That Year, a Ten-Thousand-Mile Self-Drive Through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi: Viewing the Hundred-Li Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Guangxi | Practical Self-Drive Guide for Liuzhou, Guangxi | May 2021

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Ten-thousand-mile self-drive through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu: Viewing the Hundred-Li Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Guangxi | Practical Self-Drive Guide for Liuzhou, Guangxi | [Liuzhou, Guangxi Chapter] [Stop 22] [May 30, 2021]

The charm of the Hundred-Li Liujiang River

The charm of Liuzhou Longtan Park

Liuzhou Liuhou Park

Liuzhou Queshan Park

Liuzhou Bailian Cave Site Museum

Liuzhou Industrial Museum

Departed by car from Qingdao on May 1, 2021, spent 40 days, traveled 10,200 km, passed through 6 provinces and 30 cities, successfully completing the ten-thousand-mile self-drive plan through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu.

About this trip:

I set off by car from Nanning, Guangxi at 8:00 AM. The roads were smooth, accompanied by the beautiful scenery of Guangxi. After driving 255 km for 4 hours, I arrived at Liuzhou, Guangxi at 12:00 noon.

Three-day tour route in Liuzhou, Guangxi:

Day 1: Liuzhou street views, Hundred-Li Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Liujiang Riverside Park, Liuzhou Longtan Park

Day 2: Liuzhou Liuhou Park, Liuzhou Queshan Park, Liuzhou Ma'an Mountain, Liuzhou Yufeng Mountain

Day 3: Liuzhou Bailian Cave Site Museum, Liuzhou Industrial Museum, Liuzhou Museum

[About Attractions]

Entrance tickets: Longtan Park adult ticket 20 yuan per person, sightseeing car 15 yuan per person [5 yuan cheaper if booked on Ctrip]. Parking fee 10 yuan. There are many tourist attractions in Liuzhou, Guangxi, most of which are free of charge.

[About Accommodation]

Accommodation in Liuzhou, Guangxi: Booked via Ctrip: Home Inn·neo (Liuzhou Wuxing Walking Street Branch) standard room 120 yuan including breakfast for two [room clean and tidy, breakfast is good].

[About Dining]

Dining: During the self-drive trip, we experienced local cuisines, various types of rice noodles, and recommendations from certain websites—each has its merits! Since some scenic spots are far apart during the drive, you can bring some drinks and snacks. After parking at night, enjoy some drinks and local food, savoring the joy of life.

[Travel Equipment Preparation]

Photography equipment brought for the trip:

Canon 60D kit (18-135mm IS)

For travel enthusiasts, Liuzhou, Guangxi is a must-visit place. If you are tired of crowded scenic spots and rows of shops, and want to find a place where you can relax your mind and soul, Liuzhou in Guangxi is a place to consider.

Travel needs no excuse, because the scenery is there!

After retirement, traveling has become an important part of my life, almost a habit. If I don't go out for a while, I feel like something is missing, an itch in my heart, as if weeds are growing, and I can't sleep or eat well. Strange, but as soon as I step out, everything is fine. On the journey, climbing high mountains, crossing rivers, visiting ancient villages, and paying tribute to red classics, I deeply feel the grandeur and beauty of our motherland.

Liuzhou, Guangxi:

Liuzhou is a city located in the north-central part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, historically known as "Dragon City" (Longcheng). Its terrain is described as "three rivers converge, embracing the city like a pot," hence also called "Pot City" (Hucheng). As early as 50,000 years ago, the "Liujiang Man" lived here. The city has a history of over 2,100 years since its establishment. Liuzhou features typical karst landforms, creating a landscape of "peaks rising from the ground like a painted scroll." The stone mountains are uniquely beautiful, the caves are magnificent and magical, the springs are deep and emerald, and the river bends are clear and bright, offering excellent human history and rich tourism resources. It is a national Class A tourism city and a famous historical and cultural city.

Learn some history of Liuzhou, Guangxi:

Liuzhou is the birthplace of the ancient "Liujiang Man" in southern China.

During the pre-Qin period, Liuzhou belonged to the Baiyue region, with branches such as Xi'ou and Luoyue.

Eastern Han (25–220 AD): Restored the names Yulin and Tanzhong.

Sui Dynasty, Kaihuang 11th year (591 AD): Tanzhong County renamed Guilin County.

