Nanning, the garden city

Nanning deservedly enjoys its reputation as a garden city. “Be careful, fruits might hit you,” locals say without exaggeration. The city’s streets are lined with fruit-bearing tropical trees, such as coconut, mango and jackfruit, and residents love to sit in the shade of magnolia trees. Jacaranda trees line its many bicycle paths, pinangs decorate its restaurants, and local residents cultivate a variety of flowers on their balconies. In this humid city, the streets are always covered in greenery, even in the depths of winter.

The capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning was one of the first cities to win the China Habitat Award. Unlike many busy and noisy metropolises, Nanning is comfortable and quiet. Many travelers and local people are so fond of it that they want to spend the rest of their lives here.

Residents in Nanning lead an honest and simple life, paying special attention to traditional ways. For example, they steam five-color rice on Tomb-sweeping Day, or wrap large pyramid-shaped rice dumplings during the Dragon Boat Festival. Women who are able to cook traditional recipes are especially esteemed.

Nanning is also called a “city of motorcycles.” Statistics show that one in every 2.5 people own one, far outpacing other cities. As a result, authorities have set aside special lanes for motorcycles.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is China’s major producing area for tropical and subtropical agricultural cash crops. Bordering with Vietnam, an ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member, the region shares many cultural similarities with its neighbor. Moreover, as the most convenient seaport in southwest China, Guangxi has developed a close relationship with ASEAN.

The China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit are held in Nanning each October, and the sponsors hope the two events can attract more tourists. The best time to visit Nanning is October and November. The Nanning International Folk Song Arts Festival is held annually in November, and is notable for its rich ethnic pageantry.

The Ancient Town of Yangmei
Located about 38 kilometers from Nanning, Yangmei was founded during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), grew during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and reached its heyday during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when it became a major port on the Yongjiang River. Today, the 6.5-square-kilometer town retains a number of well-preserved buildings dating back through the dynasties, such as Kuixing Pavilion and Huang’s Mansion.

Getting there: Depart at Minsheng Dock in Nanning by sightseeing boat, from which you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, and get off at Yangmei Dock. Take a tourist bus at the courtyard of the Navigation Administration (near the railway station). Alternatively take a train heading for Baise, and get off at Yangmei Station. Admission price is RMB 10, opening hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sights in and around Nanning

Qingxiu Mountain
Called the “lung” of the city, Qingxiu Mountain is about 10 kilometers southeast of Nanning, and comprises 18 ridges covering an area of four square kilometers. The Longxiang Pagoda, a symbolic structure atop the mountain, was first built during the Wanli Reign (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty, but was destroyed by war. It was rebuilt in the mid-1980s and become the highest and largest pagoda in Guangxi. A panoramic view of Nanning can be seen from the top of the pagoda. The address is No. 19 Qingshan Road. To get there, take bus No. 10 or 34, or Ring Route 1 or 2, and get off at the Qingxiushan stop. Admission price: RMB 15.

Daming Mountain Nature Reserve
This mountain has an altitude of 1,760 meters, is subject to a southern subtropical climate and has a unique terrain. The temperature at the mountain top is eight to 10 degrees Celsius lower than at the foot. The reserve is an enchanting fairyland, with its tranquil gorges, towering peaks, waterfalls, exuberant flowers, mists, and dense forests, including an ancient olive tree forest. It is an especially good place to admire the sunrise. Located in the northeast of Wuming County, the reserve is 104 kilometers from the city proper of Nanning. Take the tour bus at Minzu Market at 3 p.m., or take a bus that heads for Mashan, Dahua or Du’an at Anji Passenger Transport Center, then get off at Wuming. Admission price: RMB 25. Tel: 0771-6091454, 6091284.

Detian Waterfall
Located in Daxin County, Detian Waterfall is 208 kilometers from Nanning. The fall is over 200 meters wide and has a drop of more than 70 meters. Its waters rush down a three-tiered cliff with tremendous force. It is the largest waterfall in Asia, and the second-largest transnational waterfall in the world, connecting with a waterfall in Vietnam. The fall is awe inspiring, and its thunder is audible before it even comes into view. Other scenic spots nearby are tiankeng (karst pits), the Shatun waterfall and the Mingshi Tourist Attraction.
Getting there: Buses run at 20-minute intervals from Nanning to the county seat of Daxin. The air-conditioned bus costs RMB 35, a normal bus RMB 15. There are tourist buses to the Detian Waterfall in Daxin county for RMB 10, and the ride takes about one and a half hours. Admission: RMB 80.

