Wave-Subduing Hill (Fubo Hill)

Fubo Hill
Wave-Subduing Hill
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About 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from Elephant Trunk Hill and above the western bank of Li River Scenery , there towers Wave-Subduing Hill, aka Fubo Hill, another of Guilin's wonderfully scenic spots. It reaches the height of 213 meters (698.8 feet) and emerges 62 meters (203.4 feet) above the water. Half of it stands in the river and the other half of it on land. Since the galloping water is always blocked here and eddied, the hill is considered to have the power of subduing waves. Moreover, it was on this hill that a temple in commemoration of General Fubo was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), which gave rise to the name Wave-Subduing Hill.

Natural scenery of rocks and stalactites as well as artificial cloister and pavilions compose the fantastic and unique sight of the hill. At the foot of the hill lie the Pearl-Returning Cave, the Thousand-Buddha Cave and the Sword-Testing Rock, all of which have great appeal. A gracious cloister and tearoom were built on the southern slope. Halfway to the hill is the Tingtao Pavilion, also known as Pavilion of Listen-to-Waves. Stone stairs wind up towards the hilltop on the western slope of the hill. The Viewing Platform on the stairway is an ideal spot for taking in the panorama of Guilin.
 

Cloister

The Cloister lies on the second terrace of the Wave-Subduing Hill and combines the first and second terrace in an ingenious manner. In the well-tended garden by the cloister, trees and flowers grow prosperously. In front of the garden lies a pavilion which features a more than 300-year-old iron boiler which weighs above 1,000 kilograms (2204.6 pounds). It is said that it can boil enough food for one thousand people. Therefore, it was given the name 'Thousand-People Boiler'. When wandering alongside the cloister up to the third terrace, it is possible to rest in the tearoom featuring a court.
 

Pearl-Returning Cave

Entering the cave by boat on the green Fubo River, visitors are given the opportunity to appreciate the charming rock and stalactites and the interior statues. Most of the statues were engraved in the later Tang Dynasty by use of finished techniques, and subsequently became precious Buddhist artworks.
 
Sword-testing Rock
Pearl-Returning Cave

There are many different and interesting legends about the Pearl-Returning Cave. One of them tells that after the triumph of war, General Fubo retreated to the court, bringing herbs by boat. However, on the way, he was framed so as to have wringed pearls put in the boat. To clear the matter, he poured all the herbs into the Fubo River and returned the so-called 'pearls'. Hence, the cave was named 'Pearl-Returning Cave'. Another legend suggests that a peasant picked a great glittering pearl from the cave and angered the Dragon King. The peasant's neighbors advised him to return the pearl at once, and so he did. Thus, the Dragon King stopped raising the devil waves, and humans' lives became peaceful once more. To memorize the event, people entitled the cave 'Pearl-Returning'.

 

Sword-Testing Rock

Inside the Pearl-Returning Cave, a breathtaking sight is hidden - the Sword-Testing Rock. It is a huge stone pillar hanging down with a large upper body and a smaller lower end. Seen from afar, it may look like a pillar plunging from the ceiling into the water surface. At a closer look, surprisingly, it actually hangs at a distance of 1 cun (a Chinese unit of length, 1 cun equal to 1.3 inch) above the water and seems to be cut by sharp sword. If you are curious, you can get close to it and touch the rummy rift.

Legend has it that the General Fubo tested his sword on the rock, which gave it its present shape. When the general negotiated with the offenders in the Pearl-Returning Cave and reached a deadlock, he drew the sword and cut rocks off the huge pillar. The opponents were startled and immediately retreated.
'How far do you want us to turn back?' they asked.
'Back to where my arrow falls.' the general replied steadily.
'Ok, we agree. Let us then see how far it will fly.'
General Fubo climbed up to the Fubo Hill and shot his arrow, which flew a distance of three hills till it landed on the field from which the offenders had originally come. The offenders retreated as agreed. From then on, the rock was known as 'Sword-Testing' in honor of the valiant general.

Geographically speaking, the rift belongs to the terrane of limestone. Streams flow along it and cause corrosion, and a rift was thus formed. Today, since there is no more corrosion, the pillar cannot produce any deposits, and the rock will retain its odd shape forever.
Thousand-Buddha Cave
Thousand-Buddha Cave
Fine Buddhist statues
Fine Buddhist Statues

Thousand-Buddha Cave

Connecting with the Pearl-Returning Cave, the Thousand-Buddha Cave lies hidden in the hill. It has three levels with a total area of 133 square meters (159 square yards). Visitors climbing up along the winding stairs will find themselves attracted to the 239 statues of Buddha in 36 enshrines from the later Tang Dynasty situated on the upper level, along with mural paintings from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). All of the artworks bear exquisite carvings. Among them, a curiosity can be found - a painting of Mi Fu, a renowned artist, done by the artist himself, because few of Mi Fu's works are intact today.