Tang Dynasty, Zhenguan 8th year (634 AD): Renamed Liuzhou after the Liujiang River within the prefecture.

Ming Dynasty, Hongwu 1st year (1368 AD): Liuzhou renamed Liuzhou Prefecture.

December 19, 1949: Liuzhou Municipal People's Government established, as a city under Liuzhou Prefecture.

As someone from Qingdao, a coastal city, I may have seen too much of the sea's beauty, and its attraction is no longer so strong. I have always been longing for the various sceneries of Liuzhou, Guangxi. I yearn for Liuzhou's long history, its beautiful landscapes, and its unforgettable cuisine. These constantly tug at my heart, attracting me, and the fantastic imagination of traveling through time compels me to embark on this mysterious journey.

Route map of the ten-thousand-mile self-drive through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu:

Departure from Qingdao on May 1, 2021 --- Yueyang, Hunan --- Changsha, Hunan --- Shaoshan, Hunan --- Hengyang, Hunan --- Yongzhou, Hunan --- Loudi, Hunan --- Shaoyang, Hunan --- Huaihua, Hunan --- Zhangjiajie, Hunan --- Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan --- Jishou, Hunan --- Tongren, Guizhou --- Zunyi, Guizhou --- Anshun, Guizhou --- Guiyang, Guizhou --- Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou --- Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou --- Hechi, Guangxi --- Baise, Guangxi --- Chongzuo, Guangxi --- Nanning, Guangxi --- Guigang, Guangxi --- Laibin, Guangxi --- Liuzhou, Guangxi --- Yangshuo, Guangxi --- Guilin, Guangxi --- Xianning, Hubei --- Huanggang, Hubei --- Xuancheng, Anhui --- Wuhu, Anhui --- Hefei, Anhui --- Chuzhou, Anhui --- Nanjing, Jiangsu --- Yangzhou, Jiangsu --- Qingdao

Self-drive travel cost estimate:

Based on my travel experience, for long-distance self-drive trips, if you don't buy items, stay at budget hotels or farmstays, don't splurge on meals, and reduce scenic spot fees, a couple can cover all expenses with about 400 yuan per day.

Trip overview: [Liuzhou, Guangxi]

Time: May 29 to May 31, 2021, a total of 3 days

People: A couple (2 people)

Mode: Independent travel

Transportation: Self-drive car

Cost: 600 yuan per person (including gasoline, tolls, accommodation, meals, tickets, etc.)

Enjoyable trip:

Regarding Liuzhou, Guangxi, I had previously passed through it hastily due to time constraints. This time, the 22nd stop of the ten-thousand-mile self-drive through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi was arranged in Liuzhou. Driving from Nanning to Liuzhou, I was enchanted by the beautiful scenery along the way and every detail of Guangxi. Thus began my journey in Liuzhou, Guangxi.

This place is perfect for a couple's trip, walking together, experiencing the magnificent and lively landscapes of nature. Admiring the undulating peaks, lush greenery, tasting Liuzhou cuisine, and strolling along the riverbank at night, taking in the full view of Liuzhou.

I. Origin of Liuzhou, Guangxi

After the Spring Festival this year, I planned a ten-thousand-mile self-drive trip through Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. In May, during the most beautiful season of Hunan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, my wife and I headed south to see the beautiful scenery of Liuzhou, Guangxi. Breathe the air of Liuzhou, taste its cuisine, and release our passion.

II. Preparation

With nothing to worry about, we embarked on a spontaneous trip. For travel, we prepared thoroughly, checked the weather at the destination, and listed necessary items.

III. Itinerary for Liuzhou, Guangxi during the ten-thousand-mile self-drive through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu:

Day 1: Liuzhou street views, Hundred-Li Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Liujiang Riverside Park, Liuzhou Longtan Park

Day 2: Liuzhou Liuhou Park, Liuzhou Queshan Park, Liuzhou Ma'an Mountain, Liuzhou Yufeng Mountain

Day 3: Liuzhou Bailian Cave Site Museum, Liuzhou Industrial Museum, Liuzhou Museum

1. Self-drive [Nanning, Guangxi --- Liuzhou, Guangxi]

Departure from Nanning on May 28, 2021 at 8:00 AM — Arrival in Liuzhou at 12:00 PM, distance 255 km, driving time 4 hours.

