Guilin · Visitor Guide
Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山, Xiàngbí Shān)
Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山) is Guilin's logo, the landmark that appears on every piece of Guilin tourism material and the city's emblem. The 55-meter karst formation at the southern end of Guilin city center resembles an elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River, with a water-level arch — the "Water Moon Cave" (水月洞, Shuǐyuè Dòng) — forming the gap between trunk and body. At night, with the moon reflecting through the cave arch, it creates the illusion of "three moons" (one in the sky, one on the water, one through the cave) — a Guilin postcard cliché that somehow still works in person. The hill is at the confluence of the Li River (漓江) and the Peach Blossom River (桃花江), making it the city's natural focal point.
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Quick Answer
Is Elephant Trunk Hill worth visiting?
The symbol of Guilin — a karst hill shaped exactly like an elephant drinking from the Li River at the confluence with Peach Blossom River. ¥75. 1–1.5 hours.
Quick facts
| Ticket | ¥75 (as of June 2026). Free for Guilin residents (city ID). Audio guide ¥20. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00–18:00 (Apr–Oct), 7:00–17:30 (Nov–Mar). |
| Recommended duration | 1–1.5 hours. The hill is small — climb to the top (10 minutes), explore the cave, browse the park. |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon (16:00–17:30) for golden light on the elephant's "trunk." Full moon nights for the "three moons" effect (check lunar calendar — the site sometimes extends hours on full moon nights). Spring and autumn for comfortable weather. |
| How to get there | In central Guilin on Binjiang Road (滨江路). Walk from the city center: 10–20 minutes from most central hotels. Bus routes 2, 16, and 23 stop near the entrance. DiDi from Guilin Railway Station: ¥10–15, 5–10 minutes. |
| English signage | yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | partial |
| Height | 55 m (180 ft) |
| Formation | Karst limestone, eroded over 300 million years |
| Water Moon Cave | The arch between trunk and body |
| Confluence | Li River + Peach Blossom River meet here |
| Symbol status | Guilin city emblem and primary tourism icon |
What to expect
The hill is smaller than you expect — 55 meters, a 10-minute climb to the top — but the shape is so perfect that it feels almost artificial. The "trunk" is formed by the Water Moon Cave, a 17-meter water-level arch that boats (and swimmers in warmer months) pass through. The best view is from the opposite riverbank, where the elephant silhouette is clearest. Inside the hill, a narrow staircase leads to the summit where a Ming Dynasty pagoda (Puxian Pagoda, 普贤塔) stands — added in the 14th century, looking like a sword handle from one angle and a bottle gourd from another.
The park is compact and efficient — you can see everything in an hour. The climb to the summit is steep but short, and the view over the Li River and Guilin's cityscape is pleasant rather than spectacular (Guilin is not a skyline city). The real value is the riverbank perspective: standing on the opposite shore at 17:00 with the sun behind you, the elephant's trunk, the pagoda on top, and bamboo rafts drifting past create the definitive Guilin photo. For a city that lives on karst tourism, Elephant Trunk Hill is ground zero — and it earns its iconic status.
How to get there
Walk from central Guilin — the hill is at the southern end of Binjiang Road (滨江路), a 10–20 minute walk from most hotels near the city center. Bus: 2, 16, or 23 all stop at Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山站). DiDi: ¥10–15 from anywhere in central Guilin. The entrance is on the north side of the hill, facing Binjiang Road.
