differ in size and exterior materials. Stand a little farther back along the bank to fit the buildings and water into the same view.
Choose a lakeside visit or tower interiors
You can photograph the pagodas without entering them. If you want to use the underground passage, see the displays inside, or climb higher, first confirm which areas are open, whether an admission ticket is required, and where to enter. Access to the elevators, exhibits, and passage has not been confirmed; plan the lakeside visit on its own, and add the interiors only after you confirm they are open.
Build your day
A short lakeside photo walk
Navigate to Sun and Moon Pagodas Cultural Park or Zhiyintai Pier. From the pier area, follow the lakeside path toward Glass Bridge and take photos near Nine-Bend Bridge, then return along the shore. You can choose a section based on the paths open that day. Allow about 30–60 minutes, and watch for slippery paving by the water and on the bridges.
Add a tower visit if it is open
Only add an interior visit after confirming that the towers are open that day. Use the designated entrance, ticket, and route. Check on-site which floors are accessible by stairs or elevator, and allow extra time for queues.
Continue to nearby sights
You can combine the pagodas with a lakeside walk around Two Rivers and Four Lakes, Elephant Hill, or Dongxi Lane. To take a boat past Rong, Gui, and Mulong Lakes, see the Two Rivers and Four Lakes guide for routes and piers, then navigate using the pier on your confirmed ticket.
Get there
Navigate to the shore of Shan Lake
Search for “Sun and Moon Pagodas Cultural Park” or “Zhiyintai Pier” and choose a lakeside entrance based on the paths open that day. There is no metro stop directly at the pagodas; you can walk from central Guilin or take a bus or taxi nearby. If you are taking a cruise, navigate to the pier on your ticket rather than using the pagodas as your boarding point.
Lakeside viewpoints and tower entrance
The area around Zhiyintai Pier is a useful lakeside viewpoint. Locate the tower entrance and ticket checkpoint separately based on the day’s access arrangements. If you only plan to take photos, confirm which sections of the Shan Lake path are open; if you plan to enter a tower, check the entrance on your order and follow the route on site.
Walking and local transport
The pagodas are in a central lakeside walking area and can be paired with nearby neighborhoods. Bus routes, drop-off points, and parking arrangements may change with road conditions, so check a live map before driving or taking a bus. The lakeside photo walk and the ticketed entrance to the pagoda grounds are separate locations to confirm.
Know before you go
Confirm what has reopened
The scenic area announced in May 2026 that the pagodas would close during renovation; its website has not posted a later reopening notice. The grounds, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, the underground passage, and the underground rooms may have different access arrangements. Before you go, confirm which areas are open and what tickets are required; access to one area does not confirm access to the others.
Lights, weather, and crowds
For reflections, visit around sunset and check the pagoda lighting from the shore. Lighting schedules may change by season or event, so confirm them with the scenic area if they matter to your plans. The lakeside gets busy at night; do not block the path with a tripod. Stone paving may be slippery after rain, so keep back from the water’s edge while taking photos.