Elephant Trunk Hill, Natural hill in Xiangshan District, China
Elephant Trunk Hill is a limestone formation about 200 meters tall where the Li River and Taohua River meet, shaped like an elephant bending down to drink water. A natural arch separates the trunk from the body, creating a distinctive visual feature you notice from different angles around the hill.
This hill became important during the Tang Dynasty, when travelers and Buddhist monks made it a destination for their journeys. The stone carvings left behind show how the site drew people seeking spiritual and cultural meaning over the centuries.
The Water Moon Cave holds stone inscriptions from centuries past, showing how scholars and travelers left their marks on this sacred site. You can still see these carved characters today, revealing the personal connections people felt to this place.
You can reach the hill easily by bus, with several lines stopping directly at Xiangshan Park station near the site. The paths to the top and main viewing spots are well-marked, making it simple to explore the arch and water views at your own pace.
When water conditions align during certain lunar phases, the natural arch creates a double moon reflection instead of just one. This rare optical effect has made the spot a special destination for observers and artists throughout history.
Location: Xiangshan District
GPS coordinates: 25.27045,110.29216
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Geological forces have carved openings, arches, and caves into rock formations across continents through millions of years of erosion. Water, wind, and weathering have shaped these natural structures from various rock types, creating landmarks that reveal the Earth's ongoing transformation. The formations appear in diverse environments, from coastlines where ocean waves carve passages through limestone cliffs to desert regions where wind erosion creates openings in sandstone walls. This collection spans locations such as Durdle Door along England's Jurassic Coast, where a 200-foot (60-meter) arch rises from layers dating to the Mesozoic era. The Faraglioni Rocks off Capri reach heights of 360 feet (109 meters) and include a natural passage navigable by boat. In landlocked regions, formations like the Eyes of God in Bulgaria's Prohodna Cave display symmetrical ceiling openings where sunlight penetrates the rock. Desert sites such as Las Ventanas in Argentina's Andes showcase wind-carved arches in remote sandstone landscapes. Each location offers direct evidence of erosion processes that continue shaping these geological features, from readily accessible coastal points to isolated areas requiring significant travel to reach.
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