01Urban Landmark
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
象鼻山景区
All Ages
Admission
Free entry with real-name reservation.
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes for classic photos; 1-2 hours with the hill paths
Quick Facts
Ticket
Free entry; shops and restaurants charge separately.
Hours
Open all day as a street area; individual shops and restaurants keep their own hours.
Transport
No metro. Walk, bus, taxi, or shared e-bike within central Guilin.
Duration
1-2 hours
Best Time
Year-round; late afternoon and evening are best
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Go in the late afternoon or evening
Dongxi Lane is free and open all day, but shops and restaurants keep their own hours. Late afternoon to evening is the liveliest time and works best with dinner.
Tip:It is most useful as an evening city stop.
2
Use its central location
It is in central Guilin, near Duxiu Peak and Jingjiang Princes' City, Xiaoyao Tower, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, and Jiefang Bridge.
Tip:Walking, taxi, or shared e-bike is convenient; driving in to find parking is not recommended.
3
Leave the main storefronts
Walk the main street first, then turn into smaller lanes to look for old-street scale, archways, and architectural details.
Tip:Do not stop only at the most commercial storefronts.
4
Add Xiaoyao Tower for night views
If you want night views, add Xiaoyao Tower and Jiefang Bridge. Dongxi Lane itself is better for food and strolling, while the Xiaoyao Tower area is better for looking toward the Li River.
Tip:This makes the evening route more varied.
5
Keep expectations realistic
One to two hours is enough. It works well as an evening finish in the city, not as a deep historic-district visit.
Tip:Its main value is convenience and evening atmosphere.
Highlights
- Dongxi Lane is one of the easiest historic-style commercial districts to visit in central Guilin.
- Its location links naturally with Duxiu Peak and Jingjiang Princes' City, Xiaoyao Tower, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, and the Sun and Moon Pagodas.
- Evening lights, crowds, and dining options make it more useful after dark.
- Small lanes, old walls, archways, and partial courtyard details still show traces of old Guilin.
- For first-time visitors, it feels more local than a normal shopping mall.
Insider Tips
✦Dongxi Lane is clearly commercialized. Its main value is convenience and evening atmosphere, not a complete old-town experience.
✦There are many restaurants and snack stalls, but a long queue at a popular shop is not always worth the wait.
✦Check prices before buying snacks or souvenirs, and choose clearly priced shops when possible.
✦Guilin does not have a metro, so do not plan transport around a subway station. Walking, buses, taxis, and shared e-bikes are more realistic in the city center.
✦On holiday evenings, the main entrances can be crowded. With older visitors or children, avoid the tightest bottlenecks.
More Guilin Attractions
02City Guide
Two Rivers and Four Lakes
两江四湖
All Ages
Admission
Walking routes are free; cruise prices vary by route, pier, boat type, and night-cruise product.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours for walking; around 1-1.5 hours for many cruise routes
03City Guide
Reed Flute Cave
芦笛岩
All Ages
Admission
Adult ticket is CNY 90; advance online tickets may sometimes be around CNY 82.
Typical Visit
1-1.5 hours
04Historic Walk
Duxiu Peak and Jingjiang Princes' City
独秀峰王城景区
All Ages
Admission
Adult ticket is usually CNY 100; some ticket types may bundle extra activities.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
05Historic Walk
Seven Star Scenic Area
七星景区
All Ages
Admission
Main scenic-area ticket is commonly around CNY 50-55; Seven Star Cave costs separately or as a package.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours; longer if adding Seven Star Cave and Guihai Stele Forest
06City Guide
Piled Silk Hill
叠彩山
All Ages
Admission
Adult ticket is CNY 25.
Typical Visit
1.5-2.5 hours