Destinations Menu
RSS
CHINA | Guilin, China Travel Guide
Thursday, April 25, 2024
1 Of 2
Guilin's West Bank
Sightseeing in Guilin
Guilin's West Bank
Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbi Shan), Binjiang Lu (daily 6 am-6 pm; ¥25, bus #2). There are no prizes for guessing the reason for this hill’s name, and for once it really is easy to see – the rock truly looks like an elephant taking a drink from the river. It’s so famous that it has become the Guilin city logo. Banyan Lake (Rong Hu) and Cedar Lake (Shan Hu). These two lakes were originally part of the city moat during the Tang dynasty, but have been recently rehashed as an attractive addition to Guilin’s myriad of sights. The two lakes are joined by the Sun Bridge and there’s now a pair of pagodas (¥30) gracing Cedar Lake and, to the north, a series of replicas of worldfamous bridges – the Golden Gate is here among others!
Jingjiang Princes’ Palace, Jiefang Dong Lu (daily 8:30 am-5:30 pm; ¥50). When Emperor Hongwu appointed Zhou Shouqian, a distant relative, to preside over this southerly region, he began a legacy that would last 300 years. The Jingjiang Palace was built in the late 14th century, around the same time as the Forbidden City (see p. 155-57). While its smaller stature reflects Guangxi’s minor vassal status, parallels with the Beijing monument are obvious. Inside, you’ll find modern portraits of each of the 14 Jingjiang Princes along with relics unearthed from their tombs, which lie un-restored, a few miles out of town. To the north of the palace, Solitary Beauty Peak, Duxiu Feng, offers another of Guilin’s short, steep climbs – as usual, rewarded with fine views.
Wave Subduing Hill (Fubo Shan), Binjiang Lu. At the northern end of Binjiang Lu you’ll find the quiet and atmospheric Fubo Hill, which makes for a great sunset spot. The peak has a number of caves and paths running to the top and although it’s only a short ascent be prepared for a steep climb. At the top you are rewarded with excellent views over the area including the city and Elephant Trunk Hill.
Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Shan), Diecai Lu. Folded Brocade Hill gets its name from the impression that it is comprised of several hills folded into one another. The hill is famous for its Wind Cave which gusts cool breezes and can be very refreshing on a hot day. Unfortunately, the cave is fairly near the bottom of the hill, so no matter how cool you feel, you’ve still got a short steep climb ahead of you.
Explore the Destination
Amenities and Resources
Overview
Hotels(8)
Restaurants(8)
Attractions(4)
Activities(8)
Map - No weather for this city
Trending Themes:
Guides to Popular Ski Resorts
-
Ischgl is a small mountain village turned hip ski resort, with massive appeal among the party-hearty young crowds. It is... Read More
-
Andorra la Vella is its own little world, and not just because it’s a 290-square-mile independent principality (a fifth the... Read More
-
Bariloche (officially San Carlos de Bariloche) is the place to be seen. It is to Argentina what Aspen is to the... Read More
-
Aspen is America's most famous ski resort. And that's an understatement. For, as a ski complex, Aspen is unsurpassed. Its... Read More
-
Zermatt is a small but glamorous mountain resort town, with a population of approximately 5,700. It is one of Switzerland's... Read More
-
St. Moritz is a glitzy, alpine resort town in the celebrated Engadin Valley of Switzerland, with huge notoriety as the... Read More
-
Lake Tahoe is the premier lake resort of America, and the largest alpine lake in all of North America. It is an absolutely... Read More
-
St. Anton, Sankt Anton am Arlberg in German, is Austria's premier ski-bum resort! It's actually a small village cum... Read More
-
Kitzbühel, a small, Tyrolian resort town in the Kitzbüheler Alps, comes with international renown and huge snob appeal, and... Read More