Memories of Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill is the emblem of Guilin and the prototype for the scenery described in the elementary school textbook "Guilin Landscape." It's amazing that this must-visit place is free! Slow down, let your gaze linger, and carefully appreciate every scene.
1. How to capture the iconic image of Guilin?
In Elephant Trunk Hill Park, walk along the riverside path to the Water Moon Cave to capture the classic image of the "elephant trunk" reflected in the water. Visit Love Island or take a bamboo raft to the water directly in front of Elephant Trunk Hill for a close-up shot of the "elephant drinking water" scene.
From a compositional perspective, a person standing in front of the elephant trunk can be framed alongside the core landscape of "elephant trunk drinking water," highlighting the iconic shape of Elephant Trunk Hill while blending the person with the natural scenery, resulting in a layered and highly recognizable image. Placing a person inside the Water Moon Cave would make them appear "imprisoned."
2. What is the Double Moon Spectacle on the Li River? Arriving at Love Island in Elephant Trunk Hill Park, you can see three hills, two caves, and a river. The three hills are Elephant Trunk Hill, Pierced Hill, and Pagoda Hill. The two caves are the Water Moon Cave on Elephant Trunk Hill and the Moon Rock Cave on Pierced Hill, facing each other across the Li River. The Water Moon Cave resembles a bright moon floating on the water, while the Moon Rock Cave resembles a bright moon hanging high in the sky, forming the Double Moon landscape of the Li River.
3. Can the Water Moon spectacle of Elephant Trunk Hill be seen during the day? The Water Moon Cave is shaped like a full moon, half embedded in the mountain and half submerged in the water. From a distance, the outline of the cave entrance on the water's surface resembles a "bright moon" floating on the water, naturally fitting the imagery of "a bright moon floating on the water."
When light passes through the Water Moon Cave, the light forms spots on the water's surface, which can be poetically interpreted as "a bright moon beneath the water." When a gentle breeze ripples across the water, dappled sunlight dances on the surface, perfectly capturing the ethereal beauty of "the moon floating on the water." This, combined with the reflection of the Water Moon Cave in the water, creates a dual spectacle of "a moon beneath the water, and a moon floating on the surface."
4. What is the spectacular "Three Moons Competing for Glory" scene?
On a full moon night, without artificial light, from beside the Water Moon Cave or the viewing platform in Zizhou Park, one can see three moons: the moon in the sky, its reflection in the water, and the Water Moon Cave itself combined with its reflection to form a "full moon." This creates the spectacular "Three Moons Competing for Glory" scene, where "a moon beneath the water, a moon floating on the surface, the water flows but the moon doesn't go, the moon goes but the water still flows." When warm yellow light illuminates the Water Moon Cave, the cave itself appears as a moon floating on the water, and its reflection also resembles a moon in the water. The moon in the sky, the "moon in the cave," and the "moon in the water" together constitute the spectacular "Three Moons Competing for Glory" scene. Warm yellow lights outlined the Water Moon Cave and illuminated parts of Elephant Trunk Hill, making its silhouette resemble a giant elephant walking on water—a dreamlike scene.
5. What is the scenery of "Pagoda Mountain's Clear Reflection"?
Climbing to the top of Elephant Trunk Hill, one can see that Pagoda Mountain resembles a tortoise carrying an ancient pagoda across the river. The pagoda, called Foshou Pagoda, was awarded the Guinness World Record in 2007 by the Shanghai Great World Headquarters for "Ancient Pagoda Located on the Smallest Stone Mountain Peak." Under the blue sky and white clouds, the mountain, the solitary pagoda, and its reflection in the river create an ink painting-like scene, hence the name "Pagoda Mountain's Clear Reflection."
6. Why was Puxian Pagoda built on Elephant Trunk Hill?