Shutong Hill is located southeast of the joining of Tianjia River and Li River, 2km from Yangshuo town. The hill takes the shape of a column and looks like an elegant girl when viewed from afar. Looking more closely, it resembles a schoolboy absorbed in reading. Hence the name Shutong Hill (Schoolboy Hill).

To the south of this hill lies Chanticleer Hill, which looks like a rooster heralding the break of day. This hill and Shutong Hill compose a picture meaning "study in the dawn".