Libo has recovered from the ordeal, really don’t recommend coming in September

🌿【Libo: The Emerald on the Earth’s Waistline】

Libo is tucked away in the mountains of Qiannan, Guizhou, a treasure spoiled by karst landscapes and jade-like lakes! September is perfect for a visit, with temperatures around 25°C and lush greenery everywhere, like stepping into a natural air-conditioned room~
The world natural heritage scenery here even graces the cover of the People’s Education Press biology textbook, perfectly fitting!

🏞️ Must-Visit Checklist

1️⃣ Xiaoqikong Scenic Area: The core of the core! Clear water, ancient bridges, 68-level waterfalls, and water forests—truly the original “Emerald Forest.” Paddle boating on Mandarin Duck Lake (paid), photo ops at Wolong Pool, every shot is wallpaper-worthy! Open roughly 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

2️⃣ Yaoshan Ancient Village: Free! Home to the White Trousers Yao ethnic group, with spinning top workshops, sticky dyeing experiences (paid), and bonfire singing and dancing at night—ethnic vibes flooding your social feed.

3️⃣ Maolan Nature Reserve: Pristine karst forest, a hiking oxygen paradise, chance encounters with rare flora and fauna (but don’t disturb them~).

4️⃣ Libo Ancient Town: Free! Bluestone paths and Buyi ethnic architecture, lively night market, sour soup fish and grilled fish so fragrant you won’t want to move.

🚌 Transportation Guide

• Day 1: Depart Guiyang → Libo (about 3 hours by car / high-speed rail station in Libo now open) → head straight to Xiaoqikong Scenic Area (30 minutes from the county) → evening stroll in Libo Ancient Town and dinner.

• Day 2: Morning chartered car to Yaoshan Ancient Village (30 km from the county) → afternoon hike in Maolan (40 minutes by car) → overnight in the county.

• Day 3: Zhelu Buyi Ancient Village (free! 40 minutes by car, try paddleboarding/fish catching) → afternoon fun in the forest (cliff café + cave exploration, paid activities are thrilling).

🍜 Food Highlights

• Zhangjiang Grilled Fish: Tender fish meat slides down your throat, smoky aroma mixed with sour and spicy sauce, a bite transports you to the banks of the Zhangjiang River!

• Sour Soup Fish: Miao ethnic secret sour soup + fresh fish, sour and spicy to whet your appetite, the broth with rice can wipe out three bowls.

• Libo Sour Meat: Fermented pork with rich sour fragrance, perfect with sticky rice.

• Rice Tofu + Bayberry Juice: Silky rice tofu drizzled with chili oil, followed by a glass of chilled bayberry juice, all summer heat gone!

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

• Yaochi Xiaoqikong Homestay: In Yaoshan Ancient Village, standalone courtyard + herbal bath experience, immerse yourself as a Yao ethnic local.

• Muzi Family Inn: A quadrangle courtyard homestay in Libo Ancient Town, koi pond + swaying bamboo shadows, super healing for photos.

• Zhelu Yanqu Homestay: A new boutique spot in a small Buyi village, open kitchen + guide service, perfect for adventure lovers.

💰 Three-Day Expense List

• Two nights accommodation: about 600 RMB (Yaochi Homestay + Muzi Family Inn, booking early on Trip.com offers discounts~).

• Food for three days: all meals included, sour soup fish, grilled fish, street snacks on rotation, about 400 RMB per person to eat till you can’t walk!

• Tickets + experiences: Xiaoqikong 120 RMB + Maolan 50 RMB + Yaoshan free, cave exploration about 300 RMB (Cool Forest), total 470 RMB.

• Transportation: chartered/shared car for three days about 300 RMB.

👉 Total cost ≈ 1770 RMB, feels like an unbeatable value! World heritage + ethnic culture + wild luxury experience all covered, and your wallet stays intact~

💡 Tips

• September is rainy, bring an umbrella and light jacket, non-slip shoes are a must!

• Ask permission before photographing in Yao villages, respect local customs~

• Booking tickets and hotels on Trip.com is more cost-effective, watch for early deals!

😭 The ordeal: caught in a sudden downpour hiking Maolan, shoes and socks soaked through, wading through water felt like a wilderness survival show!

Libo is truly unreal in beauty! Boating through the water forest of Mandarin Duck Lake, dancing in Yao village song and dance, munching grilled fish while watching the Zhangjiang night view… every second makes you marvel that the “Earth’s Emerald” name is well deserved! This place is perfect for relaxing, adventuring, eating and drinking, and instantly becoming a cultured social media star.

Anyone been there? Please share more off-the-beaten-path tips! Or drop your beautiful Libo photos in the comments~😉