Ancient South Gate and Banyan Lake

The Ancient South Gate, also called Gunan Gate, stands on Rong Lake South Road in the Xiufeng District of Guilin, Guangxi, China. It is the only surviving gate of the Ming dynasty city wall of Guilin, a fortified wall that once enclosed the city and its princely palace. The gate is a stone arch topped by a tiled tower, and it sits beside Rong Lake, one of the Four Lakes that formed part of the moat. Next to it, a huge banyan tree, said to be over 1,700 years old, spreads its aerial roots across the lakeside and over the gate itself, an image that has made the spot one of Guilin's best-known photograph locations. Its trunk and hanging roots are supported by stone and wooden frames, and local legends attach to it, including the claim that the tree stands as a symbol of long life. The area is free and open 24 hours, and a typical visit lasts 30 to 45 minutes, which is enough to see the gate, walk beneath the tree, and stroll along the lakeshore path. Beyond the gate, the Banyan Lake area has pavilions, arched stone bridges and the lit pagodas in the distance. Evening is the best time to visit, when the gate and the lake are lit, the reflections appear in the water and the heat has eased. The lake path is lined with willow, and visitors can see locals fishing, playing music or practising tai chi at dawn. Crowds are greatest in the evening and on weekends, when groups pause for photographs, while early morning is peaceful. The gate lies a ten-minute walk from Zhengyang pedestrian street, and buses 2, 12 and 99 stop at Rong Lake. It forms part of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes route.