Underrated Chongzuo! High-speed rail direct access, this is the right way to travel

OMG, folks! Originally just a spontaneous trip to Chongzuo, but I was completely blown away—it's truly a hidden gem of Guangxi tourism! 🚄 With direct high-speed rail access, starting this impromptu journey is a breeze. Without further ado, here's the guide👇

Pre-trip Prep

✅ Sun protection: Chongzuo's July sun is brutal—sunscreen, UV-protective clothing, sun hats, and sunglasses are a must!
✅ Bug repellent: Mountain areas have lots of mosquitoes—bring repellent and anti-mosquito patches unless you want to suffer!
✅ Clothing: Pack lightweight, breathable summer outfits plus a thin jacket for the morning/evening temperature swings.
✅ Other essentials: Power bank, rain gear, and comfy sneakers for hiking!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Chongzuo → Taiping Ancient Town
📍 Morning: Take high-speed rail to Chongzuo South Station, taxi to hotel to drop luggage and rest.
📍 Afternoon: Head straight to Taiping Ancient Town—its historic architecture is perfect for hanfu photoshoots. At dusk, the lanterns light up, creating a magical atmosphere!
📍 Evening: Enjoy Zhuang ethnic cuisine in the ancient town—highly recommend sour porridge and five-color sticky rice. Absolutely delicious!

Day 2: Detian Transnational Waterfall → Mingshi Pastoral
📍 Morning: Take a shuttle to Detian Transnational Waterfall, Asia's cross-border waterfall. July's massive water flow makes it thunderously majestic—take a bamboo raft to feel the spray up close (wear a raincoat or you'll get soaked!).
📍 Afternoon: Taxi to Mingshi Pastoral, a real-life "mini Guilin." Drift on bamboo rafts through karst landscapes as if walking into an ink painting. Stay overnight in a Mingshi B&B—wake up to stunning rural views 🌄.

Day 3: Tongling Grand Canyon → Dragon Palace Fairyland
📍 Morning: Hike through Tongling Grand Canyon to see a 188m waterfall cascading from a cave. The surreal stalactites feel like entering the Earth's core.
📍 Afternoon: Visit Dragon Palace Fairyland, a 20°C summer retreat. Colorful stalactites under lights resemble a dreamy underwater palace—super photogenic!

Day 4: Anping Fairy River → Departure
📍 Morning: Boat tour through Anping Fairy River’s "waterborne karst" scenery—nature’s masterpiece.
📍 Afternoon: Pack up and head home with unforgettable memories~

Food Recs

1. Mingshi River Delicacies: Fresh fish, steamed or braised—both divine.
2. Zhuang Ethnic Tray Feast: A sampler platter of local snacks.
3. Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Paper-thin wrappers with crisp veggies/meat + dipping sauce.
4. Suanye: Guangxi’s tangy-spicy fruit snacks—super appetizing!

Tips

1. Attractions are far apart—consider private cars or day tours for hassle-free transport.
2. Book Detian Waterfall & Mingshi bamboo raft tickets online in peak season to skip lines.
3. Wear anti-slip shoes in Tongling Canyon/Dragon Palace due to wet cave paths.

Chongzuo is criminally underrated, and July’s beauty is breathtaking! With direct high-speed rail, just go for it! 💕