Northern Guangxi

Centered on the Li River and the karst landscapes of Yangshuo, and extending to the Dong and Miao villages of Liuzhou and the ancient town of Huangyao in Hezhou, this is Guangxi's most classic travel region.

By Guangxi's tourism definition, Northern Guangxi covers three cities: Guilin, Liuzhou and Hezhou. Lying where Hunan, Guangxi and Guizhou meet, it has the region's greatest concentration of karst scenery and of ethnic minority cultures, including the Dong, Miao and Yao. Highlights: the Li River in Guilin is part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site South China Karst. On a boat or bamboo raft from Guilin to Yangshuo you pass famous sights such as the Nine-Horse Fresco Hill and the Yellow Cloth Shoal reflection. The Yulong River and the Ten-Mile Gallery near Yangshuo are ideal for cycling and rock climbing. Liuzhou is an industrial city and the home of luosifen (river snail rice noodles). Under its administration, Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County has the Chengyang Eight Villages with their wind-and-rain bridges and drum towers, and Rongshui Miao Autonomous County offers lusheng (reed pipe) festivals and Miao village life. In Hezhou, the ancient town of Huangyao is remarkably well preserved, and Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County has Xiushui Village and its wind-and-rain bridges. Classic itinerary: one day in urban Guilin, two to three days on the Li River and in Yangshuo, and optionally one day at the Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng. Then head north for two days in Sanjiang and Rongshui, stopping in Liuzhou for a bowl of luosifen, and spend one to two days on the eastern leg in Huangyao and Fuchuan. The whole region takes about seven to ten days. Getting there: Guilin Liangjiang Airport and Liuzhou Bailian Airport are the gateways. The Guiyang–Guangzhou, Hunan–Guangxi and Nanning–Guangzhou high-speed railways connect here, so travel by high-speed train from Guangzhou, Changsha or Nanning is easy. Yangshuo and Sanjiang have high-speed rail stations, while rural sights are best reached by chartered car or self-drive. Season: April to October is best for river scenery, though boats may be suspended temporarily during flood periods. In the winter low-water season, cruise sections are adjusted. Yangshuo is crowded on public holidays, so book accommodation in advance.

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