Things to do in Longzhou

Red Army Ancient Road Scenic Area · Tianqin Zhuang Village

Red Army Ancient Road Scenic Area · Tianqin Zhuang Village was reconstructed at a 1:1 scale based on the wooden houses of Longzhou's indigenous Black-Clad Zhuang people. The stilt architecture features an optimized ground-floor open space and refined second/third-floor layouts, aiming to showcase the living scenes of Longzhou's Zhuang community while preserving their intangible cultural heritage. Exhibits of the Zhuang "Five Treasures" – the tianqin zither, brocade, embroidered balls, bronze drums, and traditional knives – complement the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Huashan Rock Paintings. Visitors can immerse themselves in the Zhuang people's musical lifestyle through tianqin performances. As the attraction's core commercial zone, Tianqin Zhuang Village features a large swimming pool, souvenir shop, gourmet restaurants, water escalators, a revolving library, replica Zhuang wooden houses, floating markets, and sunken seating areas. Under the guidance of the Municipal Publicity Department, preparations are underway for four signature experiences: "a tianqin performance," "a cultural creative space," "an artisan workshop," and "a tianqin afternoon tea set."

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Chongzuo

Ningming Huashan Rock Art Scenic Area

The Ningming Huashan Rock Art Scenic Area is located by the Ming River in Ningming County, Chongzuo, Guangxi. In 2016, the "Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and this site is the core component of that cultural landscape. On the steep limestone cliffs facing the river, dense clusters of ochre-red images painted by the ancient Luoyue people during the Warring States to Eastern Han periods can be seen. The main panel stretches over 100 m in width and dozens of meters in height, with over a thousand identifiable images, making its scale and preservation remarkably outstanding among similar rock art discoveries in China. In the local Zhuang language, this mountain is called "Bālái," meaning "the mountain with paintings." To see the rock paintings at Huashan, taking a cruise is the classic way. The boat sails on the Ming River flanked by karst peaks, offering picturesque views along the way. When approaching the cliff, look up to see images suspended dozens of meters above the river—frontal human figures with raised arms and spread legs in a frog-like squatting posture, densely covering the cliff face, interspersed with motifs like bronze drums, ring-pommel knives, ferries, and dogs. Scholars generally believe these cliff images depict sacrificial rituals of the ancient Luoyue people. Yet, why the hematite-painted patterns remain unfaded after over 2,000 years and how the ancestors climbed the high cliffs to create them remain debated. The cruise usually comes with a guide, making it far more engaging to listen to Luoyue legends while identifying the cliff images than a cursory glance. Don't rush to return after viewing the rock paintings. The traditional Zhuang villages of Laijiangtun and Bayaotun in the core area, built along mountains and rivers, are called the "living museum of rock art." Among bamboo fences, rice fields, and old houses, you can witness traditional crafts like bamboo basket weaving, Zhuang cloth making, and Zhuang embroidery, as well as taste local delicacies such as winnowing basket feasts, pounded glutinous rice cakes, and sugarcane wine. Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, the attraction hosts the Luoyue ancestor worship ceremony, with bronze drums, tianqin music, and folk songs creating a vibrant atmosphere—a perfect opportunity to experience Zhuang culture. A small tip: The rock paintings are high above the river, appearing as reddish-brown patches to the naked eye from a distance. To see the details of the figures clearly, secure a good viewing spot on the boat in advance, and bring a telephoto lens or binoculars for a more enjoyable experience.

Nonggang National Natural Reserve

Discovery Nonggang Attraction has rugged peaks, dense mountain lanes, and streams that appear and disappear from time to time. It is a typical karst landform, and the vegetation is a rare and well-preserved tropical monsoon forest in the karst area in the world. It is one of the 14 key areas of terrestrial biodiversity with international significance in China, and one of the 40 A-level protected areas jointly selected by the Ministry of Forestry and the World Wildlife Fund.

