Elephant Trunk Hill is located on the west bank of the Li River in Guilin, comprising the scenic areas of Elephant Trunk Park, Fubo Park, and Diecai Park. This iconic site is renowned as one of Guilin’s most famous attractions, showcasing the essence of its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
The area features unique peaks, clear waters, unusual caves, and beautiful rocks, along with an abundance of cliff inscriptions, Buddhist statues, and various historical cultural relics. Whether viewed through the lens of natural beauty or cultural significance, Elephant Trunk Hill embodies the quintessence of Guilin’s landscape and cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Travel Information about Elephant Trunk Hill
Ticket Information and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: The combined ticket for Elephant Trunk Hill, Diecai Mountain, and Fubo Mountain is 90 yuan.
Opening Hours:
- Peak Season (April to October): 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Off-Peak Season (November to March): 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: The scenic area is located on the southern bank of the Li River in Guilin, where the Li River meets the Peach Blossom River.
Public Transport: You can reach Elephant Trunk Park, Diecai Mountain Park, and Fubo Mountain Park via the Tourist Sightseeing Line 1 and Bus Line 2.
Scenic Spot Ratings
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Culture: ★★★★
- Features: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Park
Elephant Trunk Park is located on Minzu Road in the Elephant Trunk District and is named after its centerpiece, the Elephant Trunk Hill, which resembles an elephant’s trunk. The park features several attractions, including the Elephant Trunk Water Moon, Love Island, Puxian Tower, Yunfeng Temple, and the Sanhua Wine Cellar.
Elephant Trunk Hill, with its unique shape and rich history, serves as the symbol of Guilin. Notably, during the 2014 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the Hungarian dance troupe Attraction showcased Elephant Trunk Hill in their creative performance “Symbol of China.” This marked the first time a foreign performance group used a unique dance form to portray a Chinese landscape.
At Elephant Trunk Hill, there is a translucent round hole between the elephant’s trunk and legs known as the Water Moon Cave. This cave resembles a full moon, and during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people particularly enjoy coming to the Water Moon Cave to appreciate the moon. Here, visitors can see three moons reflected in the water, creating a unique and enchanting experience for moon viewing.
Legend of Elephant Trunk Hill
According to legend, long ago, the Jade Emperor was on a southern tour and passed through Guilin when his divine elephant, which carried a precious vase, fell ill. The Jade Emperor abandoned the elephant by the banks of the Li River and continued on his journey. The local people cared for and treated the elephant, helping it quickly regain its health. Grateful for their kindness and enchanted by Guilin’s beautiful landscapes, the divine elephant chose to stay, helping the people by plowing their fields and guarding their crops.
Upon learning of this, the Jade Emperor was outraged, believing it to be a disgrace to heaven. He sent the celestial general, Li Tianwang, and his heavenly soldiers to capture the elephant. However, the elephant vowed to resist and refused to return to the heavenly palace. The battle raged for seven days and nights. Exhausted and thirsty, the elephant approached the river, and just as it extended its long trunk to drink, Li Tianwang stealthily raised his sword and struck the elephant down, killing it.
Despite its death, the elephant stood tall and transformed into a stone mountain, remaining to protect the land of Guilin for eternity.
Sutra Pagoda
The Sutra Pagoda is located on the west side of Elephant Trunk Park, within the ruins of Kaiyuan Temple in Wanshou Lane, Minzu Road. It was originally built in the second year of the Xianqing period during the Tang Dynasty (657 AD) as a seven-story brick pagoda. The current structure was rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty and is a street-style lama pagoda, oriented north to south. Standing at approximately 13.2 meters tall, the pagoda is divided into three levels: the base, the body, and the cap. Its unique design makes it one of the famous ancient Buddhist towers in China.
Sanhua Liquor Museum
The Sanhua Liquor Museum is located at the foot of Elephant Trunk Hill. Inside the museum, nearly a hundred old photographs vividly showcase the historical landscape of Guilin throughout the 20th century. The museum also presents the original brewing process of Sanhua liquor, clearly illustrating Guilin’s traditional winemaking techniques as one of the origins of Chinese liquor.
The museum features a wineware exhibition hall, where visitors can learn about the historical evolution of Chinese liquor culture through physical artifacts. Additionally, the cellar liquor exhibition hall displays various rare aged products from Guilin Sanhua Co., allowing visitors to appreciate the pure and refreshing essence of the waters of the Li River.
Fubo Park
Located on Binjiang Road in Guilin, Fubo Park is a picturesque garden-style landscape park that integrates mountains, water, caves, cultural relics, and unique rocks. The park features Fubo Mountain, a solitary peak that rises elegantly, resting on the banks of the Li River to the east and connecting to the land to the west.
During the spring and summer, when the water rises and the river surges, the mountain effectively calms the tumultuous waves, causing the river to swirl, hence the name “Fubo,” which means “suppressing waves.” The mountain’s name also derives from the “Fubo General Temple” built during the Tang Dynasty. The Song Dynasty even referred to it as “Fubo Mountain” in poetry.
What to Do:
- Listening to the Waves Pavilion: Perched on the southeastern cliffs of Fubo Mountain, the Listening to the Waves Pavilion is a two-story structure built against the mountainside. This pavilion offers expansive views, making it an ideal spot for distant sightseeing. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape while soaking in the natural beauty of Guilin.
- Viewing Stone Inscriptions: To the west of the Listening to the Waves Pavilion lies the Great Compassion Ancient Cave, where visitors can find over ten inscriptions from the Ming and Qing Dynasties on its stone walls. Among these inscriptions, the most notable is the “Bamboo and Orchid Painting” by the Qing Dynasty painter Li Bingshu, which is a highlight for tourists seeking to appreciate the historical and artistic significance of the area.
Diecai Park
Diecai Park is located at No. 2 Longzhu Road in Guilin and is one of the city’s main attractions. The park is centered around Diecai Mountain, formerly known as Gui Mountain, which consists of Mingyue Peak, Xianhe Peak, Siming Mountain, and Yuyue Mountain. Diecai Mountain is renowned for its beautiful scenery and easy accessibility, making it a popular spot among visitors to Guilin.
In addition to Diecai Mountain, the park boasts numerous scenic spots, including the Chengren Monument, Yangzhitang Hall, Xianhe Cave, Feng Cave, Diecai Tower, Wangjiang Pavilion, and Naying Pavilion. Each of these sites offers unique views and cultural significance, enriching the overall experience of exploring this picturesque park.
What to Do:
- Climbing Mingyue Peak: Mingyue Peak, located in the northeast of Diecai Mountain, is the main peak of the range. Climbing to the top of Mingyue Peak offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city of Guilin, allowing visitors to take in the stunning landscape and vibrant urban scenery.
- Butterfly Viewing: Within the park lies a group of buildings in a similar architectural style called Diecai Qionglou. Inside the Qionglou is a butterfly museum that features over 5,000 butterflies from 11 families and more than 300 species. A dedicated room within the museum introduces the romantic legends surrounding butterfly culture in China. If you want to appreciate the beauty of butterflies, this is an excellent destination to explore.