Diecai Mountain Ticket in Guilin, Guangxi

Located on the west bank of the Li River, Diecai Hill covers an area of approximately 10.8 hectares. It is composed of Yue Hill, Siwang Hill, Xianhe Peak, and Mingyue Peak. The hill is named after its "layered patterns of rocks, with green and colourful hues interwoven like folded brocade." It is also known as Wind Cave Hill due to a peculiar wind cave found halfway up the hill. The mountain features cliffside inscriptions left by historical figures, making it a natural historical museum. The main peak, Mingyue Peak, is 223 metres above sea level. From the summit, standing at the Nayun Pavilion, you can take in a panoramic 360‑degree view of Guilin, with distant mountains, nearby waters, city walls, and towers all in sight, earning it the reputation of "a gathering place for landscapes." Key attractions include Diecai Pavilion, Jiangshan Huijing Place, Diecai Gate, Qu Zhang Chengren Place, Yangzhi Hall, Wind Cave, Kang Youwei's Lecture Site, Portrait of Ma Xiangbo, Wangjiang Pavilion, Nayun Pavilion, Mingyue Peak, and Xianhe Cave.

[Diecai Pavilion]

Diecai Pavilion was originally built by Qin Huan, the prefect of Guilin during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. A plaque inscribed with "Diecai Pavilion" was hung inside. Rebuilt in 1958, the pavilion features a couplet composed by Qin Huan and calligraphied by Zhang Kaizheng of Guilin: "Scenery as grand literature, flowing water and misty pools transcend all forms; Cave as ancient painting, poets and scholars endure through the ages."

[Wind Cave]

Located halfway up the hill, Wind Cave derives its name from the cool breezes that flow year‑round. Literary figures from various dynasties have lingered here, leaving behind 178 cliffside inscriptions. The cave also houses 24 niches with 98 Buddhist statues, mostly from the Song Dynasty. Above the cave entrance, three large characters reading "Diecai Hill" are inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Shen Yinmo.

[Kang Youwei's Lecture Site and Reverse‑Character Stele]

Kang Youwei was a reformist in modern Chinese history. In 1895, at the invitation of Guilin scholar Long Zehou, Kang stayed at the Jingfeng Pavilion in front of Wind Cave at Diecai Hill and lectured at the nearby Guishan Academy, spreading reformist ideas to Guilin. However, due to the indifference of the elite, he left after only 40 days. In 1897, deeply convinced that reforms required public support, Kang returned to Guilin, again lodging at Jingfeng Pavilion to continue teaching. He not only established the "Sacred Study Society" in Guilin but also founded Guangxi's first modern school, the Guangren School, within the society. Kang's two visits to Guilin, where he lectured and taught disciples in front of Wind Cave, had a significant impact on the spread of reformist thought and the introduction of advanced science in the region.

[Nayun Pavilion]

Perched atop Mingyue Peak, the compact and exquisite Nayun Pavilion was first built in the Tang Dynasty. The name "Nayun" (Cloud‑Grasping) suggests the pavilion reaches into the clouds. On rainy days, when mist swirls around, one can seemingly grasp or even lie upon the clouds. From here, gazing at distant mountains and overlooking the river, the entire city unfolds in panoramic beauty—perfectly captured by the famed Song Dynasty poet Liu Kezhuang's timeless verse on Guilin: "A thousand peaks encircle the plains, a single river embraces the city."