Elephant Trunk Hill – The Emblem of Guilin

Water Moon Cave is located between the trunk and leg of Elephant Trunk Hill. Approximately 12,000 years ago, tectonic uplift and the receding Li River accelerated the development of this cave, forming a transparent round hole. It measures 17 meters in length, 9.5 meters in width, and 12 meters in height, covering an area of about 150 square meters. Facing the sunrise, it is also known as Chaoyang Cave. The cave’s reflection on the water resembles a floating full moon, giving it the name Water Moon Cave, a title that has persisted through time. “Elephant Hill Water Moon” is one of Guilin’s remarkable scenic wonders, often celebrated by poets and scholars. During the Song Dynasty, Chaoyang Pavilion was built inside the cave, later renamed Deyue Pavilion in the Qing Dynasty, though it no longer exists. The cave houses over 50 stone inscriptions, including Zhang Xiaoxiang’s “Poem and Prose of Chaoyang Pavilion,” Fan Chengda’s “Inscription on Water Moon Cave,” and handwritten drafts of Lu You’s poems. The largest inscription, standing at 257 cm tall and 752 cm wide, is the “Stele of Praise for the Rejuvenation of the Qing Dynasty” by Ni Wenwei, a Guangxi governor, making it the largest of over 2,000 stone inscriptions in Guilin and the only one strongly criticizing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Situated on the midsection of Elephant Trunk Hill, Elephant Eye Rock is located on both the northern and southern sides of the hill, connected through a passage. It stands about 2 meters high, 5 to 10 meters wide, and 52.8 meters long, with an area of approximately 274 square meters. Originally a short ancient underground river channel, it predates Water Moon Cave and is named for its location at the “eyes” of the elephant. From the south entrance at Nanji Cave, visitors can climb stone steps to the south eye. The mountain path continues to the summit, but the north eye, perched on a steep cliff, is inaccessible. The two eyes serve as excellent viewpoints. Looking through the left eye, one can see the towering Li River Hotel nearby and the densely packed city buildings. From the right eye, the view extends to the distant sailboats on the river, with Zizhou, Ta Hill, and Chuan Hill visible in the distance.

The Puxian Pagoda, perched atop Elephant Trunk Hill, was built during the Ming Dynasty to honor Bodhisattva Puxian. In China, there are only two pagodas dedicated to Puxian: one on Mount Emei in Sichuan and the other on Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin. The pagoda is a solid brick structure in the Lama style, reflecting Tibetan cultural influences. It stands 13.6 meters tall and features a double-layered octagonal base. The octagonal shape symbolizes the ancient belief that the sky is round and the earth is square, with eight directions.

From a distance, the Puxian Pagoda resembles the hilt of a sword embedded in the elephant’s back, or an elegant ancient vase, earning it the names “Sword Hilt Pagoda” or “Treasure Vase Pagoda.” The second-layer base features a shallow engraving of Puxian Bodhisattva on a green stone facing north. The pagoda’s presence atop the hill aligns with the legend of Guilin’s landscape and reinforces the story of Puxian Bodhisattva riding an elephant. In many Asian legends, an elephant carrying a treasure vase symbolizes peace, beauty, and happiness.

Yunfeng Temple served as a command post for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and was once the residence of Jianzhen, the founding monk of Japanese Buddhism. After five unsuccessful attempts to cross to Japan, Jianzhen traveled from Fujian through Guangdong to Guilin, staying at Yunfeng Temple for over a year. During his stay, hundreds of officials and scholars from the 14 southern provinces gathered in Guilin to receive ordination from him. After a year, Jianzhen boarded a ship at Elephant Trunk Hill and successfully made his sixth and final journey to Japan, marking a significant event in Guilin’s Buddhist history.

In 1852, after breaking out of Yong’an, the Taiping Army advanced towards Guilin and surrounded it from three sides. They occupied Elephant Trunk Hill, using Puxian Pagoda as a landmark for their frontline position during a month-long siege. Today, Yunfeng Temple serves as a museum showcasing artifacts from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, including battle flags, weapons, and cannonballs. The ancient Puxian Pagoda stands as a testament to the bravery and strategy of the Taiping heroes.

The Relic Pagoda is located within the ruins of Kaiyuan Temple, which was originally built during the Sui Dynasty. The temple was known as Shanxing Temple during the Tang Dynasty and was renamed Ningshou Temple during the Song Dynasty. It is the oldest Buddhist temple in Guilin, renowned for its grand and deep halls. The pagoda stands 13.2 meters tall and was initially constructed during the Tang Dynasty, later rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. Situated on the southwest side of Elephant Trunk Hill, by the Taohua River, the pagoda features a treasure-vase-shaped body and an umbrella-like top with five-tiered wheels crowned by a gourd-shaped copper finial. Historical records indicate that in the seventh year of the Tianbao era (748 AD), Jianzhen, along with several Japanese monks, stayed at the temple for over a year after his sixth attempt to travel to Japan was thwarted.

The “Legend of Elephant Hill” is an immersive multimedia show set in the scenic area of Elephant Hill. Utilizing advanced technologies such as hypermedia, holography, lasers, and lighting, the show is divided into four thematic chapters: “Ancient Guilin,” “Mysterious Elephant Village,” “Phantom Theater,” and “Legend of the Sacred Elephant.” The 135-meter-long and 65-meter-wide cliff face of Elephant Trunk Hill serves as the projection screen, vividly portraying Guilin’s landscapes and culture. This interactive experience allows visitors to feel as if they are stepping into a fantastical dream, all while showcasing the soul of Guilin’s scenery—Elephant Trunk Hill. The show tells the enchanting legend of “Elephant Hill Water Moon,” transforming Elephant Trunk Hill into a magical theater that combines exquisite imagery, human beauty, radiant light, and wondrous shadows. The stunning visuals captivate both domestic and international visitors, leaving them mesmerized.