Two Trips to Explore Natural Wonders of Guangxi

You may not be familiar with Guangxi, but chances are you have heard of Guilin, often consider as one of the top amazing places in China. But Guangxi is more than just Guilin. It is a province with many cities and diverse natural and cultural attractions that are worth exploring. Manas, our valued Indian customer, visited Guangxi. Of course, they included Guilin in their itinerary, but they also had the opportunity to experience other parts of the province. Let's read about their trip story.

Living in China for many years, Manas knew that Guilin was a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the country's awesome landscapes. To plan his trip, he reached out to Wonder, a senior travel expert at China Discovery. Together, they crafted a classic Guilin itinerary that would take them on an unforgettable journey.

4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour (Li River, Yangshuo & Longji Terraces)

Itinerary: Guilin / Yangshuo / Longsheng
Highlights: Elephant Trunk Hill, Longji Terraces, Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Town

Guilin Trip Day 1: Shenzhen - Longji Rice Terraces

Manas' journey commenced with a delightful high-speed train ride to Guilin. Upon arrival, their knowledgeable guide greeted them at the train station and embarked on an unforgettable Guilin exploration.

Their first stop was Pingan Rice Terraces, where they dropped off their luggage at the hotel in Pingan Village before beginning their sightseeing. They were lucky enough to visit during the full harvest season, when the layers of the fields looked like a golden carpet when viewed from a distance. They visited two typical spots in Pingan Rice Terraces - Seven Stars around the Moon, which refers to the seven mounds left by the villagers when they cultivated the mountain, and Nine Dragons and Five Tigers, which refers to the nine ridges divided from the Dragon Backbone, and the five little mounds surrounded by the terrace fields. They also enjoyed an amazing sunset together, creating great memories of the mind-blowing natural beauty.

Manas' Family in Pingan Rice Terraces

Guilin Trip Day 2: Longji Rice Terraces - Guilin

The next day, Manas and his family continued their journey through the spectacular sceneries of Guangxi by visiting Jinkeng Rice Terraces. They were amazed by the Large-scale Thousand-Layers Terraces, which lived up to their name with countless layers of rice paddies cascading down the mountainside. To get an even better view of this breathtaking sight, they climbed to the top of a nine-story viewing platform built for visitors. From this height, they were able to appreciate the scale of the terraces and see how they spread out straightly down to Dazhai Village, seemingly endless in their beauty.

Dazhai Village in the Center of Jinkeng Rice Terrace

After a day of sightseeing at Longji Rice Terraces, Manas and his family drove to Guilin for their accommodations.

5 Days Best Guilin In-depth Vacation (Li River, Yangshuo & Longji Terraces)

Itinerary: Guilin / Longsheng / Guilin / Yangshuo
Highlights: Li River Cruise, Longji Ping'an Rice Terraces, Dazhai Village, Yulong River, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave

Guilin Trip Day 3: Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo

On the third day of their Guilin trip, Manas and his family experienced the biggest highlight of their journey - a Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. They boarded a luxurious 4-star cruise and were mesmerized by the picturesque views of the karst peaks and lush greenery that have made Guilin so famous. The cruise ended in Yangshuo, a charming town surrounded by idyllic countryside, where they had other wonderful sightseeing experiences.

Li River Cruise Journey

3 Days Classic Guilin Tour - Guilin Brief Vacation

Itinerary: Guilin / Yangshuo
Highlights: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Countryside Scenery, Yulong River, Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave

After checking into their hotel in Yangshuo, they were excited to explore the Yulong River, another great highlight of the area. They enjoyed a peaceful bamboo raft ride down the river, taking in the serene natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Hanging Bridge in Ruyi Peak, Yangshuo

Guilin Trip Day 4: Guilin Landmarks and Back to Shenzhen

On the final day of their trip, they visited some of Guilin's most famous landmarks, including the Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill. They marveled at the natural beauty of the cave's stalactites and stalagmites, and took plenty of photos of the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill. In the evening, they headed back to Shenzhen, feeling appreciated for the memories they had created during their journey through the breathtaking natural beauty of Guangxi.

After their adventure in Guilin, Manas sent a prompt feedback to Wonder, speaking highly of Wonder and China Discovery.

