Mingshi Tianyuan: A Karst Paradise on the China-Vietnam Border, a Hidden Wonderland of Picturesque Mountains and Waters

🏞 1. Core Highlights and Unique Charm
1. "Little Guilin" Karst Wonder
The peak forest resembles bamboo shoots, the clear water winds gently, and the rice fields spread like a green carpet, outlining a landscape painting comparable to Guilin. The Mingshi River reflects the karst peak forest, and when drifting on a bamboo raft, the boat seems to sail through a painting, with mist swirling like a fairyland. The TV drama "The Journey of Flower" was also filmed here.

2. Poetic Slow Life Experience in the Countryside
Bamboo Rafting (a must!): 1.5 hours drifting on the Mingshi River (ticket about 120 RMB), passing through rice fields and villages, with boatmen narrating Zhuang ethnic legends, occasionally encountering playful ducks, fully immersive.
- Secret Cycling Routes: Rent a bicycle (20-30 RMB/day) to freely explore along the riverside boardwalk. Recommended route: Mingshi Village → Yulin Dam → Longtou Mountain, accompanied by green shaded corridors and unobstructed mountain and water views.
- Climb for a Panoramic View: Climb Longtou Mountain (20 RMB entrance fee), the summit viewing platform offers a 180° panoramic view of the countryside. At sunrise and sunset, golden light bathes the peak forest, perfect for photography.

3. Zhuang Ethnic Culture and Historical Heritage
- Participate in making five-colored glutinous rice, weaving Zhuang brocade, and watch the "Zhuang King Banquet" song and dance performance at night (seasonal);
- Explore millennium-old rock tombs and cliff paintings, touching the mysterious border history.

🚴 2. Immersive Countryside Experience Guide
- Best Time to Visit:
- April-May: New green rice fields, mist swirling, ink-wash painting atmosphere;
- September-November: Golden rice waves, crisp autumn air, ideal for summer escape.
Caution: Summer has frequent heavy rains; be cautious of heat and humidity in June.

Transportation Guide:
- Self-drive: Nanning → Nanyou Expressway → Hena Expressway → Kanxu Township (about 3 hours), with picturesque views along National Highway 219.
- Bus: Take a coach from Nanning Langdong Station to Daxin County (3 hours), then transfer to a rural bus to Mingshi Village.

Accommodation and Dining Recommendations:

- Luxury Resort: Mingshi Mountain Villa (pool + scenic rooms, about 800 RMB/night);
- Characteristic Homestay: Mingshi Nali Tianyuan Homestay (rice field views + free bicycles, 300-500 RMB/night).
- Food: Fragrant leaf roasted pork, bamboo tube rice, suanye (pickled fruit), with better hygiene at homestay restaurants.

📅 3. Itinerary Planning and Practical Tips
2 Days 1 Night Essential Route:
Day 1: Bamboo rafting → cycling exploration (check-in at Yulin Dam) → Zhuang ethnic dinner → night ethnic performance;
Day 2: Longtou Mountain sunrise → Anping Fairy River boat tour (filming location of "The Journey of Flower") → return or visit Detian Waterfall (1-hour drive).

Tickets and Fees:
- No entrance fee for the scenic area, bamboo rafting 120 RMB/person, bike rental 20-30 RMB/day;
- Recommended combined tours: Detian Waterfall (transnational waterfall), Anping Fairy River (quiet river boat tour).

Travel Tips:
- 📸 Photographers should catch early morning mist or dusk light;
- 👟 Wear non-slip shoes, bring sun protection clothing and hats;
- ⚠️ Bring your ID card! Border areas require inspection.

❤️ 4. Why Recommend Mingshi Tianyuan?
"There are no high walls or ticketed scenic spots here, only mountains, waters, and freedom."
Compared to the commercialized Guilin Yangshuo, Mingshi Tianyuan retains the original farming atmosphere. Encountering herdsmen and water buffalo while cycling, hearing Zhuang songs echoing on bamboo rafts—every frame is a re-creation of Tao Yuanming’s utopia. The rice fields are the paper, the peak forest the brush—if you yearn for a healing slow life.