No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Chongzuo

Zuojiang Scenic Area

Zuojiang River is a natural scenic tourist area with water scenery. It originates in northern Vietnam, flows through Longzhou, Chongzuo and Fusui in Guangxi, and merges with Youjiang River at Sanjiangkou, Songcun, Yongning County. It passes through "three counties, one city and one district", namely Pingxiang City, Jiangzhou District, Longzhou County, Ningming County and Fusui County, with a total length of 345 kilometers. The water flow of Zuojiang River is gentle and winding. The most beautiful part is its upper reaches, that is, the Longzhou section of Zuojiang River in Longzhou County. People like to call it "Lijiang" because of its beautiful scenery. It originates from the confluence of Shuikou River in Vietnam and Ximatan in Longzhou Town, Pinger River, and flows through Longzhou, Xiaxiu Township, Shangjin Township, Xiangshui Town, and ends at Tuomian Village in Xiangshui Town. It is 72 kilometers long. Mingjiang River, where the famous Zuojiang rock paintings are located, is its tributary and converges at Shangjin Street. The two banks of the Zuojiang River are karst landforms, with mountains winding around them. The trees on both sides are lush, the peaks are upright, and the reflections of strange mountains and rocks are in various shapes and forms, reflecting each other with the rugged rocks on the riverside. The green water on the river surface is winding and winding. The beautiful scenery and beautiful legends are full of mystery, which intoxicates tourists from all directions. It can be called a model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. People often say "there is the Zuojiang River in the south and the Lijiang River in the north". The characteristics of the Zuojiang River are dangerous mountains, clear water and strange caves. After witnessing the beautiful scenery of the Zuojiang River, Xu Xiake, a geographer and traveler in the Ming Dynasty, could not help but admire it in "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes": "Yangshuo's steep mountains are close to the river, and there are no stones on this bank; Jianxi's water is turbulent and has many stones, but there are no strange stones like this" and "Yangshuo's painted mountains are inferior to this one." A generation of geographers who have seen all the strange mountains and beautiful waters in the world praised the Zuojiang River so much, which shows that the scenery of the Zuojiang River is charming and unique.

Little Liancheng

Little Liancheng, located in Liancheng station, Lianquan village, Youyi Township, Pingxiang city, is a famous ancient battery group, built by Yuanchun Su, Guangxi governor in the late Qing dynasty, and general for resisting the French. After the Sino-French War, in order to better defend against the invasion of foreign enemies, he built three batteries on the peak of the mountain—on the left and right, and in the middle. The left one could protect the Zhennan pass and the right one could control the pass of Shuikou. The batteries are connected with the Xiadong and the battery at Shuikou, looking regal.

No. 8 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Guangxi

Mingshi Rural

Mingshi Rural is located to the west of Daxin County in Chongzuo City, about an hour's drive from the famous Detian Transnational Waterfall attraction, and visitors usually tour both attractions together. Mingshi Rural features a unique karst landscape with graceful mountains surrounded by flowing water, creating extremely beautiful scenery. In addition to the scenery of mountains and water reflecting each other, the attraction also features fresh and rustic villages, farmlands, and other views. Visitors can come here to go bamboo rafting, take photos and enjoy the scenery, and experience the wonderful views and peaceful rural life. The TV drama "The Journey of Flower" once filmed here, making this place even more famous. Mingshi Rural covers a large area, mainly including the natural river and pastoral scenery in the upper reaches of the Mingshi River, as well as the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum built in the lower reaches. Visitors have two ways to explore: bamboo rafting and land sightseeing, and generally half a day is suitable for a visit. Many visitors also choose to stay overnight within the attraction to leisurely enjoy the surrounding scenery and experience the freshness and tranquility of pastoral life. Bamboo rafting is a popular way to explore the attraction. You can first reach the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum downstream, where you can purchase rafting tickets; a sightseeing bus can take visitors to the rafting departure point. The rafting lasts about 1 hour or more, and the boat is equipped with a guide who provides commentary along the way. On the rafting route, you can see beautiful peaks reflected in the river, with scenery very similar to views such as the Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection in Guilin; you will also pass through crisscrossing farmland and quiet villages, with pastoral scenes that are truly refreshing. The endpoint of the bamboo rafting is the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum, which includes the Totem Square, artificial lake scenery, Zhuang villages, chieftain residences, and a style street. These mainly feature sculptures and residential architecture reflecting Zhuang customs, and you can take a brief tour. In addition, there are often Zhuang song and dance performances here; if you come across one, you can stop and enjoy it for a while. Another way to explore is land sightseeing: first visit the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum, then rent a bicycle here for cycling and sightseeing around the area. Bicycles are mostly rented from local hotels or farmhouses, and a cycling route map is provided upon rental; along the road beside the attraction, several routes are available to choose from. The commonly recommended route is heading northwest (i.e., upstream along the river), where you can enjoy beautiful karst and pastoral scenery similar to that seen on the bamboo rafting trip. Accommodation and catering The best place to stay in Mingshi Rural is Daxin Mingshi Resort, located within the attraction, offering beautifully situated view rooms and distinctive ethnic decor. Outside the attraction, there are express hotels such as Art Hotel · Mingshi Art Hotel (Daxin Mingshi Rural Visitor Center Branch) and Mingshi Express Hotel, as well as some local farmhouses, all with decent environments. You can choose your stay based on personal preference. Dining is also mostly at the place of stay, where you can order some authentic farm dishes to taste and savor the rural life.