I am a free travel enthusiast and also a photography enthusiast. I usually take landscape photos and spend my free time traveling to various places to capture the stunning scenery and local customs. As a photography lover, I never miss any beautiful people or things on the road. I believe those moments frozen in time will form all my memories. To see more of my photography and travel notes, you can follow my Ctrip travelogue: Leyapai Travel Guide

If you have any travel-related questions, feel free to leave me a message.

Essence of Liuzhou, Guangxi [Stop 21] of the ten-thousand-mile self-drive through Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu:

At the moment you lower your head, you realize the road beneath your feet; the sky leaves no trace of wings, but birds have flown.

Self-drive route from Nanning, Guangxi: Depart from Nanning --- Liuzhou, Guangxi [255 km, 4 hours]

My Liuzhou sightseeing route:

Day 1: Liuzhou street views

Liuzhou is a city where multiple ethnic groups, including Zhuang and Han, live together. Among them, the Zhuang and Dong are the oldest indigenous peoples of Liuzhou.

Liuzhou's ethnic customs are unique: the songs of the Zhuang, the dances of the Yao, the festivals of the Miao, and the towers of the Dong are known as the "Four Wonders of Liuzhou's Ethnic Customs."

The great literary master Liu Zongyuan spent the last four years of his life in this ancient city along the Liujiang River.

Day 1: Hundred-Li Liujiang River in Liuzhou

The upper reaches of the Liujiang River originate from Lila Village, Yaosuo Township, Dushan County, Guizhou Province.

The Liujiang River is like a green jade belt winding around Dragon City, forming a unique and beautiful landscape in Liuzhou.

Along both banks of the Liujiang River, green mountains stand, bamboo and willow trees line the shores, creating a charming scenery.

The water of the Liujiang River is as clear as the Lijiang River but deeper and wider; the river surface is as vast as the Yongjiang River but more extended. It seems like a bride who left her home for marriage, reluctant to part.

Hundred-Li Liujiang River in Liuzhou

Day 1: Liujiang Riverside Park [Free admission]

Riverside Park is located on the north and south banks of the Liujiang River, which bends like a winding snake. It is an open riverside regional park.

The landscape of "green trees surrounding the riverbank" on the north bank has been named "Liudi Huan Cui" (Willow Embankment with Emerald Ring) and is one of Liuzhou's new eight scenic spots.

The south bank uses numerous natural strange stones along the river as scenery, with antique pavilions, colorful fountains, flower beds, sculptures, etc., and is planted with subtropical plants and grass for citizens to enjoy and rest.

Liujiang Riverside Park

Day 1: Liuzhou Longtan Park [Paid admission]

Longtan Scenic Area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction located in the southern part of Liuzhou city center, only 3 km from the city center.

Longtan Park is lush with trees, surrounded by mountains forming natural barriers. Twenty-four peaks, including Wohu Mountain (Crouching Tiger), Meinv Peak (Beauty), and Kongque Mountain (Peacock), stand in various shapes among one lake (Mirror Lake), two pools (Dragon Pool and Thunder Pool), and four valleys.

The famous Tang Dynasty writer and Liuzhou prefect Liu Zongyuan once prayed for rain here and wrote the "Prayer for Rain at Leitan" which has been passed down.

[Multiple images of Longtan Park]

Day 2: Liuzhou Liuhou Park [Free admission]

Liuhou Park is located on the north bank of the Liujiang River in Liuzhou, Guangxi. It was built to commemorate Liu Zongyuan, the great Tang Dynasty literary figure and former Liuzhou prefect. It is also the most famous historical site in Guangxi.

Liuhou Park was first built in the first year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1909).

Liuhou Park is the only national key park in Guangxi.

During the Tang Dynasty, Liu Zongyuan served as Liuzhou prefect and did many good deeds for Liuzhou. For 1,100 years, the people of Liuzhou have offered spring and autumn sacrifices, never forgetting him.

Liuhou Park - Statue of Liu Zongyuan

Liuhou Park - Tomb of Liu Zongyuan

Liuhou Park - Liuhou Temple

Liuhou Park - Inscriptions at Liuhou Temple

Liuhou Park - Xianliang Temple

Liuhou Park - Liuzhou Liberation Monument

Day 2: Liuzhou Queshan Park [Free admission]

Queshan Park is located in the Liubei Industrial District of Liuzhou. It is a landscape garden amusement park.

