A solitary karst hill rising directly from the Li River in central Guilin, named for a Han Dynasty general who is said to have subdued river waves here. The hill contains the Returned Pearl Cave with hundreds of Tang and Song Dynasty Buddhist carvings, and a summit pavilion offering one of the best free elevated views over the city and river.
Fubo Hill rises alone from the bank of the Li River in central Guilin, named after Ma Yuan, a Han Dynasty general given the honorific title 'Wave-Subduing General' and locally credited with having tamed the river's currents at this spot. The hill's main feature is the Returned Pearl Cave, a shallow grotto opening directly onto the river that contains several hundred Buddhist stone carvings dating from the Tang and Song dynasties, among the best-preserved rock art of its kind in the Guilin area. A short climb from the cave leads to a pavilion at the hill's summit, which, despite the hill's modest height, offers one of the best unobstructed views over the Li River's bend and the Guilin skyline, and is free of the crowds found at larger paid sites nearby. The hill sits within easy walking distance of Elephant Trunk Hill along the riverside promenade, making the two a natural pairing for a single morning outing. A full visit, including the cave and summit pavilion, takes about an hour.
| Admission | Adult ¥30 (approx. $4) · Child ¥15 (approx. $2) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Typical visit | 1 hour |
| Best time | morning |
| Address | Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin |
Good to know
- Best for
- history buffs, photographers, couples
Location
Binjiang Road, Xiangshan District, Guilin
25.2853, 110.2937 View on map
Highlights
- Returned Pearl Cave Tang and Song Buddhist carvings
- Summit pavilion river-bend viewpoint
- Riverside path connecting to Elephant Trunk Hill
- Han Dynasty Ma Yuan legend
- Small, uncrowded compared to larger Guilin sites
Tips for visiting
- Combine with a riverside walk to Elephant Trunk Hill, roughly 15 minutes away on foot
- The Buddhist rock carvings inside the cave date back over a thousand years
- Climb to the summit pavilion for the best panorama of the Li River bend
When to visit
Morning light works best for photographing the river bend from the summit pavilion, and the site is far less crowded than Guilin's larger paid attractions at any time of day.
Accessibility
The path to the cave is mostly level, but reaching the summit pavilion requires climbing a set of stone steps with no wheelchair alternative.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Fubo Hill take?
A full visit including the Returned Pearl Cave and the summit pavilion takes about one hour.
Is Fubo Hill worth it for kids?
Yes; it is a short, manageable climb with a cave and viewpoint that make for an easy family stop combined with nearby Elephant Trunk Hill.
Is photography allowed at Fubo Hill?
Photography is permitted throughout, including inside Returned Pearl Cave, though flash is discouraged near the older stone carvings.