A May Day Trip to Mingshi Pastoral with Family
Here's a detailed travel guide for Mingshi Pastoral, covering practical information on transportation, attractions, activities, accommodation, and food to help you plan your trip with ease:
🌟Introduction to Mingshi Pastoral
💛Location: Kanxu Township, Daxin County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Province, near the China-Vietnam border, featuring karst landforms, known as "Little Guilin."
💛Features: A blend of idyllic scenery and mountains and rivers, rich Zhuang ethnic customs, a filming location for TV series like "Journey of Flower."
🚗Transportation Guide
◆How to get there
Self-drive: From Nanning → Nanyou Expressway → Hena Expressway → S316 → Mingshi Pastoral (approx. 3 hours).
Public transport:
Take a bus from Nanning Langdong Bus Station to Daxin County (approx. 3 hours), then transfer to a local bus or hire a car (1 hour).
Opt for the "Nanning-Detian Waterfall" direct tourist bus, which stops at Mingshi Pastoral.
◆Internal transport:
Cycling: Rent bicycles (approx. 20-30 CNY/hour) or electric bikes within the scenic area to freely explore the countryside.
Bamboo raft drifting: Official boat tour (120-160 CNY/person, approx. 1 hour), enjoy the scenery along the Mingshi River.
✅Must-see attractions & activities
👉Mingshi River bamboo raft tour
Highlights: Karst peaks reflected in the water, boatmen narrate Zhuang legends, passing by filming locations of "Journey of Flower."
Tips: Choose early morning or evening for soft lighting; water levels may be low in winter.
👉Recommended cycling route
Route: Mingshi Villa → Zhuang Nationality Residential Museum → Pastoral Plank Road → Fish Scale Dam (approx. 10 km in total).
Scenery along the way: Rice paddies, waterwheels, bamboo forests, suspension bridges, ideal for photography.
👉Zhuang cultural experience
Zhuang Nationality Residential Museum: Exhibits stilt houses, weaving looms, and other folk artifacts.
Bonfire party (peak season): Participate in bamboo pole dancing and antiphonal singing; inquire with the scenic area in advance.
👉Nearby attractions
Detian Waterfall: Approx. 1 hour's drive from Mingshi Pastoral, can be arranged as a day trip.
Anping Fairy River: A less-known attraction, take a boat trip on the river (filming location of "Journey of Flower").
🏨Accommodation recommendations
●High-end resorts:
🌱 Mingshi Villa (inside the scenic area): Zhuang-style design, balconies facing the landscape, including bamboo raft tickets.
🌱Daxin Mingshi Art Hotel: Artistic, infinity pool for photos.
●Cost-effective options:
🌱Countryside homestays (e.g., Mingshi Nali Hotel): Pastoral style, affordable, suitable for families.
🌱Tips: Book 1-2 weeks in advance during peak season (May-October), discounts available in off-season.
🍁Food guide
🌿Must-try specialties:
◆Spice-roasted pork: Marinated with Zhuang secret spices, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
◆Five-color glutinous rice: Dyed with natural plants, symbolizing good luck.
◆River delicacies: Mingshi River fish, snails, recommended steamed or stir-fried with sour bamboo shoots.
🌿Restaurant recommendations:
◆Mingshi Villa Restaurant: Good environment, wide selection of dishes.
◆Roadside farmhouse restaurants (e.g., "Mingshi Farmhouse Dishes"): Free-range chicken, wild vegetables, around 50 CNY per person.
❤️Practical tips
🌈Best season:
April-October (lush green or golden rice paddies, most beautiful waterscapes); scenery is relatively barren after November during harvest season.
🎫Tickets:
Scenic area is free, bamboo rafts/boats are charged separately (approx. 120-160 CNY).
🎽Clothing suggestions:
Comfortable non-slip shoes (for cycling/hiking), sun hats and mosquito repellent are essential in summer.
🤳Photography spots:
Fish Scale Dam, Pastoral Plank Road, Sunrise Viewing Platform (navigate to "Mingshi Village Longtoushan").
✨Things to avoid:
Be cautious when buying "Vietnamese specialties" on the roadside, some are counterfeit.
🗓Suggested itinerary (2 days, 1 night)
Day 1: Depart from Nanning → Mingshi Pastoral bamboo raft tour → Cycling exploration → Zhuang evening show → Stay in the scenic area.
Day 2: Pastoral sunrise → Anping Fairy River/Detian Waterfall → Return trip.
Mingshi Pastoral is suitable for travelers seeking a slow-paced journey combining nature and culture. Avoiding holidays allows for a more tranquil experience. Feel free to leave a message for further inquiries!