Terraces
Stair-stepped paddies curving around the mountains like contour lines drawn by hand.
Longji Rice Terraces · Guilin
The Elephant That Drinks the Li · Elephant Trunk Hill
Guilin4.41 hr2.9k saved
A hill shaped exactly like an elephant dipping its trunk into the river — Guilin's emblem, best caught reflected at golden hour.
It sits in Guilin, and rewards going slowly rather than ticking it off. Best golden hour for the reflection through water-moon cave; lovely lit at night.
Good to know
- Best time — Golden hour for the reflection through Water-Moon Cave; lovely lit at night
- Arrive early for the light
- Allow more time than you think
- Keep a few yuan in cash, just in case
Photo: xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0
More in Guilin
Cave
A floodlit limestone cavern of stalactites and mirror pools, named for the reeds at its mouth once cut into flutes.
Palace of Natural Arts · Reed Flute Cave · Guilin
Pagoda
A bronze pagoda and a glazed-tile twin rising side by side from the lake, blazing gold against the dark after sunset.
Twin Flames on Shan Lake · Sun & Moon Pagodas · Guilin
Old Street
A 1,400-year-old cobbled lane gone gloriously global — lanterns, live music, beer fish and backpackers from everywhere.
The Global Village Lane · Yangshuo West Street · Guilin