Night Tour of the Twin Towers: Stunning Photo Spots

Travel Guide Around Guilin’s Sun and Moon Twin Towers: Unlock the Day and Night Romance Amidst Mountains and Waters Hidden in Guilin’s Shanhu Lake in the city center, the Sun and Moon Twin Towers are dazzling gems in the Two Rivers and Four Lakes water system— the Sun Tower, cast from 350 tons of copper, is the tallest copper tower in the world; the Moon Tower, covered with warm glazed tiles, faces the Sun Tower across the lake. By day, you can admire the craftsmanship details, and by night, it transforms into a secret realm of light and shadow. Combined with the surrounding walkable mountains, waters, and lively atmosphere, it forms the most pleasant sightseeing loop in Guilin. This guide will take you deep into exploring the Twin Towers and nearby areas to experience the unique charm of this mountain-water city. 1. Core Activities at the Twin Towers: From Daytime Details to Nighttime Spectacle Must-Experience Activities - Lakeside Stroll and Detail Exploration: The scenic area is free to enter. Before 9 AM, it’s quiet and less crowded. You can walk along the Nine-Bend Bridge to closely observe the texture of the Twin Towers. The copper patterns on the Sun Tower shimmer with metallic luster under sunlight, while the glazed body of the Moon Tower is warm and translucent. The bell chimes hanging from the eaves ring crisp and pleasant in the breeze. The lakeside “Bamboo Leaf Monument” hides five-character poems, and the “Millennium Longevity Monument” is composed of a thousand different “Fu” (fortune) characters. Appreciating these details reveals the fascinating blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism cultures. - Climb the Tower for a City View: Only the Sun Tower is open for climbing. Adult tickets cost 35 RMB, and a two-person ticket at 56 RMB is more cost-effective. Students get half price with valid ID. Enter from the south entrance and take the elevator directly to the 41-meter-high observation deck. The lights of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes wrap the city like a necklace, with distant mountain silhouettes faintly visible. At night, you can capture the breathtaking night view of Elephant Trunk Hill and the Twin Towers in one frame. Each floor inside the tower has an observation deck; the bottom floor has a blessing bell you can ring to make a wish, and the top floor has a blessing wall where you can tie free electronic lotus lanterns. - Night Tour and Boat Experience: After 7 PM, the lights gradually brighten—this is the “soul moment” of the Twin Towers. The golden Sun Tower and silver Moon Tower shine together, their reflections shimmering on the lake, creating a “Chinese-style romantic pinnacle.” You can take an ancient-style painting boat (50 RMB per person) from Zhiyin Pier, passing through a 15-meter-long underwater glazed tunnel, capturing the magical glow of light passing through the Moon Tower’s glaze from the boat. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, there is a music fountain show where light and water dance together, adding to the atmosphere. Photo Spot Guide 1. Shanhu Lake North Shore Viewing Platform: The top panoramic photo spot, framing the Sun Tower, Moon Tower, and their reflections on the lake simultaneously. At dusk, you can capture the stunning “Sun and Moon Shine Together” scene with the sunset glow and the first lights. 2. Zhongzheng Bridge: Shoot from a low angle leaning on the railing. When the water is mirror-like, you can capture symmetrical reflections of the Twin Towers. At night, with all lights on, the scene has great depth. 3. Sun and Moon Hall Teahouse Terrace: A small, private photo spot. Order a cup of osmanthus tea and enjoy the night view, avoiding crowds to take atmospheric shots. 4. Shooting Up from Under the Towers: Shoot the Twin Towers against the night sky from below. The contrast between the lights and dark tones easily creates a classical-style masterpiece. 