Guilin Landmarks and Monuments

(Guilin, Guangxi, China)

There are many different landmarks that present themselves to those visiting Guilin, although it is the naturally created Elephant Trunk Hill formation that is amongst the most famous and iconic of all the city's top sights.

The Jing Jiang Princes City Park is another outstanding landmark in Guilin, as is the Solitary Beauty Park. Fubo Hill is another scenic park and is located on the north-easterly side of Guilin, being next to the Li River. Nearby are the lakes of both Rong Hu and Shan Hu.

Elephant Trunk Hill

Address: Elephant Trunk Hill, Guilin, China, CN
The Elephant Trunk Hill is perhaps the ultimate landmark in Guilin and very much a symbol of the city. Just a short stroll away from the city centre and lying alongside the Li River, the Elephant Trunk Hill features a naturally formed arch way and has earned its name, since it resembles an elephant, leaning over the river and dipping its trunk into the actual water for a drink. Expect to see many different images of this formation on postcards and brochures relating to tourism in the city.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Jing Jiang Princes City Park / Jingjiang Princes City (Jing Jiang Wang Cheng)

Address: Jing Jiang Princes City Park, Guilin, China, CN
Tel: +86 0773 280 3149
One of the best preserved prince's cities in the whole of China, the Jing Jiang Princes City is an important historical site within the city and serves as both an important local landmark and as the home of the Guangxi Normal University and its 20,000+ students. This popular attraction is surrounded by a grand wall and once served as an actual 'inner city' for the royal princes, along with their families and servants. The complex is vast and comprises four individual halls and pavilions, and roughly 40 further structures around the main buildings. The Jing Jiang Princes City dates from the end of the 14th century, although has suffered at the hands of fire over the years, needing to be rebuilt more than once.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Fubo Hill (Fubo Shan)

Address: Fubo Hill, Guilin, China, CN
Tel: +86 0773 280 3000
Known locally as 'Fubo Shan', Fubo Hill is near to the Solitary Beauty Park and contains a number of somewhat unexpected attractions and landmarks, such as its Returned Pearl Cave (Huanzhu Dong) and its 200 etched Buddha images, some of which are believed to be more than 1,000 years old. Close by, the Thousand Buddha Cave (Qianfo Yan) is another highlight and features a selection of stone statues from the dynasties of both Song and Tang, although its name is something of an exaggeration.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Solitary Beauty Park

Address: Solitary Beauty Park, Guilin, China, CN
Solitary Beauty Park resides within the centre of Guilin and is perhaps best known for its towering pinnacle, which goes by the name of 'Duxiu Feng' and is just over 150 metres / 492 feet in height, very much dominating the area. Although the climb to the actual summit is fairly steep, the views are exceptional and on a fine day, stretch for many miles. At the base of the peak itself, look out for the 14th-century Wang Cheng Palace and its popular theatre.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Rong Hu and Shan Hu Lakes / Sun and Moon Pagodas

Address: Guilin, China, CN
Close to the city centre are no less than two separate lakes. Rong Hu (Banyan Lake) is one of these lakes and is situated on the westerly side of the Zhongshan Zhonglu, and home to the iconic Sun and Moon Pagodas, while the second lake goes by the name of Shan Hu (Fir Lake) and lies to the east. The Rong Hu lake is especially interesting to tourists, since it is named after a particularly magnificent Banyan tree, which graces its shore, close to the South City Gate (Nan Mén), and is over 800 years old. Lake cruises are always enjoyable and come highly recommended.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free