Nanning

1. Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area

Qingxiu Mountain, a 5A-level scenic spot lying on the banks of the Yongjiang River, is hailed as the “Emerald of the Green City and the Phoenix of the Zhuang Homeland”. With a history of over 1,700 years, it was a resort for literati and officials in the past dynasties. The scenic area is dominated by south subtropical plant landscapes, with ancient trees towering and exotic flowers blooming all year round. Cultural relics such as Longxiang Pagoda and the Former Residence of Ming Dynasty scholars are scattered throughout. It also hosts the grand “March 3rd” Zhuang Folk Festival every year, where visitors can enjoy authentic Zhuang singing, dancing and food, experiencing the strong ethnic customs of Guangxi.

2. Nanning Confucius Temple

As the largest and best-preserved Confucius Temple in Guangxi, it has a history tracing back to the Song Dynasty and was rebuilt in the modern era following traditional architectural norms. The temple complex is resplendent with red walls and yellow tiles, and the Dacheng Hall, the main building, is magnificent with exquisite dougong structures. It houses a large number of cultural relics related to Confucianism, such as stone carvings of the Analects and statues of Confucius and his disciples. Regular rituals like the Confucius Birthday Celebration are held here, allowing visitors to feel the profound influence of Confucian culture in the border ethnic areas.

3. Guangxi Medicinal Botanical Garden

It is one of the largest medicinal botanical gardens in Asia, integrating scientific research, tourism and health preservation. Founded in the 1950s, it collects and cultivates more than 10,000 kinds of medicinal plants from China and Southeast Asia. The garden is divided into functional areas such as the Chinese Medicinal Herb Area, the Zhuang Yao Ethnic Medicine Area and the Tropical Medicinal Plant Area. It not only displays the long-standing traditional Chinese medicine culture, but also highlights the unique ethnic medicinal knowledge of Guangxi’s ethnic minorities. Guided tours can help visitors understand the magical effects of various medicinal plants and the cultural stories behind them.

4. Yongjiang River Scenic Belt

The Yongjiang River is the mother river of Nanning. The scenic belt stretches along the river for dozens of kilometers, integrating natural scenery and urban culture. Historically, it was an important waterway on the ancient Lingqu Canal – Yongjiang River transport route, witnessing the prosperity of Nanning’s trade with the southwest and Southeast Asia. Today, the riverside greenways, cultural squares and historic wharves are interconnected. The night view of the Yongjiang River is particularly charming, with the lights reflecting on the water. Taking a night cruise, visitors can appreciate the modern skyline of Nanning while feeling the historical changes along the river.

5. Guangxi Museum

Founded in 1934, Guangxi Museum is a comprehensive museum showcasing the history and ethnic culture of Guangxi. Its collection includes a large number of precious cultural relics, such as the bronze drum of the Warring States Period, the pottery of the Neolithic Age and the folk cultural relics of various ethnic groups. The bronze drum exhibition is a highlight, displaying more than 300 bronze drums, reflecting the long-standing bronze drum culture of the Zhuang and other ethnic groups in Guangxi. The museum also holds regular thematic exhibitions on ethnic customs and historical events, allowing visitors to have an in-depth understanding of Guangxi’s thousands of years of cultural heritage.

6. Nanhu Park

Located in the central area of Nanning, Nanhu Park is a comprehensive urban park with a history of nearly a hundred years. The park centers on the vast Nanhu Lake, with lush trees and beautiful flowers along the lakeside. There are cultural landscapes such as the Revolutionary Martyrs Monument and the Celebrity Sculpture Garden in the park. It is also an important venue for Nanning’s citizens’ cultural activities, where square dances, folk art performances and other activities are held every day. The lake is suitable for boating, and the surrounding greenways are ideal for walking and jogging. It perfectly combines urban leisure functions with historical and cultural displays.

7. Old Street of Sanfang Qixiang

Sanfang Qixiang in Nanning is a well-preserved ancient residential area with typical Lingnan architectural style, dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The three lanes and seven alleys are arranged in an orderly manner, with bluestone roads and tile-roofed houses connected to each other. Many ancient buildings retain exquisite wood carvings and stone carvings, recording the life scenes of the ancient people in Nanning. Today, the old street has become a block integrating cultural display, catering and tourism. Visitors can taste local snacks such as rice noodles and glutinous rice cakes, buy hand-made ethnic crafts, and feel the strong ancient urban style.