Complete Three-Day Travel Guide to Dahua, Guangxi
Dahua Yao Autonomous County is truly an underrated treasure destination. It boasts stunning karst landscapes, rich ethnic culture, and tempting local delicacies. I have planned a three-day itinerary for you to fully experience the natural and cultural charm of Dahua✨.
🏞️ Complete Three-Day Travel Guide to Dahua, Guangxi
✨ Highlights of the Trip
· Explore Karst Wonders: Admire the magnificent "Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Valleys" at Qibainong National Geopark and marvel at nature’s craftsmanship.
· Stroll Along the Hongshui River Gallery: Take a boat tour through the Hongshui River Gorge, enjoy picturesque mountains and waters on both sides, and listen to captivating legends.
· Immerse in Yao Culture: Experience the unique customs of the Bunu Yao people in Dahong Town and savor authentic Zhuang and Yao cuisine.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
Here is a straightforward overview of the three-day itinerary to help you quickly grasp the overall plan:
```mermaid
gantt
title Dahua Three-Day Travel Itinerary
dateFormat HH:mm
axisFormat %H:%M
section Day 1: Qibainong Geological Wonders
Depart from Nanning/Arrive in Dahua :08:00, 2h
Head to Qibainong National Geopark :10:00, 1h
Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Valleys Viewing Platform :11:00, 2h
Lunch in the park :13:00, 1h
In-depth exploration of Qibainong :14:00, 4h
Enjoy sunset views :18:00, 1h
Return to hotel to rest :19:00, 2h
section Day 2: Hongshui River Scenery and Yao Culture
Hotel breakfast :08:00, 1h
Hongshui River boat tour :09:00, 3h
Enjoy full fish banquet lunch :12:00, 1.5h
Visit Gongchuan Lover’s Bay :13:30, 2h
Return to town to rest :16:00, 1h
Night tour of Dahong Town :18:30, 3h
section Day 3: Leisure Experience and Departure
Hotel breakfast/check-out :08:30, 1.5h
Free activities (optional) :10:00, 2h
Purchase local specialties/souvenirs :12:00, 1.5h
Farewell lunch :13:30, 1.5h
Pack and prepare for departure :15:00, 1h
```
🗺️ Detailed Itinerary
🏔️ Day 1: Qibainong Geological Wonders
· Morning: Depart from Nanning to Dahua (about 2 hours by car). Upon arrival, head straight to Qibainong National Geopark. This park features the world’s densest karst peak cluster and depression landforms, with over 5,000 peaks and more than 1,300 depressions within 251 square kilometers. The Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Valleys Viewing Platform is a must-visit spot. From here, the breathtaking sight of thousands of peaks rolling like a green dragon’s spine through the sea of clouds is truly awe-inspiring.
· Afternoon: After a simple lunch in the park, continue exploring the geological wonders of Qibainong. You can hike along trails to closely observe the karst formations known as "the Earth’s most beautiful wrinkles." The park also preserves traditional Yao villages where you can experience local lifestyles and farming culture. If time permits, visit one or two Yao villages to learn about the Bunu Yao culture and traditions.
· Evening: Sunset is the perfect time to admire Qibainong’s scenery, with soft light enhancing the majestic views. Afterwards, return to Dahua town to check into your hotel. For dinner, try the Qibainong chicken, a nationally recognized geographic indication product. Whether served poached or in soup, the meat is tender and delicious.
💦 Day 2: Hongshui River Scenery and Yao Culture
· Morning: After breakfast, enjoy a boat tour on the Hongshui River. Cruise through the gorge flanked by towering, uniquely shaped peaks. The boatman may introduce you to famous formations such as "Twin Lions Fighting for the Embroidered Ball" and "Peacock Spreading Its Tail."
· Afternoon: For lunch, highly recommend the full fish banquet featuring wild fish from the Hongshui River. Sesame swordfish is a must-try dish, known for its tender, fresh flavor without any fishy taste. Then visit Gongchuan Lover’s Bay, which has a beautiful legend: in the past, men went out to work while women gathered by the riverbank to see them off and pray for their safe return, hence the name "Lover’s Bay." You can take a small boat to tour the lake and admire the emerald-green water nestled among the mountains.
