Chongzuo in April is truly a paradise on Earth.
In April, Chongzuo is nature's precious gift 🌍. With warm sunshine pouring down, gentle breezes blowing, and picturesque landscapes, every scenic spot exudes its unique charm, attracting countless tourists. As a travel enthusiast, I've carefully prepared this Chongzuo travel guide to help you explore the captivating beauty of this city.
1. How to Get There
- By Air: First arrive at Nanning Wuxu Airport, which is 100km from Chongzuo, about 1 hour by car. High-speed trains and buses run directly from the airport to Chongzuo, making transportation convenient.
- By Train: Chongzuo Station has high-speed trains from Nanning, taking only 1 hour; Fusui Station is 30km from downtown.
- By Long-distance Bus: Frequent buses run from Nanning Langdong Bus Station to Chongzuo, taking about 2 hours.
- By Car: Driving from Nanning to Chongzuo takes about 2 hours with beautiful scenery along the way; it takes about 3 hours to reach Detian Waterfall, enjoying Guangxi's unique landscape throughout the journey.
2. Must-visit Attractions
1. Detian Transnational Waterfall: Asia's largest transnational waterfall, spanning China and Vietnam, features magnificent cascades with thunderous roars. Taking a bamboo raft is recommended for a close-up experience of the waterfall's grandeur while enjoying views of Vietnam across the water. Best visiting time is 11:30 - 14:30 when upstream water is released, making the waterfall most spectacular.
2. Mingshi Countryside: Known as "Little Guilin," it features mountains, waters, and rice paddies. You can take a bamboo raft downstream to admire the karst landscape on both banks, or rent a bicycle to ride freely through the countryside, enjoying the breeze and sunshine. Early morning or dusk offers soft lighting perfect for photography.
3. Huashan Rock Art: A World Cultural Heritage site located 25km northwest of the city on the east bank of Ming River. The rock paintings are over 2,000 years old, richly depicting ancient Zhuang people's life scenes with great historical and cultural value. It's recommended to hire a guide for better understanding of the stories behind the paintings.
4. Tongnayuwan: Rich in natural and cultural resources with pristine landscapes, it served as a filming location for "The Journey of Flower." Boat tours are the best way to explore, offering views of karst peaks and single-bamboo rafting performances, creating a fairyland-like experience.
5. Taiping Ancient Town: At night, the ancient town glows with lights like a dreamland. Walking through its streets, you can feel the vintage atmosphere, visit numerous coffee shops and specialty stores, and taste various local foods. Every photo taken here is filled with classical charm.
6. Gulong Mountain Canyon: With lush forests and diverse canyon landscapes, it's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Features include deep caves, spectacular waterfalls, and exciting underground river rafting. You can hike along canyon walkways to admire nature's masterwork or experience the thrill of rafting.
7. Jingxi Goose Spring Scenic Area: Comparable to Dali's Butterfly Spring, it's the source of Detian Waterfall. The spring water is crystal clear, surrounded by mountains and pastoral scenery. In early morning, mist covers the spring, creating a tranquil paradise for boating.
8. White-headed Langur Nature Reserve: With only about 1,500 remaining worldwide, these primates are as rare as giant pandas. Follow rangers through karst forests to spot these agile creatures and learn about their habits - a unique nature education experience. Best observation time is 8:00 - 9:00. Remember to stay quiet and avoid feeding or chasing the monkeys.
3. What to Eat
1. Longzhou Chicken Rice Noodles: Chongzuo's special breakfast featuring savory chicken soup with smooth rice noodles and tender chicken meat, creating an unforgettable flavor.
2. Sour Fish Soup: Made with fresh fish in special sour broth, featuring tender fish and appetizing sour-spicy soup that pairs perfectly with rice.
3. Bahe Fish Balls: A local specialty from Tiandeng County, these tender and bouncy fish balls are delicious whether in soup, fried, or steamed, offering rich nutrition and flavor.
4. Fragrant Leaf Beef: Beef wrapped in aromatic leaves and fried, incorporating unique leaf fragrance into the meat, crispy outside and tender inside, surprisingly delicious despite its simple appearance.
5. Passion Fruit Spare Ribs: Perfectly combines passion fruit's sweet-sour taste with rich pork ribs, creating an appetizing dish popular among tourists.
6. Bamboo Tube Rice: Rice infused with bamboo fragrance, soft and glutinous, a common ethnic minority specialty in Guangxi.
7. Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Being close to Vietnam, Chongzuo offers authentic Vietnamese spring rolls with thin wrappers, generous filling, and special dipping sauce.
8. Zhuang Winnowing Basket Feast: Various local specialties served in a large winnowing basket, including glutinous rice, preserved meat, wild vegetables, and roasted piglet, offering multiple local flavors and strong Zhuang cultural atmosphere.
4. What to Wear
The average temperature in Chongzuo in April is around 20℃, with sunny and warm days but significant temperature differences between morning and evening. Recommended clothing includes:
- Light Long-sleeve Shirts: Suitable for daytime wear, providing sun protection and warmth during cooler hours.
- Sun Protection Clothing: Essential for strong sunlight, effectively blocking UV rays.
- Sneakers: Comfortable walking shoes are necessary for sightseeing.
- Light Jacket: For warmth during cool mornings and evenings.
- Dresses: Fashion-conscious women can bring ethnic-style long dresses for photos, but consider warmth and mobility.
5. Where to Stay
1. Mingshi Countryside Guesthouses: Located within the scenic area, offering quiet and beautiful surroundings with pastoral views from windows, perfect for nature lovers.
2. Hotels near Detian Waterfall: Convenient for viewing waterfall sunrises, sunsets, and night scenes. Some hotels offer direct waterfall views. Hotels in Shalong Street offer good value.
3. Downtown Chongzuo Hotels: Convenient for transportation, shopping, and dining, with complete facilities at reasonable prices. Examples include Chongzuo Kaixuan International Hotel and Zuojiang Boyin Hotel.
4. Exotic-style Accommodations: Near the Vietnam border, offering unique multicultural atmosphere and different lodging experiences.
5. Special Resort Hotels: Such as Wild Stay·Jijian, located by Black River, featuring mushroom-shaped villas with private outdoor pools and rooftop swimming pools for a comfortable, natural vacation experience.
6. Important Notes
- Ticket Booking: Book popular attraction tickets in advance to avoid crowds and price increases during holidays and peak seasons.
- Mosquito Prevention: Chongzuo's humid climate attracts mosquitoes, carry insect repellent.
- Border Area: As a border city, carry ID cards when visiting places like Friendship Pass for possible border checks. Research procedures and requirements for cross-border tours in advance.
- Sun Protection: Strong sunlight requires good protection - bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
- Transportation: Attractions are far apart with limited public transport. Self-driving, hiring cars, or joining local tours is recommended for better itinerary planning.
- Environmental Protection: Preserve natural beauty by properly disposing of waste.
- Safety: Follow staff instructions during activities like rafting and hiking.
💕Travel is a spiritual journey, and April in Chongzuo is full of surprises and beauty. Hope this guide helps you start an unforgettable journey and create wonderful memories in this beautiful city. 🎈Experience the magnificence of Detian Transnational Waterfall, enjoy the poetic Mingshi Countryside, taste unique local cuisine - you'll surely fall in love with Chongzuo! 🎉