My social circle has been flooded with questions about the "exotic ancient castle" near Nanning—Xiali Li Village in Hengzhou
Who knows about this, family! I struck gold around Nanning! I just wanted to casually stroll through a village over the weekend, but ended up in Xiali Li Village, Hengzhou, and was speechless at the beauty of the stone ancient castle! The gray stone archway paired with the weathered city walls—stand there and take a photo, post it online, and everyone asks if you flew to Europe. I stayed up all night to create this humorous guide for you lazy folks to just dive in without the crowds!
📍 Location | Don’t search wrong! The exotic secret near Nanning is here
Make sure to look for Xiali Li Village, Dengwei Village Committee, Yunbiao Town, Hengzhou City, Nanning! The Longmu River flows around the village. Enter the full name in your navigation—don’t miss any characters or you’ll get “Lili Ancient Town” instead! Otherwise, you’ll be directed to another place, driving two hours with nowhere to cry. This is a hidden millennium-old village in the countryside, with stone castles and ancient bridges over flowing water, so niche that even locals rarely know about it~
🚗 Transportation | Lazy direct access, self-driving folks beware of pitfalls
Out-of-towners should first head to Nanning city center, then transfer—super hassle-free; self-driving from the city is best, 112 km total, about 1 hour 40 minutes on the highway. After exiting, there’s a short stretch of bumpy village road, but driving slowly in a small car is totally fine, even beginners need not worry;
If you don’t want to drive, join a local day tour group, gathering at 7:30 am for a direct trip—no need to find your own way, just relax and enjoy;
Key point: There’s free parking space at the village entrance with charging stations, so electric car owners can drive with peace of mind, no range anxiety!
🎫 Tickets | Completely free, pure joy! Who understands the happiness of free stuff
Mark this down! Xiali Li Village is entirely free! No tickets, no reservations, just park at the village entrance and go in. You can freely explore the stone castle, Longmu Ancient Bridge, and Bronze Drum Platform. Take exotic photos without spending a dime. Students and workers will be thrilled—this cost performance is legendary!
✨ Travel Highlights | 4 top must-visit spots, you’ll say it’s amazing after touring
1. Stone Ancient Castle (the star of social media): The village’s beauty champion! Large slabs of bluestone form the arch and dome, weathered stone walls full of history. Stand under the arch and take photos—it looks just like William’s castle. When the wind blows your hair, the atmosphere is perfect. Whoever shoots here looks like the lead in a movie;
2. Longmu Ancient Bridge: A thousand years of heritage! A 24-arch stone bridge built in the Western Han Dynasty, symbolizing the 24 solar terms. The bluestone slabs are polished shiny from footsteps. Walking on the bridge watching the Longmu River flow, the ancient vibe is full-on. Every snap looks like a Jiangnan misty rain scene. So few people you can enjoy the whole bridge alone;
3. Bronze Drum Command Platform: Full of Zhuang ethnic characteristics! A tall platform enlarged from the prototype of a pre-Qin bronze drum, with frog totems carved on stone steps on both sides. The outer wall has the character for fortune, the inner wall the character for harmony. Standing on the platform, you can overlook the entire village, river, and countryside. You can also hear legends of General Fubo’s garrison here—sightseeing and learning at the same time;
4. Yueshui Tower + Stonehenge: A niche photo spot! The Zhuang-style tower roof is carved with carp, symbolizing fish leaping over the dragon gate. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the Longmu River. Nearby, the stone circle interlocks, symbolizing unity and harmony. Photos taken inside the stone circle are unique and classy, no one else has this style~
📸 Photography Tips | Even amateurs can nail the social media spotlight
We focus on zero-tech photos, remember these points to win big!
✅ Outfit: Wear solid colors! Black, white, khaki are most photogenic, contrasting beautifully with the gray stone castle. Long dresses or trench coats are even better—walk with flair and shoot dynamic photos, the vibe is instantly legendary. Avoid big floral prints—they compete with the stone walls;
✅ Angles: ① Shoot the castle arch from below, person standing in the middle of the arch with stone walls as background—makes you look tall and tells a story; ② Walk sideways on Longmu Ancient Bridge, shoot from a low angle with river and stone bridge in the background—instantly an ancient-style masterpiece; ③ Shoot the Bronze Drum platform steps from above, person standing on the steps with blue sky overhead—composition is super clean;
✅ Time: Go between 3-5 pm! The light is soft and not backlit, the stone walls have beautiful dappled shadows. Avoid harsh noon sun that makes photos dark and blurry. Evening shots can catch the sunset glow, gentle to the core~
🍜 Food | Rustic charm, authentic flavors
No shops in the village, don’t expect to eat inside the scenic area! After touring, head straight to Yunbiao Town, a 10-minute drive, where local delicacies are guaranteed not to disappoint:
✅ Hengzhou Fish Sashimi: A must-try! Yujiang green bamboo fish sliced paper-thin, served with over 20 dipping sauces, so fresh it’ll blow your mind. A popular old local spot, about 50 RMB per person to eat until full;
✅ Farmhouse Restaurant: Delicious countryside dishes by the Longmu River, like perilla fried river shrimp and stir-fried seasonal vegetables, all freshly picked from the fields. Light and not greasy, perfect to warm your stomach and heart after a tiring walk;
✅ Hidden treat: Buy some local sweet soup at the village entrance—mung bean soup or locust flower jelly, 5 RMB a bowl, sweet and refreshing, perfect for eating on the go~
🏠 Accommodation | 3 options to suit all needs, comfortable and affordable
1. Yunbiao Town Budget Hotel: Best value! 10 minutes from the village by car, about 80+ RMB per person, clean and tidy with free parking. Stay here after touring, no need to rush back to Nanning, very convenient;
2. Hengzhou City Hotels: For those wanting to explore the city! 40 minutes by car, choose the Jasmine-themed hotel, about 120+ RMB per person. You can also visit Hengzhou night market and try local snacks;
3. Nanning City Return Trip: For day-trippers, just go and back the same day. Two hours of touring is enough to gather social media content. Drive back to Nanning in the evening, no impact on work the next day~
⚠️ Practical Tips | Pitfall guide, avoid 800 detours after reading
1. Wear flat shoes! The village is all bluestone slabs and stone steps. Don’t wear heels for looks—you’ll twist your ankle and feel miserable. Comfortable sneakers are the way to go;
2. Prepare sunscreen and mosquito repellent! The village is full of trees and grass, the afternoon sun is strong. Don’t forget hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Mosquitoes come out at dusk, spray some floral water before walking around;
3. Don’t touch ancient artifacts! The castle walls and bridge stones are millennia-old relics. No climbing or graffiti. Respectful visits ensure the site lasts longer;
4. Bring your own drinking water! No convenience stores in the village, bring enough water to avoid thirst with nowhere to buy;
5. After touring, visit the jasmine fields nearby! Xiali Li Village is close to Hengzhou jasmine fields. It’s a healing countryside scene and great for photos~
Final ramble: Don’t rush your trip to Xiali Li Village. Take your time to stroll and shoot. The countryside breeze is gentle. No need to squeeze into crowded hotspots to enjoy a unique exotic romance. Remember to take lots of photos, or you won’t have enough to post on social media!