A weekend getaway from Nanning to Libo, Guizhou!

A weekend getaway from Nanning to Libo, Guizhou! A family of four's travel guide from Nanning to Libo Ancient Town and Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in Guizhou For those living in Nanning who want a convenient weekend getaway with kids to a nearby province with great attractions, I highly recommend Libo Ancient Town! Our family just returned from Libo Ancient Town this weekend, and we were absolutely amazed! 🥰🥰 As a foodie and night view lover, Libo Ancient Town was pure bliss! The natural scenery of Xiaoqikong is also captivating. Here's our itinerary, so take notes! 👇 🤪There are about ten bullet trains from Nanning to Libo every day. On Friday afternoon, we let our child leave school an hour early and booked the last train at 16:43 to Libo. It only took an hour and a half to arrive at Libo Station. From Libo Station, we took a bus (CNY 15 per person) for about 20 minutes to reach Libo Ancient Town. 📸 Must-see attractions 1. Ancient Town Architecture: Black tiles, white walls, and carved doors and windows, complemented by small bridges and flowing water. It's recommended to take photos in the early morning or evening to avoid crowds. 2. Ethnic Tribe Experiences: Shui Tribe: Horsetail Embroidery Workshop; Buyi Tribe: Tie-dye and batik experience (same as those in Yaogu Village). 3. Night Activities: Lion dance performances and bonfire parties at the archway. You can experience the "High Mountain Flowing Water" toast ceremony at the Yao King's Feast. 4. Nearby Attractions: Former Residence of Martyr Deng Enming: A 20-minute walk, free admission, learn about red history. Zhangjiang River Scenery: Stroll or cycle along the river and enjoy the sunset. 🍴 Food Recommendations 1. Must-try Dishes: Zhangjiang Grilled Fish: Spicy and flavorful, served with local rice noodles (recommended at Yao King's Feast Restaurant). Yaoshan Chicken: Roasted or hot pot, tender meat, best paired with sour soup. Buyi Bopiji Dishes: A platter of various snacks, perfect for sampling. Sour Soup Beef: Delicious at any restaurant! Beef rice noodles are also great. 2. Night Market Snacks: The ancient town's night market offers fried fish, water fern, rice cakes, and more. You can eat your fill for around CNY 20 per person. 🎁 Souvenirs Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicrafts: Buyi tie-dye, Shui horsetail embroidery, and Yao bamboo weaving. Specialty Foods: Libo Feng pig (cured meat), sour meat, and green plum wine. Libo Ancient Town blends nature and culture, perfect for a slow-paced experience. Spend the day exploring, eating, and taking photos, and enjoy the lively atmosphere at night. It's a must-see stop on your Libo trip! The next morning, we took a bus from our hotel directly to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area. Because Xiaoqikong is so vast, we decided to spend two days there. The tickets we purchased allowed us to enter and exit freely within two days. We stayed at a B&B near the west gate. Since it wasn't a holiday, we found a very nice B&B for around CNY 150 to 200. Morning: Enter the scenic area from the west gate, take the sightseeing bus directly to Wolongtan Pond, admire the emerald water and magnificent waterfall, and stroll along the lakeside path, immersing yourself in the beauty of the landscape. Noon: Have a simple meal at the rest area or snack stalls near Wolongtan Pond to recharge. Afternoon: Take the sightseeing bus to Mandarin Duck Lake, where you can choose to go boating through the water forest. Afterward, head to Cuigu Waterfall to take photos and play in the cool water under the waterfall. (Note: Boat tickets are not included in the entrance fee and must be purchased separately.) Evening: After leaving the scenic area, dine at a restaurant near the west gate and savor local delicacies such as Libo sour meat and grilled fish with tofu. Day 2 Itinerary Morning: We re-entered the scenic area and took the sightseeing bus to the Water Forest. We walked along the stone path in the water, experiencing the magical sensation of "walking on water, water flowing by your feet." Noon: We had lunch at a restaurant inside the scenic area. You can also bring your own food. We brought our own, haha. Afternoon: We walked down from the Water Forest, admiring Laya Waterfall and the Sixty-Eight Level Waterfalls along the way. Finally, we reached the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, a centuries-old bridge, and took photos there. Our simple three-day, two-night trip has come to an end.