Jingjiang Princes’s City (靖江王城), also known as Jingjiang Princes’s Palace ( (靖江王府), is a historical site in the center of Guilin. The prince residence was originally built in 1372 – 1392 by the first Jingjiang Prince – Zhu Shouqian, the great-nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Ming dynasty emperor. For the 257 years from the construction of the Jingjiang palace to the end of Ming dynasty, 14 Jingjiang princes from 12 generations lived here.
Today part of the former Jingjiang Palace and the Solitary Beauty Peak are incorporated into a large sight known as “Solitary Beauty Peak -Princes’ Palace Scenic Area”(独秀峰-靖江王府景区) with a combo ticket 130 yuan. It seems the administration of the sight is more interested in taking tourist groups ( domestic ) instead of individual tourists.
If you buy an individual entrance ticket, very often you are forced to join in a group, a bit frustrating. The entrance fee is exorbitant given the restored buildings in the walled city though you have the added value to hike the Solitary Beauty Peak.
Personally I feel this sight is underwhelmed with exorbitant entrance fee, to be skipped on your Guilin tour!
The outside walls are free and you have to pay 130 yuan to enter the inner walled city which also shares part of Guangxi Normal University’s main campus. For the over 600 years the city was burned down several times. Today, it remains one of the restored Princes’ City in China.
In addition to the palace city, you will have the chance to climb up the Solitary Beauty Peak to have a panoramic view of Guilin city. Jingjiang Princes’ City was originally built by the Solitary Beauty Peak. Inside the Peace Cave at the foot of the Peak, there are 60 Chinese zodiacal signs carved on the wall.
On the summit of the Solitary Beauty Peak, I feel a bit frustrated that the best viewing platform is rent out to a private owner and you have to pay to have the perfect place to snap pictures of the city below. Alternatively, the Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Hill) surpasses the Solitary Beauty Hill in having a panorama of Guilin city. Better to skip the Solitary Beauty Peak – Princes’ Palace Scenic Area.
This sight can be reached by walking straight north from Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. You will see the southern outside gate ( free of charge ). Walking for about 200 meters, you will come across the main entrance to Jingjiang Princes’s City ( entrance fee: 130 yuan ).
The outside south gate north of Zhengyang Pedestrian Street.
The paid south entrance (Chengyun gate ) to the Solitary Beauty Peak -Princes’ Palace Scenic Area.
Chengyun Palace was originally built in 1372 as the administration of the office in the city. It was burned down twice during the Qing Dynasty and Japanese Invasion. It was entirely rebuilt in 1947.
The Examination Hall built during Qing Dynasty in the compound.
Inside the Peace Cave at the foot of the Solitary Peak, there are 60 Chinese zodiacal signs carved on the wall.
Hike up the Solitary Peak.
The Solitary Beauty Peak seen from below.
Have a panoramic view of Guilin city in the south from the top of the Solitary Beauty Peak.
Tip: Hassle-free Guilin Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Guilin:
Guilin Tour
Guilin Private Tour
Guilin Group Tour
Guilin Layover Tour
Beijing Guilin Tour
Hong Kong Guilin Tour
Guilin Car Rental with Driver
Guilin Customized Tour
Further Readings
Guilin Tour – Top 10 Things to do in Guilin
Best time to visit Guilin
Where to stay in Guilin
Top 10 Guilin Luxury Hotels
Top 10 Guilin Boutique Hotels
Top 10 Guilin Budget Hotels
Guilin Tourist Scams, Tourist Traps in Guilin
Guilin Taxi
How to Visit Elephant Trunk Hill
Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Hill)
Jingjiang Princes’s City to be Skipped
Stroll around Shan Lake and Rong Lake in Guilin
Yangshuo Taxi: Yangshuo Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Li River Cruise
How to Visit Xingping
Impression Liu Sanjie Mega Performance in Yangshuo
Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo
Yangshuo West Street
Bamboo Rafting on Yulong River in Yangshuo
How to Visit Longji Terraced Rice Fields
Visit Huangyao Ancient Town from Yangshuo or Guilin
Daxu Ancient Town
How to Visit Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge
Any questions, just drop a line.
