Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area
Xiangshan District, Guilin, Guangxi, China; Elephant Trunk Hill within the central urban Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area on the Li River
Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area is the most recognisable landmark in Guilin and the clearest starting point for understanding the city’s identity. The official operator describes it as Guilin’s city emblem, centred on the elephant-shaped karst hill beside the Li River and the classic Water Moon scene formed by the arch at the waterline. Within the scenic area, the operator lists Elephant Trunk Hill, Water Moon Cave and Puxian Pagoda among the principal sights, so a visit is not just a single photo stop but a compact urban landscape site with named features to walk between. It works especially well for first-time visitors because it sits within Guilin’s central scenic system rather than on a remote suburban edge. The official site confirms current opening hours of 07:00 to 21:00 and presents the attraction as part of the certified Two Rivers and Four Lakes · Elephant Hill operation, which helps substantiate both identity and present-day operation. The same operator materials also note that Elephant Trunk Hill became free to enter under a municipal policy from January 31, 2022, though visitors should still check the official notices page before setting out in case of temporary changes. For a short, city-centre visit with the strongest symbolic link to Guilin, this is the essential stop.