Things to do in Tianzhu
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Top 10 attractions in Tianzhu
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
The Elephant Hill Scenic Area is located in the heart of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. It derives its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the sweet waters of the Li River. In his work "Records of Elephant Hill," Shu Shu, a Qing Dynasty official from the Ministry of Works, wrote: "The marvels of Guangxi lie in its mountains; the marvels of Guangxi's mountains lie in their rocks, and the elephant-shaped hill facing the provincial capital is the most marvelous of all." With its lifelike form, the attraction captivates visitors and stands as a quintessential representation of Guilin's landscape. In 1995, it was designated as the city emblem of Guilin. The main attractions in the scenic area include: Elephant Hill and Water Moon, Puxian Pagoda, Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua Liquor, Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Love Island, and Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall. Elephant trunk hill and water moon cave "Elephant trunk hill and water moon" is a spectacular wonder here, as described in the poem by Ji Bei Hermit of the Song Dynasty.Harmony of water, moon and caveThe poem reads: "The moon is beneath the water, the moon floats upon the water. The water flows but the moon stays, the moon departs yet the water still flows." On a moonlit night, visiting the Water Moon Cave at the Elephant Trunk Hill attraction presents a magical scene where the moon in the sky, the cave, and the water reflect each other beautifully. Inside the cave, you can find the "Poem and Preface of the Morning Sun Pavilion" by Zhang Xiaoxiang from the Song Dynasty and works by Fan Chengda.Inscription on the water and moon caveAnd over 50 precious cliff carvings including Lu You's poetry manuscripts. Xiangshan scenic area - Puxian pagoda Winding up along the rocky cliffs, you can see the Puxian pagoda standing tall amidst the greenery from afar. Built during the Ming dynasty, this 13.6m-high solid brick lama-style pagoda has a history of over 400 years. On the northern side of the pagoda, there is a line-engraved bluestone statue of a bodhisattva, with the mantra "Namo Puxian Bodhisattva" inscribed above it, hence the name Puxian pagoda in the Xiangshan attraction. Buddhist scriptures record that Puxian bodhisattva's mount is a six-tusked white elephant, making the pagoda's location atop Xiangshan mountain a perfect embodiment of this scripture. Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua liquor This is a natural wine cellar, with two-thirds of the mountain being hollow. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a constant temperature of 19°C and humidity above 90% year-round. Since the Song Dynasty, it has served as an official cellar for storing Sanhua wine. Sanhua wine is colorless and transparent, with a fragrant yet spicy taste. It drawsLi RiverWith the essence of the mountains and the soul of the Li River, it has become a representative of China's rice-aroma liquor. The cellar liquor was designated as a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the three treasures of Guilin. To date, nearly a thousand tons of liquor are stored in the caves. Love island Love island is located on the north side of the attraction, adjacent toLi RiverIt is another scenic viewpoint for distant viewing. The island boasts a beautiful environment and lush vegetation, making it a popular dating spot for locals in the 1970s, hence the name "love island". Today, it serves as an outdoor photography base for wedding celebrations against the backdrop of Guilin's landscape, where couples make their vows of love under the witness of the elephant trunk hill and the moon reflected in the water.China · Guilin
Zhong Guo Tian Yan Jing Qu
The Tianyan telescope is located in Pingtang County, Guizhou Province. In addition to the radio telescope, the visitor site also features a museum and a planetarium. A viewing platform provides a 360-degree view over the telescope, which is the size of nearly 30 soccer fields. You can also visit the Astronomical Experience Hall and Tianxiang Cinema to broaden your astronomical knowledge.China · Pingtang
Fenghuang Ancient Town
The ancient town of Fenghuang is located in the southwest of Xiangxi, Hunan Province. The ancient city was built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with the Tuojiang River running through the city. The red sandstone walls stand on the shore, and the Nanhua Mountain is set against the city towers from the Qing Dynasty. A narrow wooden bridge with stone piers is across the river under the north gate of the ancient city. It was the passage out of the city in those days. The bluestone streets in the city, the stilt houses by the Tuojiang River, the numerous ancient buildings and the rich customs constitute the unique charm of western Hunan. The main attractions include the former residence of Shen Congwen, the ancient city museum, Chongde Hall, etc., which are worth visiting.China · Fenghuang County
