Nature's Handiwork: A Visual Poem of Merging Landscapes
The natural scenery of Elephant Trunk Hill is widely regarded as the quintessential embodiment of Guilin's "Four Wonders": verdant mountains, exquisite waters, mysterious caverns, and magnificent rocks.
Water Moon Cave: The Eternal Moon Upon the Li River
Situated between the "Elephant's Trunk" and its "Legs," Water Moon Cave stands as the central natural marvel of Elephant Trunk Hill. This semi-circular, arch-like grotto—open and transparent from east to west—measures approximately 17 meters in length, 12 meters in height, and 10 meters in width, covering an area of about 150 square meters. The river flows directly through the cave; on moonlit nights, the celestial moon above, the moon within the cave, and the moon reflected in the water form a triple interplay of light, creating a breathtaking tableau where "a bright moon rests beneath the water, while another floats upon its surface." Located on the western bank of the Li River, the "Water Moon at Elephant Hill" gazes across the water at the "Moon-Piercing Rock" on the eastern bank—one appearing to float on the water, the other seemingly suspended in the sky—together forming the unique spectacle known as the "Double Moons of the Li River."
Photography Tips: The best times for viewing are on moonlit nights or during the clear evenings of sunset. From the riverside walkway near the South Gate of Elephant Hill Park, you can capture a single frame featuring both the reflection of Elephant Trunk Hill and the skyline of Guilin city.
Elephant Eye Rock: A Dual Perspective from the Giant Elephant's Eye
Located on the northern and southern flanks of the hillside, Elephant Eye Rock consists of a pair of naturally connected karst caves, spanning a total length of 52.8 meters and covering an area of
approximately 274 square meters. The "South Eye" is accessible via a climb of 32 stone steps, offering a close-up view of the Li River Waterfall Hotel and the urban landscape; the "North Eye," clinging to the cliff face, has no accessible path but provides a distant vista of the Li River's scenic wonders, including Zizhou Island, Pagoda Hill, and Chuanshan Hill. The renowned Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake once lingered here, leaving behind a written record in his Diary of Travels in Yuexi (Guangxi) noting that "the Elephant's Trunk clearly drinks from the Jade River."
Love Island: A Romantic Haven by the Riverbank
Situated at the southern foot of Elephant Hill, Love Island is a lush, verdant waterside area along the banks of the Li River. The island features observation decks, leisurely walking paths, and designated photo spots, offering panoramic views of Elephant Trunk Hill; it serves as an ideal destination for couples seeking a romantic outing and families looking for a pleasant excursion. Humanistic Craftsmanship—The Layered Sedimentation of a Millennium-Old Civilization
Puxian Pagoda (Sword-Hilt Pagoda / Treasure-Vase Pagoda)
Standing atop Elephant Trunk Hill, the Puxian Pagoda is a three-story, solid-brick Lamaist-style pagoda originally constructed in the early Ming Dynasty, boasting a history of over 400 years. The pagoda stands 13.6 meters tall, with a ground-level base area covering 55.2 square meters; its foundation features a double-tiered, octagonal Sumera pedestal structure. Embedded in the northern face of the pagoda's second tier is an 0.8-meter-tall relief carving in bluestone depicting "Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva" (Puxian Pusa), from which the pagoda derives its name. Locals also refer to this structure as the "Sword-Hilt Pagoda"—a name rooted in a legend claiming that the Celestial Emperor's divine sword pierced the elephant's back, and its hilt subsequently transformed into this pagoda. Viewed from a distance on the eastern bank of the Li River, the pagoda and the hill merge to create the unique visual imagery of a "Treasure Vase Carried by an Elephant," forming a delightful visual counterpoint to the "Elephant Hill and Moon in the Water" scene situated at the foot of the hill. During evening tours of Elephant Trunk Hill, the pagoda's silhouette—illuminated by lights—creates the fantastical effect of a "Sword's Shadow Dancing on the Waves," becoming an iconic image of Guilin's nighttime cityscape.
Yunfeng Temple and the Exhibition Hall of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Relics
Originally established during the Tang Dynasty, Yunfeng Temple is situated at the southern foot of Elephant Trunk Hill. The temple grounds currently house the Exhibition Hall of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Revolutionary Relics, which preserves a vast collection of historical artifacts related to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's campaign in Guilin. Since the Song Dynasty, the interior of Elephant Trunk Hill has served as a natural cellar for storing Guilin Sanhua Liquor; to this day, it continues to house a substantial stock of aged, fine spirits.
Cliff Carvings: Textual Imprints of a Millennium
The rock faces both inside and outside the Water Moon Cave (Shuiyue Dong) feature over 50 extant cliff carvings from various historical periods, with the majority dating back to the Song Dynasty. Among the most renowned are: the three characters "Shuiyue Dong" (Water Moon Cave) carved in seal script by Yuan Jie during the Tang Dynasty; the stone inscription of Harmonizing with the Rhymes of Water Moon Cave by the Song Dynasty recluse "Jibei Chushi"; and a poetic inscription featuring the famous couplet by Han Yu: "The river winds like a sash of green silk; the mountains rise like hairpins of jade." These cliff carvings represent not only a precious legacy of calligraphic art but also serve as faithful witnesses to the thousand-year-old cultural accumulation of Guilin.
