Shutong Hill rises up on the right bank of the Li River. It is the smallest peak along the bank of the Li River.

According to legend, long ago, there was an evil dragon in the Li River. It often hovered on the Li River and endangered the local people. One day, a schoolboy received a sealed book from his teacher. The book taught him how to conquer this vicious creature. So when the dragon saw this book, it fell down to the river. For fear that the dragon might play a trick of opossum, the schoolboy, holding the book, stood by the riverside and changed into a hill (Shutong Hill) to protect the local people.

Shutong Hill stands prominently at the junction of the Tianjia River and the Li River. It runs nearly 2 kilometers (about 1.24 miles) away from Yangshuo County. A rock of 10 meters (about 32.8 feet) high stretches out in a slot on the north hillside. The rock takes the shape of a bow-backed schoolboy reading a book attentively - just as the legend suggests. On the south of Shutong Hill stands majestic Chanticleer Hill, like a rooster heralding in the dawn. The Shutong Hill and the Chanticleer Hill compose a picture of 'studying in dawn'. Zhuobi Peak, like an upside-down brush sits on the eastside of Shutong Hill. These peaks are mirrored in the still water of the Li River, like a colorful landscape painting. Looking around, Tianjia Bay, studded with hamlets and bamboos, lies to the west of Shutong Hill. Along these mountains and Li River are old buildings and bridges.

Guilin's scenery is often noted as the most beautiful of the world. Yangshuo's scenery is, arguably, superior to that of Guilin.