A Hundred Li of Landscape, A Hundred Paintings: Experiencing Guangxi's Beauty from Hezhou to Guilin

During the holiday, finding a place with clear mountains and waters to refresh one's mood is a great thing. Actually, starting from Guangzhou, heading west not far, Guangxi offers picturesque scenery, clear blue skies, fresh air, and interesting cultural customs. Moreover, Guangxi's infrastructure is very well-developed, so traveling here is completely free from fatigue or unpleasant experiences.

Actually, starting from Guangzhou, heading west not far, Guangxi offers picturesque scenery, clear blue skies, fresh air, and interesting cultural customs. Moreover, Guangxi's infrastructure is very well-developed, so traveling here is completely free from fatigue or unpleasant experiences.

1. The temperatures in Guangxi and Guangdong are very similar, so you only need to bring summer clothes. If you're worried about cooler evenings, bring a light jacket. 2. In September and October, the sun in Guangxi is still strong, so sun protection is necessary. 3. Some destinations on the itinerary are not easily accessible by public transport, so renting a car upon arrival is a good option. 4. Guangxi cuisine tends to be sour and spicy. 5. Guangxi has many ethnic minorities, so remember to respect their beliefs and customs.

D1: Guangzhou — Hezhou — Huangyao Ancient Town

D2: Fuxi Village — Chashan Village — Heishan Village

D3: Linhe Ancient City — Yao Museum — Fuchuan Ancient City

D4: Hezhou — Yangshuo — Yulong River Rafting

D5: Elephant Trunk Hill — Solitary Beauty Peak in Prince City

D6: Crown Cave — Guangzhou

I first heard the name Hezhou from a Hong Kong TV series, "Tea is the Hometown's Fragrance." In the drama, Gupo Mountain and Huangyao Ancient Town became my impressions of Hezhou.

Clear and quiet—that was my expectation of Hezhou, a place I had never seen but left a deep impression on me. Traveling from Guangzhou to Hezhou is very convenient. The high-speed train takes just over an hour from Guangzhou to Hezhou.

My first stop here was Huangyao Ancient Town.

I love quiet ancient towns, but in recent years, many of the ancient towns I've visited have left me feeling disappointed after high hopes. There are many ancient towns, but often within those old buildings are all kinds of trendy shops. Listening to rock music and drinking foreign liquor in an ancient town? To me, that feels quite out of place.

When I arrived at Huangyao Ancient Town, I felt a bit anxious—would it ruin my expectations? What I wanted to see was the elegance of the stone arch bridge and the old houses; that was my greatest hope in coming here.

Huangyao Ancient Town is surrounded by a moat, the most traditional layout of an ancient town. The moat water is clear, and over hundreds of years, it has eroded the stones on both banks into peculiar shapes.

The riverbanks are lined with ancient banyan trees. After centuries of nourishment, sunlight and water have made them particularly lush. Their hanging roots and dense leaves create a cool little world. The ancient stone bridges connect the two banks. Worn smooth by time, walking across them is like walking through the flavor of time.

The town still retains its original appearance. The mottled brick walls and gray-white tile roofs are full of historical depth. Walking among them, whether it's the grass at the foot of the wall or the ivy on the wall, brings a lively breath to the sense of history.

Although Huangyao Ancient Town has specialty shops and cafes, there aren't many. I even had to walk quite a distance to find an open coffee shop to buy a cup of coffee. But that's precisely what preserves the town's original flavor and beauty.

If I had to pick my favorite thing, it would be the cold tofu pudding under the big banyan tree. Simple and unadorned, savoring the tranquility of Huangyao Ancient Town under the banyan tree gives a particularly leisurely feeling.

On the second day, I chose to visit Fuxi Village. This is a Yao village with a history of several hundred years.

The moment I got off the car, I felt it was quite different from other Yao villages I had visited.

If many Yao villages are completely tourist attractions, then this is the most original Yao settlement.

Here, you can see dilapidated houses—these houses are records of life. Amid the overgrown weeds, you can see the historical traces of this place, the stories belonging to it.

And many Yao people still live here, having thrived for hundreds of years. Life here remains peaceful and leisurely. They adhere to their own habits, persist in their way of life, and preserve traditional customs—all of which make this place attractive.

Dragon dance is an activity only for important festivals. On the square here, you can see the golden dragon moving vividly, changing into various shapes, full of life.

During spring plowing, the Yao people also hold their own sacrificial ceremonies. In the past, when spring seeds were sown, they carried the hopes of the whole year and the livelihood of the year. So during spring plowing, the Yao people have their own rituals. Through song and dance, they pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. This ceremony is also very interesting, full of hope, humor, and vitality.

