Back from Guilin, not recommended to visit in January
Guilin's scenery is truly the best in the world! I visited Guilin in January, and the weather was refreshing and the scenery was unique. Here is my two-day travel guide to Guilin👇
📍Guilin is like a work of art carefully crafted by nature. The mountains and rivers here are like a painting, the water of the Li River is clear and green, the mountains on both sides are unique and beautiful, and the city is full of a leisurely atmosphere that makes you slow down and immerse yourself in the mountains and rivers.
🚗Transportation guide:
✈️ Guilin Liangjiang International Airport has airport buses to the city center, with many routes that can take you to major locations such as Guilin Station and Guilin North Station, which is convenient and affordable.
🚄 Guilin Station is in the city center, with convenient transportation, accommodation, and dining options nearby; Guilin North Station has more trains, buses, and taxis, and it takes about half an hour to get to the city center.
🚌 Most of the city's buses can reach the main attractions, and you can also take a sightseeing bus to enjoy the street view of Guilin and feel the city's atmosphere.
🗺Travel itinerary:
Day 1: Li River (bamboo raft tour) - Xingping Ancient Town - West Street
In the morning, depart from Guilin to Yangdi Wharf, take a bamboo raft to tour the essence of the Li River, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nine Horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Reflection; have beer fish for lunch in Xingping Ancient Town; stroll around the ancient town in the afternoon to feel the historical charm, and go to West Street in the evening to enjoy the food and nightlife.
Day 2: Elephant Trunk Hill - Diecai Hill - Dongxi Lane
In the morning, go to Elephant Trunk Hill, a landmark attraction in Guilin, and take amazing photos; then go to Diecai Hill, climb the mountain to overlook the city and the Li River; have lunch nearby, and go to Dongxi Lane in the afternoon to stroll around and eat local snacks while experiencing the historical and cultural heritage of Guilin.
🌟Must-visit attractions:
1. Li River: The bamboo raft glides on the river, the water is clear, and the mountains are rolling, as if you are in a painting. It is especially shocking to see the background of the 20 yuan banknote!
2. Elephant Trunk Hill: The symbol of Guilin, with different beauty from different angles. Stand on the shore and take a photo with Elephant Trunk Hill, and it will definitely be a hit on social media.
3. Xingping Ancient Town: The bluestone road and old houses are quiet and simple. Walking through it is like going back in time, and you can also find some interesting little items.
4. West Street: Lively and bustling, with bars, restaurants, and snack stalls. The night is brightly lit and full of a romantic atmosphere.
5. Diecai Hill: Climb to the top of the mountain to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the city and the Li River, with layers of mountains that are breathtaking.
6. Dongxi Lane: Retains the ancient architectural style and integrates modern commercial elements. Here you can taste delicious food and learn about the history and culture of Guilin.
7. Ten-Mile Gallery: The scenery along the way is picturesque, and cycling through it to enjoy the rural scenery and distant mountains is relaxing and pleasant.
8. Longji Rice Terraces: Although it is not as golden and brilliant as in autumn, the layers of terraces have a unique tranquil beauty, like the fingerprints of the earth.
9. Jingjiang Prince City: With a long history and magnificent architecture, you can feel the grandeur of the ancient prince's mansion and learn about the historical changes in Guilin.
📝Practical tips:
• There are many wharves and routes for bamboo raft tours on the Li River. It is recommended to choose the essence of the Yangdi-Xingping section and book tickets online in advance.
• You can buy tickets for Elephant Trunk Hill online and enter the park with your ID card to avoid queuing on-site.
• The attractions in Guilin are relatively scattered, so planning your route and transportation can save a lot of time.
🍱Local food recommendations:
• Beer fish: The fish is tender, cooked with fish from the Li River, unique seasonings, and beer. It is spicy and rich in flavor, with few bones and more meat, and the more you eat, the more delicious it becomes.
• Guilin rice noodles: The marinade is fragrant, and the rice noodles are smooth and chewy, with various side dishes such as crispy meat and char siu. A bowl in the morning will keep you energized all day.
• Stuffed snails: The snail meat is dug out and mixed with pork and other ingredients, then stuffed back into the snail and cooked. It is delicious, and a sip brings a sense of happiness.
• Lipu taro with pork: The pork belly is fatty but not greasy, and the Lipu taro is soft, glutinous, and sweet. The combination of the two is rich in taste and excellent in flavor.
• Oil tea: It may not be very appetizing at first, but the more you drink, the more flavorful it becomes. It is served with fried rice, peanuts, and other ingredients, with a unique taste that warms the body.
• Water chestnut cake: Sweet and delicious, with the fragrance of water chestnuts blended into the soft and glutinous cake, it is chewy and refreshing.
🏠Hotel accommodation:
• Guilin city center: Vienna International Hotel (Xiangshan Park Branch), with a good location close to attractions such as Elephant Trunk Hill, convenient transportation, clean and tidy rooms, and high cost performance.
