Located on the eastern bank of the Li River in Guilin, Seven Star Park (七星公园) is named for its seven peaks, which resemble the Big Dipper constellation in the sky. The park features three prominent peaks at the front, known as “Crescent Moon Hill,” and four peaks to the north, referred to as “Camel Hill.” Together, these peaks form the “Seven Star Mountain,” giving the park and the nearby Seven Star Cave their names.
Seven Star Park encompasses the essence of Guilin’s picturesque landscapes, combining mountains, water, caves, rocks, courtyards, architecture, and cultural relics. It serves as a microcosm of the region’s natural beauty.
Currently, the park includes several notable attractions, such as “Big Dipper,” “Xixia True Realm,” “Crescent Moon Rainbow,” “Camel Peak Red Glow,” and “Dragon Hidden Wonders.” The area is richly adorned with various trees, flowers, and fruits. In autumn, the sweet-scented osmanthus flowers bloom in abundance, filling the park with their delightful fragrance.
Travel Information about Seven Star Park
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Ticket Prices:
- Seven Star Scenic Area: 55 RMB
- Seven Star Scenic Area + Seven Star Cave: 85 RMB
- Guilin Zoo: 48 RMB
Opening Hours:
- Seven Star Scenic Area: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Seven Star Cave: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Access to the Scenic Area
Location: The Seven Star Scenic Area is situated on the eastern bank of the Li River, near the confluence of the Xiaodong River, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the city center.
Transportation: You can take public buses 11, 18, or 30 to reach the Huqiao entrance of the scenic area.
Attraction Ratings
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Cultural: ★★★★
- Adventure: ★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★
Highlights of Seven Star Park
Hua Bridge (Flower Bridge)
Hua Bridge is the oldest bridge in Guilin, located at the main entrance of the park. It spans approximately 135 meters over the confluence of the Little Dong River and Lingjian Creek. The bridge features a long covered corridor that protects visitors from wind and rain, and its pavilion is adorned with green glazed tiles. Constructed from solid rock, the bridge showcases a strong ethnic style.
During the spring and summer months, the area around Hua Bridge bursts into a riot of colors with blooming flowers. The banks are lined with peach blossoms and emerald bamboo, creating a picturesque scene where the bridge is partially concealed among the vibrant flora. This stunning natural beauty is the reason behind the bridge’s name.
The bridge is also a perfect spot for moon-gazing. Visitors can enjoy the enchanting reflections of the moon in the water, and when the moon is absent, they can admire the moon’s shadow cast through the bridge’s arches. The serene landscape of mountains and rivers, combined with the charm of Hua Bridge, offers a peaceful and uplifting experience for all who visit.
Hua Xia Zhi Guang Square (Light of China Square)
Located between Putuo Mountain and Crescent Moon Mountain, Hua Xia Zhi Guang Square covers an area of approximately 13,520 square meters. The square features two significant works of art:
Hua Xia Zhi Guang Stone Carving Mural: This impressive mural measures 106 meters in length and 5 meters in height, composed of over 100 individual stone carvings. It showcases China’s four great inventions and various advanced achievements in science and technology, reflecting the essence of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
Century Treasure Tripod: Standing 4.6 meters tall on a circular granite pedestal, this large tripod symbolizes national peace and stability. Weighing 24 tons, the tripod is carved from a single piece of curved stone.
Together, these two artworks create a new landmark in Seven Star Park, representing the cultural richness and historical significance of the Chinese nation.
Qixia Temple
Located at the north gate of the Seven Star Scenic Area, Qixia Temple is the largest and most well-preserved Tang-style temple in China, boasting a history of over a thousand years. The temple is renowned for its Guanyin Hall, which houses a treasured statue of Guanyin, carved from Sichuan Ya’an white jade in 2002. Standing at 6.8 meters tall and weighing 18 tons, this statue is the heaviest and tallest Guanyin in the regions of Hunan, Hubei, and Guangdong.
Seven Star Cave
Located in the northern part of the Seven Star Scenic Area within Putuo Mountain, Seven Star Cave is renowned as the “First Cave in the World.” Originally an underground river, geological movements caused the riverbed to rise, exposing the cave to the surface, which has existed for over a million years. Over time, rainwater has seeped through the cave’s ceiling, dissolving the limestone and forming stunning stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies that resemble a magnificent underground gallery.
The cave is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. The upper level features remnants such as the Laojun Platform, while the lower level contains an underground river that is still developing. The middle level, which is currently open for tours, stretches 814 meters long, with a maximum height of 27 meters and a width of 49 meters. The cave maintains a constant temperature of around 20°C year-round.
The middle section of Seven Star Cave is divided into seven areas, known as the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Caverns, and the Gathering Immortals Cavern. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the inscription “First Cave in the World,” signifying its esteemed status among Taoist sites, making Seven Star Cave a premier destination for exploration and admiration.
