Things to do in Tiandong

Tiandongxian Chengxi Wetland Park

Tiandongxian Chengxi Wetland Park is located in western Tiandong and has a total area of approx. 0.27 km², of which water and green space account for 80%. The park is only 170 km from Nanning and 70 km from Baise, and it is accessible entirely by expressway, making transportation very convenient. The park centers on wetland ecology and is divided into six areas: a wetland plant species area, an ecological wetland comprehensive exhibition area, a pastoral scenery area, a resort and leisure area, a service and management area, and a protective buffer area. Through an integrated site layout of four zones—the ancient human culture exhibition zone, the Tea Horse Road cultural exhibition zone, the entrance revolutionary culture exhibition zone, and the modern achievements exhibition zone—and one belt, the ecological wetland core belt, it showcases a historical and cultural panorama spanning more than 2 million years of Tiandong's past and present, revealing major discoveries in ancient human culture, the regional and agricultural history and culture of the Tea Horse Road during the Southern Song, Tiandong's modern industrial and agricultural achievements, and distinctive cultural landscapes such as Tiandong's revolutionary and folk culture.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Spot

Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Spot is located on the Guichun River along the China-Vietnam border in Guangxi. Here the border river meets a cliff, and the water drops in three tiers with a fall of about 60 m, facing Vietnam's Ban Gioc Waterfall across the cliff. In the rainy season, when the water is abundant, the two waterfalls almost merge into one, with a combined width of more than 200 m, and the roar can be heard across the valley. This is also one of the filming locations for the TV drama The Journey of Flower. The highlights of the visit mostly unfold around this border river: after passing through the Detian Archway, you can take a bamboo raft from the bank toward the foot of the waterfall, look up as the curtain of water crashes down from the cliff top and mist hits your face, and experience up close the unique atmosphere of two countries just a step apart on the border river; on the river, you can often encounter Vietnamese border residents rowing small bamboo rafts to sell coffee, dried fruit, and other small goods, and the bargaining has much of the fun of a cross-border market. After coming ashore, follow the waterfall-viewing boardwalk and the multi-level viewing platforms to look back at the full panorama of the waterfall from different heights. The No. 53 boundary marker, erected in the Qing Dynasty and inscribed with "China Guangxi Boundary," is a popular photo spot. The waterfall view changes noticeably with water volume: during the summer wet season, the water is surging and visually stunning, while in the dry season it is relatively delicate; bamboo raft docks have long queues during peak season, so if you want to view the waterfall up close, it is recommended to plan an early start; there is heavy mist on the bamboo raft, so remember to protect your phone and camera from water.

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Baise

Tianzhou Ancient Town

The ancient city of Tianzhou is located in Tianyang County, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Tianyang County is located in the west of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in the middle reaches of the Youjiang River Valley. It borders Tiandong County in the east, Debao County in the south, Youjiang District in Baise City in the west, and Bama Yao Autonomous County in the north. Tianyang is the birthplace of the Zhuang nationality, the hometown of Mrs. Jiewa, an anti-Japanese woman in the Ming Dynasty, and one of the revolutionary bases in the Youjiang River founded by the older generation of proletarian revolutionaries by Deng Xiaoping. The project is located on the north bank of Baidong River in Tianzhou Town, Tianyang County, Guangxi.

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Qingxiu Mountain

Qingxiu Mountain is one of the famous scenic spots in Nanning and is located on the banks of the Yongjiang River. Qingxiu Mountain has more than a dozen foothills such as Qingshan and Fenghuangling. Here, you can visit the Longxiang Pagoda, look out over the landscapes. Or you can stroll through the park and admire different kinds of flowers. In springtime, this is a great place to enjoy flowers blooming, especially peach blossoms on Peach Blossom Island.

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area

Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area is located among the peaks in the southern part of Libo County and is named after a seven-arch stone bridge built during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty over the Xiangshui River. Set against a karst landscape, the scenic area brings together mountains, waters, forests, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, and is known as the "emerald on the Earth's belt." The Xiaoqikong ancient bridge is the attraction's signature view. The seven-arch stone arch bridge, built of bluestone, spans the Xiangshui River. Beneath the bridge, the water of Hanbi Pond is deep blue, and ancient trees tower on both banks, making it a classic photo spot. Following the Xiangshui River downstream, the 68-tier waterfall cascades in overlapping layers, with the river water dropping step by step over the karst rock surface with a roaring sound. Nearby, the Laya Waterfall pours down from the cliff beside the path, and visitors can feel the mist on their faces up close. The water forest is another unique view in the attraction, where trees take root among the streams in the water. Visitors walk along the stone stepping path through the forest, with babbling water beneath their feet and a canopy of green shade overhead. Mandarin Duck Lake is formed by two large lakes, the Male Mandarin Duck Lake and the Female Mandarin Duck Lake, connected with several small lakes. The lake surface is emerald green and serene, and boats can pass through the trees growing in the water. Wolong Pond is the surface outlet of an underground karst river. An arc-shaped stone embankment encloses the underground river water into a deep pond, and the water is as green as jade. Where the water overflows the stone embankment, a rolling-water waterfall forms, creating a striking contrast between the still pond and the moving waterfall. The area around the attraction is home to ethnic minorities such as the Bouyei and Yao, and villages like Yaoshan Ancient Village retain traditional dwellings and ethnic customs, adding cultural richness to the natural scenery. The attractions are distributed along the Xiangshui River; touring from Wolong Pond and Yuanyang Lake all the way down to the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, walking along the stream is relatively effortless.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Guangxi

