Diecai Hill (Folded Brocade Hill)
Situated in the northeast of Guilin by the Li River, Diecai Hill is one of the most popular attractions in Guilin, a place known for its amazing scenery and stone carvings. Because of the resemblance of its rock formations, piled up layer upon layer on each other, to folded brocade, it is now also known as Folded Brocade Hill. Many other special names have been given to this picturesque spot: the name Gui Hill, derived from the laurels that have spread across the slopes since ancient times, and the name of Wind Cave Hill, due to the remarkable Wind Cave on the hill. Four small hills, Yuyue Hill, Siwang Hill (All-Direction-Looking Hill), Crane Peak and Bright Moon Peak surround Diecai Hill.
A visual feast of magnificent scenes such as Diecai Pavilion, Wind Cave and Cloud-Catching Pavilion, along with countless stones with inscriptions created by famous Chinese scribes, awaits your eyes.
Through the gate of Diecai Garden, within a few steps of the southern foot of the hill, you will first reach the distinctive Diecai Pavilion, occupying an area of about 64 square kilometers (15,815 acres) on the hillside of Bright Moon Peak. 5 meters (16 feet) high, 7.5 meters (25.6 feet) long and 8.5 meters (27.9 feet) wide, it is surrounded by Bright Moon Peak to the north, Siwang Hill to the west and Yuyue Hill to the east. Although only a single storey high, it is well designed and elaborately built with red poles, green tiles, and four unique angles. Your fantastic journey will start from here.
After Diecai Pavilion, you will see a stele commemorating the two loyalists Qu Shisi and Zhang Tongchang of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Wind Cave, which the wind blows through in all seasons, waits for you a little further along. This cave penetrates Bright Moon Peak, with a wide mouth protruding from either side of the slope and a narrow part in the middle. What makes it famous is the changing temperature of its winds. Whatever the weather is outside, a cool breeze is always blowing in the Wind Cave. For this reason it is known as the 'Cool World' by many people. The cave is worth a visit not only for its winds but for its rock carvings, both inside and outside of the cave. Nearly 100 Buddha images of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, as well as 210 stone carvings, can be found here. If you are interested in Chinese calligraphy and want to experience the peculiar nature of this remarkable cave, now is your chance!
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