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
Adult tickets are commonly around CNY 20-30.
Hours
Usually 07:00-18:00.
Transport
No metro. Use city buses, taxi, shared bike, or walk from nearby central Guilin areas.
Duration
1-1.5 hours for main sights; up to 2 hours with the climb
Best Time
Mar-May and Sep-Nov for clearer river views
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Use it as a quieter small sight
Fubo Mountain suits travelers who like quieter small sights. Adult tickets are commonly around CNY 20-30, and opening hours are usually 07:00-18:00.
Tip:Do not expect a large scenic-area experience.
2
Start from the main entrance
A normal route starts from the main entrance: visit Fubo Temple, the Thousand-Person Pot, and Princess Bell first, then continue to Returned Pearl Cave, Sword-Testing Rock, and the stone inscriptions.
Tip:This order keeps the route compact.
3
Climb to Tingtao Pavilion if conditions suit
If you have the energy, climb to Tingtao Pavilion for Li River views. The climb is not long, but there are steps and damp cave sections.
Tip:Older visitors or rainy-day travelers do not need to force the summit.
4
Keep the short version focused
If time is limited, focus on Returned Pearl Cave, Sword-Testing Rock, and the riverside corridor.
Tip:Fubo Mountain is small, and 1-1.5 hours is enough for the main points.
5
Continue along the river afterward
After leaving, continue along Binjiang Road toward Piled Silk Hill, Jiefang Bridge, or Dongxi Lane.
Tip:It works better as one part of a slow city walk than as a distant standalone trip.
Highlights
- Fubo Mountain is quieter than Elephant Hill, with a good riverside position for travelers who want fewer crowds.
- Returned Pearl Cave is the core sight, with inscriptions, Buddhist carvings, and Sword-Testing Rock.
- Tingtao Pavilion gives a Li River and city-hill view from a different angle than Piled Silk Hill.
- The Thousand-Person Pot and Princess Bell add a small historic layer beyond the scenery.
- The compact size makes it easy to combine with a Li River walk or dinner around Dongxi Lane.
Insider Tips
✦Do not expect a large scenic-area experience. Fubo Mountain is useful because it is quiet, close to the river, and easy to finish in a short visit.
✦Cave floors and steps can be damp, especially on rainy days, so walk slowly.
✦If you meet free photo offers or sales pitches near the exit, ask clearly whether there is a later charge.
✦Afternoon light is good for the river, but entering too late can make the descent less convenient.
✦If you already used Piled Silk Hill for panoramic views, focus on Returned Pearl Cave and the riverside route at Fubo Mountain instead of repeating another summit goal.
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