When most people think of Guangxi, China they might be familiar with Yangshuo, a town next to Guilin that is especially famous for its karst mountains and river scenery. But there is actually so much more to see in this region!

At the southernmost part of Guangxi in a city called Chongzuo you’ll find equally stunning karst mountains, along with spectacular waterfalls, bike routes, and lesser visited areas than Yangshuo.

I recently took a solo trip to Chongzuo, Guangxi for 4 days and had a wonderful trip. Below is a full itinerary and guide for my trip, including the Detian Transnational Waterfall and the Mingshi Scenic Area, two big highlights of the area.

1. Where To Stay in Southern Guangxi
2. Day 1: Arrive in Chongzuo and Explore the Mingshi Village
3. Day 2: Detian Transnational Waterfall in Guangxi
4. Day 3: Explore the Mingshi Village Area
5. Day 4: Biking Around Mingshi Village
6. Day 5: Leaving Mingshi Area

Watch my video on YouTube to see more about my trip in Chongzuo, Guangxi!

Where To Stay in Southern Guangxi

There are several options for where to stay if you’re taking a trip to Guangxi, depending on how long your trip is and which attractions you want to be close to.

• Nanning (南宁) is capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and a large city with many transportation options. Some people might choose to stay in Nanning and take day trips from here. (This is farther from all the attractions though, which means more driving time everyday and less time at the attractions).
• Chongzuo (崇左) is a prefecture-level city in the south of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region near the Sino-Vietnamese border. It’s around 1 hour from Nanning, and closer to the Mingshi Scenic Area and Detian Waterfall.
• Mingshi Village (Ming Shi Tian Yuan 明仕田园) is a scenic area about 2 hours 20 minutes from Nanning and 45 minutes away from the Detian Waterfall. In my opinion, this is the best area to stay in, as it’s close to attractions and also very beautiful.
• Shuolong Town (硕龙镇) is right next to the Detian Waterfall and convenient if you want an early start or evening next to the waterfall area.

I stayed in the Mingshi Scenic Area at the Kongshan Xiaozhu Hotel (大新孔山小筑酒店) for 2 days, then stayed at the Mingshi Mountain Hotel for 2 days. On Trip.com and Booking.com you can find many options, depending on the area you want to stay in.

Important note about transportation in the Mingshi and Detian Waterfall area: This is a very rural area of Guangxi. There isn’t any public transportation here, including public buses, trains, or even Didi or taxis. If you don’t have prearranged transportation with a tour group or your own car, it is best to arrange cars with your hotel, which is what I did.

Day 1: Arrive in Chongzuo and Explore the Mingshi Village

Morning: Flight from Beijing to Nanning

There are several ways to travel to Guanxi Region, and the route you pick will really depend on where you’re coming from and where you want to start your trip in Guangxi. I took a 3.5 hour flight from Beijing Capital Airport to the Nanning Wuxi International Airport first.

Afternoon: Arrive in the Mingshi Scenic Area and Explore

I landed around 1:30pm, and then took a cab from Nanning straight to the Mingshi Scenic Area in Chongzuo, which took around 2 hours and 20 minutes. There are other transportation options, such as trains and buses, or renting your own car to travel around the area which is highly recommended.

Taking a cab was the most expensive option as a solo traveler, but the most convenient option for travel time and efficiency. For a full guide about how to travel to this area, check out my Guide To Visiting Mingshi Scenic Area: Daxin, Chongzuo, Guangxi.

• Address: Mingshi Village, Daxin County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi
• Search in Chinese: Ming Shi Tian Yuan 明仕田园

Once I arrived, I checked into my first hotel, the Kongshan Xiaozhu Hotel (大新孔山小筑酒店) in the Mingshi Scenic Area. I stayed here for 2 nights and it was exactly what I was looking for price and location wise. I chose to stay in the Mingshi Scenic Area because it’s has a cluster of hotels and restaurants, and has lots of bike routes nearby. It’s also not far from the Detian Waterfalls.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking around, just enjoying my surroundings and seeing what was nearby. I grabbed food at a local restaurant, before turning into my hotel in the evening to be ready for my big day at the waterfall!

