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Duxiu Peak (Solitary Beauty)
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Located right in the center
of Guilin, this steep pinnacle offers stunning views over Guilin
and the Lijiang River. The hilltop can be reached by climbing 306
stone steps. |
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Elephant Trunk Hill
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This city landmark acquired its name because it resembles an elephant
dipping its trunk into the Lijiang River for a drink. It is situated
close to the city center with a small park and waterfront promenade
where locals exercise and dance. A pagoda was built in the 16th
century on top of the hill with impressive views of the river. It
is an ideal point as night falls to watch the local fishermen on
bamboo-rafts with their cormorant birds diving for fish. Lamps on
each raft are a distinguishable sight as they drift about echoed
by the sounds of cormorants patting water in the darkness searching
for the daily catch.
How to get there: A boat can take you to Elephant Trunk Hill for
around RMB30. This area can also be reached by renting a bicycle
in downtown Guilin. |
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Folded Brocade Hill (Guilin City)
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Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Shan) is one of Guilin's most popular
peaks for climbing because it is situated very close to the city
center in the northeast of Guilin, near the Lijiang River. The colorful
landscape and lush greenery resembles an intricate brocaded fabric.
Many Chinese character inscriptions decorate the rocks along the
trail leading to the hilltop where you can hike to admire the panoramic
view of Guilin.
Open: 8:00am-6:00pm daily.
How to get there: Bus No. 1 to Folded Brocade Hill. |
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Fubo Hill
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This is a popular hill to climb for a grand view above Guilin and
the surrounding countryside.
Like many of the limestone peaks in this area, you can find caves
like the Returned Pearl Cave. Legend has it that it was once home
to a dragon guarding a huge pearl. The pearl had been stolen when
the dragon fell asleep but was later returned by the remorseful
thief.
The hill is sacred to Buddhists because of the inscribed giant bronze
bell flanked by ancient small shrines. |
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Reed Flute Cave (Ludi)
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One of Guilin's main scenic spots is the magnificent Reed Flute
Cave. The natural formation of stalagmites and stalactites create
lavish decorations inside the cave with lighting to illuminate its
natural beauty. Reflecting pools eerily create imaginary famous
city skylines for a magical effect. |
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Seven Star Park
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On the east bank of the Lijiang River, opposite most of Guilin's
main sights, lies Seven Star Park, with seven hills resembling the
same pattern as the Big Dipper constellation.
The sprawling park includes a number of huge caves, the most impressive
of which is the one-kilometer-long (1,100-yard) Seven Star Cave.
The park is also home to the picturesque Flower Bridge, a landscaped
bonsai garden and a small zoo.
Open: 7:00am-9:30pm daily.
Admission Fee: RMB35.
How to get there: Take Bus No. 9, 10, or 11 from the railway station.
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West Hill Park ( Xi Shan)
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Xi Shan, meaning "West Hill", is a park dwarfed by a set of small
peaks surrounding a lake.
There were many Buddhist cavern shrines in the park that were destroyed
during earlier times but Xiqinglin Si, the Temple of the Great Buddha,
remains more or less intact, with thousands of Buddha statues in
varied sizes and serene poses.
The three-story Guilin Museum is worth a visit not only for getting
basic background and history of the city but the cultural customs
of Guangxi's indigenous Zhuang minority.
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