"I am happy to write review about the 4 days Guilin-Longsheng-Yangshuo trip with China Discovery on this Sept. It was a great and wonderful experience along with my wife and four months older little kid. First of all they made a very nice adjustable trip plan assisted with a very good English speaking friendly tour guide Steven. Steven and the car driver are very cool persons and very supportive. It's been quite confusing to travel in different province from my place in Shenzhen due to covid regulations. They assisted with updated info about covid regulation and traveling requirements, made the arrangement of the trip accordingly. We want to give them huge thanks for that. Every detail was planned to the exact things we wanted and provided very good hotel accommodations where we have stayed. Every aspect of our trip was superb and we are very much looking forward for planning our next trip with China Discovery. Special thanks to Wonder in China Discovery for coordinating and planning this amazing first trip with our little angel !"

After being amazed by the scenic beauty of Guilin on his previous trip, Manas couldn't resist the temptation to explore more of Guangxi's natural beauty. So, he once again contacted Wonder from China Discovery to plan his next adventure. This time, they decided to venture further afield and explore some of Guangxi's other hidden gems. Their itinerary included a visit to Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi, as well as a trip to Detian Waterfall, widely regarded as one of the most impressive waterfalls in China.

Nanning Trip Day 1: Nanning Arrival and Hotel Check-in

Manas, his wife, and their 8-month-old son took a night flight from Shenzhen to Nanning. Upon their arrival, their guide met them at the exit and accompanied them to their hotel in Nanning.

Nanning Trip Day 2: Nanning to Detian Waterfall

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, Manas and his family were picked up by their guide and driven to Mingshi Scenic Area, where they embarked on a 30-minute bamboo raft ride down the scenic river. Along the way, they were surrounded by remarkable natural scenery, including towering karst mountains and verdant forests. After the bamboo raft ride, they continued their journey to the main attraction of the day - Detian Waterfall. As they arrived, they were awed by the sheer magnitude and beauty of the waterfall. The sound of the cascading water was deafening as they stood there taking in the breathtaking views. They spent several hours exploring the surrounding area and taking in the stunning natural beauty of the region. In the late afternoon, they were driven to their hotel in Detian.

Detian Waterfall - the Largest Multinational Waterfall in Asia

Nanning Trip Day 3: Detian to Zhongma

In the morning, Manas and his family set off for Tongling Grand Canyon, located just a few hours' drive from Detian Waterfall. The scenic drive itself was filled with captivating views of the surrounding countryside, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Once they arrived, they embarked on a scenic hike through the canyon, descending deep into the valley below. Along the way, they explored Tongling Cave, an impressive natural wonder filled with stalactites and stalagmites that sparkled in the dim light. As they continued their hike, they came across Zhuang Hanging Burial, a unique and ancient burial site that is still in use today by the local Zhuang ethnic minority. Despite its eerie appearance, the site was an intriguing glimpse into the customs and traditions of the region's diverse population.

They also reached Water Curtain Cave, a featured natural formation where water cascades down the rock face in a shimmering curtain. The cool, misty air was a welcome respite from the heat of the day, and the family spent some time exploring the cave's nooks and crannies before heading back to their car.

Water Curtain Cave with Peaceful Atmosphere

Next, they drove to Bama County, where they visited the Tianzhou Ancient City, a well-preserved relic of China's rich cultural heritage. The city was once an important hub of trade and commerce, and the family enjoyed exploring its winding alleys and ancient buildings. Finally, after a long and fulfilling day of sightseeing, they checked into their hotel in Bama County. As they drifted off to sleep, they couldn't help but feel satisfied for the incredible experiences they had enjoyed on their trip so far.

Nanning Trip Day 4: Nanning to Shenzhen

Manas and his family made sure to make the most out of their last day in Guangxi before flying back to Shenzhen. They visited the breathtaking Baimo Cave, a natural cave system that has been formed over millions of years, featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers. After exploring the cave, they went to Longevity Village in Bama, where the locals are known for their long and healthy lives. They walked around the village, seeing the elderly locals and learning about their healthy lifestyle, diet, and daily routines.

Feeling inspired by the healthy lifestyle they had witnessed in Bama, they headed back to Shenzhen with a renewed sense of wellbeing and a plethora of wonderful memories from their trip to Guangxi.

Again, he reviewed his trip with thumb-up: "It was a wonderful trip to Detian Waterfall & Bama County with China Discovery on January, 2023. China Discovery was setup a beautiful itinerary and made the arrangements for our nice and refreshing stay with our 8 months little baby. We are very thankful to Wonder for arranging the another lovely trip!"