Nonggang National Nature Reserve

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Spot

Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Spot is located on the Guichun River along the China-Vietnam border in Guangxi. Here the border river meets a cliff, and the water drops in three tiers with a fall of about 60 m, facing Vietnam's Ban Gioc Waterfall across the cliff. In the rainy season, when the water is abundant, the two waterfalls almost merge into one, with a combined width of more than 200 m, and the roar can be heard across the valley. This is also one of the filming locations for the TV drama The Journey of Flower. The highlights of the visit mostly unfold around this border river: after passing through the Detian Archway, you can take a bamboo raft from the bank toward the foot of the waterfall, look up as the curtain of water crashes down from the cliff top and mist hits your face, and experience up close the unique atmosphere of two countries just a step apart on the border river; on the river, you can often encounter Vietnamese border residents rowing small bamboo rafts to sell coffee, dried fruit, and other small goods, and the bargaining has much of the fun of a cross-border market. After coming ashore, follow the waterfall-viewing boardwalk and the multi-level viewing platforms to look back at the full panorama of the waterfall from different heights. The No. 53 boundary marker, erected in the Qing Dynasty and inscribed with "China Guangxi Boundary," is a popular photo spot. The waterfall view changes noticeably with water volume: during the summer wet season, the water is surging and visually stunning, while in the dry season it is relatively delicate; bamboo raft docks have long queues during peak season, so if you want to view the waterfall up close, it is recommended to plan an early start; there is heavy mist on the bamboo raft, so remember to protect your phone and camera from water.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Pingxiang

Dalian Ancient Town

Dalian City is located 1.5 kilometers north of Pingxiang City. It is also known as Dalei City, or Liancheng for short. There are eight medium-sized artillery forts built on the hills around Dalian City, like a ring-shaped Great Wall. It is known as the "Liancheng Natural Barrier", which is the origin of the name "Dalian City". In the valley, there are large-scale buildings built in those days: the governor's office, the martial arts hall, the celebration palace, the training ground, the ordnance bureau, the selection tent, the cow tent, the mansion, the stage, the martial arts temple, the wealth temple, and the kitchen god temple. Four wells with different uses of "blessing", "lu", "shou" and "xi" were also dug, all built with stone. In August 1981, the Dalian City Ruins were listed as a key cultural relic protection unit of the autonomous region. After the Sino-French War, the imperial court appointed Su Yuanchun as the governor of Guangxi border defense. Considering the need to consolidate border defense, Su Yuanchun moved the governor's office from Liuzhou to Longzhou. Because Longzhou was too far from Zhennan Pass, in order to facilitate the command and mobilization of troops, he opened up Dalian City in Pingxiang, established the governor's office and personally guarded it. Dalian City thus became the military command center of Guangxi border defense at that time, equivalent to the current Guangxi Military Region Command. Baiyu Cave next to Dalian City is a natural cave. It is named for the stalactites in the cave, which are smooth and crystal, as bright as jade, and exquisite. It is one of the eight old scenic spots in Pingxiang, called "Jade Cave Natural". In 1885, Su Yuanchun supervised the border defense of Guangxi. The next year, he took the lead in donating and building Dalian City and Baiyu Cave. He left in 1903 and stayed here for 19 years. He used Dalian City as the command center for the entire border of Guangxi. At the same time, he chose to build a "Heart-nourishing Place" and a military secret place in Baiyu Cave as a place to study military secrets and escape the summer heat.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Guangxi

Dongnayuwan Scenic Area

Dongnayuwan Scenic Area is nestled along the Heishui River in Chongzuo, Guangxi, upgraded from the original Anping Fairy River attraction. Surrounded by karst peaks embracing an emerald bay with continuous mountain islets and bamboo-lined banks, it's hailed as the "Alternative Li River" and "Fairy River of Guangxi," serving as a filming location for TV dramas like The Journey of Flower. The main activity here is a boat cruise through the picturesque landscape, with painted barges gliding past mountain reflections before disembarking to explore stone forests and bamboo groves—offering distinct experiences by water and land. The highlight lies in the "Eight views of Dongnayuwan": Water illusion, Guantian Farm, Swallow Cave, Xiake Trail, Longbi Beach, Waterfall Market, Aquatic Stone Maze, and Puhuang Island. Guantian Farm divides fields according to Tusi (chieftain) land systems like water-carrying fields, horse-raising fields, and sedan-chair fields—each plot's name corresponding to the farmer's role in the chieftain's household. The staggered Xiake Trail provides prime views of Longbi Beach's tiered waterfalls, where heart-shaped rapids send white dragon-like streams through rocks into the river, their intensity varying with water levels. The Aquatic Stone Maze conceals a submerged stone forest with bizarre rocks encircling pools amid bamboo shadows. Puhuang Island allegedly gained its name when the Southern Ming Emperor Yongli stayed here with his empress, once serving as the backyard garden of Anping's Tusi. The area carries deeper Tusi cultural undertones. Daxin County is renowned as the "Hometown of Chinese Tusi Culture," with the scenic area located in Anping Village—the former seat of Anping Tusi Prefecture, where ruins of Ming-Qing dynasty Tusi offices still remain on the old street. In 1637, traveler Xu Xiake documented his visit to Anping Prefecture in his travelogue. Today, traditions like Tusi welcoming ceremonies, Bayin drum music, and the Nongdong Festival continue among local Zhuang communities, some adapted into performances that travelers might encounter unexpectedly within the attraction.