Day 2: Detian Transnational Waterfall in Guangxi

The biggest draw to visiting southern Guangxi is taking a trip to the Detian Waterfall. It sits right on the border of China and Vietnam and is the largest waterfall spanning two countries in Asia. I recommend a whole day for visiting the waterfall, to make sure you have enough time for walking around the entire area.

Whether you arrive by car, bus, or taxi, you’ll need to buy a ticket at the Detian Waterfall Tourist Center. The center is actually 10km away from the waterfall, and you need to take an official tourist bus up to enter the scenic area.

• Opening Time: 8:00-17:30; 19:50-22:00
  Best Time to Visit: May to November
  Tickets: CNY 115/pp for the entrance fee plus the sightseeing bus; CNY 30/pp for the bamboo rafting; CNY 198/pp for the night entrance ticket

Morning/Afternoon:

I spent several hours walking along the paths around the waterfall, where you’ll find lots of scenic spots that overlook Detian. There are several things to do at Detian, including:

• Taking photos at the scenic spots
• Take a boat ride on the river next to the waterfall
• Ride the “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt
• Walk on the Glass Bridge overlooking the Waterfall
• Take a break at the Vietnamese coffee shops and snack stalls

You will be doing a lot of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen! For more details about visiting the Detian Waterfall, see my Guide To Visiting Detian Waterfall.

Day 3: Explore the Mingshi Village Area

Once you’ve checked off the Detian Waterfall, your time in Mingshi can be more leisurely, depending on your time and schedule! The best thing about this area is its very customizable based on what you want to do.

Many people will choose to use this time to walk more about the Mingshi Area, drive around to see other waterfalls, go biking, or even spend the time at their hotel. There are some fabulous hotels here, like Lost in Nature, the Chongzuo LUX resort, and the Mingshi Mountain Villa that have pools you can lounge by, enjoying a scenic backdrop and a chill day after a busy day at the waterfall.

On this day I moved hotels to the Mingshi Mountain Villa (明仕山庄) to stay for 2 nights. It was more costly than my first hotel, but the amenities were very nice here, as well as the service. (And like I mentioned, it has a pool! You do need to pay extra to get a pool pass though). The breakfast is nice, and what you’d usually find for a Chinese international hotel. There was coffee & milk as well!

Full disclosure: I had plans to go biking on this day and exploring the area more, but I got sick the previous evening, and spent this day resting. I think I got sick from a combination of the food I ate at dinner (it didn’t sit well at all! But it was normal Chinese dishes I’ve eaten loads of times), plus dehydration and being outside all day. I’ve lived in China for 7 years and have traveled solo in China loads, but it’s always a good reminder to slow down and rest when your body needs a break!

Day 4: Biking Around Mingshi Village

Morning/Afternoon: Biking Around Mingshi

Feeling back at 100% again, I was ready for a big biking day around the scenic area! The whole area has been paved with bike routes that wind through the mountains and along the river side. There are many different routes that are conveniently labeled with signs. I rented a bike from my hotel and spent several hours biking around and stopping for photos or rests whenever I felt like it!

Evening:

After several hours of biking, I returned my bike in the mid-afternoon to have a rest and grab some food. You could use this time to go to a restaurant or the local Vietnamese coffee shop, have a nap, or go to the pool.

In the evening after resting, I went inside the “official” Mingshi Scenic Area, which is right next to the Mingshi Mountain Villa and has a scenic lake and picturesque photo spots built in. With my hotel card I could get in for free, but outside visitors will pay 80RMB. There are performances in the night also.

