Xiangbishan in Guilin and the elephant-shaped hill on the Li River

Xiangbishan in Guilin, known in English as Elephant Trunk Hill, is a limestone karst hill beside the Li River whose outline recalls an elephant dipping its trunk into the water. Rising within Xiangshan Park at the junction of two rivers, it has become closely associated with Guilin’s river landscape and with the city’s identity over many generations.

A limestone hill shaped like an elephant at the river’s edge

Xiangbishan is a natural hill formed from limestone, part of the karst landscape that characterises Guilin and the wider Guangxi region in southern China. Its Chinese name, ??? (Xiàngbí Sh?n), literally means “Elephant Nose Mountain”, a reference to the way the riverside cliff and the arch at its base resemble an elephant standing by the water.Elephant Trunk Hill The hill stands in central Guilin, where the Li River meets the Taohua River, and it forms part of a chain of karst hills that frame the city.

The most distinctive feature of Xiangbishan is the natural arch in the cliff at the river shore, called Water-Moon Cave in English. This opening links the riverbank with the water and creates the striking image of an elephant’s trunk forming a curve between land and river.Water-Moon Cave Above the arch, the bulk of the hill rises as a rounded mass of rock, with vegetation clinging to ledges and slopes. Boats on the Li River pass close to the base, giving passengers a clear view of the “elephant” profile from the water.

Xiangshan Park and Guilin’s river landscape

Xiangbishan stands within Xiangshan Park, a riverside park that stretches along the western bank of the Li River in Guilin. Paths and terraces in the park lead towards the hill and provide viewpoints over the confluence of the Li River and the Taohua River, where the water bends around the rock. The park forms part of a broader scenic area sometimes referred to as the Elephant Hill Scenic Area, integrating riverbank walks, planted areas and views of the surrounding karst formations.Elephant Hill Scenic Area

The hill has long been recognised as a symbol of Guilin. Chinese-language sources describe Xiangbishan, also known simply as Xiangshan, as the “city emblem” of Guilin, reflecting its prominence in local imagery.Xiangshan as city emblem The surrounding rivers have supported trading and transport routes for centuries, and the karst hills rising from the banks have become a defining feature of paintings, photographs and travel posters associated with Guangxi. Within Xiangshan Park, Xiangbishan is framed by urban streets on one side and the river on the other, giving it a direct relationship with both the city and the landscape.

Legends, caves and the summit of Xiangbishan

Like many distinctive landforms in China, Xiangbishan has attracted legends that explain its shape through stories of elephants and their connection to the river. The natural arch at the base is not the only cave within the hill: other smaller cavities and openings can be found higher up, some of which have been incorporated into walking routes and viewpoints. Within Water-Moon Cave itself, visitors encounter stone surfaces that bear inscriptions carved in various periods, marking the long-standing interest in this riverside opening.inscriptions in the cave

Paths and stairways allow a climb to the upper parts of Xiangbishan. The ascent involves a sequence of steps and slopes across the limestone, leading to platforms from which Guilin’s urban area and the course of the Li River can be seen. The summit area contains viewing points and, on some terraces, structures and small pavilions associated with the park’s layout. The elevation of the hill has been measured as about 200 m (656 ft) above sea level in some sources, placing it among the moderate heights that rise directly from the riverbank in Guilin’s city centre.height above sea level

Visiting Xiangbishan: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Xiangbishan lies within Xiangshan Park on the western bank of the Li River in Guilin, in the Guangxi region of southern China. The park entrance faces Binjiang Road in the urban area, and city buses serve stops near the park on routes such as 2, 16 and 23.
• The terrain around Xiangbishan includes riverside paths and a climb over stone steps to reach higher viewpoints on the hill. The ascent involves a sustained staircase and uneven limestone surfaces, and footwear suitable for walking on rock and stepped paths is advisable.
• The confluence of the Li River and Taohua River beside Xiangbishan means that water levels can vary with the season. Riverbank terraces provide views even when levels are high, while boat trips on the Li River offer perspectives on the “elephant” profile of the hill from midstream.
• Guilin lies in a subtropical region of southern China, and Xiangshan Park contains planted areas and shade from trees along some paths. The official language is Chinese and the currency is the renminbi (yuan).
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Xiangbishan

Where is Xiangbishan located?

Xiangbishan is in central Guilin in Guangxi, southern China, within Xiangshan Park beside the Li River at the confluence with the Taohua River.

What can visitors expect when exploring Xiangbishan?

Visitors encounter a limestone hill with a riverside arch known as Water-Moon Cave, riverside paths, planted areas and stairways leading to viewing platforms on the upper slopes.

What makes Xiangbishan distinctive among Guilin’s hills?

The hill’s outline, which resembles an elephant dipping its trunk into the Li River, together with the natural arch at its base, has made Xiangbishan a widely recognised symbol of Guilin.