Elephant Trunk Hill

The symbol of Guilin

Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山, Xiàngbí Shān) is a 55-meter natural limestone karst formation at the confluence of the Li River (漓江) and Peach Blossom River (桃花江) in central Guilin. The formation is naturally shaped like an elephant drinking from the river — the ‘trunk’ dips into the water, the ‘body’ rises above, and the ‘eye’ and ‘ear’ are visible in the rock face. The hill is the symbol of Guilin, appearing on every official emblem, logo, and tourist brochure.

The hill is uniquely accessible — it sits in the city center, with a free public park surrounding it, and is a 10-minute walk from any downtown hotel. For first-time visitors to Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill is the easiest introduction to the karst landscape that makes Guilin world-famous.

What to actually see

The 55-meter hill has a few key features:

The elephant shape — best viewed from the south bridge. The ‘trunk’ is the part that dips into the river; the ‘body’ is the main mass of the hill; the ‘eye’ and ‘ear’ are visible in the rock face on the south side.

Water Moon Cave (水月洞) — a perfect circular hole through the elephant’s ‘trunk’ that lets the river flow through. The cave is 3-4 meters in diameter and creates a perfect circle when reflected in the calm water below. On full-moon nights, the moon and the reflection create a perfect ring of light, an effect that has been celebrated in Chinese poetry for centuries.

The hill climb (¥60-75) — a 20-30 minute climb up stone steps to the top of the hill. The panoramic view from the top — the Li River, the city, and the karst peaks in the distance — is the highlight. The climb is well-maintained and shaded, suitable for older children and most adults.

The cymbidium (orchid) greenhouse (¥30) — 200+ orchid varieties in a different micro-climate. Best in spring (March-May) when the orchids are in bloom.

The boat ride (¥30-50) — small bamboo rafts and motorized boats offer 20-30 minute rides around the hill. The boat gets you close to the Water Moon Cave and gives you a different perspective.

A brief history

The hill was formed 300 million years ago in the Permian period as part of the same limestone karst system that runs throughout Guilin and Yangshuo. The unique elephant shape is the result of differential erosion — the softer limestone at the ‘trunk’ and ‘eye’ positions eroded faster than the harder limestone elsewhere, creating the dramatic shape.

The hill was famous in Chinese poetry for centuries. The Tang-dynasty poet Han Yu (韩愈, 768-824) wrote a poem praising the hill, calling it “the natural wonder of the south.” The Song-dynasty poet Wang Zhenggong (王正功) wrote the most famous poem about the hill, comparing the ‘trunk’ to a silver river pouring into the water. The phrase “象鼻饮水” (elephant drinking water) became a common poetic image for Guilin itself.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the hill was the site of the Puxian Temple (普贤塔), a Buddhist pagoda that still stands on top of the hill today. The pagoda is a Ming-dynasty structure and adds historical context to the climb.

In 1972, US President Richard Nixon visited Guilin and was photographed standing in front of Elephant Trunk Hill. The photo was widely published internationally, putting Guilin on the global tourism map.

Getting to Elephant Trunk Hill

The hill is in the city center of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River. Easy to reach from anywhere in downtown:

Didi from anywhere downtown: 10-15 minutes, ¥15-25. Every driver in Guilin knows the park.

Bus 2, 16, or 23 from Guilin Railway Station: ¥2, 20-30 minutes.

Walking from downtown hotels: 10-20 minutes depending on location. The park is in the city center.

Self-drive: Difficult — parking in the city center is limited. Use the public parking lot on the south side (¥5-10/hour).

Practicalities for foreign visitors

• Payment: Park entry is free. The hill climb accepts Alipay, WeChat Pay, and cash. The boat ride and greenhouse are paid separately.
• Hours: Park grounds open 24/7. The hill climb and facilities are 06:30-22:00.
• Photography: Allowed throughout. The most-photographed view is from the south bridge. The hill climb has several good viewpoints.
• Accessibility: Park grounds are fully wheelchair accessible. The hill climb has many steps and is not suitable for wheelchairs.
• WiFi: Free public WiFi in the park.
• Restrooms: Available at the park entrance and at the cymbidium greenhouse.

What to do nearby

• Li River Cruise (漓江) — 65 km south, the classic Guilin-to-Yangshuo cruise. Most visitors do this on the way to Yangshuo.
• Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) — 5 km north, the 240-meter illuminated limestone cave. Combine with Elephant Trunk Hill for a half-day itinerary.
• Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) — 100 km north, the 700-year-old terraced rice paddies. Combine with Guilin for a 2-day trip.
• West Street, Yangshuo (阳朔西街) — 65 km south, the foreigner-friendly pedestrian street. Combine with Elephant Trunk Hill for a 2-day Guilin-Yangshuo trip.