Day 5: Leaving Mingshi Area

I didn’t include Day 5 in my itinerary officially as I literally woke up, had breakfast, then took a car back to the Nanning Airport to fly back to Beijing. The previous day I asked my hotel to help me arrange a car (as I mentioned, Didi and other taxi services don’t work well here). Depending on when you leave the area, you might have time to do more on this Day than I did.

Overall, I had a fantastic trip to the Chongzuo area of Guangxi! It blew me away with it’s beautiful scenery and tranquil environment. It was the best kind of mountain and nature escape from city-life (and Beijing cold) that I was looking for. I highly recommend a trip here!

Here’s a complete guide for visiting the Mingshi Scenic Area, based on my 4 day solo trip to the Mingshi Scenic Area in January 2023. I’ve included advice on how to get to Mingshi Village, the best things to do and see, and frequently asked questions I received about traveling here.

1. When To Visit the Mingshi Village Scenic Area
2. How To Get To The Mingshi Scenic Area
3. Top Things to Do in the Mingshi Scenic Area
   1. 1. Biking Around Mingshi
   2. 2. Visit the Official Mingshi Scenic Area
   3. 3. Detian Transnational Waterfall
4. Where To Stay / Hotels Around the Mingshi Scenic Area
   1. 1. Kongshan Xiaozhu Hotel (大新孔山小筑酒店)
   2. 2. Mingshi Mountain Villa (明仕山庄)
   3. Other hotel recommendations: Lost in Nature
5. Frequently Asked Questions For Visiting the Mingshi Scenic Area

When To Visit the Mingshi Village Scenic Area

The best time to visit is March to May and then September to November to avoid the high summer season, but still visit during rainy season when the land is a lush green. However, I visited in the last week of January 2023 and had a fantastic trip. The weather is mild during the winter, and I was able to enjoy some warm sunny days in the 60-70s.

P.S. All my photos were taken with my trusty tripod

How To Get To The Mingshi Scenic Area

Most people will transit through Nanning (南宁), which is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is a large, modern city with many transportation options including an airport, trains, buses, and taxis. The Mingshi Scenic Area is about 200 km away from Nanning (around a 2.5 hour drive).

• Address: Mingshi Village, Daxin County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi
• Search in Chinese: Ming Shi Tian Yuan 明仕田园

My Route: I flew in to the Nanning Wuxu International Airport, and just ordered a Didi (a taxi) to take me to the Mingshi Scenic Spot directly. This was costly (700 RMB for a 2.5 hour drive), but it was the most convenient and efficient route in my opinion, since I wasn’t with a tour group or renting a car.

I considered taking a train from Nanning to Chongzuo first, then a taxi from there to cut down costs. However, I would have spent way more time doing this. The airport is already west of the Nanning city, so I would have to take a taxi from the airport back towards Nanning city to the train station (40 minutes + 120 RMB), then take the train to Chongzuo (50 minutes + 80 RMB), then take a taxi to Mingshi (1 hour 15 minutes + 215 RMB).

In the end it wouldn’t have saved much money for me and would have added more logistics with train times! But choose the best option for you based on how much time you have and your budget.

Top Things to Do in the Mingshi Scenic Area

Mingshi Area is a paradise for nature-lovers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts! I feel it’s less commercial and built up than Yangshuo, but still offers amazing scenic options whether you’re looking to go biking, take photos, go on a boat ride, or just stroll and enjoy the scenery. The whole area, including restaurants, shops, and biking paths is considered the “Mingshi Village” that you can visit for free.

1. Biking Around Mingshi

The whole area has been paved with bike routes that wind through the mountains and along the river side! There are many different routes that are conveniently labeled with signs. This is the number one thing to do here in my opinion!

Renting a bike: Most hotels will have an option to rent a bike to you. I stayed at the Mingshi Mountain Resort, and rented a bike from them (it was free to rent and included in my stay).

I went on a nice 14 km ride around the area – I was out for around 2-3 hours actually with the time I took to stop, take photos, or walk around a little!