2. Nearby Attractions: Walkable Mountains, Waters, and Fireworks Attractions Within 10 Minutes’ Walk - Elephant Trunk Hill: A 5-minute walk along Binjiang Road from the Twin Towers. As a classic textbook landmark, the large lawn combined with distant mountains and Swan Lake makes it easy to take stunning landscape photos. It’s recommended to enter from Gate 3 and exit from Gate 2, which leads directly back to the Twin Towers. - Bridges Around Shanhu Lake: Various bridges like Yang Bridge, Glass Bridge, and Beidou Bridge are scattered nearby. The Glass Bridge is brilliantly lit at night, reflecting with the Twin Towers’ reflections, making it a great spot for a stroll and photo check-in. Attractions Within 15-30 Minutes’ Walk - Zhengyang Pedestrian Street: A 15-minute walk along Wenming Road from the Twin Towers. This is Guilin’s food hub. You can fill up on Qiufu rice noodles for just 5 RMB, enjoy the classic honey-glazed wings at Jiangjun, and find snacks like soft water chestnut cake and crispy fried stinky tofu. - Dongxi Alley and Xiaoyao Tower: A 20-minute walk to Dongxi Alley, where Ming and Qing style streets hide creative shops and specialty restaurants. Climb the nearby Xiaoyao Tower (open until 9 PM) to overlook Guilin’s night view, echoing the lights of the Twin Towers. - Jingjiang Princes’ City: A 5-minute walk from Dongxi Alley. As the site of a Ming dynasty prince’s mansion, you can explore the palace layout and cliff inscriptions to feel the historical depth. 3. Food and Accommodation Guide: Capture Guilin Flavors and Comfort Recommended Local Foods - Local Staples: Lao Dongjiang rice noodles have a rich broth flavor and only cost 5 RMB for a satisfying meal; Tianyuan rice noodles with fried dough sticks in soup are a perfect match, letting you experience the relaxed local “bench noodle slurping” culture. - Specialty Dishes: Chunji roast goose has crispy skin and tender meat, bursting with aroma in every bite; Yi Coffee’s scenic restaurant offers a beer fish set meal with great value—149 RMB for three people, with views of Elephant Trunk Hill and the Twin Towers. - Desserts and Snacks: The pushcart beef offal is incredibly fresh, osmanthus ice cream carries a sweet floral fragrance; cassava sweet soup is soft and sweet, and coconut milk cold dessert is rich and refreshing, perfect for cleansing the palate and cooling down. Accommodation Recommendations - Two Rivers and Four Lakes Area: Hotels near the Twin Towers or along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes are the first choice. Attractions are within walking distance, and at night you can fall asleep to the lake breeze. Some high-end hotel rooms offer direct views of the Twin Towers at night. - Central Square Area: A 10-minute walk from the Twin Towers, close to Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and Dongxi Alley, convenient for food and shopping. Options range from budget chain hotels to mid-to-high-end homestays. 4. Practical Tips: Stress-Free Travel Without Pitfalls Transportation Guide - Arrival from Outside: After flying into Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to the city center; for high-speed rail, choose Guilin Station, only 3 km from the Twin Towers, with a reasonable taxi starting fare; Guilin North and West Stations require about a 30-minute taxi ride. - Getting Around the City: Take buses 2, 10, 22, 88, etc., to “Yangqiao Station” or “Wenming Road Station,” then walk 5 minutes to the Twin Towers; city attractions are dense, and a taxi starting fare (about 10 RMB) can easily shuttle you around. Key Travel Information - Best Time to Visit: May to October has suitable weather; just avoid the rainy season. The golden hours are 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM daily, perfect for photographing the Twin Towers at sunset and waiting for the night lights. - Pitfall Warnings: The last entry time for climbing the tower is 9 PM, so arrive early; rainy days disrupt lake reflections and affect photos, so choose sunny days; for photography, use your phone’s professional mode with ISO 100 and 1/4 second shutter speed, and lean on the railing to stabilize for great shots. - Dressing Suggestions: Wear comfortable shoes for the stone paths. Light-colored clothes contrast well with the dark towers and green mountains for better photos. Bring sunscreen in summer and a light jacket in spring and autumn to fend off evening chills. From the copper textures of the towers by day to the flowing light and shadow at night, from the osmanthus tea fragrance by the lake to the rice noodle flavors in the alleys, the area around the Sun and Moon Twin Towers holds the most authentic charm of Guilin. Spend half a day here strolling, sightseeing, and tasting to truly understand the gentle spirit of this mountain-water town.