Guilin Travel & Tour Packages - Diecai Hill
Situated in the northeast of Guilin by
the Li River, Diecai Hill is one of the most popular attractions in
Guilin, a place known for its amazing scenery and stone carvings.
Because of the resemblance of its rock formations, piled up layer
upon layer on each other, to folded brocade, it is now also known as
Folded Brocade Hill. Many other special names have been given to
this picturesque spot: the name Gui Hill, derived from the laurels
that have spread across the slopes since ancient times, and the name
of Wind Cave Hill, due to the remarkable Wind Cave on the hill. Four
small hills, Yuyue Hill, Siwang Hill (All-Direction-Looking Hill),
Crane Peak and Bright Moon Peak surround Diecai Hill.
A visual feast of magnificent scenes such as Diecai
Pavilion, Wind Cave and Cloud-Catching Pavilion, along with
countless stones with inscriptions created by famous Chinese
scribes, awaits your eyes.
Through the gate of Diecai Garden, within a few steps
of the southern foot of the hill, you will first reach the
distinctive Diecai Pavilion, occupying an area of about 64 square
kilometers (15,815 acres) on the hillside of Bright Moon Peak. 5
meters (16 feet) high, 7.5 meters (25.6 feet) long and 8.5 meters
(27.9 feet) wide, it is surrounded by Bright Moon Peak to the north,
Siwang Hill to the west and Yuyue Hill to the east. Although only a
single storey high, it is well designed and elaborately built with
red poles, green tiles, and four unique angles. Your fantastic
journey will start from here.
After Diecai Pavilion, you will see a stele
commemorating the two loyalists Qu Shisi and Zhang Tongchang of the
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Wind Cave, which the wind blows
through in all seasons, waits for you a little further along. This
cave penetrates Bright Moon Peak, with a wide mouth protruding from
either side of the slope and a narrow part in the middle. What makes
it famous is the changing temperature of its winds. Whatever the
weather is outside, a cool breeze is always blowing in the Wind
Cave. For this reason it is known as the 'Cool World' by many
people. The cave is worth a visit not only for its winds but for its
rock carvings, both inside and outside of the cave. Nearly 100
Buddha images of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties,
as well as 210 stone carvings, can be found here. If you are
interested in Chinese calligraphy and want to experience the
peculiar nature of this remarkable cave, now is your chance!
After some more steps, and a journey through more
marvelous landscapes, you can congratulate yourself as you reach the
top of Bright Moon Peak. This is where the Cloud-Catching Pavilion,
a building with a round shape, single eave and a pinnacle, is
located. No other place offers you a better vantage position to
admire the picturesque Li River, as well as the magnificent city of
Guilin in its entirety. A journey to the summit will also offer you
the opportunity to admire the Solitary Beauty Peak and Fubo Hill
(Wave-Subduing Hill), the other two notable hills in Guilin.
Of course, the other three ranges of Diecai Hill
connected to Bright Moon Peak are all very attractive, and notable
for their unique pavilions, eminent stones and cliff carvings,
Buddhist sculptures and abundance of evergreen trees. Places such as
Yuyue Pavilion, Huanbi Garden (Trees' Garden) and Wood Dragon Cave
are all well worth a visit.
The highest peak of Diecai Hill, the Bright Moon Peak
is only 223 meters (732 feet) tall and comparatively easy to climb.
So in choosing to make a journey up Diecai Hill, you choose an
enjoyable and not too difficult hill-climb.
For tours, please visit Tour-Guilin
page for various tour packages.
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