2. Visit the Official Mingshi Scenic Area

There is an Official Scenic Area that you can pay to enter. As part of my stay at the Mingshi Mountain Resort, I could enter this area for free. It has some lovely scenic spots to take photos at, and they offer nightly shows.

• Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 80

It was really pretty and I loved taking photos here! However, if it wasn’t included in my hotel stay, I’m not sure I would have paid to directly come here. There are so many beautiful scenic spots along the biking paths.

3. Detian Transnational Waterfall

The Detian Transnational Waterfall is the largest waterfall spanning two countries in Asia, and is right on the border of China and Vietnam. Located just 40 minutes drive from the Mingshi Scenic Area, it’s a popular site to visit when staying in this area (in fact, it’s probably the biggest reason people come to Mingshi).

Read my full Guide To Visiting Detian Waterfall in Guangxi for more details.

Where To Stay / Hotels Around the Mingshi Scenic Area

There are many hotel options you can find in the Mingshi Scenic Area. I stayed in two different hotels, just to have some variety. It depends on your budget and how much you want to spend. I always use Trip.com and their app to book my hotels in China, as it accepts WeChat and Alipay (and other payment forms as well) and their customer service is really great for helping me book as a foreigner.

The two hotels I stayed in were just a 10 minute walk from each other, and both good choices depending on your budget. The Kongshan Xiaozhu Hotel is smaller and a cheaper price, but had gorgeous panoramic windows in some of their rooms. The Mingshi Mountain Hotel was a little more expensive, but included more in amenities and options and is better on a whole for a more convenient and inclusive experience (also better if you have kids.)

1. Kongshan Xiaozhu Hotel (大新孔山小筑酒店)

I stayed here for 2 nights and it was exactly what I was looking for price and location wise. Usually when I travel if I know I’ll be out of the room most of the time, I don’t worry about shooting for the priciest hotel. But what pushed me to book this hotel over others at a similar price point was that some of the rooms had a panoramic window view of the mountains outside, and a nice hotel roof terrace! Clean bathroom and western toilet.

It was a great location for the Mingshi Scenic Area, and about 45 min drive from the Detian Waterfall area. The hotel helped me arrange a driver to take me to Detian and were very friendly. There are several local restaurants around to eat at, plus a Vietnamese coffee shop just 5 minutes walk away. Only downside is the walls are pretty thin and you can hear other people. But overall, it was clean, a good price, and convenient for my travels in Mingshi.

Perfect for: Solo travelers or couple, budget friendly travel

2. Mingshi Mountain Villa (明仕山庄)

I stayed 2 nights at the Mingshi Mountain Village. The amenities were very nice, as well as the service. I rented a bike from the hotel one day (free with your stay) and had a great time exploring the surrounding bike paths. The hotel staff were also great in helping me arrange a car to take me to the Nanning Airport when I was leaving. I also liked that I could go inside the Scenic Area for free with my room card – it was great for evening walks and for the shows held there at night. I didn’t try the pool, but you need to pay extra for it anyways. The breakfast is nice, and what you’d usually find for a Chinese international hotel. There was coffee and milk which was surprising to me. Overall, it was a good stay and I would stay here again.

Perfect for: Families, a more inclusive experience and amenities

Other hotel recommendations: Lost in Nature

Frequently Asked Questions For Visiting the Mingshi Scenic Area

A: Are there places to eat in the area?

Yes, along the main road in the Mingshi Scenic Are there is a cluster of shops, restaurants, and even a Vietnamese coffee shop which was a great surprise! You’ll have plenty of options for food. This is all local Chinese food, of course.

Q: Is it easy to public transportation within the area?

A: In a short answer, no. The Mingshi Scenic Area and Detian waterfall are in a rural part of Guangxi, and there aren’t many public transportation options around. In fact, it’s really difficult to get taxis or call a Didi here (I tried calling a Didi several times or scheduling a time for later in the day and no one picked up).