Attractions in Seven Star Cave:
- Ancient Banyan Welcoming Guests: Near the entrance of Seven Star Cave stands a massive stalactite formation resembling an ancient banyan tree, with lush branches and leaves that appear lifelike. This “Ancient Banyan Welcoming Guests” formation greets visitors as they enter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate: At the top of Seven Star Cave, a golden carp can be seen striving against a torrent, accompanied by splashing waves, vividly portraying the scene of “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate.”
- Big Dipper: At the highest point inside the cave, the brilliant Big Dipper shines brightly, surrounded by countless twinkling stars. This cluster of colorful celestial bodies resembles the famous Big Dipper in the night sky.
- Laojun Platform: Within Seven Star Cave lies a platform said to be left by the Taoist deity Laozi after his ascension. This platform, known as “Laojun Platform,” was noted by the famous Ming dynasty geographer and traveler Xu Xiake during his visit to Seven Star Cave. He climbed the cave’s ladder to investigate the site and documented “Laojun Platform” in his travelogue, thus ensuring its fame.
- Moon Palace (Guanghan Palace): Seven Star Cave features a beautiful and serene palace that bears a striking resemblance to the mythical Moon Palace. In front of the palace stands a osmanthus tree, beneath which a fairy appears lost in thought and melancholy, believed to represent Chang’e, the Moon Goddess.
- Sanjie Singing Platform: A tall stone platform within Seven Star Cave is said to be the place where Liu Sanjie, a clever and brave Zhuang girl, sang. Accompanied by A Niu, Liu Sanjie erected a singing platform at Seven Star Cave, where she sang for three days and nights. People from miles around gathered to listen to her melodious songs and learn from her, making her tunes unforgettable.
Camel Mountain
Camel Mountain (Tuofeng Mountain) is located behind Putuo Mountain and derives its name from its striking resemblance to a camel lying on the ground. It is also known as Jug Mountain or Wine Jug Mountain due to its similarity to an ancient wine vessel.
Camel Mountain is regarded as the second city emblem of Guilin. In the late Ming dynasty, a famous scholar from Jiangnan resided here and planted peach trees all around. Every spring, the peach blossoms flourish, creating a stunning display of red flowers that blanket the mountain like a crimson cloud. This picturesque scene is known as “Tuofeng Chixia” (Camel Peak Red Clouds).
In July 1998, during his visit to China, then-U.S. President Bill Clinton delivered a speech on environmental protection at the foot of Camel Mountain. The area surrounding the mountain features various facilities, including a presidential podium, a zoo, a bonsai garden, and tea houses, enhancing the scenic beauty of this remarkable location.
Guihai Beilin Museum (Osmanthus Flowers and Stele Forest Museum)
Guihai Beilin Museum is located in the southwestern part of the Seven Star Scenic Area. This museum showcases the charm of Guilin’s stone carving culture and is known for its historical significance, famously described as “the cliffs are covered in inscriptions, and the walls are without a complete stone.” It encompasses Longyin Rock, Longyin Cave, a corridor of steles, a pavilion of steles, and an exhibition room for rubbings.
The museum houses over 210 pieces of cliff inscriptions and features a collection of exquisite stone rubbings, historical scattered steles, stone carvings, and stone works. It presents a comprehensive view of the long-standing history and elegant artistic quality of Guilin’s stone carving culture. Notable pieces include poetry by Li Bo, Fan Chengda, and Yuan Mei, calligraphy by Yan Zhenqing, Li Yangbing, Shi Manqing, and Huang Tingjian, as well as essays by Yuan Hui, Zhu Xi, and Zhang Shi, along with artworks by Wu Daotze, Guan Xiu, and Mi Fu. These are considered precious relics of China’s rich historical culture.
The Seven Star Scenic Area is also home to over 6,000 osmanthus trees, including varieties such as Golden Osmanthus, Silver Osmanthus, and Four Seasons Osmanthus. In autumn, these trees create a breathtaking sea of osmanthus flowers, complementing the precious stone carving culture of Longyin Rock and forming the renowned scenic beauty of “Guihai Beilin (Osmanthus Flowers and Stele Forest).”
Huixian Rock Scenic Area
Huixian Rock Scenic Area is located in the southwestern part of the Seven Star Scenic Area and features a karst peak landscape characterized by its solitary, towering peak. It stands in harmony with Guilin’s other major mountains, such as Duxiu Peak, Fubo Mountain, and Diecai Mountain. Huixian Rock is renowned for its flattened, majestic structure, steep cliffs, and elegant appearance, earning it the title of “unique in its own right.”
The area includes several architectural features, such as the Rihua Pavilion, Yuehua Pavilion, and Xinghua Terrace. The mountain is often bathed in the soft glow of morning and evening light, resembling a deity with a youthful appearance despite its aged features, which is why it is also known as “Purple Immortal Mountain.”
Historical records indicate that Xu Xiake, a famous Ming dynasty traveler, visited Huixian Rock in the leap month of April in the tenth year of the Chongzhen era (1637). His exploration of Guilin’s famous mountains left a lasting mark on the area’s cultural heritage.