Baise

Baise offers a mix of karst scenery, revolutionary history and Zhuang culture. Its attractions are spread far apart, so driving or hiring a car with a driver is the most convenient way to link them together. The following 5-day, 4-night itinerary is a guide for exploring western Guangxi.

• Tongling Grand Canyon: Guangxi's deepest karst canyon is home to Tongling Waterfall, which plunges 188 meters from the cliff top into the depths below. Trails pass through rainforest and alongside underground rivers, making this a good place for scenic walks.

• Equan Spring: One of southwestern China's three great springs, Equan is also the source of Detian Waterfall. Visit early to see mist over the water, with a 15-arch old bridge framed by karst peaks and rice fields. The sunset also makes for good photography.

• Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster: This global geopark is known for its enormous sinkholes. From the Yunhai Tianzhou glass viewing platform, you can look down into a sinkhole more than 600 meters deep and see its layers of terrain.

• Haokun Lake, Lingyun: Surrounded by mountains, the lake has clear, emerald-green water. The lakeside road passes through rock tunnels. Explore on foot or take a boat to see the mountains and lake from the water.

• Jiuzhou Ancient Town: This Song-dynasty town has a history of 1,500 years and is known as the “home of embroidered balls.” A river winds around the village, where many households still make traditional Zhuang embroidered balls by hand, weaving the craft into everyday life.

• Quyang Lake: Known as “Guilin on Water” for its mountains reflected in the lake, Quyang has softly colored waters and a peaceful setting. Baqi Viewing Pavilion offers a panorama of the lake, while boat trips provide a closer look at the scenery.

• Baise Uprising Memorial Park: The park contains a memorial museum and monument. Admission is free, but advance reservations are required. It is a good place to learn about local revolutionary history, and its higher ground offers views across Baise. Yuedong Guild Hall is nearby.

5-Day, 4-Night Self-Drive Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Baise and explore its revolutionary history

After arriving in Baise in the morning, visit the museum and monument at Baise Uprising Memorial Park. Admission is free, advance reservations are required, and the museum is closed on Mondays. In the afternoon, walk along the old arcaded buildings on Jiefang Street and visit Yuedong Guild Hall to see local Lingnan architecture. Have dinner at Wanjingcheng Night Market or Jiefang Street Night Market, trying rolled rice noodles and grilled pig eyes. Stay overnight in Youjiang District.

• Day 2: Explore a canyon and a town known for embroidered balls

The drive from central Baise to Jingxi takes about 2 hours. Start the morning at Tongling Grand Canyon to see its 188-meter waterfall. Wear shoes with good grip for the walk. For lunch in Jingxi, try Zhuang-style roast suckling pig and suanye, a sour fruit snack. In the afternoon, head to Jiuzhou Ancient Town to watch local elderly women making embroidered balls, which you can also buy as souvenirs. Visit Equan Spring at sunset, then stay overnight in central Jingxi.

• Day 3: From sinkholes to a mountain lake

Leave Jingxi early for the roughly 3-hour drive to Leye. Much of the route follows mountain roads, so drive carefully. Visit the Dashiwei Tiankeng Cluster in the morning and take in the views from the Yunhai Tianzhou glass viewing platform. In the afternoon, continue to Haokun Lake in Lingyun. Take photos around the rock tunnels along the lakeside road, then choose a boat trip or a walk according to your energy level. Try salt-and-pepper duck feet in Lingyun for dinner, and stay in Lingyun or at a guesthouse near Haokun Lake.

• Day 4: Quyang Lake views and time by the water

Drive from Lingyun back toward Jingxi, stopping at Quyang Lake along the way. Take a boat trip or walk about 10 minutes up the mountain path to Baqi Viewing Pavilion for panoramic photos. Spend the afternoon camping or relaxing on the lakeside meadows in the peaceful surroundings. Return to Jingxi in the evening to browse the night market and try five-color glutinous rice. Stay another night in Jingxi.

• Day 5: Morning scenery and an afternoon departure

Revisit Equan Spring in the morning to see the mist, or head to Sandieling Waterfall near Jingxi instead. The waterfall is beside the national highway and is free to view. Return to the city center at midday to buy gifts such as Tianyang mangoes and Jingxi suanye before heading home.

Local Food in Baise

The local food combines Zhuang specialties with night-market favorites, with sour, sweet, aromatic and spicy flavors all common.

• Rolled rice noodles: A common night-market dish made fresh to order by steaming thin rice noodle sheets and wrapping them around fillings such as minced meat, green beans and wood ear mushrooms. Served with sauce, they have a soft, springy texture.

• Grilled pig eyes: This barbecue dish has a lightly charred, aromatic outer layer and a tender interior, with a chewy, juicy texture. It is usually served with a slightly sweet sauce.

• Qilixiang pork platter: A Tiandong specialty featuring thin-skinned, tender pork with fat that does not taste greasy. Whether gently poached and sliced or grilled, the meat retains its own flavor without needing much seasoning.
• Baishe suanye: A sour snack common in Guangxi, made with fruit such as mango, pineapple and plums mixed with chili salt. Its sharp, spicy flavor provides a refreshing contrast after rich food.

• Baise goat rice noodles: Made with local black goat meat that has a relatively mild flavor, this dish combines rice noodles and pickled mustard greens in a rich, savory broth. It is a common local breakfast.

Where to Stay and How to Get Around

• Areas to stay:
  • Central Baise (Youjiang District): Consider staying here on the first and final days. Hotels are well equipped and generally good value, with convenient access to night markets and the memorial museum.
  • Central Jingxi: A useful base for visiting Tongling Grand Canyon and Equan Spring, with plenty of rural guesthouses and homestays nearby, as well as convenient dining options.
  • Guesthouses around Haokun Lake: Many have large floor-to-ceiling windows for photographing the lake directly from your room. Some include boat trips and offer better value than hotels within the scenic area.
• Transport: Baise city center, Jingxi, Leye and Lingyun are far apart, with drives usually taking 2–3 hours. Driving yourself or hiring a car with a driver makes it easier to connect the sights. If starting from Nanning, the total driving distance is about 850 km. Ordinary passenger cars can handle the route, but the mountain roads have many bends, so less experienced drivers should take care.

Preparation and Travel Tips

• Clothing and gear: The routes through Tongling Grand Canyon and Dashiwei Tiankeng involve many steps, so bring athletic shoes with good grip. The Leye sinkholes are at a higher elevation, with temperatures 5–8°C lower than in the city. Bring a light jacket even in summer.
• Reservations and tickets: Museums such as the Baise Uprising Memorial Museum are generally closed on Mondays and require advance reservations using your real name. Tickets for canyon and sinkhole attractions can be bought online in advance, usually for less than at the entrance.
• Weather and driving safety: The route from Jingxi to Leye has many mountain roads and tunnels; avoid driving at night. Heavy mist can hide the bottoms of the sinkholes and limit the views. During the June–September rainy season, water levels in the canyons rise and steps can become slippery. Follow the instructions of scenic-area staff.
• Mosquito and sun protection: Canyons, lakeshores and grassy areas can have mosquitoes. Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.