Attractions · Nanning

Qingxiu Mountain is Nanning's most famous scenic area, on the bank of the Yong River, and a national 5A scenic area. The mountain is densely wooded with fresh air and is Nanning's "city green lung." Longxiang Pagoda is the landmark of Qingxiu Mountain, and climbing it gives views over the Yong River and all of Nanning. Guanyin Chan Temple is thick with incense smoke, and the thousand-year cycad garden displays precious plants. Highlights include the Heavenly Pool. The city's green lung, with extremely high forest cover, has Longxiang Pagoda, Guanyin Chan Temple and a thousand-year cycad garden; climb the pagoda for views over the Yong River and Nanning, with flowers in every season. Tip: go early to enjoy the morning scene and avoid the heat. Practical info: located at 6 Fengling South Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; ticket ¥20; opening hours 06:00–23:00. Best season: spring (March–May) brings flowers across the city; autumn (September–November) is pleasant and good for climbing and sightseeing. Combine with the Guangxi Museum of Nationalities, Three Streets and Two Alleys and Daming Mountain for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: Go early to enjoy the morning scene and avoid the heat.

• Address: 6 Fengling South Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
• Ticket: ¥20
• Opening: 06:00–23:00

The Guangxi Museum of Nationalities stands at the southern foot of Qingxiu Mountain. Opened in 2008, it is the largest ethnology museum in Guangxi. Its bronze-drum collection ranks among the world's largest, and permanent exhibitions cover the production, daily life, costumes, architecture and festivals of the Zhuang, Han, Yao, Miao, Dong, Mulao, Maonan, Hui, Jing, Yi, Shui and Gelao peoples. Outdoors there is also a stilt-house village and an original-ecology display garden. The best window on Guangxi's twelve long-established ethnic groups, it houses the world's largest bronze-drum display, stilt-house architecture, ethnic costumes and brocades, and is free, in the same district as Qingxiu Mountain — good for a half-day outing. Highlights include the world's largest bronze-drum display and the outdoor village buildings. Tip: enter after reserving, see the bronze drums and costumes first, then the outdoor houses; it is on the same route as Qingxiu Mountain, so allow at least 2 hours. Practical info: located at 11 Qinghuan Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning; admission free (reservation required); opening hours 09:30–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:00).

Tip: After reserving, enter and see the bronze drums and costumes first, then the outdoor houses; it is on the same…

• Address: 11 Qinghuan Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 09:30–17:00 (closed Mondays; last entry 16:00)

Three Streets and Two Alleys refers to the three old streets of Xingning, Minsheng and Jiefang roads and the two old lanes of Jinshi and Yinshi, and is the best-preserved historic district in Nanning. Arcaded buildings, grey-brick houses, the City God Temple, the Deng Yingchao Memorial and the Xinhui Academy are scattered through it. After renovation it has added restaurants, cultural shops and guesthouses, and when the lights come on at night it is one of Nanning's liveliest old-city night destinations. The root of old Nanning: three arcaded streets plus two old lanes, with the City God Temple, Deng Yingchao Memorial, time-honoured shops and night market mixed together, liveliest at dusk. Highlights include the Nanning City God Temple and the arcaded old streets. Tip: go at dusk, visit Jinshi Lane and the City God Temple first, then eat laoyou noodles; it is at Chaoyang Square station on Metro Line 1, and crowded at weekends. Practical info: located at Xingning Road, Xingning District, Nanning; admission free; open all day (exhibition halls about 09:00–17:00, closed Mondays). Best season: spring (March–May) brings flowers across the city; autumn (September–November) is pleasant and good for climbing and sightseeing.

Tip: Go at dusk, visit Jinshi Lane and the City God Temple first, then eat laoyou noodles; it is at Chaoyang Square…

• Address: Xingning Road, Xingning District, Nanning
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day (exhibition halls about 09:00–17:00, closed Mondays)

Daming Mountain lies in Wuming District of Nanning and is a green jewel on the Tropic of Cancer. The main peak rises to 1,760 meters, with dense primeval forest and a fine ecological environment. The scenic area is known for strange peaks, gorges, waterfalls and seas of clouds; alpine rhododendrons bloom in spring and the forest turns to layered colors in autumn. It is the best summer retreat and hiking destination on the edge of Nanning. Highlights include the Tianping cloud sea, Daming Mountain waterfalls and the primeval forest trail. The primeval forest on the Tropic of Cancer, with strange peaks, gorges, waterfalls, cloud seas and alpine rhododendrons, is a haven for escaping the heat, watching mist and hiking. Tip: the temperature on the mountain is 5–8 degrees lower than below, so bring a jacket. Practical info: located at Daming Mountain Scenic Area, Wuming District, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; ticket ¥128; opening hours 08:00–17:00. Best season: spring (March–May) brings flowers across the city; autumn (September–November) is pleasant and good for climbing and sightseeing. Combine with Qingxiu Mountain, the Guangxi Museum of Nationalities and Three Streets and Two Alleys for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: The temperature on the mountain is 5–8 degrees lower than below, so bring a jacket.

• Address: Daming Mountain Scenic Area, Wuming District, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
• Ticket: ¥128
• Opening: 08:00–17:00