Xiangbishan and the elephant-shaped limestone hill on the Li River

Xiangbishan in Guilin, China, is a limestone hill beside the Li River whose profile recalls an elephant reaching its trunk into the water.

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. The hill stands in Guangxi in southern China, within Xiangshan Park at the junction of the Li River and the Taohua River, and its profile has become closely associated with Guilin’s riverfront scenery.

The elephant shape above the Li River

Xiangbishan rises from the western bank of the Li River where the broad curve of water meets the Taohua, or Peach Blossom, River, so the rock stands directly beside a wide, open riverside panorama.Located in Elephant Hill Scenic Area at the confluence of Taohua River and Li River The hill forms part of a chain of karst outcrops that frame Guilin, but its particular profile has given it a distinct identity.

Seen from the opposite bank, the main mass of Xiangbishan resembles the body of an elephant on the shore, while an arch in the lower part of the cliff reflects in the river to complete the trunk-like outline.Elephant Trunk Hill is described as a hill and landmark in Guilin whose base arches into the river The Chinese name, ??? (Xiàngbí Sh?n), literally means “Elephant Nose Mountain”, a direct reference to this shape.The name Xiangbishan translates as Elephant Nose Mountain

Limestone, caves and karst scenery

Xiangbishan is formed of limestone, part of the karst landscape that has long defined Guilin’s setting along the Li River.Xiangbishan in Guilin is described as a limestone karst hill beside the Li River The rock rises above the riverside paths and parkland in Xiangshan Park, and the contrast between bare cliff, green vegetation and open water is visible from many points along the bank.

The hill reaches around 200 m (656 ft) above sea level, making it one of the more prominent individual rock forms along this stretch of riverfront.Elephant Trunk Hill is recorded as 200 metres above sea level Openings and caves are cut into the limestone, including a well-known cave associated with the reflection of the moon on the water, and paths and steps run across the slopes to viewpoints on the rock.

Xiangshan Park and Guilin’s riverside setting

Xiangbishan stands within Xiangshan Park on the western bank of the Li River in the Xiangshan District of Guilin, in the Guangxi region of southern China.Elephant Trunk Hill is located within Xiangbishan Park on Binjiang Road in Xiangshan District The park occupies a stretch of riverfront across from the central urban area, so the hill can be viewed both from within the park and from riverside promenades on the opposite bank.

The hill’s form has been associated with Guilin’s image for many centuries; descriptions trace its fame back to the Tang Dynasty, when the karst landscape along the Li River was already celebrated.Elephant Trunk Hill has been a tourism destination since the Tang Dynasty The combination of river, rock outcrop and parkland places Xiangbishan within walking distance of Guilin’s streets while keeping the focus on water and geology rather than built structures.

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, and the park entrance faces Binjiang Road in the urban area.
• The hill rises from the riverbank inside the park, and paths and stairways on the slopes lead across uneven limestone and up gradients that require sure footing.
• Buses run to stops near Xiangshan Park along Binjiang Road, and Guilin Railway Station stands within walking distance of the riverside area where Xiangbishan is located.
• The official language is Chinese and the currency is the yuan (CNY).
• 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 stands within Xiangshan Park beside the Li River at the confluence with the Taohua River in Guilin, in the Guangxi region of southern China.

What can visitors expect on a visit to Xiangbishan?

Visitors encounter a limestone hill rising from the riverbank, paths and stairways across the rock, parkland around the base and views over the Li River and Guilin’s riverfront.

What makes Xiangbishan distinctive among Guilin’s hills?

Its outline recalls an elephant standing by the Li River with a trunk-like arch at the base, and its Chinese name, Xiangbishan, directly references this shape.