Stop choosing randomly! Chongzuo is an underrated travel destination
Still looking for a niche and fun travel destination? Don't hesitate, come to Chongzuo! This city, hidden in the southwest of Guangxi, boasts stunning natural scenery and a rich border culture. Every photo you take here will look like a movie still. Check out this guide and start your dreamy and novel journey in Chongzuo!
Preparation📝
Chongzuo has a subtropical climate, which is warm and humid. Be sure to check the weather forecast🌤 before you travel. There is a lot of rain in spring and summer, so rain gear🌂 is a must. The weather is hot, so light and breathable clothes👚 and three sun protection essentials (sunscreen, sunglasses🕶, and a sun hat) are standard. Autumn and winter are relatively dry, so bring a light jacket🧥 to cope with the temperature difference between morning and evening. Don't forget your ID card, and bring any discount cards (student ID, senior citizen card, etc.) with you.
Budget overview💰
Take a 4-day, 3-night itinerary as an example. With a medium consumption standard, the budget per person is CNY 2,000–3,000. Transportation costs (round-trip and in-city) are CNY 800–1,500, accommodation is CNY 600–1,000, food and drink is CNY 300–500, and tickets and other costs are CNY 300–500. Make a budget in advance to travel with peace of mind.
Attraction recommendations🎈
📍 Detian Transnational Waterfall: The top attraction in Chongzuo, the largest transnational waterfall in Asia, and the fourth largest in the world. Tickets plus sightseeing bus tickets are about CNY 115. The waterfall cascades down a cliff more than 60 meters high, with splashing water and a magnificent momentum. On the left is the Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam. The two waterfalls are connected, which is spectacular. Take a bamboo raft to get close to the waterfall. Bamboo raft tickets are about CNY 30, which is very impressive.
📍 Mingshi Pastoral: Free entry, like a paradise. The mountains and rivers are interdependent, the rice fields are continuous, and the Mingshi River winds through them. Take a bamboo raft to visit, and you will see strange peaks and green bamboos on both sides of the river, as if you are traveling in a painting. Bamboo raft tickets are about CNY 120. You can also rent a bicycle to ride along the path by the river and enjoy the pastoral scenery.
📍 Friendship Pass: One of the top ten famous passes in China, with tickets costing about CNY 42. As a border pass between China and Vietnam, it has a profound historical heritage. The ancient pass tower stands tall, and you can see the boundary marker and border trade between China and Vietnam from the top of the tower. The museum in the pass tower displays historical relics of the border pass, which are worth visiting.
Accommodation arrangements🏠
🏨 Daxin County: Close to Detian Transnational Waterfall and Mingshi Pastoral, with many accommodation options. Budget homestays are CNY 200–400 per night, clean and tidy. Mid-range and high-end hotels are CNY 500–800, with a comfortable environment and high-quality service.
🏨 Pingxiang City: Close to Friendship Pass. If you want to experience the border culture, you can stay here, with prices ranging from CNY 300–600. You can also visit the bustling border trade night market at night.
🏨 Chongzuo City: Convenient transportation, rich accommodation options, and prices ranging from CNY 200–1,000. There are many delicacies in the city, where you can taste authentic Chongzuo snacks.
Food recommendations and costs🍱
🍜 Sour porridge: A specialty of Chongzuo, sour and appetizing, with a unique taste. It can be paired with meat or vegetables, costing CNY 15–30 per serving.
🥧 Sand cake: Made of glutinous rice flour, sesame, and peanuts, it is fragrant, sweet, and soft, and is a traditional cake. A box costs CNY 20–30, suitable as a gift.
🐟 Zuojiang sashimi: The meat is tender, and the fish slices are as thin as cicada wings. They are smooth and delicious with seasonings. In local restaurants, a serving costs CNY 50–80.
Transportation and costs🚇
🚗 External transportation: If the distance is far, you can fly to Nanning Wuxu International Airport first, and then transfer to a bus or chartered car to Chongzuo. Round-trip air tickets plus transfers cost about CNY 1,000–2,000. If you take a train, you can go to Nanning first and then transfer. Round-trip train costs are about CNY 300–800.
🚌 In-city transportation: Public transportation in Chongzuo is not very developed. Some attractions have special buses, with ticket prices ranging from CNY 10–30. Taxis or chartered cars are convenient. A round-trip chartered car to Detian Transnational Waterfall costs CNY 300–500. It is more cost-effective to charter a car for a group.
Travel route (4 days, 3 nights)🗺
Day 1: Arrive in Chongzuo and go to Daxin County. Check in and rest. Go to eat sour porridge in the evening and experience the unique flavor.
Day 2: Go to Detian Transnational Waterfall to enjoy the beautiful waterfall and take a bamboo raft to get close to the waterfall. Go to Mingshi Pastoral in the afternoon to take a bamboo raft and enjoy the pastoral scenery. Stay in a homestay near Mingshi Pastoral in the evening and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside.
Day 3: Go to Pingxiang City to visit Friendship Pass and learn about the history and culture of the border pass. Taste Zuojiang sashimi and other delicacies in restaurants near the pass tower. Visit the border trade night market in the evening and pick out special souvenirs.
Day 4: Stroll around Pingxiang City or Chongzuo City, buy sand cakes and other specialties, and prepare to return. Leave Chongzuo with beautiful memories.
Chongzuo, this charming city, has unique scenery and food. Don't hesitate, pack your bags and go! If you have any niche places in Chongzuo, feel free to share them in the comments section, and let's discover more beauty together!💕