Quieter than Guilin, wilder than Yangshuo! Your healing guide to Mingshi Tianyuan, you'll want to set off after reading this
by Abigail Cooper 345~
Jul 31, 2025
I've always heard that Guangxi's scenery is unparalleled, but it wasn't until I visited Mingshi Tianyuan in Chongzuo that I truly understood what it means to "walk inside a painting."
It's about a two-hour drive from Nanning to get here. As soon as you enter the scenic area, you're surrounded by lush greenery—the karst hills look like green bamboo shoots sprouting from the ground, and the Mingshi River winds around the mountains, its water so clear and green you can see the stones beneath. I found out that this river actually flows from Vietnam, and the 8 kilometers within the scenic area hold the most exquisite views.
For just a few dozen yuan, I took a bamboo raft ride. The boatman paddled while pointing out sights: "General Mountain," shaped like a general's armor; "Tongtian Cave," where light shines through; and "Wanru Cliff," covered with stalactites. The best part was passing through a Zhuang ethnic village, where white walls and black tiles reflected in the water, bamboo hanging over the riverbank swayed in the breeze, and the shadows danced on the water like a living painting.
As I walked, I also stumbled upon filming locations from "The Journey of Flower." The Nine-Bend Bridge and Fish Scale Dam were crowded with people taking photos. Standing on the dam, watching the river water flow over the stone cracks, the sunlight scattered like golden fragments. Later, I learned that this place is not only beautiful but also historically interesting—during the Western Jin dynasty, refugees from the north came here, found it reminiscent of their homeland's countryside, first named "Mingshi," and later renamed "Mingshi" based on the I Ching.
After exploring most of the day, my phone even ran out of battery. It turns out you don't need to go far to find poetry; in Guangxi's mountains and waters, you can encounter the gentlest "hermit's abode."
I can help you organize the core travel routes mentioned in the text (such as the bamboo raft highlights) and geographic information into a handy travel card to help you plan your trip.
Post by kaliyah_5162 | Oct 24, 2025