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan Ancient Town is located in Yuan County, southeast of Zhendong on the bank of Wuyang River. The river winds through the city, forming a pattern similar to the famous yin-yang symbol, so the town is sometimes called Bagua Ancient Town. It also resembles Venice, Italy, with its modes of water transportation. Zhenyuan Ancient Town is divided into two halves by the Wuyang River. The South bank contains the old acropolis, while the North bank holds the ancient city that was built during the Ming Dynasty. The city contains ancient walls and gates, and a number of ancient buildings sitting atop the hills.Zhenyuan County · 79.2 km from Tianzhu
Yangshuo West Street
West Street in Yangshuo is an old street with a history of more than 1,400 years. The buildings along the street retain the styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties having a classical charm to it. The street is filled with bars, restaurants and hiptser cafes making it a hugely popular hangout hotspot among locals and foreigners. Due to the large number of foreigners, there are many western restaurants and English signboards along the street. The street is artsy in the day and wild at night.China · Yangshuo
Yulong River
The Yulong River attraction is located in Yangshuo, Guilin. The Yulong River is a tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo, stretching over 40 km and often called the "Little Li River." Its clear, gentle waters flow past continuous karst peaks, rice fields, bamboo groves, and ancient villages. A bamboo raft ride downstream offers picturesque views at every turn—each snapshot a landscape painting. Compared to the Li River's grandeur, the Yulong River has narrower waters, a slower pace, and a more serene charm. Rafting pier Bamboo rafting is the signature activity of the attraction. Typically accommodating two people per raft, it involves navigating through small river dams, with the raft's bow plunging and water splashing everywhere, creating joyful moments during the itinerary. The rafting is generally divided into two sections: The upper section, lasting about one and a half hours from Jinlong bridge to Jiuxian, offers more pristine natural landscapes and passes by historical sites like the Ming-dynasty Yulong bridge and Xiniu pond. The lower section, starting from docks like Jima and Shui'edi toward Gongnong bridge, features more riverside villages and a stronger cultural atmosphere, with the endpoint near the Ten-mile gallery. When not rafting on bamboo boats, cycling along the river is also a popular choice. You can combine the single-arch stone bridge Fuli Bridge built in the Ming Dynasty, Yulong Bridge, and other ancient bridges with pastoral scenery into a loop route. The semicircular arch of Fuli Bridge and its reflection in the water create a picturesque scene, making it a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts. To avoid crowds, consider starting early in the morning when the river is quieter and less crowded in the dawn light.China · Yangshuo
Wujiang Gallery
Wujiang Gallery consists of the section between Gongtan generally Ancient Town and Wanmu Town in the sort of main stream of the Wujiang River, and the inverted Yangjiang River section of the Wujiang River that flows from generally east to west, including Gongtan Ancient Town Scenic Area and Apeng River Drifting Scenic Area in a subtle way. Wujiang Gallery has a pretty long history, profound cultural accumulation and unique ethnic customs. Wujiang Gallery mostly is the West Gate area of Tujia hometown. It for all intents and purposes is the cradle of Xilankapu and Batik in a basically major way.China · Pengshui County
Qianling Mountain Park
Qianling Mountain is a famous park in Guiyang. You can go hiking in the park and visit the zoo. If you like climbing, there is a temple on the hill that was built in the Qing Dynasty. It is said that the praying in the temple will make your wishes come true. Hiking up a mountain road after passing by the Hongfu Temple, you can see a building called Xiangwangling Pavilion. You can overlook the entire city at the pavilion, which is a good photography shooting point.China · Guiyang
Taoyuan River Scenic Spot
Guiyang Taoyuan River Gorge Attraction is located in Liutun Township, Xiuwen County, Guiyang City. It is located in the Taoyuan River Valley, adjacent to Wudang District of Guiyang City in the south and Kaiyang County in the east. It is a gathering place for natural scenery and cultural attractions in Qianzhong. There are magic rafting projects in the Attraction, and it also concentrates the fine gifts of Taoyuan River from nature - a 43-meter-wide, 37-meter-high cascade waterfall with a magnificent momentum and a triple-cascade waterfall, which has a unique visual enjoyment.China · Xiuwen
Guizhou Provincial Museum
