It’s been three months since our last family getaway trip, so we were all eagerly awaiting our next adventure. This time, we decided to explore Guangxi, a region in China which I hadn’t visited in nearly two decades. Last time, it was my father bringing me along, but this time, I was the one taking my own family, including my 2-year-old daughter, to experience the beauty of southern China. Our trip took us through some breathtaking landscapes, from the famous karst mountains of Yangshuo to the serene beauty of Chongzuo. Read on to peek into our journey!
Yangshuo & Chongzuo Itinerary
Our trip was what I’d call a “semi-self-drive” vacation. We traveled from Singapore to Yangshuo, where we met up with my parents, who had driven from Chongqing. From there, we embarked on a week-long adventure.
Day 1:
- Flight: Singapore ✈️ Guangzhou
- Train: Guangzhou 🚄 Yangshuo
- Car: Yangshuo 🚗 Hotel
Day 2:
- Exploring Yangshuo
Day 3:
- Car: Yangshuo 🚗 Nanning
Day 4:
- Car: Nanning 🚗 Chongzuo
Day 5:
- Exploring Chongzuo
Day 1: Singapore to Yangshuo
Getting to Yangshuo from Singapore was quite the trek, involving a red-eye flight to Guangzhou, a taxi ride to the train station, and then a high-speed train to Yangshuo. By the time we arrived at our hotel, it felt like we had been on the move for 13 hours straight!
If you’re planning a similar journey, here’s a breakdown of the travel time:
- Flight from Singapore to Guangzhou: 4 hours
- Taxi to the train station: 1 hour
- High-speed train to Yangshuo: 2 hours
- Drive to the hotel: 1 hour
(Total: 8 hours travel time, 13 hours including waiting and transitions!)
Yangshuo: The Land of Karst Mountains and River Valleys
The first thing that struck me upon arriving in Yangshuo was the awe-inspiring karst landscape. It’s no wonder that they say “Guilin’s scenery is the best in the world, and Yangshuo’s scenery tops Guilin!” The rolling hills and lush greenery made for a view that could easily rival the scenic train rides in Switzerland.
Where We Stayed in Yangshuo: Yuyuan Jingshe
When traveling with kids, finding the right accommodation is key. In Yangshuo, we stayed at Yuyuan Jingshe, a family-friendly hotel along the Yulong River that offered stunning views of both the mountains and the water. It had everything we needed: spacious rooms, a big lawn where my daughter could run around, and plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained.
Price: Approx. 250 RMB per person (in the off-season) with breakfast included.
Pros:
- Great for families with kids, with lots of free activities like ethnic costume performances, cormorant fishing shows, and both indoor and outdoor play areas.
- Excellent service, with attentive staff and well-maintained facilities.
Cons:
- Be sure to request rooms in buildings 3 or 4 to avoid the construction area.
Day 2: Things to Do in Yangshuo
Yangshuo offers countless activities for families, but with young children, we had to be mindful of choosing more relaxed options. Instead of rushing from one tourist spot to another, we took it slow and enjoyed the stunning natural scenery.
Visit Xianggong Mountain
We made a stop at Xianggong Mountain, where the views of the Li River’s winding bends were absolutely breathtaking. The climb up took about 20 minutes, and while the ticket price (60 RMB) was a bit steep for what it offered, it was worth it for the view alone.
Chill at Rice Field Cafés
We also discovered a lovely little café called “Under the Gardenias” in the Ten Mile Gallery area. It was the perfect spot to relax after a day of exploring, offering decent food and drinks with a beautiful view of the rice fields. Spending a quiet afternoon here was an unforgettable experience.
Day 3: A Quick Stopover in Nanning
After two nights in Yangshuo, we drove to Nanning, stopping for just one night. Since it’s a bigger city, we didn’t plan to do much sightseeing and mainly used it as a rest stop to break up our journey. However, we did take a short stroll through the bustling Three Streets and Two Alleys, which turned out to be a typical pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants.
Our final destination was Chongzuo, home to the Detian Waterfall, a stunning transnational waterfall shared between China and Vietnam. The two-hour drive from Nanning was filled with views of karst mountains, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
The waterfall itself was breathtaking, and for a small fee, we took a bamboo raft ride (48 RMB per person) to get up close. The experience was both peaceful and awe-inspiring. If you visit, don’t miss the photo opportunities at the scenic spots set up around the falls.
There is also a Rice Field Café which you can enjoy some drinks while enjoying the magnificent view of the De Tian Waterfall.
Pro tip: Be prepared for vendors selling cigarettes and coffee on the Vietnamese side of the river, but avoid buying them as they can be overpriced and illegal to bring back into China.
Day 5: Things to do in Chongzuo
After spending over two hours exploring the Detian Waterfall, we headed straight to Daxin Hualu Hotel, located within the Mingshi Scenic Area. It’s a charming little hotel with a stylish vibe, though not as family-friendly as our first hotel since it doesn’t offer as many kid-focused amenities.
Where We Stayed in Chongzuo: Daxin Hualu Hotel
We booked the “Wild View” King Room, which opened up to beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. There’s a small lawn area where they even roast chicken fresh on-site, which is perfect for a cozy evening.
On the rooftop, there’s a swimming pool with free float rings for guests to use, which was a nice bonus.
Day Trip Exploring Around Mingshi Scenic Area
The Mingshi Scenic Area itself doesn’t require an entry ticket. While the spots inside may not be standout attractions on their own, the picturesque surroundings make it an ideal location for taking photos. For those of us who spend most of our time in big cities, this rural escape, with mountains all around, was truly refreshing. We even took a bike ride with the kids to soak in the serene environment—an experience I highly recommend.
Fish Scale Dam
Though the dam looks decent in pictures, it’s actually quite small in real life. We weren’t allowed to enter when we visited, and to top it off, they charged a 10 RMB parking fee, which felt a bit like a rip-off. Still, the surrounding area offers some great cycling paths with designated photo spots.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this close to rural life.
Dining at Mingshi Scenic Area
While the dining options here don’t compare to those in Yangshuo, there’s a community area within the Mingshi Scenic Area where you can find accommodations, restaurants, cafés, and more. We ended up having lunch at a local restaurant. Despite the name, which made us think we’d be eating cafeteria-style food, the environment was actually pleasant, and the food was tasty, though a bit on the pricier side.
Travel Tips
- Avoid taking kids on an eight-seater buggy tour of the Ten Mile Gallery in Yangshuo. The road conditions aren’t great, and driving can be risky.
- Be wary of unreliable taxi services in Yangshuo. There are too many stories of taxis overcharging or canceling trips. The only taxi ride we took was the one arranged by our hotel for the train station transfer, which cost 140 RMB. While a bit expensive, it saved us time and energy.
- Ignore random offers from people trying to sell you tours by the roadside.
- Don’t feel pressured to tip the bamboo raft drivers. Some might ask for tips to row faster, but I doubt they want to exhaust themselves!
- Avoid buying cigarettes or coffee from the Vietnamese boats at Detian Waterfall. They’re overpriced, and it’s illegal to bring them back into China.
Final Thoughts
Our Guangxi road trip was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. While we didn’t rush to hit every tourist hotspot, we found that taking our time to enjoy the beauty of nature made the trip even more memorable. Yangshuo’s tranquil rivers and Chongzuo’s majestic waterfall provided the ideal backdrop for creating lasting family memories.
If you’re planning a family vacation to China, Guangxi should definitely be on your list. From scenic drives to peaceful rural hotels, there’s something here for everyone, no matter your travel style.
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