The Sun and Moon Pagodas are twin towers rising from Shanhu Lake in central Guilin — the gold-roofed Sun Pagoda (41m, the world's tallest copper pagoda) and the silver-roofed Moon Pagoda (35m). The two are connected by an 18m underwater tunnel. Built 2001 in classical Chinese pagoda style. Climb either pagoda for ¥35 city panorama, or just photograph from the lakeside (free) — most foreigners do the latter, as the climb is largely a steel-staircase interior with mediocre views compared to Diecai/Fubo Hills nearby. Best at dusk when illumination switches on and the lake reflects gold + silver. Standard stop on Two Rivers Four Lakes night cruise.
Address
Shanhu Lake, Xiangshan District, Guilin
桂林市象山区杉湖
Highlights
- Tallest copper pagodaSun Pagoda is the world's tallest copper-clad pagoda
- Underwater tunnel18m subaqueous corridor between Sun + Moon pagodas
- Free lakeside viewSkip the ¥35 climb; photograph from the bank
What Chinese travelers actually do here
Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.
- ▸Best free photo angle: from the western bank of Shanhu Lake (杉湖西岸) looking east at the pagodas, with the city skyline behind. This is the iconic 'two pagodas reflected in lake water' composition. Avoid the eastern bank — buildings block the framing.
- ▸Photography sequence: arrive at the lake bank 60 min before sunset, scout your composition, set up tripod, wait. As sky transitions blue → orange → blue-purple over 30 min, the changing illumination contrast gives 5-6 different photos from the same spot.
- ▸If you climb inside (¥35), do the SUN Pagoda — gold interior, slightly better elevator (yes, elevator option for ¥10 extra inside). Skip the Moon Pagoda interior — basically identical experience with silver instead of gold.
- ▸The underwater tunnel does have foreigner-appeal for novelty's sake. If you're traveling with kids 8-14, they'll love it. Adult solo travelers can skip.
- ▸Shanhu Lake (杉湖) is in central Guilin, walking distance from most downtown hotels. The lake is 5-min walk from Zhengyang Walking Street (Guilin's main pedestrian shopping street) — combine pagoda photos with dinner + shopping.
- ▸Lights show every 30 min — pagodas briefly cycle through color changes. Catch a color cycle by lingering 30+ min at the bank. Pure gold is the iconic shot, but the purple cycle is uniquely Chinese-aesthetic.
For foreign visitors
- English service: partial english
- Cards accepted: visa, master
- Booking / entry: not needed
- Best time: Dusk for illumination + reflection
- Wi-Fi: free
- Transit access: metro direct
Photos
What travelers say (5 reviews)
Watch creators visit Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas
Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.
3 Days Exploring Guilin China: Karst Landscapes, Li River Cruise, Guilin rice noodles
Clement Ying - Travel DiariesStarts at 2:49
Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas (日月双塔) in the evening
Videos
Frequently asked questions about Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas
- Should I climb inside the Sun and Moon Pagodas?
- No — the climb is ¥35 per pagoda and the interior is just a steel staircase with mediocre window views. The pagodas are infinitely better as EXTERIORS — photograph from the Shanhu Lake bank at dusk for the gold+silver illuminated reflection. Climbing destroys the magic and gives you views worse than Diecai Hill 1 km away.
- When are the pagodas illuminated at night?
- Lights switch on at sunset — roughly 6:30 PM in winter, 7:30 PM in summer. The illumination runs until 11 PM. Best photo timing is 30-45 min after lights come on, when sky is still slightly blue (creating contrast with gold/silver) — pure black sky photos are less dramatic.
- What's the underwater tunnel like?
- 18m corridor with thick glass walls 4m below lake surface, connecting Sun and Moon Pagodas. Inside it's quiet and dimly lit; you see fish swimming alongside. Tourist trap atmosphere but cool engineering — visit if you're climbing the pagodas anyway (the ¥35 ticket includes the tunnel). Skip if you're just photographing exteriors.
- Is this on the Two Rivers Four Lakes night cruise route?
- Yes — the cruise passes within 30m of the pagodas, giving water-level illumination shots. If you're doing the night cruise, you don't need a separate Sun/Moon Pagoda visit. If you're skipping the cruise, walk to Shanhu Lake bank for the same view (free).
- Are the pagodas old or modern?
- Modern — built 2001 in classical Tang-dynasty style. They look ancient but aren't. The Sun Pagoda (41m, gold-roofed) is the world's tallest copper-clad pagoda; the Moon Pagoda (35m, silver) is the architectural twin. Both follow traditional Chinese pagoda proportions but use modern construction.