If you’re not already part of a tour with a driver or bus, the best option is to have your hotel help you arrange a car to drive you for the day, as most hotels will have contacts with local drivers. I arranged for one driver to take me round trip to the waterfalls, and another driver took me from the Mingshi Scenic area to the Nanning Airport.

Q: Is it easy to travel here alone? I want to go but not with a tour group!

Yes it is possible to travel alone here like I did! Just be prepared to pay for the expense of private transportation. I would not say it’s the easiest, cheapest, or most convenient solo trip I’ve done in China, but it was very worth it to me.

I took a solo trip here in January 2023 and was completely stunned by the karst landscape views, and of course the waterfalls. It’s especially cool if you’ve already visited Yangshuo and are looking for more karst landscapes to see in southern China, with a taste of Vietnam mixed in as well.

Here’s a complete guide for visiting the Detian Transnational Waterfall, including how to get there, the best things to do and see, and frequently asked questions I received about traveling here.

1. About The Detian Transnational Waterfall
2. When To Visit the Detian Waterfall
3. How To Get To The Detian Transnational Waterfall
   1. From Nanning
   2. From Mingshi Scenic Area
   3. By Renting A Car
4. Arriving At The Detian Waterfall
   1. Ticket Costs and Tourist Center
   2. Things to Do at the Detian Waterfall
      1. 1. Walk around the Detian Falls
      2. 2. Take a boat ride close to the falls
      3. 3. Ride the “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt up to the Glass Walk
      4. 4. Enjoy Vietnamese coffee or snacks
      5. My Itinerary for the Detian Waterfall
5. Frequently Asked Questions For Visiting the Detian Waterfall
6. Where To Stay / Hotels Around the Detian Waterfalls
   1. Food & Restaurants at the Detian Waterfalls

About The Detian Transnational Waterfall

The Detian Waterfall is over 200 meters wide and has a drop of more than 70 meters. This waterfall system is comprised of two parts. On the Chinese side of the Guichun River is the Detian Waterfall, meaning Virtuous Heaven Waterfall (德天瀑布 Détiān Pùbù). Then on the Vietnamese side is the Ban Gioc Waterfall (Banyue Waterfall in Chinese).

When To Visit the Detian Waterfall

Most people recommend that the best time to visit the Detian Waterfall is from May to November during the rainy season when there is a higher water level and the area is much greener. From December to May, it is the dry season and the falls may not be flowing as much.

However, I visited at the end of January, and still had beautiful weather and a great trip! In January the weather was still 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit in the mornings and evenings, and 70+ degrees Fahrenheit during the day. I even got sunburned at the Waterfall! Because this area is so far south in China, you’re never going to have to worry about it being too cold. Just be cautious of rain or hazy days.

Combine your trip to Detian with other sights in Chongzuo! Check out my 4 Day Itinerary in Chongzuo, Guangxi: Detian Waterfalls & Mingshi Scenic Area

How To Get To The Detian Transnational Waterfall

The Detian Waterfall is located in Detian Village, Daxin County of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区崇左市大新县硕龙镇德天村). It’s about 3 hours (230 kilometers) away from Nanning, and 45 minutes away from the Mingshi Scenic Area.

There are a few ways to travel to Detian Transnational Waterfall depending on where you are traveling from. One thing to note, is that southern Guangxi near Daxin and Detian Waterfall is very rural area, so it’s best to carefully plan your route here! It’s not as easy to just visit on the fly by taking a train.

Locations to Know:

• Nanning 南宁市
• Mingshi Rural Scenic Spot 明仕田园风景区
• Detian Waterfall scenic area 德天跨国瀑布景区

From Nanning

There are multiple bus routes coming from Guangxi’s city of Nanning to Detian Waterfall, which takes around 2.5 – 3 hours. You could then choose to stay overnight, or take a bus back the same day (this just means you’ll have a really long travel day!)

