Solitary Beauty Peak (Duxiu Peak) stands in solitary grace at the center of the ancient Mansion of Prince Jingjiang (a noble family in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). Towering from the ground with an elevation of 216m, it is reputed as "Sky-Supporting Pillar in the South".
During the Southern Dynasty (420 - 589), some 1,500 years ago, Yan Yanzhi, governor of Guilin, wrote the line: "none can surpass this solitary peak in beauty" and hence the name Solitary Beauty Peak. At the foot of the peak are Dushu (Study) Rock, Taiping (Peace) Rock and Yueya (Crescent) Pond.
On the eastern side of the hill there are many inscriptions from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), such as "Southern Sky-supporting Pillar" and "Purple Gown and Golden Belt." A flight of 396 stone steps leads from the west foot of the hill up to the top, where you can get a panoramic view of the whole city and all the mountains surrounding it.
396 stone steps leads from the west foot of the hill up to the top of Solitary Beauty Peak, where you can get a panoramic view of the whole city and all the mountains surrounding it.
Note that this peak is situated in the grounds of the Guangxi Normal University, the former Jingjiang Princely Palace.
Jingjiang Princely Palace was the official residence of Prince Jingjiang of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), It is a miniature of the Forbidden City . Zhu Shouqian was appointed as the Jingjiang King by his grandfather Ming Tai Zu (the first emperor of Ming Dynasty). In 1372, Zhu Shouqian had the king residence built at the foot of Duxiu Peak . It was completed in the year 1392 and was built to comply with the design for all kings. The main buildings include Chengyuan Gate in the front, Chengyun Hall in the middle with the living hall at its back and the royal garden at the end. There are 4 halls, 4 pavilions and another 40 structures surrounding the main buildings. It covers a total area of 19.87 hectares. During the 257 years from the building of the mansion to the end of Ming Dynasty, 14 kings from 12 generations lived here.
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