Baise~Come find your own piece of tranquil lake light!

Guangxi’s underrated "Mirror of the Sky"! Sailing through a painting, you are in a fairyland!

In Guangxi, besides the landscapes of Guilin and Detian Waterfall, there is a poetic and picturesque hidden gem—Haokun Lake in Lingyun County, Baise.
This was once an ancient route of the "Maritime Silk Road," and now it is a stunning lake treasured by backpackers. Surrounded by mountains and with water as clear as a mirror, drifting in a small boat feels like stepping into a National Geographic cover photo.

No noisy crowds, no sky-high ticket prices, only karst peak forests reflected in the lake’s heart, egrets skimming the water, fishermen casting nets like paintings—this is the true Chinese landscape!

🌸 Best months to visit: March - May, September - November
April and October are ideal! With spring blossoms or crisp autumn air, comfortable temperatures (18-26℃), calm and fog-free lake surface with mirror-like reflections;
Water levels are moderate before and after the rainy season, the lake is deep blue, perfect for photography;
❌ June to August is flood season: water levels rise, some trails close, scenery slightly murky;
❌ December to February is cold and foggy with low visibility, not recommended for photographers.

✅ Tips:
Want to capture "lake reflections + sunrise morning mist"? It’s best to hike up to the Nongyang Viewing Platform at 6:30 AM;
If you visit during the Zhuang ethnic “March 3” festival, you can also see folk performances like antiphonal singing and bamboo raft dragon dances!

🕐 How many days to stay? 2 days 1 night is just right

Haokun Lake Scenic Area is small but a bit remote; staying overnight lets you avoid daytime tour groups and enjoy the peaceful beauty of dawn and dusk.

✅ Suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival + hike Pig Cage Cave + boat tour on the lake
Take the high-speed train to Baise Station, then taxi or carpool about 2 hours to Haokun Lake (carpool costs about 80 RMB per person);
Check into a lakeside guesthouse (standard room about 160 RMB/night, window facing the water);
In the afternoon, challenge the popular Pig Cage Cave: originally a cliff ladder carved by villagers, now a safe plank trail, 1.5 hours full of thrills;
In the evening, take a boat tour (ticket about 50 RMB/person): cruise among the lake islands, visit Siwei River Estuary and Palm Cave, watch the sunset paint the lake gold.
Day 2: Morning boat ride + visit Nonglong Ancient Village + return trip
Take another boat ride early morning (free or low cost), capturing the undisturbed misty fairyland;
Climb the Nongyang Viewing Platform for a panoramic view, known as "Little Jiuzhaigou of Guangxi";
Explore Nonglong Zhuang Village, experience original stilted buildings, drink oil tea, listen to mountain songs;
Return to Baise before noon or continue to Bama or Jingxi for more adventures.

💰 Budget for ordinary travelers (per person):
Round-trip transport: Baise carpool ≈ 160 RMB
Tickets: Scenic area free! Only boat ticket 50 RMB (some villages charge separately)
Accommodation: Budget guesthouse ×1 night = 160 RMB
Meals: 50 RMB/day ×2 days = 100 RMB (must-try: firewood fish, five-color glutinous rice, wild vegetable soup)
Extras: souvenirs, snacks ≈ 30 RMB
Total: about 500 RMB, easy for students to afford!

📌 Must-know reminders:
Wear non-slip sports shoes! Pig Cage Cave stairs are steep;
Bring your own drinking water and snacks, few supply points in the scenic area;
Avoid unlicensed boats, choose official docks;
Weak cell signal, download offline maps in advance!

✅ Must-see highlights:
Haokun Lake morning mist reflections: water and sky blend, like a mirror of the sky;
Pig Cage Cave cliff trail: cliff on one side, abyss on the other, heart-pounding;
Boat through karst lake bays: like sailing in an ink painting;
Nonglong Zhuang Village’s lively atmosphere: a primitive village, a model of slow living.

🔚 Conclusion:
Haokun Lake is not just a scenic spot, it’s a healing experience.
Two days and one night, under 500 RMB per person,
For a chance to converse with mountains and waters.
Come, in the folds of Guangxi,
Find your own piece of tranquil lake light.