# Northern Guangxi travel guide (桂北) Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region · South China, China · 13 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/guangxi-zhuang/northern-guangxi ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Longji Rice Terraces → Yinshui Dong Village → Dazhai Jinkeng Zhuang Village - **Day 2:** Zijiang River Rafting → Baoding Waterfall → Bajiaozhai (Eight-Corner Fortress) → Mao'er Mountain → Xing'an Lingqu Canal ## The feel of the place - **Wondrous & Exotic:** Northern Guangxi's wonder lies in its towering mountains, rushing rivers and primeval forests, which set it apart from the Guilin area. Its exoticism lies in ethnic minority customs and architecture that differ markedly from those of Han Chinese regions. Northern Guangxi is home to the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, Dong, Shui, Gelao, Mulam and Maonan peoples. Their distinct cultural traditions and customs mean the region's wonders are not merely something to see, but something that touches the heart. ## Getting there & around Getting around Northern Guangxi relies mainly on roads. From Guilin to Longsheng, express buses take about 2 hours. From Longsheng, you can take a direct bus to Ziyuan or Sanjiang. For specific transport details, see the first section of each county. ### Driving If you can, drive around Longsheng; the scenery along the way will make the trip worthwhile. To see the rice terraces, choose the right season, or the trip will be wasted. ## Eat & drink The food of northern Guangxi is mainly shaped by local ethnic minority traditions and tends toward sour flavours. Its signature dishes are not especially outstanding, but most people find them perfectly acceptable. The one drink you must not miss in northern Guangxi is the local liquor. There is the distinctive glutinous rice “water wine” of the Zhuang people of Longsheng, and the sweet potato spirit of the Yao people of Ziyuan, also known as “fire liquor”, which offers a very different flavour from the water wine. Try the Dong people's sour meat, and make sure to taste the Yao people's “niaoxian”, which is a must. The latter is a famous local delicacy: wild birds caught in the mountains are plucked and cleaned, then mixed with toasted rice flour and salt and sealed in a jar for a period of time. A good “niaoxian” has tender, fragrant meat and crisp bones, and is outstandingly delicious. ## Shopping In the Yao, Miao and Dong villages of northern Guangxi, many women sell embroidered pouches, silver bangles and silver earrings. Prices are very low, and some of these are not actually made of silver, so take care to check before you buy. ## Where to stay Apart from Xing'an, the county towns of northern Guangxi have little distinctive character, so there is little point staying in town. It is better to stay in villages near the scenic spots. Not only can you watch the scenery at dawn and dusk, but you can also stay in Yao, Miao and Dong villages along the way, getting close to local life, experiencing authentic folk customs and discovering the unusual traditions of different ethnic groups. ## Things to see - **Longji Rice Terraces** (★★★★★): Admission ¥80; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/longji-rice-terraces - **Huangluo Yao Village** (★★★★): Admission Included in the Longji Rice Terraces ticket; Opening hours Included in the Longji Rice Terraces scenic area; open all day; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/huangluo-yao-village - **Dazhai Jinkeng Zhuang Village** (★★★): Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dazhai-jinkeng-zhuang-village - **Yinshui Dong Village** (★★★★): Admission ¥50; Opening hours 8：30—16：30; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yinshui-dong-village - **Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge** (★★★★): Admission ¥50; Time needed 30 minutes — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/chengyang-wind-and-rain-bridge - **Dong Village and Mapang Drum Tower** (★★★★): — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dong-village-and-mapang-drum-tower - **Chengyang Eight Villages** (★★★★): Admission ¥90 (includes sightseeing bus); Time needed 0.5–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/chengyang-eight-villages - **Longtan National Forest Park** (★★★★): Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/longtan-national-forest-park - **Zijiang River Rafting** (★★★★): Admission Wooden boat ¥90/person; rubber raft ¥500/raft (up to 6 people), ¥350/raft (up to 3 people); Opening hours 7：00—16：00; Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/zijiang-river-rafting - **Bajiaozhai (Eight-Corner Fortress)** (★★★★): Admission ¥148 (includes shuttle bus ticket); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/bajiaozhai-eight-corner-fortress - **Tianmen Mountain** (★★★★): Admission ¥28; Opening hours 8：30—17：00; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tianmen-mountain-northern-guangxi - **Xing'an Lingqu Canal** (★★★): Admission Entrance ticket: ¥45 — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xing-an-lingqu-canal - **Mao'er Mountain** (★★★): Admission ¥160 (includes entrance ticket, sightseeing bus and insurance); Opening hours 8：00—17：30; Time needed 4–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mao-er-mountain --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2450–2460. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.