The Guizhou Provincial Museum is a comprehensive museum showcasing the history and ethnic culture of Guizhou. The new building, completed and opened in 2017, is a brown rhombus-shaped structure adorned with colorful accents on its exterior, symbolizing "though small as a rhombus stone, it embodies the thousand mountains and islands of Guizhou's culture." The museum features three permanent exhibitions: "Ethnic Guizhou," "Kingdom of Paleontology," and "Historical Guizhou," along with functional areas such as a digital experience hall, intangible cultural heritage theater, and 4D cinema. "Historical Guizhou" unfolds along themes such as the exploration of Guanyin Cave, the traces of Yelang, and the path to provincial establishment: the large number of chipped stone tools unearthed at the Qianxi Guanyin Cave site push back the history of human activity in Guizhou to the early Paleolithic era. The restored scene of "head-covered burials" in Hezhang Kele, the early-known Shizhaishan-type bronze drum of Guizhou, and the weapon molds excavated from the Puan Bronze Drum Mountain site together outline the mysterious bronze culture of Yelang. The Eastern Han bronze chariot and horse unearthed from the Wantu Han tomb in Xingyi is widely recognized as the museum's crown jewel, with the bronze horse raising its head in a neigh and the chariot canopy's bronze as thin as paper. The Ming Dynasty golden phoenix crown excavated from the Yang family chieftain's tomb in Zunyi is inlaid with hundreds of rubies and sapphires, while the sets of glazed pottery figurines in ceremonial procession are equally striking. The "Kingdom of Paleontology" takes visitors back to the oceans of hundreds of millions of years ago in Guizhou: The Guizhouosaurus hui measures only 20-30 cm in length, discovered in Xingyi in 1957, and was the first marine reptile found and named by Chinese scholars. The ichthyosaur and crinoid fossils of the Guanling biota, as well as the Orientognathus from the Panxian biota with its neck accounting for nearly half its body length, are all worth a closer look. "Ethnic Guizhou" highlights the museum's collection: the first floor recreates village scenes with stilt houses and covered bridges, while the second floor showcases ethnic costumes such as Miao ceremonial attire, silver horn headdresses, and Shui horse-tail embroidery baby carriers, with the Miao clothing and silver adornments ranking among the finest in China. The rare Song Dynasty egret-patterned wax-dyed women's outfit unearthed in Pingba and the century-old Qing Dynasty dragon boat collected from the banks of the Qingshui River each carry their own stories. Each of the three exhibitions offers a distinct focus, and a full tour takes you from Guizhou's ancient oceanic past to its present-day multi-ethnic culture, so ample time is recommended for a thorough visit.China · Guiyang
Free things to do in Tianzhu
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
China · GuilinImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeZhong Guo Tian Yan Jing Qu
China · PingtangFenghuang Ancient Town
China · Fenghuang CountyZhenyuan Ancient Town
Zhenyuan County · 79.2 km from TianzhuYangshuo West Street
China · YangshuoYulong River
China · YangshuoWujiang Gallery
China · Pengshui CountyQianling Mountain Park
China · GuiyangTaoyuan River Scenic Spot
China · XiuwenGuizhou Provincial Museum
China · Guiyang
More ways to travel from Tianzhu
What travelers say about Tianzhu
M45***48September 25, 2026
5.0
When visiting Guilin, a must-see is Elephant Trunk Hill, the city's iconic landmark. It truly lives up to its reputation as the face of Guilin's landscape; only by seeing it in person can one truly appreciate the wonders of nature. The entire mountain sits on the banks of the Li River, resembling a giant elephant bowing to drink from the water. The Water Moon Cave cuts through the mountain, its reflection shimmering in the water, creating the famous Elephant Trunk Hill and Water Moon spectacle—a flowing ink painting.
The scenic area is clean and comfortable, with walking paths built along the Li River, shaded by lush trees, making for a delightful stroll. You can climb the mountain for panoramic views of Guilin, or find classic vantage points along the riverbank to capture stunning, atmospheric photos. Boat trips are also available, offering a different and breathtaking perspective of Elephant Trunk Hill from the river.
The scenic area is conveniently located in the city center, with excellent transportation and comprehensive facilities. Every step reveals a new vista, allowing you to truly experience the unparalleled beauty of Guilin's landscape. Don't miss it when traveling to Guilin; it's definitely worth a visit.
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
SQDXTOctober 5, 2026
5.0
A regular ticket is sufficient, as you'll find that there's simply not enough time to visit the paid attractions if you go at midday.
Also, you must bring a film camera next to the Fast sign. It must be a battery-free film camera with manual metering. If possible, bring your own film, as film cameras at the attraction aren't cheap—300 yuan for 36 exposures.
