Jingjiang Princes’ City Scenic Area

The Solitary Beauty Peak (独秀峰) is one of Guilin’s 3 major mountain peaks besides Fubo Hill (伏波山) and Folded Brocade Hill (叠彩山). Among all the peaks in Guilin (桂林), Solitary Beauty Peak is widely tipped as the “King of Mountains” (众山之王) and is located within the Jingjiang Prices’ City Scenic Area (靖江王城景区) in the center of Guilin city. Foong, my friend and I had visited the Jingjiang Princes’ City Scenic Region the afternoon we came back from Longji Rice Terraces.

Since ancient times, the Jingjiang Princes’ City (靖江王城) has been regarded as a treasure land of Guilin. It is even regarded as the birth place of the entire city of Guilin. Jingjiang Princes’ City was a forbidden city during the Ming Dynasty (明朝). Its construction began in 1372 and took 20 years to complete. The great-grandson of Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝朱元璋), Zhu Shouqian (朱守谦) was the first Jingjiang prince enthroned in the Princes’ City. Since then, 14 Jingjiang Princes of 11 generations lived here. In the Qing Dynasty (清朝), the Jingjiang Princes’ City was converted into the Guangxi Examination Hall, from where many number 1 national scholars immerged. In the Republic time, Dr. Sun Yat-sen (孙中山) lived here and made the Princes’ City his headquarter for the North Expedition. Later it became the office of Guangxi Provincial Government, and the center of Guangxi political and cultural activities. Covering a total area of 198,700 square meters, the Jingjiang Princes’ City is now having a history of more than 600 years and is regarded as the best preserved Princes’ City in China.

City Gate

Lion statue in front of the City Gate

Walking through the tunnel of City Gate

Entrance to Jingjiang Princes' City Scenic Area

Inside the Jingjiang Princes’ City Scenic Region, we were first brought to see the Couple Tree (夫妻树). What a Couple Tree is, you may ask. It is actually an ancient banyan tree with 1 tree attaches itself to the top of another tree. Another peculiar thing about this Couple Tree is the fact that it is hollow inside! Check out the pictures below!

Signboard inside the Scenic Area

Couple Tree

Closer look on Couple Tree

Hollow inside!

Solitary Beauty Peak in the background

We were also brought to see the former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. In here we also got to see the Crescent Pool (月牙池), one of the so called 4 famous pools of Guilin. It was dug into a pool in the early Ming Dynasty. There are zigzag railings and pavilions on the pool and coupled with waving willows on the bank, it is quite a scenery! Located also nearby the area are the largest examination hall for provincial exams in the Southwest China and a thousand-year-old mysterious Peace Cave (太平岩). The Peace Cave is a natural cave on the west foot of Solitary Beauty Peak and used to be a place where Jingjiang Prince worshipped Tai Sui generals (太岁). I did not take any photo inside the cave as it was too dark.

A monument in memory of Dr. Sun Yat-sen

A pavilion

Crescent Pool

Examination Hall

Entrance to Peace Cave

Next we were brought to the foot of the Solitary Beauty Peak. The Solitary Beauty Peak is also known as “A Pillar under Southern Sky” (南天一柱). It is at the foot of the Solitary Beauty Peak that one can find the proverb “Guilin Landscape, the Best Under Heaven” (桂林山水甲天下). We decided to climb up 306 stone steps to the top of the peak. The climb up took slightly more than 5 minutes and in some areas the steps are quite steep. You would feel it is a worthy effort when you reach the top. The top provides the best panoramic viewing where one can get the best bird’s eye view of Guilin City.

A Pillar under Southern Sky

Can you find the carving of "桂林山水甲天下"

Steep steps

Steep steps

Decoration on railing (click for wallpaper size)

Panoramic view of Guilin

Panoramic view of Guilin

Panoramic view of Guilin

Panoramic view of Guilin

Panoramic view of Guilin (click for wallpaper size)

Statue of a creature having bodies of tortoise & snake

The Jingjiang Princes’ City is today occupied by Guangxi Normal University. It is now open to the public and is a place one should not miss out if you want to know more about Guilin’s history and culture.

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