Laibin Gusha Valley: A Yao Village Secret in the Mountains and Waters
Pathfinding: Entering the Emerald World of the Great Yao Mountains
It is said that Jinxiu Great Yao Mountains hide the most vibrant landscapes in Guangxi. Starting a weekend self-drive trip from Nanning, it takes just over three hours to reach the Gusha Valley Scenic Area. As soon as the car enters Zhongliang Township, the scenery outside the window gradually changes—the rolling green mountains look like spilled green ink, the road winds along the stream, and the breeze carries the fresh scent of grass and trees. At the entrance of the scenic area, the sign for Lingzu Grand Canyon is immediately visible. Walking along the stone steps into the canyon, the sound of rushing water can be heard within a few steps. The deeper you go, the denser the trees become, sunlight filters through the leaves creating scattered light spots on the ground, and the air carries a moist coolness that instantly washes away the city’s heat.
Exploring the Canyon: Stepping into Glass-like Mountain Spring Water
Right at the canyon entrance, you can see the colorful stones in the Nengqin River—red like agate, green like jade, round pebbles lying at the bottom of the clear water, gently swaying with the current. I took off my shoes and stepped into the water; the mountain spring water was cool and refreshing, flowing up from my ankles, even my toes felt the coolness. A companion suddenly pointed and shouted, “Look! Little fish!” A school of silvery fish swam past my feet. When we tried to catch them, they cleverly darted into the cracks between stones, making everyone laugh. Following the stream deeper, a small waterfall suddenly appeared, water rushing down from a stone cliff over ten meters high, splashing into the pool below and creating a fine mist like a thin veil. The pool water was crystal clear green, like a polished crystal. Standing by the pool, you could clearly see the veins on the leaves on the opposite bank. I couldn’t help but scoop up a handful of water and tasted it; the sweet and fresh flavor slid down my throat, more refreshing than drinking an ice-cold beverage.
Visiting the Village: The Highland Yao Family in the Mist
After leaving the grand canyon, we drove to Bale Yao Village. The winding mountain road ascended, and the higher we went, the thicker the fog became. The car seemed to drive into the clouds, with the green mountains appearing and disappearing like a fairyland. At the village entrance, several wooden stilt houses were built along the mountain, with faint cooking smoke drifting from the roofs. Elderly women dressed in blue Yao costumes sat at the door drying vegetables and waved to us with smiles. The village girls warmly invited us inside and served homemade Youcha (oil tea). The fragrance of the oil tea mixed with ginger warmed the whole body with just one sip. The girls said Bale Yao Village is at an altitude of 1,000 meters, covered by clouds and mist in the morning and evening, with summer temperatures only reaching about 20 degrees Celsius, making it a natural summer resort. We followed them to see the terraced fields in the village, which layered from the foot to the top of the mountain. Although it was not rice planting season, the lush green ridges had their own charm.
Sightseeing: Glass Walkway Above the Clouds
In the afternoon, we visited the glass walkway on Tianlan Mountain. The walkway is built on the edge of a cliff, looking down into a valley hundreds of meters deep. The wind blew past our ears, carrying the moisture of the clouds. Standing on the 5D panoramic horseshoe-shaped viewing platform, the transparent glass beneath our feet revealed the endless green mountains and rolling sea of clouds ahead. It felt like standing on the clouds, able to reach out and touch them. Our companions clung tightly to the railing in fear but couldn’t resist taking photos with their phones to capture the breathtaking scenery.
Return Journey: Packing the Coolness of Mountains and Waters into Our Pockets
As the sun tilted westward, we reluctantly walked down the mountain. Driving out of Gusha Valley, looking back, the clouds wrapped the green mountains again like an unfinished ink painting. After returning to Nanning, I could still hear the flowing water of Gusha Valley in my dreams, and the fresh sweetness of the mountain spring water seemed to linger in my mouth. The best trips are those that dive into such secret mountain and water realms, letting the cool spring water wash away fatigue, the Yao people's warmth warm the heart, and quietly tuck the gentleness of the mountains and waters deep inside.
1. Basic Information
1. Detailed Address: Zujiaqiaotou, Sanhe Village Committee, Zhongliang Township, Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County, Laibin City.
2. Opening Hours: Open year-round, daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM).
3. Scenic Area Features: Danxia cliffs, canyon streams, Feilong Waterfall, glass walkway, suspension bridge, ancient Yao village. The forest coverage is very high, rich in negative oxygen ions, water is crystal clear with wild fish swimming, offering a fully natural ecological landscape.
2. Transportation Guide
Self-driving (Recommended)
· Navigate directly to Gusha Valley Scenic Area parking lot. The road conditions are good, with ample parking spaces inside the scenic area at affordable rates.
· Self-driving routes from various places:
· From Liuzhou: about 110 km, 1.5 hours, via highway and township roads with beautiful scenery along the way.
· From Guilin: about 190 km, 2.5 hours, driving through the Great Yao Mountains, an excellent self-driving experience.
· From Laibin City: about 150 km, 2 hours, suitable for a weekend short trip.
Public Transportation
1. High-speed train/train: Take the high-speed train to Liuzhou Station, then take a bus from Liuzhou Bus Station to Jinxiu County, about 1.5 hours.
2. County transfer: Jinxiu County has tourist shuttle buses or rural passenger transport to Zhongliang Township. After arrival, you can charter or carpool to Gusha Valley Scenic Area, about 30 minutes, with carpool fares around 20-30 RMB per person.
3. Friendly reminder: Public transport runs infrequently, so it is recommended to check schedules in advance or charter a car in the county for a more time-saving and worry-free trip.
3. Tickets and Discounts
1. Ticket Prices
· Lingzu Grand Canyon single ticket: 60 RMB/person;
· Glass walkway single ticket: 120 RMB/person;
· Grand Canyon + Glass Walkway combo ticket: 170 RMB/person (best value, highly recommended).
2. Discount Policies
· Children under 1.2 meters, active military personnel, and disabled persons with valid ID are free for the Grand Canyon ticket; glass walkway tickets must be purchased separately.
· Children 1.2-1.4 meters, full-time students, and seniors over 60 with valid ID enjoy half-price tickets.
4. Specialty Foods
1. Yao Oil Tea: A traditional Yao welcoming drink, bitter at first sip then sweet aftertaste, served with fried rice, puffed rice, and peanuts. It warms the stomach and relieves greasiness, a must-try local snack.
2. Bamboo Tube Rice: Fresh bamboo tubes are used on-site to cook glutinous rice mixed with Yao cured meat and mushrooms. The bamboo aroma is strong, soft, and fragrant, full of wild mountain flavor.
3. Sour Soup Fish: Made with wild fish from mountain streams and Yao secret sour soup, sour and spicy with an appetizing taste, tender fish meat, all ingredients locally sourced for authentic flavor.
4. Other specialties: Yao smoked cured meat, stuffed bamboo shoots, wood leaf tofu, Lingzhi and Dendrobium soup, and Bodi meat. All ingredients are natural and healthy, full of Yao village rustic charm.