Zhong Guo Tian Yan Jing Qu
oueryujiSeptember 13, 2026
5.0
Fenghuang Ancient Town, located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, is a border town renowned for its literary significance. A national 5A-level tourist attraction, it was praised by New Zealand writer Rewi Alley as "China's most beautiful small town." The Tuojiang River flows gently through the town, with stilted houses standing along its banks and winding ancient cobblestone alleys. This is the spiritual home of Shen Congwen's novel "Border Town," harboring unique Xiangxi charm. In the morning, a thin mist blankets the river; at night, lights reflect on the water. The landscape and culture blend seamlessly, half poetic, half down-to-earth; every step reveals the gentle warmth of time.
#TravelRecommendationOfficer #HealingScenery #FenghuangAncientTown #XiangxiTourism
Fenghuang Ancient Town
Ly72570September 12, 2026
4.0
Overall, it was alright. Climbing up the mountain was quite tiring; the whole trip took about 3 hours. The path was quiet with few people, but the signs weren't very clear. We ended up on a set of steps without railings (we weren't sure if we were on the right path, because the people behind us disappeared, and we didn't know which way they went). I think this was a pleasant surprise for adventurous people, but a little unsafe for those who aren't. The descent was another pleasant surprise; we entered an ancient alleyway with many Ming and Qing dynasty courtyards (I had thought the ancient city was just the outer streets and riverbanks). Don't forget these ancient alleyways when you visit the ancient city!
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
Oyoyo is HungryMarch 17, 2026
4.0
If you visit Yangshuo, you shouldn’t miss West Street (Xi Jie), a historic street with a history of more than 1,000 years.At night, the street becomes very lively, filled with numerous restaurants, bars, and cafés. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Yangshuo West Street
M33***83October 18, 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth seeing; the night view offers a completely different experience, and it's pleasantly cool.
There are singing competitions and various island games where you can win silver coins to redeem for gifts.
Highly recommended for families with children.
Yulong River
M22***66October 10, 2026
4.0
The section from Wanzu to Gongtan Ancient Town boasts the best scenery in the Wujiang River basin and is one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Pengshui. Experience firsthand the breathtaking panorama of two mountains flanking a river, boats gliding on the water, and people traveling through a painting.
Wujiang Gallery
Colone1February 6, 2026
4.0
Located at No. 187 Zaoshan Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang City, only 1.5 kilometers from the city center, the park was established in 1957 and is a national 4A-level scenic spot. Admission is free (reservations required), Hongfu Temple incense and flower tickets cost 2 yuan, and cable car/zoo services are charged separately. It integrates mountains, forests, springs, lakes, caves, temples, and monkeys, and is known for its "premium location in the city, beautiful in nature."
🌟Highlights & Must-Visit Spots
1. Wild Macaque Troops: A rare semi-wild urban macaque troop (over a thousand individuals) concentrated around the Jiuqu Path and Hongfu Temple. Great for photos, but please do not feed them and keep an eye on your belongings.
2. Hongfu Temple + Jiuqu Path: Guizhou's first temple (during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty). Climb the 383 stone steps of the Jiuqu Path, accompanied by cliff carvings and ancient pavilions; the temple features ancient Buddha caves and Buddhist scriptures, and is a popular place of worship.
3. Qilin Cave: A karst cave where Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng were once under house arrest; it combines natural scenery with revolutionary history.
4. Qianling Lake + Kanzhu Pavilion: The lake is wide enough for boating; Kanzhu Pavilion on Daluo Ridge offers panoramic views of Guiyang city, with stunning sunsets. Visitors can hike or take a cable car up the mountain.
5. Zoo/Panda House: A long-established city zoo with a South China tiger breeding base, suitable for family-friendly educational activities; high vegetation coverage and abundant negative oxygen ions.
Qianling Mountain Park
是即是真September 27, 2025
5.0
This is my second time bringing my kids here. As they are happy, I am happy too. During the rafting process, I found that the safety measures here are sufficient. My two kids floated ahead of me and I arrived safely at the destination.
Taoyuan River Scenic Spot
Anonymous userOctober 2, 2026
5.0
I arrived 5 minutes early, and the lecturer, Keju, immediately started and continued until 3:05 PM without a break. He covered everything from ancient Guizhou to Qing Dynasty Guizhou, and the lecture was quite comprehensive. It seemed that Keju really enjoys reading and has a rich knowledge base. He was also quite experienced in interacting with children, and the kids listened with great interest. It was very good.
Guizhou Provincial Museum
