Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Hill) Not to Be Missed

There are four prominent karst hills projecting from Guilin city proper including Folded Brocade Hill, Solitary Beauty Hill, Hubo Hill and Elephant Trunk Hill. Of all the four karst hills,  I favor Folded Brocade (Diecai Hill) 叠彩山, also known as Piled Silk Hill, named after the payers upon layers of its rock formations which resemble folded brocade or silk. This is the best place to have a panoramic view in Guilin with spectacular views of Li River, Mulong River, Hubo Hill and Solitary Hill with pocket-friendly entrance fee.

Folded Brocade Hill 叠彩山)  is located about 2.5 km north of Rong Lake or Zhengyang Pedestrian Street, a half hour walk along Zhongshan Road 中山路 or Binjiang Road 滨江路. By the entrance gate you will see the ticketing office – 35 yuan per ticket. Walking from the entrance, you pass through Chicken Blood Jade Museum ( a bit commercial ), then continue to walk past some shops selling little knick knacks and souvenirs at the base of the hill.

Very soon you will see a wooden signpost introducing the different trails you will follow. There are four peaks on the hill including Yuyue Peak于越山, All-Direction-Looking Peak (Siwang Hill) 四望山, Crane Peak 仙鹤山 and Bright Moon Peak 明月山. You are recommended to hike the Bright Moon Peak, the highest with a spectacular view at the sea level of 223 m and 73 m at the relative height from the base, a 20-minute walk to the hilltop. It is not a workout to reach the top, but you till need to have strong legs to walk up to the top. If you feel tired, you may take a break along the stair-steps spiraling up to the summit.