Day 1 Various places → or → Nanning
All day
Today is the gathering day in Nanning.
Tourists from all over the country gathered in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, and stayed at designated hotels in China-TravelNote. Green is Nanning's symbol, with half the city green and half covered in buildings, earning it the nickname "China's Green City."
The hotel is located in the city center with convenient transportation. Tourists who arrive early can go sightseeing and find delicious food in the surrounding area. They can visit Nanhu Lake, admire Qingxiu Mountain, visit the National Museum, and taste delicious food on Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street. This would be a perfect trip. Please keep your belongings safe during free time.
Day 2 Nanning → Jiuzhou → Equan → Quyang Lake
·morning
After breakfast, we will take the bus to Jiuzhou, Jingxi (approximately a 4-hour drive). We will have lunch in Jiuzhou and then go to Jiuzhou Old Street. Jiuzhou Old Street is a hydrangea street that inherits the hydrangea culture of the Zhuang ethnic group. Whether it is the hydrangea-stitching grandmother on the street or the ancient Wenchang Pavilion, the unique peak forest and rural scenery here are all worth savoring.
Time your trip to photograph Goose Spring, one of the three most famous springs in Southwest China. This massive spring, covering 50 square kilometers, boasts a vibrant array of water, ranging from transparent to green to blue. The spring's depth reaches 30 meters, and it serves as the source of Detian Waterfall. You can capture slow-motion photography by the spring's edge, or climb to the halfway pavilion for panoramic views.
Near Equan, there's a famous Qing Dynasty Fifteen-Arch Bridge. At sunset, the light filtering through the arches creates a golden glow. We headed there to capture the sunset, especially capturing a scene of a local farmer leading his cattle home at dusk. To facilitate the next day's filming, we'd check in at Quyanghu Town afterward.
3. Tianquyang Lake → Erlang Waterfall → Aibu Waterfall → Jingxi
All day
We got up early and went to the observation deck to photograph the sunrise over Quyang Lake and the scenery of the floating peaks. After breakfast, we took a boat tour together to photograph the floating peaks over Quyang Lake. We drifted leisurely between the water and the sky, passed through patches of peaks, watched the green mountains on both sides slowly recede, and watched the clear lake water reflect the shadows of the distant mountains. Time seemed to slow down.
Visit Erlang Waterfalls at the right time to photograph this pristine, untouched natural landscape. Its core feature lies in the harmonious combination of multi-tiered waterfalls, quaint stone arch bridges, and pristine forest, creating a mysterious atmosphere of "small bridges, flowing water, and cascading waterfalls in a secluded valley."
Afterwards we went to photograph the Aibu Waterfalls. The Aibu Waterfalls Scenic Area is located 16 kilometers southeast of Jingxi County. Due to the varied terrain, large height difference, many rapids and water, many large and small waterfalls have formed along the river in the Aibu area, only 600 meters apart. The waterfalls are like huge jade curtains cascading down the cliff, with waves splashing, smoke and clouds filling the sky, and the sound can be heard for miles, which is extremely spectacular.
Equipment: SLR/mirror camera + wide-angle telephoto lens, tripod, filter (ND64 or ND1000, CPL polarizing filter), waterproof camera cover, non-slip river trekking shoes, mosquito repellent
Day 4 Jingxi → Sandieling → Detian Waterfall → Mingshi Farm
All day
In the morning, head to Sandieling Waterfall in time for photography. Sandieling, one of the Eight Ancient Scenic Spots of Jingxi, boasts a 100-meter single-stage waterfall, a spectacular mist spectacle, and free admission, combining natural wildness with mythical charm. The waterfall is over 100 meters high and approximately 30 meters wide, formed by water cascading down the cliffs into three cascades. During the flood season, the abundant water flow creates a resounding sound for miles, and the mist, like smoke, drifts for hundreds of meters. Experience the waterfall's powerful force and splashing water up close, gleaming silvery in the sunlight. From the foot of the mountain, capture the waterfall against the karst mountains and fields, creating a harmonious blend of landscape and water.
Depart for Detian Waterfall at an opportune time. After lunch, explore the scenic area for photography opportunities. Enjoy close-up shots of the waterfall from the observation deck, or climb to the pavilion midway up the mountain for panoramic views. Located on the upper reaches of the Guichun River on the border between China and Vietnam, Detian Waterfall is a breathtaking sight. Joined by the neighboring Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam, it is the largest transnational waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest in the world. After the photo session, transfer to Mingshi Countryside for overnight stay.
In the afternoon, head to Longtou Mountain to capture the sunset over Mingshi's rural scenery. From here, you can overlook the magnificent landscape of karst peaks and pastoral scenery, especially at dusk when the light and shadows change.
Day 5 Mingshi Tianyuan → Nanning Wuxu Airport → Nanning East Railway Station
All day
Get up early and go to Mingshi to take pictures of the foggy countryside scenery of Mingshi
Mingshi Countryside, a scenic area encompassing 20 kilometers, boasts picturesque scenery, surrounded by mountains and water, earning it the nickname "Little Guilin." Here, lush bamboo lining the banks, farmhouses dot the landscape, and single-log bridges traverse the landscape. Rice ears sway, farmers carry hoes, and shepherds play in the water—the scenery is beautiful and tranquil. Whether it's the shimmering sunset clouds or the morning mist shrouding the countryside, Mingshi offers a unique aesthetic. After the photoshoot, we returned to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, you can freely take photos of the internal scenic area of Mingshi Tianyuan. In addition to taking pictures of the pastoral landscape and the reflections of the peaks and forests, you can ride a bicycle to the country roads to see the unique peak and forest landscape. If you don’t want to go out, you can go to the hotel swimming pool to swim, drink tea, and feel the comfortable life.
Check out at noon and the bus returns to Nanning Station to disband.
Transfer to Nanning Airport (arrival around 14:30-15:00) (For return flights, please book flights after 16:30. If you book a flight too early, please arrange your own transfer to the airport.)
Then transfer to Nanning East Station (arrival around 15:30-16:00) (For the return high-speed rail, please book a high-speed rail ticket after 16:30. If you book a high-speed rail ticket too early, please arrange to get to the high-speed rail station on your own)
If you do not go to Nanning city, you can take the Airport Express from Nanning Airport or take the subway from Nanning East Railway Station to Nanning city.