An ancient saying goes: "In the south there is Ma'an, in the north there is Que." "Ma'an" refers to Ma'an Mountain in southern Liuzhou, and "Que" refers to Queshan (Sparrow Hill).

Liuzhou has always regarded Queshan and Ma'an Mountain as the city's main scenic spots.

In Queshan Park, a peak rises from the ground with an altitude of 180.40 meters, shaped like a sparrow spreading its wings, hence the name Queshan. The park is named after Queshan.

Queshan Park is known for its poetic description: "Dense shade darkens the garden with green, bright clouds paint half the cliff red." It has been named "Queshan Xia Wei" (Rosy Clouds over Queshan) and is one of Liuzhou's new eight scenic spots.

Queshan has been a famous scenic spot in Liuzhou since ancient times, praised as "The north Que stands tall, the crane soars high," and is considered "the main mountain of the county."

[Multiple images of Queshan Park]

Day 2: Liuzhou Ma'an Mountain [Free admission]

Ma'an Mountain is one of Liuzhou's ancient eight scenic spots, named for its saddle-like shape. It is located in the city center on the south bank of the Liujiang River, facing Yufeng Mountain to the east and west. It is the highest peak in Liuzhou city center. From the foot of the mountain, follow the stone path to the top, and you can take in the entire view of Liuzhou.

Legend has it that the Eight Immortals, Li Tieguai and Lü Dongbin, once played chess on Ma'an Mountain. To this day, one-foot-long immortal footprints, chessboard stones, and immortal caves remain on the mountain. After visiting the mountain, Liu Zongyuan wrote vivid descriptions of it.

Xu Xiake's Travels also provides a detailed introduction to this mountain. To this day, there are dozens of stone inscriptions by famous figures from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

From the foot of the mountain, follow the stone path to the top. Looking afar, the entire city of Liuzhou comes into view.

Legend says that two of the Eight Immortals, Li Tieguai and Lü Dongbin, once played chess on Ma'an Mountain, leaving behind a one-foot-long immortal footprint, a chessboard stone, and an immortal cave.

Standing on the summit and looking into the distance, the whole city of Liuzhou unfolds before your eyes.

[Multiple repeats of the same sentence for emphasis, likely indicating multiple viewpoints or photos]

Day 2: Liuzhou Yufeng Mountain [Free admission]

Yufeng Mountain is located on Yufeng Road in Liuzhou. It is 88 meters high. From the foot, you can climb 392 stone steps along a winding path to reach the top.

Yufeng Mountain is named because Liu Zongyuan wrote in his work "Record of Accessible Scenic Spots Near Liuzhou": "The mountain is small but high, its shape like a standing fish." Hence it is called Liyu Peak (Standing Fish Peak) or Shiyu Mountain (Stone Fish Mountain). Pavilions and towers on the mountain are hidden among evergreen ancient trees and green shade.

Legend has it that Yufeng Mountain is the place where the Zhuang folk song fairy Liu Sanjie lived, worked, sang, and ascended to immortality. To this day, sites like "Sister San's Cave" and "Song Antiphonal Ground" remain. Inside Sister San's Cave, there are group sculptures of "Song Transmission, Antiphonal Singing, and Immortalization." A marble statue of Liu Sanjie stands on the mountainside.

Looking north from the summit, you can see the emerald green river, six bridges spanning across, towering buildings, bustling traffic, and the beautiful scenery of "Pot City" unfolding before your eyes.

[Multiple repeats of the same sentence]

Day 3: Liuzhou Bailian Cave Site Museum [Free admission]

Liuzhou Bailian Cave Paleolithic Site Museum is located on Lianhua Mountain in Liuzhou, Guangxi.

The new Bailian Cave Cave Museum covers over 9,000 square meters and is the first modern museum in Guangxi built with fair-faced concrete.

The museum's fair-faced concrete building, with a natural texture as a decorative surface, is thick and elegant, reflecting a kind of "natural beauty without makeup," a noble simplicity, and a symbol of taste, more modern than opulence.

Bailian Cave is a Paleolithic cultural site discovered in 1956. It displays many fossils of ancient humans and mammals, indicating that about 50,000 years ago, the "Bailian Cave People" knew how to sew clothes, use fire, and cook food, forming the Bailian Cave culture.

[Multiple images of Bailian Cave Museum]

Earth's Past - Paleontological Evolution Exhibition

[Multiple images of exhibitions]