• Near West Street in Yangshuo: Yangshuo Ten-Mile Gallery River View Inn, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Li River and the lively night view of West Street. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and the service is attentive.
• Inside Longji Rice Terraces Scenic Area: Longji Rice Terraces Panorama Hotel, located at a high point of the terraces with excellent views. Open the window in the morning to see the spectacular terrace scenery, and the experience is amazing.
Tips:
• The temperature in Guilin is relatively low in January, especially when playing on the river, where it is windy and cold. Bring warm clothes, scarves, gloves, and other warm items.
• When eating Guilin rice noodles, you can add seasonings such as chili and sour beans according to your taste for a better flavor.
• When buying local specialties, compare several stores to avoid buying high-priced and low-quality products.
Guilin's beautiful scenery and delicious food are waiting for you, so take this guide and set off!💕
I arrived on a rainy, foggy day, so I could only catch a glimpse of the close-up scenery. There were quite a few tourists; wearing raincoats and carrying umbrellas had a unique charm. The mountain isn't high, but the path is slippery in the rain, so I wouldn't recommend climbing it. Loudspeakers kept telling you the right way to avoid getting lost. The place was indeed clean, though not very big; it's fine for a leisurely stroll.
Reserve your free entry ticket on trip.com. Lots of touting but you can just ignore them. Recommend to climb up the hill for great views of Guilin city.
Take a Didi taxi to Exit 1. Once inside, turn left to reach the best spot for photographing Elephant Trunk Hill. You can climb Elephant Trunk Hill, but on the last day of our trip, we were too tired to do so. We went straight to the designated photo spot. You can choose to take photos directly from the roadside or take a boat tour. If you have the budget, the boat tour is a great option for taking pictures!
Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area is a landmark attraction in Guilin. It is worth a visit. Here is some information about the scenic area: Address and opening hours • Address: No. 1, Minzhu Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. • Opening hours: 7:00-21:30 in the off-season (December-March), 6:30-21:30 in the peak season (April-November). Tickets • Ticket price: Starting from March 1, 2024, the Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area will be open to the public free of charge. However, there may be other charges during some special periods or events. It is recommended to pay attention to the official notice of the scenic area in advance. • Reservation method: You can make an appointment through the official reservation entrance of the scenic area. One mobile phone number can book 3 free tickets. Main attractions • Elephant Trunk Hill Water Moon: A major wonder of Elephant Trunk Hill. There are more than 50 precious cliff carvings such as "Chaoyang Pavilion Poems and Preface" by Zhang Xiaoxiang of the Song Dynasty in the Water Moon Cave. When the moon is bright in the sky, the moonlight in the cave and under the water is reflected in the cave, forming a wonderful picture. • Puxian Pagoda: Located on the top of Xiangbi Hill, it was built in the Ming Dynasty. It is a Lama-style solid brick tower with a height of 13.6 meters. A bluestone line-carved Bodhisattva statue is embedded in the north of the tower. • Sanhua Wine Cellar: It displays the brewing process and historical culture of Guilin Sanhua Wine. • Love Island: It consists of three amusement islands facing the water in the north, which is a good place for tourists to relax and have fun. • Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall: Located in Yunfeng Temple on the southern foot of Xiangbi Hill, it displays historical relics and materials of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Transportation Guide • Bus: You can take bus No. 2, No. 16, No. 23 to Xiangshan Park Station. • Self-driving: Navigate to "Xiangbi Hill Scenic Area", there are parking lots around the scenic area for parking. Travel Suggestions • Best time to travel: All seasons are suitable. Guilin has a subtropical monsoon climate with mild weather, abundant rainfall, sufficient sunshine, distinct four seasons, no severe cold in winter and no scorching heat in summer. • Best travel time: early morning and night. In the morning, you can enjoy the misty Elephant Trunk Hill and feel the hazy beauty of the misty rain on the Li River; at night, you can enjoy the night view of "Elephant Mountain Water Moon", which is suitable for photography enthusiasts. • Tour route: It is recommended to walk up the mountain first, so that you can better feel the breath of nature. If you feel tired, you can choose to take a bamboo raft through the cave entrance of Elephant Trunk Hill and enjoy a different water journey. Notes • Some attractions in the scenic area may require walking and climbing, and it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. • Protect the environment of the scenic area, do not litter, and do not write or scrawl in the scenic area. • Pay attention to safety, especially at the waterside and on the mountain road, and abide by the regulations and instructions of the scenic area. Food recommendation There are many special snack shops around the Xiangshan Scenic Area, such as tofu pudding, rice noodles, etc., which are very delicious and worth tasting.