The most fun part of visiting Fuxi Village is experiencing a Yao wedding here. Visitors can dress up and genuinely experience the Yao wedding process—watching the blessings of a full house of guests, the prayers of village elders, and feeling that traditional joy. It's very interesting.

When I arrived at Chashan Village, my phone received a text: "Welcome to Hunan."

A bit confused, I checked the map and realized I was at the border of Hunan and Guangxi. One step in Hunan, one step in Guangxi.

In ancient times, without airplanes, cars, or express delivery, goods traveled north and south by merchant packhorses and on foot. Chashan Village was a resting stop for merchants.

Here, you can still see architectural features designed for horse caravans. The shop windows and doors are particularly tall, making it easy for merchants on horseback to buy a jug of oil tea or a piece of shuttle-shaped cake without dismounting.

The stone paths are still well-preserved, polished smooth by centuries of merchants' footsteps and horses' hooves. Tourism in Chashan Village is now quite standardized, with Wi-Fi covering every corner, and uniformly priced food and goods, ensuring every visitor enjoys a considerate travel experience.

Ethnic minorities often seem to be good at singing and dancing, and the Yao are no exception.

If the Yao are famous for anything, it's their "Butterfly Song." The Butterfly Song once appeared on China's Folk Song Conference; the song is light-hearted and full of joyful emotion.

Heishan Village is the birthplace of the Butterfly Song. Upon arriving in Heishan Village, you'll see many colorful murals on the walls, including vibrant butterflies and local ethnic motifs.

Here, of course, you must listen to the most famous Butterfly Song. Whether young or old, everyone can sing a verse. Even if you don't understand the lyrics, the song's anticipation for life and its happy emotions are always touching.

Linhe Ancient City is known as the "Little Great Wall" of the south, with its earliest history dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

Today, the walls that once defended against enemies no longer see battles. Inside and outside the walls are green fields and peaceful villages.

Walking on the walls, the breeze rustles the rice seedlings. The simple pastoral scenery carries a kind of intoxicating sweetness. The mottled city bricks record countless historical vicissitudes, appearing even more desolate and majestic in the quiet village.

The Kuixing Tower on the wall is now abandoned but still stands. This tower seems to have become a landmark, appearing even more spectacular in the village.

The Chenwang Temple at the foot of the wall is now dilapidated, but its incense remains strong. The mottled red walls seem to silently narrate its former glory. The stone lions in front of the temple appear well-maintained, showing signs of age but still imposing.

Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County—as the name suggests, it is a place where the Yao people live.

Visiting the Yao Museum here to learn about the characteristics and history of this ethnic group gives you a deeper understanding of this millennia-old people.

Legend has it that the Yao are descendants of Chi You. After Chi You lost the Central Plains war against the Yellow Emperor and the Flame Emperor, his people migrated south to Guangdong, Hunan, Guangxi, and elsewhere, where they multiplied. Thus, the Yao preserved their own history, cultural traditions, and methods of recording events.

In the Yao Museum, you can see various historical records of the Yao, including a lifelike statue of their ancestor Chi You.

Yao costumes, miniature versions of wind-and-rain bridges—the museum condenses the life of the Yao people into a small space. Stepping inside, you travel back a thousand years, and the tears and joys of this ethnic group come vividly before your eyes.

Next to the Fuchuan Yao Museum stands the centuries-old Ruiguang Pagoda.

At the foot of the pagoda is an ancient temple, without the noise of crowds. The incense smoke carries a calming comfort.

Ruiguang Pagoda is still open for climbing. Reaching the seventh floor, you can see the view of Fuchuan County. The quietly flowing river outlines the peace and tranquility of this small county.

Named "Ming City," it was originally built in the Ming Dynasty.

After hundreds of years, the city gate tower is still well-preserved, becoming an important landmark of Fuchuan.

I came here in the evening. Along the way, the buildings were mostly low-rise, but after restoration and with lighting, they exude a kind of nostalgic charm.

Inside the buildings, there are hidden treasures: theaters for Gui opera and small shops full of old items. Time settles here, appearing even gentler under the lights.

The city gate tower was once a place of military action. Now renovated, you can see cold weapons and majestic armor, but more importantly, from the tower, you have an excellent view of the old streets below.

The wind-and-rain bridge is brilliantly lit. Locals cool off on the bridge, chatting old folks and playing children form a peaceful scene.

Fuchuan Ancient City also features special performances. Whether it's the clapper talk at the foot of the tower or the Gui opera on the second-floor stage, everything is full of traditional flavor. Not only tourists watch; for locals, it's also great entertainment.

The crowded alleys have a more earthy, warm atmosphere.

On the fourth day, I left Hezhou and arrived in Yangshuo. Mention Yangshuo, and it's a place known to everyone.

"Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven, and Yangshuo's scenery is the best within Guilin." Yangshuo seems to condense the most spiritual essence of Guangxi, refining that unique elegance. From Hezhou to Guilin, it takes about one hour and thirty minutes by car, with picturesque scenery along the way.

Since I had limited time in Yangshuo this trip, I only chose the Yulong River rafting.

I've been to Yangshuo many times, but its beauty and the Yulong River's scenery always captivate me. It seems to relax my mood every time.

As a tributary of the Li River, the Yulong River's clear scenery forms Yangshuo's beautiful spots, including the Ten-Mile Gallery. In the past, bamboo rafts on the Yulong River were used by locals for fishing. Now, they have become a refined part of the river and a way to tour it.

Sitting on a bamboo raft, gliding on the clear water of the Yulong River, one travels within a painting, and the raft itself becomes part of the picture.

The hills on both banks of the Yulong River are unique peaks formed by karst topography, each with a different shape. If you add a bit of romantic imagination when visiting Yangshuo, each peak can resemble something different.

On the raft, watching the continuous hills and clear water, the quiet banks feel like being in a fairyland.

The last stop of this trip was Guilin. Praise for Guilin is endless. "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven"—an ancient poem says it all about Guilin's landscape.

Guilin is picturesque, but if you had to choose the most iconic landmark, Elephant Trunk Hill would be the one.

This hill in downtown Guilin resembles an elephant drinking from the Peach Blossom River, hence its name.

Coming to Guilin, of course, you must check in at this landmark. If Guilin's scenery often reminds you of various animals and landscapes, Elephant Trunk Hill requires no imagination—you can directly see the wonder created by nature.

Legend has it that Elephant Trunk Hill was transformed from the mount of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, so there is also a Samantabhadra Pagoda on the hill, echoing the Buddhist story.

At the foot of Elephant Trunk Hill, you can also see the clear Peach Blossom River. Taking a boat or bamboo raft to view Elephant Trunk Hill from the river is a very interesting experience.

The earliest history of Guilin dates back to the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shi Huang dug the Lingqu Canal and established a prefecture here, beginning Guilin's history. By the Ming Dynasty, the Prince Jingjiang Palace was established here, and it grew increasingly prosperous.

Prince Jingjiang Palace experienced war and was leveled by relentless time. During the War of Resistance against Japan, it was bombarded. Today, what stands there is no longer the prosperous Ming style.

But within those old-style buildings, there are also many surprises.

Prince Jingjiang Palace still retains its original layout, facing water and backed by mountains—the best feng shui position. The neat green paths and square design are as they were originally.

The main palace building is now an old-style house. Entering it, you can experience the prosperity of the palace in its day.

Inside, sound, light, and shadow, along with models, display the palace's elegance and bustle. You can also see Guilin's history: from Prince Jingjiang's establishment here to the blood and fire of the Anti-Japanese War, all recreated.

Behind Prince Jingjiang Palace is Solitary Beauty Peak.

In Guilin's basin, Solitary Beauty Peak stands alone, hence its name.

Rising abruptly from the plain, Solitary Beauty Peak is majestic and exquisite. On the peak, there are many poems and inscriptions from various dynasties, adding rich cultural flavor.

Leaving Solitary Beauty Peak, you can also experience an ancient imperial examination, which is quite fun.

On the last day, I chose Crown Cave.

The unique karst topography not only creates clear mountains and waters but also forms peculiar caves.

Formed over hundreds of millions of years, the caves present strange and magnificent underground scenes. Crown Cave gets its name because the mountain resembles a crown.

The way into Crown Cave is also very unique. There is an observation elevator over 30 meters high that takes you directly from the ground into the cave, quite extraordinary.

Inside the cave, shaped by nature over eons, you can see all kinds of strangely shaped stalactites. With colorful lighting, they gain special charm. With a little imagination, you might see celestial palaces, underwater dragon palaces, or scenes from Journey to the West. Every step brings new surprises.

Most special of all, there is a small train inside the cave. Riding the train through the fantastic cave is a unique pleasure only found here.

Walking around Crown Cave, you can also see beautiful Guilin scenery: mountains, villages, and boats quietly sailing on the Li River, all as beautiful as a painting.

I always like to taste local cuisine wherever I go.

Guangxi has plenty of delicious food. The clear Li River alone nurtures countless pollution-free ingredients.

Whether it's beer fish or stuffed snails, the fresh sweetness from the Li River is a must-try when visiting Guangxi. Guangxi food tends to be sour and spicy, mainly because the weather is hot, and these flavors can stimulate the appetite.

Guangxi's mountains and waters are always moving. Leaving Guangxi, I felt a little regretful. There were many beautiful sights I didn't see, many places I longed to visit but didn't. But the high-speed train ride, just over two hours, won't stop me from coming back. Returning to Guangxi will be on my upcoming itinerary...