Elephant Trunk Hill is located on the western bank of Li River. The shape
of the hill is just like a huge elephant drinking water from the river with its
trunk, so it is called Elephant Trunk Hill.
Shui Yue Cave (Water Moon Cave) is between the trunk and the legs, which is
a semi-round cave penetrated by water. The inverted reflection of the cave in
water plus the part above forms a full moon. This phenomenon is unique and many
laudatory inscriptions were found on the wall inside the cave. Visitors can boat
through the cave to the river.
Another cave regarded as the eyes of the elephant lies in the hillside. It
provides tourists an ideal position to enjoy the panoramic view of Guilin.
On the top of the hill is a two-storey pagoda built in the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644) surrounded by green trees. The north seat of the second floor is
inlaid with an image of Bodhisattva Puxian. The pagoda looks like a precious
vase on the back of an elephant seen from distance and many beautiful legends
about the pagoda with good wishes are said among people.
As the symbol of Guilin, Elephant Trunk Hill is the main scenic spot of the
Elephant Trunk Hill Park, which also includes Yunfeng Monastery (a building with
ancient style), Aiqing Dao (Love Island) and so on.