Friendship Pass in Pingxiang
Among all the ports of trade and exchange between China and Vietnam, Friendship Pass in Pingxiang is the most important. In 1885, the French army launched an attack on China from Vietnam at the South Pacification Pass. After a bloody battle, the French fled, and evidence of the battle can still be seen today. To show friendship and good neighborliness, the name of the pass was changed to South Befriending Pass and then to Friendship Pass. The pass is 18 kilometers southwest of the city proper of Pingxiang.

Getting there: Only 180 kilometers from Nanning to the southwest, it can be conveniently reached either by bus or by train. Take train No. 5517 or 8511 from Nanning to Pingxiang for RMB 30 or 17, respectively, and then change to a motor tricycle for RMB 1 to the city. Take the bus at Nanning Bus Station to Pingxiang, which run every hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fare is RMB 50. Ticket price for Friendship Pass: RMB 10.

Yintan Beach
Situated in the southern part of Beihai, Yintan Beach is famous for its fine white sand, long level beach, calm and clean water, and absence of sharks. Weizhou Island, China’s largest extinct volcano island, is also worth a visit in Beihai.

Getting there: Beihai is 223 kilometers south of Nanning. Luxury buses leave for Beihai at Nanning’s Langdong Passanger and Jiangnan Bus terminals at 30-minute intervals between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. The ride by expressway takes about three hours. Fare: RMB 58. By train, take N719 at 1:30 p.m. each day.

Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County
Two hundred kilometers north of Liuzhou lies Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County. The population of the Dong ethnic group in China is 2.96 million, and they mainly live in southwest China. At the time of the Qin and Han dynasties (221 B.C.- A.D. 220), many tribes lived in what is present-day Guangdong and Guangxi, with their own unique language, architecture, drama and music. The roofed bridges, which the Dongs have dubbed “wind and rain” bridges, are known for their unique architectural style.

Getting there: Liuzhou is the foremost railway hub in Guangxi, and there are many trains from Nanning to Liuzhou. From Liuzhou to Sanjiang, take the non-stop bus for about 4 hours. The fare is RMB 30. Or take train L536 from the Liuzhou Railway Station at 7:30 a.m. The journey takes 4 hours, and a ticket for a hard seat is RMB 14, and a soft seat RMB 25. Then change to a local bus at Sanjiang, fare RMB 2 to 3. Other tourist attractions in Liuzhou are Rongshui Miao Village and Dule Scenic Area.

Guilin
Guilin is one of China’s most famous cities for tourism and features the Lijiang River, Daxu Ancient Town, the Terraced Field of Longsheng, and many karst topographical wonders. Guilin is 463 kilometers northeast of Nanning, about five hours away by luxury bus, and the bus fare is RMB 88. By train the trip takes about 4.5 hours and costs RMB 65.

Yangshuo
About 60 kilometers south of Guilin, Yangshuo is a breathtakingly beautiful city along the Lijiang River. It has a history over 2,000 years, and its streets are well kept in the original style, maintaining the simple and rustic atmosphere of the ancient town. West Street is the liveliest place in town, which locals call the “Global Village.” There are not only many foreign tourists, but also quite a number of foreign residents managing cafés and restaurants. The exotic flavor, combined with the traditional culture, make West Street world famous.

Getting there: Take the bus from Guilin to Yangshuo, fare RMB 5. The fare for the non-stop tourist boat is RMB 180.

Accommodation
The Nanning International Folk Song Arts Festival is held annually in November. (Image: China Today)Guangxi Wharton International Hotel (former Nanning International Hotel): Price for standard room: RMB 538. Address: No.88, East Section of Minzu Avenue. Tel: 0771-2111888

Mingyuan Xindu Hotel: Located in the heart of the commercial district. Price for standard room: RMB 488. Address: 38 Xinmin Road, Nanning. Tel: 0771-2118668

Eating in Nanning
Wanguo Restaurant: One of the time-honored restaurants in Nanning, it provides over 100 local specialties, especially the authentic paper wrapped chicken.
Address: No. 113, Minsheng Road
Tel: 0771-2822303

Shuji Laoyou Rice Noodle Restaurant: Rice noodles in Guilin are the most famous snack, and this restaurant provides authentic tastes.
Address: No. 44 Qixing Road, Qingxiu District
Tel: 0771-5883546, 2852525

Food Street
There are various food courts in Nanning, but many local people regard Zhongshan Road as the food street true to its name. There are many restaurants, and at night the brilliantly illuminated street is full of delicious smells. Famous snacks are Laoyou rice noodles, rice with black-bone chicken, and fried field snails. Cost: RMB 3 to 5 for a delicious meal.

Xinmin Road, Qixing Road and Gucheng Road also have many eateries where food is delicious and cheap, while Jianzheng Road, Sixian Road, Yuanhu Road and Xinzhu Road are good places to have breakfast and late-night meals.