Xiangshan Scenic Area in Guilin is located in the city center, encompassing Xiangbishan (Elephant Trunk Hill), Fuboshan (Wave Subduing Hill), and Diecaishan (Layer-upon-layer Colorful Hill). These three hills are only two to three kilometers apart, bordering the Lijiang River, with half of them resting on land and the other half submerged in the river flow. The harmonious coexistence of mountains and water represents the essence of Guilin's natural scenery. Mountains gain vitality from water, while water becomes more picturesque because of mountains. With over a thousand years of development and tourism, this area has long been a renowned tourist destination both near and far.
As early as the Sui and Tang dynasties, the various peaks within Guilin City already bore the footprints of ancient people seeking beauty and composing poetry in admiration. Xiangbishan, Fuboshan, and Diecaishan have experienced periods of such popularity that traffic was blocked by visiting carriages and horses. The numerous cliff inscriptions and stone carvings scattered throughout these mountains serve as the best historical testament. In the Song Dynasty's circular water system for sightseeing around Guilin, these three famous mountains were key points. Ancient people would either take boats, dock their boats to ascend ashore, or moor under mountain caves to sweep leaves and brew tea, raising a glass to the wind, appreciating the colors of the landscape, and exploring the wonders of rock caves. As time passed, many once-renowned mountains fell into obscurity, but the scenic appeal of Xiangbishan, Fuboshan, and Diecaishan remained vibrant for a thousand years. Do we still remember what the collective memory, or perhaps a concise summary, of Guilin's landscape was during the second half of the twentieth century? The answer is "three mountains, two caves, one river." Compared to the refined tastes of the ancients, this summary might seem overly straightforward, but it did represent the meaning of Guilin's landscape for a long period and guided Guilin's tourism industry. Among these, the "three mountains" refer to Xiangbishan, Fuboshan, and Diecaishan.
Among the "three mountains," Xiangbishan is located on the west bank of the Lijiang River in the southern part of Guilin City, at the confluence of the Taohuajiang River and the Lijiang River. It symbolizes the city of Guilin, and its emblem uses Xiangbishan as its mark, also known simply as Xiangshan. Xiangshan stands 220 meters above sea level and rises 55 meters above the water surface, composed of pure limestone deposited from the seabed 360 million years ago. Its shape is solitary and steep, with ancient rocks. Between the elephant trunk and the legs of Xiangbishan lies the Shuiyuedong Cave, resembling a full moon floating quietly on the water, forming the famous "Xiangshan Shuiyue" (Elephant Mountain Water Moon). This view combines clear mountains, beautiful water, strange caves, exquisite stones, and reflections into one, becoming an age-old theme endlessly sung by poets throughout history, and it is a must-see place for tourists visiting Guilin.
Fuboshan among the "three mountains" is located in the northeastern part of Guilin City. It rises abruptly, standing 213 meters above sea level, with half of it resting on land and the other half plunging into the Lijiang River. The mountain body rises 63 meters above ground level, standing upright suddenly, like being cleaved by a knife or axe, especially on its riverside side, giving people a sense of towering cliffs. When the Lijiang River flows past here, it is blocked by the mountain body, forming a large backflow. The ancients named it Fuboshan based on its ability to "block the surging waves" and subdue the waves. Folk legend says that Fuboshan got its name because General Ma Yuan of the Han Dynasty shot arrows here to retreat enemies and tested his sword on the rock.
Diecaishan among the "three mountains" is located in the northern part of Guilin City. It is composed of limestone and dolomitic limestone deposited 367 million years ago. Its stone quality is hard, and the rock layers are arranged in thin, medium-thick, and thick layers, stacked layer upon layer, like brocade piled up. Tang dynasty literary figure Yuan Hui named it Diecaishan because "according to the 'Map Classic', the mountain has horizontally spread stone patterns, with colorful green interwoven, like stacked brocade."
Guilin, with its naturally beautiful qualities, underwent significant urban construction at the turn of the century, making every scene visible, every bridge and road, every flower and tree, every river and lake worth seeing. With the development of Guilin's tourism circle attractions, Guilin's tourism scenery has become even more colorful, far beyond what can be summarized in one sentence, and certainly not limited to "three mountains, two caves, one river." However, when we count Guilin's scenic spots, we find that Guilin's "three mountains, two caves, one river" remains the axis of Guilin's tourist routes. The Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area, which attracts worldwide attention and features unique Guilin characteristics, incorporates these three famous mountains into its scope. The journey along the Lijiang River from Xiangbishan to Diecaishan is the climax and focus of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes tour, especially the night tour.
Throughout history, people have highly regarded these three mountains due to their many advantages:
Good location: The Lijiang River runs through the city, and Guilin develops along both sides of the Lijiang River. The three mountains are located on the river segment in the heart of the city, connected by water, like pearls strung together. From north to south, they are Diecaishan, Fuboshan, and Xiangbishan. In Guilin city tourism, these three mountains are precisely within the scope of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area. Xiangbishan and Diecaishan are also at the connection points between rivers and lakes, and their surroundings are all famous attractions in Guilin City.