Best photo spots
- Opposite riverbank (south side) — the classic elephant silhouette with the Li River in the foreground
- Water Moon Cave from water level — boats passing through the arch with the pagoda visible on top
- Summit pagoda (Puxian Pagoda) — compact Ming Dynasty structure with river views
- At night from Binjiang Road — the illuminated hill reflecting in the river (free, outside the park)
Tips
- The best photo of the hill is free — walk to the south riverbank (漓江路 side) and shoot across the water; no ticket needed
- Visit in the late afternoon (16:00–17:30) — the light is right for the classic elephant silhouette, and you can stay for the illuminated view after dark from outside the park
- Combining with Reed Flute Cave (5 km northwest, ¥90, 1.5 hours) and Fubo Hill (伏波山, ¥30, 30 minutes) makes a solid Guilin city day
- Bamboo rafts from Elephant Trunk Hill dock offer a 30-minute Li River mini-cruise (¥60–80) — fun but the Yangdi–Xingping raft upriver is a much better Li River experience
- The hill itself is not the main event — plan your Guilin visit around the Li River journey to Yangshuo and the Longji Rice Terraces; Elephant Trunk Hill is a convenient city-center filler
Scams to avoid
- "Professional photographer" at the riverbank charging ¥50 for a photo — use your own phone; the angle is the same
- Bamboo raft touts at the dock selling "Li River tours" — these are 30-minute loops near the city, not the Yangdi–Xingping scenic stretch; confirm the route before paying
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth paying ¥75 to enter or just view from outside?
The park entry gives you the climb to the summit, the cave interior, and the pagoda. The view from inside the park (near the water) is similar to the free riverbank view. For most visitors, the free outside view is sufficient — the iconic photo is from across the river. If you want the full experience (climb, cave, pagoda), ¥75 is reasonable for an hour of sightseeing in a city-center park.
Can you swim near Elephant Trunk Hill?
No officially designated swimming areas. Locals do swim in the Li River near the hill in summer, but the water quality in the Guilin city stretch is questionable. There are strong currents after rain. For swimming, head to Yangshuo's Yulong River (遇龙河) where some sections are clean and shallow.
How do I combine Elephant Trunk Hill with the Li River cruise?
The main Li River cruise to Yangshuo departs from Zhujiang Pier (竹江码头), 30–40 minutes from central Guilin by bus. Do not confuse the Elephant Trunk Hill dock (city-center mini-cruises) with Zhujiang Pier (the real Li River journey). Visit Elephant Trunk Hill the evening before or on the morning you return from Yangshuo — it is a city-center attraction, not an all-day excursion.
What time is best for photos of the three moons effect?
Full moon night (check lunar calendar — day 15 of each lunar month). The moon reflects through the Water Moon Cave arch, creating the illusion of three moons: one in the sky, one reflected on the Li River, and one "inside" the cave arch. The park sometimes extends hours on full moon nights. The illuminated hill viewed from Binjiang Road (outside the park, free) is beautiful any clear night.
Is Elephant Trunk Hill accessible for elderly visitors?
The park grounds and riverbank path are flat and accessible. The climb to the summit involves steep, narrow stone steps (55 meters of elevation) with a handrail — doable for mobile seniors but not for those with knee or balance issues. The cave is accessed by steps. Skip the climb and the cave, and focus on the ground-level riverbank view.
How does Elephant Trunk Hill compare to other Guilin karst formations?
Elephant Trunk Hill is famous for its recognizable shape and city-center location, not its size or dramatic beauty. The best karst scenery is along the Li River between Yangdi and Xingping, and in the Yangshuo countryside (Moon Hill, Xianggong Mountain). The hill is a convenient urban landmark; the countryside is the reason you came to Guilin.
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Other things to do in Guilin
Li River
The most iconic landscape in China — 83 km of karst peaks rising from emerald water between Guilin and Yangshuo. The 4-hour bamboo-raft or cruise-boat journey is the essential Guilin experience.
Reed Flute Cave
A 180-million-year-old karst cave filled with otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites illuminated by colored lights — Guilin's longest-running tourist attraction. ¥90. 1–1.5 hours.
Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon's Backbone)
650-year-old rice terraces cascading down mountainsides at 300–1,100 m elevation — Zhuang and Yao minority villages, sunrise over flooded paddies. ¥80. 2 hours from Guilin. Half to full day.
Longji Rice Terraces
650-year-old terraced fields sculpted into the hills — "Dragon's Backbone." Zhuang and Yao villages. ¥80 entry. 2 hours from Guilin. Best May–October for green or golden rice.