For more details for this route, I suggest looking at Top China Travel’s How to Plan a Trip to Detian Waterfall from Nanning as well as Lonely Planet’s Detian Waterfall.

From Mingshi Scenic Area

I personally decided to stay in the Mingshi Village area, as the landscape there is incredible, and it’s also not far from the Detian Waterfall. By car, it’s around 45 minutes drive from Mingshi to get there.

My hotel helped me call a car, which cost me 300 RMB for a 6 hour round trip to Detian Waterfalls. The driver waited for me, then picked me up when I finished.

By Renting A Car

One of the best ideas for traveling around southern Guangxi is to rent your own car if you are able to. I’ve had several expat friends rent cars to drive around the area, and having your own transportation to go wherever you want is an awesome idea! Of course, this depends on if you have transferred your native driver’s license to a Chinese one. 

Arriving At The Detian Waterfall

Ticket Costs and Tourist Center

Whether you arrive by car, bus, or taxi, you’ll need to buy a ticket at the Detian Waterfall Tourist Center. The center is actually 10km away from the waterfall, and you need to take an official tourist bus up to enter the scenic area. No other cars or taxis are allowed past that point. Everything is written in Chinese, Vietnamese and English, which is really cool.

• Ticket Cost: CNY 115/pp for the entrance fee plus the sightseeing bus</strong></li>
• Opening Time: 8:00-17:30; 19:50-22:00

Things to Do at the Detian Waterfall

1. Walk around the Detian Falls

The main attraction, of course! There are many pathways that lead around the waterfall for different viewpoints. It’s absolutely stunning!

2. Take a boat ride close to the falls

This costs an additional CNY 30/pp for the bamboo rafting, but is a fun way to get up close to the waterfall.

3. Ride the “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt up to the Glass Walk

If you’re not afraid of heights, this is a great way to get an overview of the whole waterfall area! The Magic Carpet conveyor belt costs 68 RMB per person.

After walking on the glass bridge, you can either choose to slide down, and they give you some shoe coverings and pants to wear. I opted to walk down the stairs, because there was no line and much less crowded! Also, the VIEWS!

4. Enjoy Vietnamese coffee or snacks

There are various shops, stalls, and snack streets around the scenic area where you can enjoy food. There is Vietnamese coffee everywhere in this area and lots of free samples they will offer you!

My Itinerary for the Detian Waterfall

• 9:35 – I left the Mingshi Scenic Area
• 10:15 – Arrived at the Detian Tourist Center and bought a ticket
• 10:40 Boarded sightseeing bus for a ride to the scenic area
• 10:55 Arrived at the Scenic Area
• 1:50 Hiking down from the Glass Bridge
• 3:20 Took the bus back to Tourist Center

After hiking down I was led towards the exit. I found it hard to go back to the beginning spots. So, make sure you do everything you want to in the beginning as it doesn’t easily connect all around!

Frequently Asked Questions For Visiting the Detian Waterfall

Q: Should I bring my passport?

A: Yes bring your passport! On the way to the Detian Waterfall, we were stopped by a Security Border Control, because it is so close to the Vietnam and China border.  I also needed to show my passport for buying a waterfall ticket, as your ID is linked and printed on your ticket.

Q: Is it easy to public transportation within the area?

A: In a short answer, no. The waterfall is in a more rural part of China, and there aren’t many public transportation options around. In fact, it’s really difficult to get taxis or call a Didi here (I tried calling a Didi several times or scheduling a time for later in the day and no one picked up).

If you’re not already part of a tour with a driver or bus, the best option is to have your hotel help you arrange a car to drive you for the day, as most hotels will have contacts with local drivers. I arranged for one driver to take me round trip to the waterfalls, and another driver took me from the Mingshi Scenic area to the Nanning Airport.

Q: Is it easy to travel here alone? I want to go but not with a tour group!

