Solitary Beauty Peak (Duxiu Feng) is the highest of Guilin's city-centre karst hills, rising 152 metres above the surrounding streets and offering the best panoramic view of the city and its sea of peaks. The 306 rock-cut steps to the summit are steep but manageable. From the top on a clear day you can count dozens of karst peaks stretching to the horizon in every direction — the closest thing to understanding the full scale of the landscape.
The peak stands inside the old palace of the Ming dynasty prince Jingjiang, whose extensive grounds are now a pleasant park and part of Guangxi Normal University. The Yue family tombs and several carved inscriptions are visible around the base. The park is a good alternative to the busier tourist sites, with local students and elderly residents using it for morning exercise.