Folded Brocade Hill

Folded Brocade Hill

Formerly known as Osmanthus Hill, Folded Brocade Hill is located in the northeastern part of Guilin city, adjacent to the Li River. Along with Solitary Beauty Peak in the city and Fubo Hill by the Li River, Folded Brocade Hill forms a trio of scenic highlights within the urban area. Covering an area of approximately 2 square kilometers, the hill consists of Mingyue Peak, Crane Peak, Siwang Hill, and Yuyue Hill. Stretching across the city, it boasts beautiful scenery and is easy to climb, making it a popular destination among Guilin’s mountain landscapes. The hill features numerous scenic spots, including the Folded Brocade Pavilion, Yuyue Pavilion, the Stele for Martyrs Qu and Zhang, the Admiration Hall, Crane Cave, Wind Cave, Folded Brocade Tower, River-Viewing Pavilion, and Cloud-Catching Pavilion.

The hill is especially rich in cliff inscriptions by celebrated figures throughout history, representing the essence of cultural relics. Ascending Mingyue Peak and standing at the Cloud-Catching Pavilion, one can gaze upon the entire cityscape — “with sunny breezes on one side and surrounding peaks on four, it feels like a paradise on earth.” The name “Folded Brocade Hill” comes from a record written by Yuan Hui, the nephew of Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen, after his visit. In his “Record of Folded Brocade Hill,” he wrote: “According to geographical texts, the hill is named for its horizontally layered stones, with colors intermingling like folded brocades.” The hill’s rocks resemble layers of embroidered silk in vibrant colors, hence the name. On the right side of the Folded Brocade Pavilion, built by Qing Dynasty scholar Qin Huan, one can view the crisscrossing cliffs of Mingyue Peak, resembling “interwoven colors of brocade” — the best angle for photographing the “folded brocade” effect. The Wind Cave is a unique cave halfway up Mingyue Peak. Known for its year-round breezes, it is thus named “Wind Cave.” This cave runs north-south, narrow in the middle with space only for one person, forming two separate chambers that open to the north and south, shaped like a gourd. It is 20 meters long, up to 9.2 meters wide, and 5 meters high. Originally an ancient underground river channel, the cave is wide at both ends and narrow in the middle, situated at a high elevation. To the north, it connects with the “Hunan-Guangxi Corridor,” and to the south, it faces the “gorge passage” between Jiaqiaoling and the Ocean Hills, creating an air current. As the seasons change, the winds vary in crispness, gentleness, warmth, or coolness. Because of the constant “welcoming and bidding farewell of winds,” people often call it a “cool world.” A Song Dynasty poem by Liu Kezhuang, “Wind Cave Poem,” says: “Winds sweep across heaven and earth, but those of Guilin are particularly mighty” and “No one knows where they begin, but they seem endless.” This speaks to the wonder of the winds. A Ming Dynasty poem by Wang Minghe, “Poem on Folded Brocade Hill,” goes: “Spring outing, warm breeze returns through the valley,” referring to spring winds. A Qing Dynasty poem by Xu Desheng, “Poem on Wind Cave Hill,” states: “The sound of wind rustles narrowly at the cave’s mouth,” describing summer winds. A Ming Dynasty poem by Su Jun, “Visiting Wind Cave,” reads: “The high platform receives mild breezes,” depicting autumn in the southern regions. A Qing Dynasty poem by Zhou Fulin, “Poem on Folded Brocade Hill,” says: “The cave inspires poetic thoughts, the wind chills the wine bottle,” capturing the scene of deep winter. The cave’s winds alternate constantly — fresh, gentle, cool, and even — which is the most remarkable aspect. The Wind Cave is not only a world of winds but also a treasure trove of cultural relics, making it a key attraction in Guilin’s landscape.

The entrance gate of Folded Brocade Park was built in 1990. It is a traditional-style round gate with upturned eaves, a hard ridge, sloped roof, and green tiles. A horizontal plaque inscribed with “Folded Brocade Hill,” handwritten by the renowned modern Chinese calligrapher Wang Xiahju, hangs above it. On the right is the ticket office, while the left is adorned with a glass-paneled window, combining simplicity with elegance. It is nestled amidst the lush, emerald-green hills and forests.

On the platform to the right front of the south entrance of the Wind Cave on Folded Brocade Hill, the Jingfeng Pavilion was built by Tang Dynasty’s Yuan Hui during the Huichang era (841–846). It has been renovated over the dynasties, but the pavilion itself has long been lost, and dozens of precious poetic inscriptions were destroyed during the Anti-Japanese War. According to Qing Dynasty painter Zhang Bao’s “Pan Chuo Tu,” the Jingfeng Pavilion was a rectangular building with a double-eaved roof and sloped top. Qing Dynasty’s Qing Bao wrote in “Record of Jingfeng Pavilion” that the pavilion “is situated between Siwang and Yuyue hills, facing vast fields in front and leaning against the great river, open and airy, quietly embracing the wind. To its east are a few small rooms of a secondary pavilion, once a resting spot for visitors. During scorching summers, people came here to find relief.” The Jingfeng Pavilion was once a famous structure, with many historical figures leaving poetic inscriptions. Reformist leader Kang Youwei and patriotic centenarian Ma Xiangbo both stayed here. Located along the hiking path up Folded Brocade Hill, it is a square-shaped, single-story structure with red pillars and green tiles, about 5 meters high, 7.5 meters long, and 8.5 meters wide, covering an area of approximately 64 square meters. It features a cross-shaped layout. A plaque inscribed with “Folded Brocade Hill,” written by the famous calligrapher Wang Xiahju, hangs on the front. The Folded Brocade Pavilion lies east of Yuyue, west of Siwang, north of Mingyue, harmonizing with the hill’s scenery without competing in height. Benches are set up on the east and west sides, and the northeast corner offers the best view of the “interwoven brocade colors.” It is an ideal place for rest and leisure. On the pavilion’s west side is an inscription by Ming Dynasty’s Yu Qing: “Where rivers and mountains meet the scenery.”

Located between Mingyue Peak and Yuyue Hill on Folded Brocade Hill, this is a large-scale scenic garden architectural complex designed based on the architectural style of northern Guangxi’s Dong ethnic group. Covering a construction area of 1,300 square meters, it was completed in 1990. Folded Brocade Qionglou is centered around a drum tower and connecting corridors, dividing the entire structure into eastern and western courtyards. The eastern courtyard features winding paths and secluded nooks, while the western courtyard is more open and spacious, linked by small bridges. The courtyards center around a pool, with a tall pavilion to the east, pavilions and corridors to the west, a multi-storied building to the south, and a waterside pavilion to the north. The main drum tower is a two-story hip-and-gable roof structure, with a small, delicate rolled-canopy open pavilion in front. The rest consist of one- or two-story sloped roofs, with some sections featuring double-eaved or triple-eaved rolled-canopy hip-and-gable roofs, or hexagonal and octagonal pointed roofs. The entire architectural complex has a clear hierarchy, rich layering, and a well-balanced, dynamic layout that harmonizes beautifully with the natural surroundings, evoking the ethereal charm of a celestial palace.

Address:

No. 2 Longzhu Road, Guilin City

Opening Hours:

Peak season (April 1 – November 30): 6:00–18:30; Off-peak season (December 1 – March 31): 7:00–18:00.

Ticket:

Starting October 1, 2018, the ticket price for Folded Brocade Hill scenic area has been reduced to 25 RMB per person.