Yes it is possible to travel alone here like I did! Just be prepared to pay for the expense of private transportation. I would not say it’s the easiest, cheapest, or most convenient solo trip I’ve done in China, but it was very worth it to me.

Q: Is the waterfall kid friendly?

A: I would say yes! There were lots of families at the Detian Scenic Area, with all age ranges of kids. There are some stairs along the walking paths and going up to the Glass Walkway (but because of the “Magic Carpet” conveyor belt it’s not a ton.) Ultimately it depends on your kids and what you feel they (and you) can handle.

Q: Can you swim in the waterfall pool?

A: Many people asked me if you can swim at the Detian Falls: Definitely no. There is fencing around the falls when you get close, and security is really strict about how people get on boats (you are on a country border after all!).

Q: Is it a strenuous or difficult day?

A: I would not say it’s a very strenuous day, however you will do a lot of walking! I did 10k steps around the waterfall area, so make sure you wear good shoes! There are also many places with stairs to go to certain viewpoints as well. Take it easy and go at your own pace for things.

Where To Stay / Hotels Around the Detian Waterfalls

• Shuolong Town (硕龙镇) is right next to the Waterfall, if you want to be really close
• Mingshi Village is 45 minutes away from the Waterfall and has a beautiful scenic area
• Nanning is 2.5-3 hours away and is a much bigger city for easier transport to other places in China

I stayed in the Mingshi scenic area at the Kongshan Xiaozhu Hotel (大新孔山小筑酒店) for 2 days, then stayed at the Mingshi Mountain Hotel for 2 days. Some people choose to stay close to the Waterfall area, and there are lots of hotels and shops around so it’s also a good choice.

On Trip.com and Booking.com you can find many options, depending on the area you want to stay in.

Food & Restaurants at the Detian Waterfalls

There are many restaurants, Vietnamese coffee shops, and snack options around the tourist center, the hotel areas, and the Detian Waterfall area itself. At the end there’s an area with more restaurants and snacks, and lots of places selling coffee. If you have picky eaters or are worried about finding good options, you could also bring your own food and snacks in.

Four days is not nearly enough time in Guilin, but we still were able to get a great taste of what the city has to offer! Here are 5 of my favorite things we did:

1. Rent a Bicycle

You can find lots of bike rental shops up and down the main street in Yangshuo, and for just 10 RMB you can rent one for several hours. Our hostel recommended a route near the river that we should ride on. He told us the loop would take about 2 hours in total. It actually took us closer to 2 and a half, but that could be because we stopped to buy bamboo hats and take lots of pictures. It was SO beautiful and relaxing!

2. Ride a Bamboo Raft on the Li River

On the back of the 20 RMB note you’ll find a beautiful picture of mountains and a river – that famous site is near a little place called Xing Ping on the Li River. One of our main goals for the trip was to see this site.

There are lots of options for taking a boat out on the Li River – you can take a boat from Guilin to Yangshuo, or do a smaller part of the river from Xing Ping to Yangshuo. We booked tickets with our hostel – for 20 RMB each we could buy a bus ticket from Yangshuo to Xing Ping and back again, and the boat ride cost us 90 RMB. The bus took 40 minutes, and once we got there they sorted us into little bamboo rafts with 3-4 people on each boat.

The boat ride lasted around 50 minutes, and even though it was drizzling during our ride, the mountain and river views were amazing.

3. Hike a Mountain

There are lots of mountains surrounding Yangshuo (in case you missed it from the pictures). There are trails leading up many of these mountains, and I read about one particular hike that had a fantastic view overlooking the city and wouldn’t take too long to do. On Saturday afternoon, Brittany, Drew, and I set out for the TV Tower mountain.