Guangxi Elephant Trunk Hill, also known as Guilin Elephant Hill, is one of the iconic landscapes of Guilin City. Its unique terrain is like a huge elephant trunk stretching out to the Li River, hence the name. Elephant Trunk Hill is not only a masterpiece of nature, but also the exquisite art of craftsmen. The lush vegetation on the mountain complements the surrounding Li River scenery, forming a vivid landscape painting. Every spring and summer, the scenery around Elephant Trunk Hill is particularly charming. The greenery of the mountain and the rippling river water complement each other, attracting countless tourists to come and watch. Standing on the Elephant Trunk Hill and looking into the distance, you can feel the magnificence of the mountains and rivers, as if you are integrated with nature. The landmark of Elephant Trunk Hill is not only a symbol of Guilin, but also a typical representative of Chinese landscape aesthetics. Its charm lies in the perfect combination of nature and culture, attracting thousands of tourists every year, leaving their footprints and laughter. If you come to Guilin, you will be in vain if you don't visit Elephant Trunk Hill. This is not only a simple trip, but also a baptism of the soul and a journey of dialogue with nature.
Guilin Elephant Trunk Hill: Geographic location:** Located in the center of Guilin, Guangxi, at the confluence of the Li River and Taohua River. * **Core features:** * **Iconic landscape:** It is the symbol of Guilin's landscape and the emblem of Guilin City. It is named because its shape resembles a giant elephant standing by the river and stretching its trunk to drink the sweet spring water of the Li River. * **Main attractions:** * **Water Moon Cave:** Located between the "elephant trunk" and the "elephant leg", it is a transparent round cave. The river flows through the cave, and you can go boating through it. There are more than 50 stone carvings from various dynasties on the cave wall. * **Elephant Eye Rock:** Located on the north and south sides of the waist of Elephant Trunk Hill, it is interconnected and shaped like an elephant's eye. * **Puxian Pagoda:** Located on the top of the mountain, it looks like a treasure bottle and a sword handle, so it is also called the treasure bottle tower and the sword handle tower. * **Cultural value:** "Elephant Mountain Water Moon" is one of the most famous old eight scenic spots in Guilin. The Moon-Water Cave and its reflection in the water form a bright moon over the water, which is a unique scenery. It has attracted countless literati and poets to compose poems and praise it since ancient times. * **Tourism status:** It is one of the most core and must-see attractions in Guilin City, and it is also the most representative business card of Guilin tourism.
**🏞️Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area|Real evaluation + avoidance guide! Is it worth it to check in Guilin? ** ### **👍【Highlights】** 1. **Landmark landscape** 🌍: Guilin's city emblem is well-deserved, with a unique elephant-shaped mountain + reflection of the Li River, and a super high rate of filming! 2. **Convenient transportation** 🚖: The core area of the city, direct access by taxi/bus, suitable for tourists with tight schedules. 3. **Cultural connotation** 📜: There are Puxian Pagoda and ancient stone carvings at the foot of the mountain, where you can read historical stories. 4. **Short-term tour** ⏳: It takes 1-2 hours to visit, not tiring, and suitable for bringing the elderly and children. ### **👎【Slot avoidance】** 1. **Ticket cost-effectiveness** 💸: The 55 yuan ticket is slightly expensive (compared with the free viewing platform: Jingxiang Hotel 7th floor terrace 🆓 to take a panoramic view). 2. **Commercialization** 🎪: There are many vendors in the scenic area, and the souvenirs are homogeneous. It is recommended to buy water at the door. 3. **Crowded** 👥: You need to grab a camera position to take photos in the peak season. It is recommended to go before 8 am or in the evening! ### **📸【Photography Guide】** - **Classic Camera**: Bamboo rafts on the riverside in front of Elephant Trunk Hill (pay 10 yuan to take photos on the raft), leaning over the Moon Cave to "hold the elephant trunk". - **Hidden Perspective**: Elephant Trunk Hill overlooked from Zizhou Park, with few people and full scenery! ### **💬【Real Evaluation】** > "I regret not going, and I am a little disappointed if I go" is the voice of most tourists! ✅ **Recommended group**: Those who come to Guilin for the first time, those who are obsessed with checking in, and those who have plenty of time. ❌ **Dissuaded group**: Backpackers who hate commercialization and pursue deep natural experience. **🌟Summary**: Elephant Trunk Hill ≈ "I'm here now" attraction, it's even more worthwhile to combine it with the night tour of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes! You can go there on the way, no need to make a special trip~
🌸 Elephant Trunk Hill core attraction 1️⃣ Shuiyue Cave: The natural round hole between elephant nose and elephant legs, the river water passes through the flow to form the "Elephant Landscape Moon" wonder. When the light is soft in the morning, the reflection in the cave is clear; the night lights are more dreamy. 2️⃣ Puxian Tower: The Ming Dynasty Buddha Tower on the top of the mountain is shaped like a treasure bottle. The tower can overlook the Lijiang River and the panoramic view of Guilin city. 3️⃣ Love Island: The romantic island on the north side is suitable for taking pictures, and it is also the venue for Guilin's landscape wedding. 4️⃣ Sanhua Wine Cellar: There is a natural cellar in the hinterland of Elephant Trunk Hill. You can visit the Guilin Sanhua Wine Culture Museum to learn about the local winemaking history.