Tongling Grand Canyon

Tongling Grand Canyon is located in Jingxi, Baise, Guangxi, and is a natural scenic area that combines tropical rainforest, rivers and waterfalls, gorges and karst caves, and other landscapes; it is also one of Jingxi's famous attractions. While visiting the attraction, you can stroll and take in the views amid the beautiful scenery and enjoy the fresh air of the forest oxygen bar. The attraction's Tongling Grand Waterfall, with a drop of 188 m, the magical cave waterfall and fantastical karst formations, and the ancient tree ferns that date back to the Jurassic period are among the finest representatives of Guangxi's beautiful scenery, and visitors can enjoy them to the fullest. Visiting the Tongling Grand Canyon attraction takes about 2-3 hours. After entering the attraction, simply follow the plank walkway on foot and tour along the way. The usual touring order is to first go from the main gate through Tongling Gorge to Tongling Grand Waterfall, explore the waterfall and the Water Curtain Cave behind it, then follow Happiness Road or the Lovers' Road you came by to Nianba Gorge, touring all the way on the return. Along the route, there are also beautiful views of gorges, rivers, and trees in alternation, and beside the path you can see views such as the approx. 800 m underground dark river and the ancient cliff cave burial site. At the Nianba exit, a shuttle bus takes visitors back to the attraction main gate; you can also walk back, which takes about 30 minutes. From the attraction entrance to Tongling Waterfall, there are more than 800 stone steps. Walking all the way down is not too tiring. On both sides of the path, there are spectacular canyon views, as well as pristine tropical rainforests, babbling streams, and small waterfalls, creating a very fresh and beautiful environment. Along the way, you can pay attention to the trees, such as fig trees and giant palm trees, most of which have unique shapes and obvious characteristics of tropical plants. There are also several ancient tree ferns that date back to the Jurassic period, so be sure to keep an eye out for them. Tongling Waterfall lies deep within the gorge and is a key view in the attraction, with a powerful flow of water. It sits within a narrow crevice, as if a massive torrent were pouring down from the top of the fissure—a spectacular and fantastical sight that is great for photos. Water Curtain Cave is located behind the waterfall, and inside the cave there are very distinctive lava formations with unique shapes, as well as a unique nine-tiered waterfall within the cave, which visitors can explore one by one.

Model Longtan Scenic Area

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Guangxi

Dongnayuwan Scenic Area

Dongnayuwan Scenic Area is nestled along the Heishui River in Chongzuo, Guangxi, upgraded from the original Anping Fairy River attraction. Surrounded by karst peaks embracing an emerald bay with continuous mountain islets and bamboo-lined banks, it's hailed as the "Alternative Li River" and "Fairy River of Guangxi," serving as a filming location for TV dramas like The Journey of Flower. The main activity here is a boat cruise through the picturesque landscape, with painted barges gliding past mountain reflections before disembarking to explore stone forests and bamboo groves—offering distinct experiences by water and land. The highlight lies in the "Eight views of Dongnayuwan": Water illusion, Guantian Farm, Swallow Cave, Xiake Trail, Longbi Beach, Waterfall Market, Aquatic Stone Maze, and Puhuang Island. Guantian Farm divides fields according to Tusi (chieftain) land systems like water-carrying fields, horse-raising fields, and sedan-chair fields—each plot's name corresponding to the farmer's role in the chieftain's household. The staggered Xiake Trail provides prime views of Longbi Beach's tiered waterfalls, where heart-shaped rapids send white dragon-like streams through rocks into the river, their intensity varying with water levels. The Aquatic Stone Maze conceals a submerged stone forest with bizarre rocks encircling pools amid bamboo shadows. Puhuang Island allegedly gained its name when the Southern Ming Emperor Yongli stayed here with his empress, once serving as the backyard garden of Anping's Tusi. The area carries deeper Tusi cultural undertones. Daxin County is renowned as the "Hometown of Chinese Tusi Culture," with the scenic area located in Anping Village—the former seat of Anping Tusi Prefecture, where ruins of Ming-Qing dynasty Tusi offices still remain on the old street. In 1637, traveler Xu Xiake documented his visit to Anping Prefecture in his travelogue. Today, traditions like Tusi welcoming ceremonies, Bayin drum music, and the Nongdong Festival continue among local Zhuang communities, some adapted into performances that travelers might encounter unexpectedly within the attraction.

