Grand Guilin's Beauty

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Overview

Seven Star Lake w/Drawbridge Photo - Seven Star Park, Guilin, China

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Seven Star Park is a beautiful place with plenty to see. After visiting Seven Star Caves within the park, we saw no reason to visit the highly advertised, and often crowded, Reed Flute Cave. Inside, there are animals unique to China and Chinese art. There is also a museum and gardens. If you can only see one place, this should be it.Elephant Trunk Hill is a wonderful place to walk around the waterways and enjoy the culture. The proximity to the shopping areas and restaurants, make a great place to visit in the middle of the day.Dream Like Lijiang is an excellent evening show, with wonderful costumes, and very talented performers of all ages. Similar performances are on st...Read More

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Elephant Trunk Hill Park

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Attraction

Narrow Steps to Puxian Pagoda Photo - Elephant Trunk Hill Park, Guilin, China

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Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin. The elephant is not a hill at all, but rather a rock formation that looks like an elephant sucking water through its trunk and located at the tip of a 180° hill. It is located inside a park and reached by walking up and down some steep steps, or a one-minute bamboo raft ride. The rock formation is 356’ in length and 330’ in width. The opening between the trunk and body is round and named "Moon-over-Water Cave," although you can walk right through this “cave.” On the walls there are some 70 inscriptions, poetically describing the beauty. Halfway up is a smaller opening that represents the eyes.Behind a gazebo, just off the path leading up the hill, i...Read More

Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin. The elephant is not a hill at all, but rather a rock formation that looks like an elephant sucking water through its trunk and located at the tip of a 180° hill. It is located inside a park and reached by walking up and down some steep steps, or a one-minute bamboo raft ride. The rock formation is 356’ in length and 330’ in width. The opening between the trunk and body is round and named "Moon-over-Water Cave," although you can walk right through this “cave.” On the walls there are some 70 inscriptions, poetically describing the beauty. Halfway up is a smaller opening that represents the eyes.

Behind a gazebo, just off the path leading up the hill, is a cavern filled with images of Buddha and small statues. As with most statues of Buddha, there are remnants of where incense was burned and images rubbed for good fortune.

On the path that leads to the trunk, you have the option of going up to the top where Puxian Pagoda from the Ming dynasty circa 1400 to 1600 stands. It is a very simple pagoda, shaped like the handle of swords, and appears carved out of rock. Tall trees prevent this from being much of a viewpoint.

The theme of elephants carries throughout the park. Stone sculptures of elephants and hedges trimmed like elephants dotted the path. The concrete walkway that extends along the lake and across to some islands had tiled elephants on them. Even the stone railings had elephant heads carved into them.

Arched bridges lead to islands that have whimsical scenes with wind catchers and statues of people playing. Weeping willows and trees with tiny blossoms grace the waters edge. The water from the river gently laps at the shore, and lotus blossoms float along the water.

The park is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and the entrance is 25Y. A leisurely stroll around all the sights will take 2 hours. The park is a few blocks off Zhongshan Lu, and extends to Li River. Tourist bus number 2 makes a stop here.

With the exception of climbing elephant rock, a lot of the park is wheelchair accessible with smooth tiled walkways around the lake, over the arched bridges and onto the small islands. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 28, 2006

Elephant Trunk Hill Park
On the River a few blocks from the main street
Guilin, China

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Seven Star Park

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Attraction

Stele Grottos Artwork Photo - Seven Star Park, Guilin, China

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Seven Star Scenic Area derived its name from the four peaks on Putuo Hill and three peaks on Crescent Hill that have the same pattern as the Big Dipper. Crescent Hill is one of the first sites you notice upon entering the park. Its distinct shape of a crescent moon contains over 150 calligraphy carvings in the wall. Those that have been identified are brushed with some type of black paint on them to making reading easier. I can’t imagine the work involved in doing this when some are on the ceiling. At the bottom of it is the Stele Grotto with large stone tables with poems and historical events inscribed on them.Another notable hill and highly photographed is Camel Hill, formed from limesto...Read More

Seven Star Scenic Area derived its name from the four peaks on Putuo Hill and three peaks on Crescent Hill that have the same pattern as the Big Dipper. Crescent Hill is one of the first sites you notice upon entering the park. Its distinct shape of a crescent moon contains over 150 calligraphy carvings in the wall. Those that have been identified are brushed with some type of black paint on them to making reading easier. I can’t imagine the work involved in doing this when some are on the ceiling. At the bottom of it is the Stele Grotto with large stone tables with poems and historical events inscribed on them.

Another notable hill and highly photographed is Camel Hill, formed from limestone rising out from the trees. Near the base of the hill is a beautiful lake with an island only large enough for a big tree. A drawbridge extends to it, although we opted not to try it. It is a peaceful area worth lingering for a while with a cup of hot coffee to take the off the chill.

On the other side of the lake is where we found some of China’s unique animals. After watching the quick-moving Red Panda that reminded me of red raccoon, we discovered that there was a panda. There was only the one junior panda in a glass enclosure with an outdoor area with bamboo leaves to eat. This happy character was doing everything from tumbling to standing on his head. A full-grown lion in relative small cage with a trainer was available for photographs. You actually went inside with the lion. Just looking at the size of his paws implied the strength he has.

A short distance from the animals was a stone museum. The curator described the composition of the stones and told us what area in China they were found. The stones from the Li River with the various colors and striations looked like painted scenery. The Chrysanthemum Rock was dark black with bursts of white and looked just a flower. Outside of the museum was a bonsai garden with miniature fruit trees and evergreens.

Seven Star Caves required a separate entry in an attempt to explain the incredible formations and the lighting.

