It's not Mount Fuji, it's Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin! The city's autumn landmark shines beyond expectations

Hi, I'm Deer, who loves finding scenery in the city～In autumn, downtown Guilin hides a treasure park you can never get enough of—Xiangshan Park. When it comes to Elephant Trunk Hill, you might think it's too "iconic," but in autumn, with the clear river water and colorful autumn leaves as a backdrop, it exudes a completely different poetic charm. This isn’t just Guilin; it’s like a natural bonsai placed right in the city center!

【2 Days 1 Night City Leisure Itinerary】
This itinerary combines classic landmarks with a relaxed experience, perfect for those who don’t want to rush.

Day 1: Arrive in Guilin in the afternoon and check into a hotel near the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area. At dusk, head to Xiangshan Park. At this time, tour groups gradually disperse and the light becomes softer. The focus isn’t on rushing to take photos but strolling along the Li River, appreciating Elephant Trunk Hill and the autumn foliage from different angles. In the evening, enjoy a night cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes to see Elephant Trunk Hill under the lights, revealing a different charm.

Day 2: In the morning, take a walk around Jingjiang Princes’ City to feel the historical atmosphere. Then head to Seven Star Park to admire the unique karst landscape coexisting with the city. In the afternoon, relax at a riverside café or explore Zhengyang Pedestrian Street for some delicious food before happily heading home.

【Autumn Exclusive Highlights】
✅ Elephant Trunk Hill framed by autumn leaves: The park is planted with many Chinese tallow trees and sweetgum trees. In autumn, the leaves turn red and yellow, reflecting in the Li River alongside the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill, creating a scene richer and more poetic than the pure greens of spring and summer.
✅ Crystal-clear water in the urban section of the Li River: Autumn is the dry season, making the Li River especially clear and emerald green with high visibility. You can see underwater plants, forming a magical scene of “the bright moon beneath the water, the bright moon floating above.”
✅ Seamless connection between city and landscape: Standing in the park, one side shows ancient peaks, the other modern cityscape. This strong contrast and harmonious coexistence look especially striking under the clear autumn sky.

【In-depth Experience: Waiting for a Sunset at Xiangshan Park】
I deliberately entered the park again two hours before closing. The park was especially quiet then, with only a few locals strolling. I sat on a stone bench by the river, watching the sunset slowly drape Elephant Trunk Hill in a golden coat. The river shimmered, and a few small fishing boats quietly moored nearby. Across the river, city lights gradually came on, facing this natural wonder across the water. No noise, no rush—just watching the sky change from blue to orange-red, then to deep blue. At that moment, I felt I was no longer a tourist but a temporary resident of this city, enjoying its gentlest moment of the day. This kind of local immersion is far more profound than taking a standard check-in photo.

【Practical Tips】
✍🏻 Xiangshan Park has Gate 1 and Gate 3; Gate 1 is the main entrance, while Gate 3 is near the side of Elephant Trunk Hill and less crowded.
✍🏻 To capture the classic reflection, visit when the river water level is moderate and there’s no wind. Autumn’s stable weather increases the chances of success.
✍🏻 The park is small and can be leisurely explored in 1-2 hours, making it an ideal start or end point for your Guilin trip.
✍🏻 Besides Elephant Trunk Hill, the park’s Yunfeng Temple and Puxian Pagoda are also worth seeing.
✍🏻 The park ticket is part of Guilin’s landscape preservation, so supporting the maintenance of the scenic area is well deserved.

This autumn, if you pass through Guilin, don’t miss this city’s soul symbol. It may be famous for a long time, but in autumn, it will definitely bring you new surprises.