· Evening: At dusk, head to Dahong Town to experience Yao culture. When the bronze drum-patterned lanterns light up, you might be invited by a Yao girl dressed in black to join the bamboo pole dance circle. The town offers various local snacks and handicrafts to enjoy while strolling. If your visit coincides with the Lunar March 3 festival or other ethnic minority celebrations, you may witness even richer folk activities.
🎁 Day 3: Leisure Experience and Departure
· Morning: After breakfast, choose free activities based on your interests. If you like unique stones, check out Dahua’s colorful jade stones, famous for their fine texture, vivid colors, hardness, and unique shapes. Alternatively, take a leisurely walk around the town to soak in daily life.
· Afternoon: Before lunch, buy some local specialties as souvenirs, such as hemp seeds and pearl yellow corn. For your final meal, try other Dahua specialties like five-color glutinous rice (naturally dyed with plants, fragrant and slightly sweet) or fruit jam barbecue (pork belly, chicken wings, etc., brushed with secret fruit sauce).
· Evening: Depending on your departure plans, return from Dahua to Nanning or other destinations, concluding a wonderful three-day journey.
💰 Budget Estimate
Item Economy (CNY) Comfortable (CNY)
Accommodation (2 nights) 200-400 400-800
Meals (3 days) 150-300 300-500
Transportation 200-400 400-600
Attraction Tickets 200-300 300-450
Other Expenses 100-200 200-300
Total 850-1600 1600-2650
Note: The above is an approximate budget; actual expenses vary based on personal spending habits. Ticket prices may fluctuate depending on the specific activities you choose.
🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
1. Bishuiwan Hotel: Located by the Hongshui River with beautiful surroundings; some rooms offer river views. The hotel is relatively new and provides a restaurant and parking.
2. Qibainong Resort: Near Qibainong National Geopark, convenient for next-day visits. It is an economy-type hotel with basic facilities.
3. Dahua Xinyuan Hotel: Located next to Dahua bus station, convenient transportation, and affordable prices.
🍜 Food Guide
1. Must-Try Specialties:
· Hongshui River Full Fish Banquet: Made with wild fish from the Hongshui River; sesame swordfish is highly recommended for its tender, fresh taste.
· Qibainong Chicken: A nationally recognized geographic indication product, served poached or in soup, with tender meat.
· Roasted Pork: Specially prepared fragrant pork, roasted to crispy perfection with an irresistible aroma, delicious without being greasy.
· Pan-fried Oil Fish: A unique fish species from the Hongshui River; no oil is needed when frying as the fish releases its own oil. The bones are soft, and the taste is fresh and sweet.
2. Local Snacks:
· Fruit Jam Barbecue: A specialty of Yizhou, pork belly and chicken wings brushed with secret fruit sauce and grilled.
· Five-Color Glutinous Rice: Naturally dyed with plants, fragrant and slightly sweet.
· Long Bang: Also known as pig blood sausage, stuffed with pig blood, corn flour, glutinous rice, and other ingredients; shiny, fragrant, and with a soft texture.
💡 Practical Tips
1. Transportation Suggestions:
· Self-driving: About 2 hours from Nanning via highway to Dahua.
· Public Transport: Take high-speed train to Jinchengjiang Station, then transfer to a bus to Dahua.
· Local Transport: Attractions are somewhat spread out; renting a car or hiring a driver (about 200-300 CNY per day) is recommended.
2. Best Time to Visit:
· Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November): Pleasant climate, avoiding the rainy season, ideal for travel.
· Lunar March 3 Festival: Rich folk activities and scenic discounts make it a great time to experience ethnic minority culture.
3. Recommended Gear:
· Non-slip shoes: Karst terrain involves many mountain paths, so wear non-slip sports shoes.
· Sun protection: Prepare sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunscreen in summer.
· Rain gear: Mountain weather is changeable; carry rain gear.
· Camera: Qibainong and Hongshui River offer spectacular scenery, perfect for photography.
4. Shopping Recommendations:
· Dahua Colorful Jade Stones: Known as "China’s hometown of ornamental stones," you might find natural colorful jade stones on the Hongshui River beach.
· Local agricultural specialties: Such as hemp seeds and pearl yellow corn.
The beauty of Dahua lies in its pristine and simple nature. There is no overdeveloped commercial footprint here, only natural scenes of Yao villages’ cooking smoke winding through peak forests and boatmen’s songs echoing in the gorge. I hope this guide helps you fully experience Dahua’s charm and enjoy an unforgettable journey!✨