Elephant Trunk Hill

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Photo of Elephant Trunk Hill: Elephant Trunk Hill Guilin

Photo of Elephant Trunk Hill: Guilin travel tips

Photo of Elephant Trunk Hill: Elephant Trunk Hill history

Address No. 1 Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guangxi

Hours 07:00–21:30

Phone +86 773 2280209

Announcement: City Landmark

Entrance ¥0

Hours 07:00–21:30

Best Season April–October (Best viewed in the early morning or during the evening light show)

Time needed 1–2 hours

Last visit: May 22, 2026

Author: Tao Xu

Reviewer: Xiaoming Liu

Elephant Trunk Hill Travel Guide

Elephant Trunk Hill: A Local's Guide to Guilin's Iconic Landmark

Ling Wu 2026-05-25 Verified

Planning to visit Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin? This detailed guide from a local tour guide covers everything: how to get there, ticket prices, the best photo spots, hidden details most tourists miss, and practical tips to save time and money.

Read story

Elephant Trunk Hill Overview

The iconic landmark of Guilin, a limestone karst hill resembling a giant elephant drinking water from the Li River.

Elephant Trunk Hill Opening Hours & Tickets

07:00–21:30
Best season: April–October (Best viewed in the early morning or during the evening light show)
Ticket note: Entry is free for tourists, but advance reservation via the official WeChat mini...

Essential Elephant Trunk Hill Visitor Information

Enquiries: +86 773 2280209
Paved walkways
Photo platforms
Gift shops
Restrooms

How to Get to Elephant Trunk Hill

Easily accessible by walking from central Guilin, or take Bus No. 2, 16, or 23 to Xiangshan Park station.

Elephant Trunk Hill Travel Safety & Advice

Park security and first aid available on site. Guilin People's Hospital is located nearby.

Practical Info

No. 1 Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guangxi
07:00–21:30
+86 773 2280209

Tao Xu

Certified Senior Tour Guide

Tao Xu, a Changsha-based Certified Senior Tour Guide, specializes in Central South China itineraries covering the 4-Day Zhangjiajie sandstone peak adventure, Changsha night market crawl, and Fenghuang ancient town.

We keep this guide current.

Ratings

☆☆☆☆☆ — (0 reviews)

On-site notes & editorial review

Tickets

Entry is free for tourists, but advance reservation via the official WeChat mini...

Online booking may be required

Tips

Take a bamboo raft ride near the hill for a better, unobstructed angle of the 'Water Moon' cave.

Reality Check

Very quick visit, sometimes feels overly commercialized
Best photos are taken from a distance
Crowded photo spots during weekends

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Elephant Trunk Hill Travel FAQ

What's the single best time of day to visit Elephant Trunk Hill?

Hands down, it's the first opening hour (7:00-8:30 AM). You'll have the light, the fewest crowds (mostly locals doing tai chi in the park), and the coolest temperature. The second-best is after 4:00 PM. Midday is a compromise of convenience over quality.

Is it worth paying extra for the boat ride that goes close to the hill?

The short bamboo raft ride from the park's pier is a fun 5-minute experience, especially with kids. It gets you on the water. But the longer Li River cruises that depart from other wharves are a separate, all-day activity. For the hill itself, the raft is a nice add-on if you have the budget, but walking gives you better control over angles and time.

Are there good food options right near the park?

Immediately outside the gate are touristy stalls (corn, drinks, souvenirs). For a real meal, walk 10 minutes north on Binjiang Road. Look for small shops with pictures of noodles. "Chongshan Rice Noodles" is a reliable local chain nearby. My go-to order is the classic guilin mifen with braised pork, peanuts, and pickled vegetables.

Is Elephant Trunk Hill suitable for visitors with limited mobility or young children?

The riverside path and Water Moon Cave are flat and accessible. However, the climb to the top pagoda involves many steep, uneven stone steps and is not stroller-friendly. For a family with toddlers, stick to the lower loop. The park is manageable with a baby carrier if you want to hike up.

How does Elephant Trunk Hill compare to other Guilin hills like Fubo or Diecai?

Elephant Trunk is the iconic symbol, best for that one legendary photo and a compact park experience. Fubo Hill offers more dramatic cave systems inside the hill itself. Diecai Hill has the absolute best panoramic view of the city. If you only have time for one, choose Elephant Trunk for the icon. If you have a day, do Elephant Trunk in the morning and Diecai for sunset views.