Seven Star Scenic Area is open from 8am to 5pm. The entrance fee of 65Y included the 30Y fee for the caves. You can only go through the caves once, but it would have been worth a second trip. We spent 5 ½ hours in the park, with 1 ½ hours at the caves alone.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 28, 2006

Seven Star Park
East of the Li River, by Jiefang Donglu
Guilin, China

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Seven Star Park

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Attraction | "Seven Star Park Caves"

Peach Ice Cream anyone? Photo - Seven Star Park, Guilin, China

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Seven Star Caves is the crowning glory of the park. We entered the caves admiring the sights. It was a bit difficult to get photographs because lack of lighting. As we were looking at a sight, I felt like there must be someone else in the cave. You know the strange unexplainable feeling. As we passed the formation, I turned around to take a picture. Up near the top of the caves appeared to be a wall with three people standing behind it. I wondered how we could up there. As I stood there, I realized there was no movement. It was an eerie scene simply labeled Three Men. Although I took a picture, it is really too dark.A short distance later, a group came by with a guide. She asked why we were ...Read More

Seven Star Caves is the crowning glory of the park. We entered the caves admiring the sights. It was a bit difficult to get photographs because lack of lighting. As we were looking at a sight, I felt like there must be someone else in the cave. You know the strange unexplainable feeling. As we passed the formation, I turned around to take a picture. Up near the top of the caves appeared to be a wall with three people standing behind it. I wondered how we could up there. As I stood there, I realized there was no movement. It was an eerie scene simply labeled Three Men. Although I took a picture, it is really too dark.

A short distance later, a group came by with a guide. She asked why we were not with a guide and said that we would not see much, as she was the one who turned on the lights. I guess there was a lack of communication. We didn't know that a guide would accompany us. We joined this guide and her group. She spoke very good English and told us the name of the scenes, how the caves were formed, and how they go through several peaks of Putuo Mountain, which we had previously seen walking around the park.

At the one spot, she turned the lights on three times for all of us to take several photos each. The lights would come on gradually, teasing you with some displays until the entire scene was aglow with softly colored lights. The clear pools of water contained no movement and clearly reflected the formations and colored lights. The guide told us that the water surrounding this neon city was pure and, in fact, drinkable.

The Peach on Ice Cream had a gloss that appears as if the ice cream was melting. I would assume that they concluded it was a peach because they are signs of good luck in China. Water was oozing out from different areas, creating the gloss and the pool of water at the base of the formation.

She turned on the lights to the next scene, and as we approached, I nudged my sister and told her it looked like The Great Wall. Indeed, that was the name given to this spot. Oftentimes I have been in caves that until the guide points out what imagine is displayed, I don’t see it. The power of suggestion works well. In this case, The Great Wall was clearly visible. The pattern of the low, bumpy formations closely resembled the wall, while the lower areas looking like valleys.

This cave was beautiful and excellently guided; we didn’t feel the need to visit Reed Flute Cave. I wanted to maintain the memory and thoughts of this cave.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 1, 2006

Seven Star Park
East of the Li River, by Jiefang Donglu
Guilin, China

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Dream Like Lijiang

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Attraction

Billboard for Dream Like Photo - Dream Like Lijiang, Guilin, China

Quote:

Dream Like Lijiang is an incredible evening show. Anyone who has ever seen Cirque de Soleil live, or on television, would understand why it is so difficult to describe. Unable to take photographs, understandably, and no postcards available makes it all the harder. If you would like a clearer idea, I suggest visiting www.cirquedusoleil.com website, that offers a very brief video clip and some photos. Overall, the production is a blend of acrobatics, ballet, and contortionist displays set to music. Some acts tell a story. For example, an actress came on stage dancing ballet style and dressed in a beautifully designed costume of a butterfly. At the same time, from both sides of the stage...Read More

Dream Like Lijiang is an incredible evening show. Anyone who has ever seen Cirque de Soleil live, or on television, would understand why it is so difficult to describe. Unable to take photographs, understandably, and no postcards available makes it all the harder. If you would like a clearer idea, I suggest visiting www.cirquedusoleil.com website, that offers a very brief video clip and some photos.

Overall, the production is a blend of acrobatics, ballet, and contortionist displays set to music. Some acts tell a story. For example, an actress came on stage dancing ballet style and dressed in a beautifully designed costume of a butterfly. At the same time, from both sides of the stage, two more entertainers came out wriggling on the floor as caterpillars. Another two appeared, in rather plain body hugging leotards, with small sections of gold colored material on the sides of their thighs and arms. They twirled around for a bit, and they pulled at the colored cloth strips to reveal small wings of gold. This was an exquisite display of the metamorphism of a butterfly.

A contortionist laying face down on the stage, curled her legs over, placing her feet squarely in front of her face. Then she walked them around her head as if they were in no way connected to her torso. Two more contortionists came out, and all three were standing with one leg raised over their heads, balancing plates on the bottom of their feet. It seems impossible that they could have any bones in their body and move this way!

Two poles placed on the stage resembled goal posts from a football field. Teenage boys dressed in something that resembled the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, came running out. They began climbing the poles with just their hands upside down. They would get near the top, and jump to the other pole catching the pole between their legs, yes you read right, without using their hands—even I groaned at that one. They were doing flips in the air from one pole to another.

In the performance of the sea, actors and actresses danced across the stage appropriately for the creature’s costume they wore. There were sea cucumbers on the floor, a lobster, and several species of fish.

The show is from 7:30 - 9:00 and costs 120Y, including transportation from your hotel.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 1, 2006

Dream Like Lijiang
Guilin, Guangxi
Guilin, China

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