No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Guizhou

Wanfenglin Scenic Area

Wanfenglin Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Xingyi, Guizhou, in the heart of southwestern Guizhou on the southeastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Its southern end borders Guangxi; to the west it reaches Sanjiangkou at the junction of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou; to the north it adjoins the main peak of Wumeng Mountain. The peaks rise to 1,600 m, with an average elevation of 1,200 m, and forest coverage of 68.5%. Covering a total area of more than 2,000 sq km, it is a typical area for the development of world-class cone karst peak-forest landforms. The attraction has a pleasant climate, with no severe cold in winter and no extreme heat in summer, and has been listed in the national summer resort city rankings. It is a place for health and leisure tourism in China. The attraction is dominated by cone-shaped peak forests and peak clusters developed in Triassic strata, interspersed with various geological heritage views such as karst caves, dolines, underground rivers, sinkholes, and sedimentary strata. The peak-cluster and peak-forest landscape views are wide in distribution, diverse in type, rich in form, and complete in development, and are extremely rare in China and even worldwide. They are a typical representative of the cone karst landscape views formed in the transitional slope zone from the western Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the Guangxi hills, and are known as the "Museum of Chinese Cone Karst." The types of landscape resources in the attraction are mainly natural views such as pastoral scenery and spectacular mountain peaks, supplemented by cultural views such as ethnic minority villages. In terms of natural resources, according to the shapes of the peak forest, it is divided into types such as karst isolated peaks, valley peak forests, karst cone peaks, and blade-shaped stone peaks, forming a majestic and vast karst view. It is a typical representative of cone karst landscape views and has significant value for geological research; in terms of cultural resources, the long history of the Bouyei ethnic group has accumulated rich ethnic culture. Its clothing, language, and living customs all embody a strong ethnic cultural flavor. The "Eight-Tone Sitting and Singing," which enjoys the reputation of "living fossil of sound" and "sound of nature," is a folk storytelling and singing art passed down from generation to generation by the Bouyei ethnic group and has been rated as a "National Intangible Cultural Heritage."

No. 8 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Guangxi

Mingshi Rural

Mingshi Rural is located to the west of Daxin County in Chongzuo City, about an hour's drive from the famous Detian Transnational Waterfall attraction, and visitors usually tour both attractions together. Mingshi Rural features a unique karst landscape with graceful mountains surrounded by flowing water, creating extremely beautiful scenery. In addition to the scenery of mountains and water reflecting each other, the attraction also features fresh and rustic villages, farmlands, and other views. Visitors can come here to go bamboo rafting, take photos and enjoy the scenery, and experience the wonderful views and peaceful rural life. The TV drama "The Journey of Flower" once filmed here, making this place even more famous. Mingshi Rural covers a large area, mainly including the natural river and pastoral scenery in the upper reaches of the Mingshi River, as well as the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum built in the lower reaches. Visitors have two ways to explore: bamboo rafting and land sightseeing, and generally half a day is suitable for a visit. Many visitors also choose to stay overnight within the attraction to leisurely enjoy the surrounding scenery and experience the freshness and tranquility of pastoral life. Bamboo rafting is a popular way to explore the attraction. You can first reach the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum downstream, where you can purchase rafting tickets; a sightseeing bus can take visitors to the rafting departure point. The rafting lasts about 1 hour or more, and the boat is equipped with a guide who provides commentary along the way. On the rafting route, you can see beautiful peaks reflected in the river, with scenery very similar to views such as the Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection in Guilin; you will also pass through crisscrossing farmland and quiet villages, with pastoral scenes that are truly refreshing. The endpoint of the bamboo rafting is the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum, which includes the Totem Square, artificial lake scenery, Zhuang villages, chieftain residences, and a style street. These mainly feature sculptures and residential architecture reflecting Zhuang customs, and you can take a brief tour. In addition, there are often Zhuang song and dance performances here; if you come across one, you can stop and enjoy it for a while. Another way to explore is land sightseeing: first visit the Mingshi Rural Zhuang Ethnic Folk Museum, then rent a bicycle here for cycling and sightseeing around the area. Bicycles are mostly rented from local hotels or farmhouses, and a cycling route map is provided upon rental; along the road beside the attraction, several routes are available to choose from. The commonly recommended route is heading northwest (i.e., upstream along the river), where you can enjoy beautiful karst and pastoral scenery similar to that seen on the bamboo rafting trip. Accommodation and catering The best place to stay in Mingshi Rural is Daxin Mingshi Resort, located within the attraction, offering beautifully situated view rooms and distinctive ethnic decor. Outside the attraction, there are express hotels such as Art Hotel · Mingshi Art Hotel (Daxin Mingshi Rural Visitor Center Branch) and Mingshi Express Hotel, as well as some local farmhouses, all with decent environments. You can choose your stay based on personal preference. Dining is also mostly at the place of stay, where you can order some authentic farm dishes to taste and savor the rural life.