Elephant Trunk Hill

What's in a name?

Elephant Trunk Hill may seem like an obvious name for this rock formation but back in the Song Dynasty, when elephants were still a rarity, the hill was known as Li Hill. Later it also became known as Submerged Hill. The main cave, the one that creates the elephant's trunk, is still called Moon-in--the-water Cave, following a poem by Ji Bei:

One Moon hides at the bottom of the river,
and on the surface floats another.
The river flows but does not carry the moons away.
Even when the moons are gone, the river flows on.

The smaller, higher cave behind the main cave has picked up the label Elephant Eye Cave, more because it's there than because it fits the bill.

Getting a good view

If you stand on the embankment that follows Binjiang Road along the Li River, just at the corner where it turns up to meet Zhongshan Road near the bus station, you will be just about able to see the distinctive profile that gives Elephant Trunk Hill its name. However, the view isn't good enough for photos now thanks to some clever botanical implants (evergreen bamboos). You will need to pay the entrance fee for the scenic spot to get any decent photos. You can manage a few snaps from the ticket booth area without buying a ticket but you may as well cough up the 25 Rmb and enjoy the site.

Please note: Through tickets for a number of sites in Guilin are available. See the left-hand side for details.

A guide is probably unnecessary. It depends how much you rate information over the freedom to explore at your own pace.

There are two entrances. One by the main entrance to Guilin's No. 181 Hospital and the other on Binjiang Road. Walkways along the Peach Blossom River now connect the two, and you can walk further upriver within the site to some botanical islands with fun statues.

The main purpose of your visit will be, no doubt, to focus on the Elephant. Near the Binjiang Road entrance is the best side for photographs. It's well worth walking the winding pathways up to the top though for novel views back down. Surprisingly few actually bother, especially the time-rushed domestic groups.

Look out for the Three-story Precious Vase (or Sword Handle) Pagoda near the top. An interesting reminder off Guilin's Buddhist past.

Don't miss ...

At the bottom of the hill near the hospital entrance is the site of the old Yunfeng Temple from the Tang Dynasty. This was restored in 1980 and now houses an interesting exhibition to the Revolution of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in Guilin, an interesting period from history.