Within the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area in downtown Guilin, the two most famous hills are Elephant Trunk Hill and Folded Brocade Hill.
Elephant Trunk Hill, also known as Elephant Hill, gets its name from its shape, which closely resembles a giant elephant standing by the river drinking water. Located at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River, the surrounding Elephant Hill Park is one of the most famous parks in Guilin. The hill rises only 55 meters above the water level, making it a very easy climb to reach the summit quickly. Admission to Elephant Hill Park is free, and it features several small scenic spots. Due to its great fame, it attracts numerous visitors and tour groups.
Folded Brocade Hill is world-renowned for its colorful, distinctly layered rock formations. Belonging to the Danxia landform, it resembles a beautiful traditional Chinese ink wash painting created by nature. The hill also features many famous cliff inscriptions, indicating that it was a place frequently visited by ancient scholars and poets. Climbing Mingyue Peak means reaching the highest point of the Guilin Ridge, offering a panoramic view of the picturesque Li River and the entire city of Guilin. The entire hill is less than 100 meters high, so the ascent is not difficult; however, the paths are relatively narrow and can be quite windy. At the summit, there is a stone tablet inscribed with the saying, “Climb Folded Brocade Hill, live to one hundred and thirty”…
Overall, the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area in downtown Guilin, despite being a 5A-rated scenic spot, feels somewhat underwhelming… If your time in Guilin is limited, it is recommended to spend more time exploring Yangshuo instead…
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