If I hadn’t read about this hike and asked someone about it, I’d have never found the entrance to the mountain trail. The start of the trail is down a random street and hidden behind several alleyways. Eventually it leads you to stairs – lots and lots of stairs leading up and around the mountain. I’ve never sweat so much in my life and it felt like we were in a tropical jungle, but after 40 minutes we reached the top.A little old Chinese lady lives at the top of the mountain and charges you 10 RMB to go past her gate and see the views (worth it!) and she gives you a bottle of water for it.

4. Try the Beer Fish and Rice Noodles

Each province in China has it’s own unique style of cooking. The Guangxi province is a mixture of the surrounding areas, taking some lightness and sweetness from the neighboring Guangdong province and a little of the spiciness from the nearby Sichuan and Hunan provinces. My student told me the Rice noodles in Guilin are very famous, so we ate them for lunch one day before catching a bus to Yangshuo. Rice noodles aren’t normally my favorite thing to eat, but this place let you add your own spices to it and we all really liked it!

Another specialty, and by far the most popular dish in Yangshuo, is the beer fish. I heard about this before we went and saw pictures of it and wasn’t quite impressed – I’m not normally a big fish eating person either. BUT. It was the best fish I’ve ever had in China. No joke.

Lastly, the Dragon Boat Festival is famous for its special food Zongzi, which is rice and other fillings like meat and beans put together in a special wrapper. Our hostel had a Zongzi making event that my student Emily tried, and we got to eat some of the Zongzi they made. It’s not my favorite Chinese food, but it’s great to experience all of the Chinese holiday traditions.

5. Visit West Street

Many Chinese cities have famous pedestrian streets and night markets. Beijing has Wangfujing Street, Hangzhou has Hefang Street, Shanghai has Nanjing Street, and Yangshuo has West Street. After visiting the pedestrian streets in those cities this past Spring Festival, we’ve learned that most of the streets offer similar things – souvenir shops, funky street food, bars and clubs, and lots and lots of people. Still, I love visiting these streets, watching people and seeing what’s different about it from other places in China.

So our exact itinerary, if you’re curious, went like this: (If you don’t care you can skip this, you won’t hurt my feelings)

Thursday, June 9

• 1:15pm: Train from Hengyang to Guilin North Train Station
• 4:45pm: Arrive in Guilin, take bus 100 for 25 minutes to the Ming Palace Hostel

Friday, June 10

• Take bus 99 from our hostel to the Guilin bus station and buy a ticket to Yangshuo for 25RMB
• 12:10pm: Bus travel 1 hour and 45 minutes to Yangshuo
• 3pm: Check into the Lazy People’s Hostel in Yangshuo
• 4pm: Rent bicycles
• 7:30pm: Beer fish for dinner
• 9pm: West Street

Saturday June 11

• 8am: Bus leaves for Xing Ping bamboo rafting
• 8:50am: Arrive in Xing Ping and go rafting
• 11am: Bus goes back to Yangshuo
• 12pm: Lunch
• 2-2:45pm: Hike up TV Mountain
• 4:15pm: Check out of hostel
• 5:50pm: Bus back to Guilin and check back in to Ming Palace Hostel

Sunday June 12

• 8am: Breakfast and chill in the hostel
• 12:15pm: Bus 100 back to the Guilin North Train Station
• 2:00pm: Train leaves for Hengyang
• 5:00pm: Arrive in Hengyang

My Chinese student Emily asked to join us on our trip to Guilin. I really could write a whole blog post about what traveling with a Chinese person was like, but maybe I’ll save that for another time. Some big cities in China are pretty easy to navigate without a Chinese translator, but it makes life so much easier when you have someone right there with you to ask other Chinese people questions or order food at new restaurants. It was also really funny to see how excited she got at experiencing her own country; I’m pretty she was more excited than we were, and that’s saying something.

I really want to travel back to Guilin and see more! Some other cool things you can see there: Longsheng Rice Terrace, the Sun and Moon Pagodas, and some cool caves. Maybe next time I’ll have a chance to see more!

Until the next adventure,

Rachel