How to get to Wave-Subduing Hill

Take bus 2, 203 or 206, and get off at Fuboshan (Fubo Hill) Station.
Guilin Bus Search
Entrance Fee CNY 22
Opening Hours

Apr. to Nov.: 06:00 - 18:30
Dec. to Mar.: 06:30 - 18:00

Recommended Time for a Visit 45 minutes

 Nearby Attractions
 Elephant Trunk Hill
 Solitary Beauty Peak & Jingjiang Prince City
 Seven Star Park

 Top 10 Things to Do in Guilin

- Last updated on Apr. 15, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Wave-Subduing Hill (Fubo Hill)
Asked by Roz from SINGAPORE | Feb. 08, 2018 20:30Reply
We are interested in the deluxe cruise on Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo for the 4 hours cruise.
Please advise how to get the tickets and whether necessary to buy them in advance. We intend to go for the cruise on 25th March 2018. Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Phebe from USA | Feb. 10, 2018 18:59
10Reply


You can get the tickets on site. I don’t think you need to book that, since the day you are going is not in holidays or weekends, there won’t be many visitors. Just go to the Zhujiang pier earlier to take it.
Asked by Peek from USA | Nov. 07, 2016 03:19Reply
If we take the Li river cruise, would the boat stop here?
This is one of the places in Guilin we want to visit but I am trying to understand clearly if this place would be included as a stop in the cruise.

I also want to visit the Reed Flute Cave, can we visit it along the same cruise?
Answers (3)
Answered by Ali from GERMANY | Nov. 08, 2016 00:46
00Reply


Yes! The city cruise starts from Longchuanping Wharf to Mulongdong Wharf, via many attractions, such as Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Hill. Then, it returns back to Longchuanping Wharf. Each adult pays CNY 65; children between 3.9 feet (1.2m) to 4.9 feet (1.5m) in height pay half price; children shorter than 3.9 feet ride free.

I am sorry that the Reed Flute Cave is not included in the same cruise. :)
Answered by Peek from USA | Nov. 08, 2016 00:55
00Reply


thanks for answering

What is 65 yuan?
Then the Crown Cave is included in the Li River Cruise?
Is it possible to visit the Reed Flute cave on the same day? Since we are planning to take the cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo?
So many questions :P
Answered by Ali | Nov. 08, 2016 01:09
00Reply


CNY 65 is the city cruise fare, which lasts for one hour. You can visit the Reed Flute Cave on the same day.

Crown Cave is not included in the City Cruise. However, it is included in the essence cruise of Li River. The essence cruise goes from Zhujiang Wharf to Yangshuo, and lasts for about 4.5 hours. A super luxury class costs CNY 450 or 380; a luxury class costs CNY 270 or 240; an ordinary class costs CNY 210 or 190. Have fun! :)
Asked by hoang ngan nguyen from VIỆT NAM | Aug. 26, 2015 02:17Reply
How far form Guilin Jin Pu hotel ( 137 East Jiefang Rd) to Wave- Subduing Hill?
What 's convenient transportation that I can go there from hotel? Pls direct detail for me because I don't know Chinesse.
Tks
Answers (1)
Answered by Fendi from INDONESIA | Aug. 26, 2015 21:27
00Reply


Well, the hill is about 0.9 miles from your hotel. If you do not mind, you can reach there by walking. Get out of your hotel to enter the East Jiefang Road, and walk eastwards along the road for 500 yards, you will get to Binjiang Road. Walk northwards along the Binjiang Road for another 700 yards, you will reach the hill.

or you can take a taxi to get there directly, the fare is about CNY10.
Asked by hoang ngan nguyen from VIỆT NAM | Jul. 22, 2015 04:26Reply
What is a bus stop of 58 route of Guilin that nearest the Fubo Hill? How long from bus stop to Hill?
Answers (3)
Answered by Shan from FINLAND | Jul. 23, 2015 20:43
00Reply


Bus no.58 cannot take you to the scenic spot nowadays.
You can take direct bus no.2, get off at Fubo Hill Station. Then walk to the hill easily within 5 minutes.
Answered by hoang ngan from VIETNAM | Jul. 28, 2015 03:24
01Reply


Thank you for your information.
Fubo hill station is Fubo shan?. The route 2 has only Fubo shan station. Pls inform for me. Tks
Answered by Shan | Jul. 28, 2015 03:46
00Reply


Yes, Fubo Hill Station is Fubo Shan Station. They are the same. :-)
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