At the confluence of the Li and Taohua Rivers, Elephant Trunk Hill stands as a silent guardian of Guilin, a natural sculpture shaped by time and legend. Said to be the petrified form of a celestial elephant struck down by the Heavenly Emperor, it blurs the boundary between myth and geology. For over a thousand years, poets and monks have carved their reverence into its stone, honouring its enduring spirit of wisdom and compassion.

The Jingjiang Princes’ Palace, constructed in 1372 during the early Ming Dynasty, served as the residence of Zhu Shouqian, a nephew of the dynasty’s founding Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Perched at the foot of Duxiu Hill in Guilin, the palace was more than just a lavish estate, it embodied the Ming strategy of installing Vassal Kings across the Empire to maintain dynastic stability and guard the frontiers.

The elegant twin structures, known as the Sun and Moon Pagodas, were built to enrich the cultural and visual charm of Guilin’s renowned Two Rivers and Four Lakes scenic area. Set upon the calm waters of Shan Lake, these pagodas create a mesmerising scene, their mirrored reflections dancing on the lake’s surface. They stand as symbols of harmony and offer a stunning example of traditional Chinese design in perfect balance with the surrounding landscape.