Seven
Star Cave
Cross the Li River at the end
of Jiefang Donglu (Jiefang Road, East) and
approximately one kilometre from the downtown
area of Guilin you will find Seven Stars
Park. This delightful park that has been
landscaped to encompass hills and natural
waterways is a great favourite with the
local people and tourists alike.
The park takes its name from
the fact that the four peaks on Putuo Hill
and the three peaks on Crescent Hill that
form the main part of the park replicate
the pattern of the seven stars in the Ursa
Major constellation (Great bear or Big Dipper).
A further hill, known as Camel Hill is another
attraction of the park. This limestone outcrop
looks exactly like a camel resting among
the trees. The main entrance to the park
is over the Flower Bridge [Hua Qiao], an
elegant arched structure dating from the
Song Dynasty that crosses the confluence
of Xiaodongjiang [East River] and Lingjian
Stream that passes through the park.
As you walk into the park you
will find Crescent Hill to your right, so
named for its crescent-moon shaped rock.
A notable feature of this hill is the 200
calligraphy carvings in the caves within
it. These are said to be the work of important
and talented calligraphers of the Tang,
Ming and Qing Dynasties. A flight of steps
will take you to the top of the hill. Pavilions,
kiosks and towers line the path, each offering
excellent views of the Xiaodongjiang River.
By choosing the path to the
left and heading north you will come to
Putuo Hill. Climbing the steps will bring
you to Putuo Jingshe. This is both a living
and preaching place and the tortoise intertwined
with the snake in this hall is a typical
Chinese Taoist symbol.
On leaving Putuo Jingshe a further
two-minute walk leads to Seven Stars Cave.
Eroded by water over thousands of years,
the cave is a wonderland of stalactites,
stone pillars and rock formations resulting
from carbonate deposition. All year, the
temperature within the cave remains at a
constant 20 degrees Celsius and it has been
a tourist attraction since the Tang Dynasty.
However, for all its splendour, the Seven
Stars Cave is overshadowed by the awe-inspiring
Reed Flute Cave to be found five kilometres
to the northwest of the City. There is an
admission charge of 20 Yuan to enter the
caves.
On leaving Putuo Hill
and walking further eastwards into the park
Camel Hill is a wow of a sight. Being so
like a camel, as our picture shows, it is
hard to believe that it is an entirely natural
formation. Near to Camel Hill you will find
a zoo, a botanical garden and teahouses.
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