Unique shapes: The three mountains have unique shapes, resembling a giant elephant drinking water, a lone peak piercing the river, and brocade layered in stacks. The caves in the mountains each have their own marvels, some shaped like a full moon, others cool with refreshing breezes, and some with hanging strange rocks.
Early development: Since the Tang dynasty when Yuanyou, the governor of Gui Prefecture, developed Diecaishan, these three mountains have become tourist destinations with a history of over a thousand years, exuding ancient charm.
Rich culture: Over a thousand years of cultural accumulation has left many traces of famous people, cliff sculptures, stone inscriptions, historical legends, and poetic verses, turning nature into humanized landscapes.
Secluded environment: The three mountains are all urban forest parks, shaded by lush trees, encircled by clear waters, and with deep, quiet paths.
After thousands of years of baptism and sedimentation, the long history of tourism and profound cultural relics have made these three mountains the essence of Guilin's landscape culture and representatives of Guilin's tourism culture.
Tourism Tips:
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Ticket Prices:
Xiangbishan: 25 yuan per person
Fuboshan: 15 yuan per person
Diecaishan: 20 yuan per person
Visiting Time:
Xiangbishan - 1 hour 30 minutes
Fuboshan - 1 hour
Diecaishan - 1 hour 30 minutes
Opening/Closing Times:
Xiangbishan - Off-season: 7:00 AM - 9:30 PM; Peak season: 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Fuboshan - Off-season: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM; Peak season: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Diecaishan - Off-season: 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM; Peak season: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Transportation within the Scenic Area:
1. Direct transportation: You can choose free public service vehicles (routes 57, 58), buses (routes 2, 23), shuttle buses within the scenic area, or drive directly to the scenic area.
2. Night boat tours to enjoy the scenery of the three mountains.
3. Self-guided tours by vehicle or on foot along the Binjiang Road and Longzhu Road beside the Lijiang River.
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Special Recommendations:
Xiangbishan: Xiangshan Osmanthus Square, Xiang Culture Wall, Huijiang Pavilion, Puxian Pagoda, Xiangyan Rock, Shuiyue Cave, Zizhou, Love Island, Yunfeng Temple, etc.
Fuboshan: Huanzhu Cave, Trial Sword Stone, Thousand Buddha Cave, Coral Cave, Guiwater Pavilion, Tingtao Pavilion, Zhong Pavilion, Fubo Corridor, and Yuan Dynasty riverbank embankment, etc.
Diecaishan: Diecai Pavilion, Yuyue Mountain, Siwang Mountain, Yangzhiting Hall, Fengdong Cave, Wangjiang Pavilion, Naiyun Pavilion, Mingyue Peak, Xianhe Cave, Mulong Cave, Mulong Ancient Ferry, Diecai Qiong Tower, Butterfly Museum, Insect Museum, etc.
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Most Worthwhile Places or Things:
Xiangbishan - Shuiyue Cave
Fuboshan - Trial Sword Stone Spectacle
Diecaishan - One of the largest butterfly and insect specimen collections in China
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Distance to Guilin City Center: All three mountains are located in the center of Guilin City, by the Lijiang River, with no more than two to three kilometers separating them.
Xiangbishan Scenic Spot - Airport: 28 km
Xiangbishan Scenic Spot - Train Station: 2 km
Xiangbishan Scenic Spot - Bus Station: 1 km
Address: No. 2 Longzhu Road, Guilin City
Phone (Fax): 0773-2803000
Website: http://www.glxsjq.com
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National Honors:
▲ Listed as one of the first national-level "AAAA" scenic areas in early 2001
▲ Passed ISO9001 international quality management system and ISO14001 international environmental management system certification in May 2002
▲ Selected as a "2002 Annual China Tourism Well-known Brand" scenic area by the China Tourism Newspaper in March 2003
▲ Listed as a "World Tourism Organization Recommended Scenic Area" by the World Tourism Organization Destination Development and Management Regional Cooperation Committee in December 2003
▲ Listed as a "Scenic Tour Demonstration Point" by the National Ministry of Construction
Provincial Honors:
▲ Rated as a "Provincial Civilized Unit" by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee in August 2001
▲ Rated as a "Civilized Courtyard" by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Spiritual Civilization Construction Committee Office in December 2003
Municipal Honors:
▲ Listed as a "Role Model Post for Women's Civilization" by Guilin City in March 2001
▲ Awarded the "First Prize for Key Tourist Attractions Ecological Environment Target Responsibility System in Guilin City in 2001" by the Guilin Environmental Protection Bureau in March 2002
▲ Awarded the "First Prize for Key Tourist Attractions Ecological Environment Target Responsibility System in Guilin City in 2002" by the Guilin Environmental Protection Bureau in May 2003
▲ Jointly rated as an "Advanced Unit in the Integrity Construction Project Activity in Guilin City" by eight units including the Guilin Enterprise Work Committee in June 2003
▲ Rated as an "Advanced Unit in Greening" by the Guilin Urban Greening Office in August 2003
▲ Rated as a demonstration point for civilized scenic tourist areas in Guilin City by the Guilin Civilization Committee Office, Park Administration Bureau, and Tourism Bureau in December 2003
▲ Listed as a "Quality Service Brand Enterprise in Guilin City" in March 2005