Things to do in Ningyuan

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Yongzhou

Jiuyi Mountain Scenic Area

Jiuyishan National Nature Reserve, located in Ningyuan County, Yongzhou City, about 30 km south of Ningyuan town, is steeped in ancient Chinese legends. It is said that Emperor Shun of antiquity was buried at the foot of the mountain. Over the centuries, numerous renowned poets and scholars have visited this site, leaving behind a wealth of literary works praising its beauty. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, emperors have either paid remote tributes to Emperor Shun or sent officials to worship on their behalf, resulting in numerous sacred relics, historical traces, and cultural artifacts. The Emperor Shun Mausoleum scenic area,Ningyuan Confucian TempleUnique cultural attractions like cliff carvings and inscriptions attract numerous visitors from around the world. This is one of the sources of the Xiang River, where lush forests thrive with unique vegetation like stone pines, fragrant firs, and mottled bamboo—collectively known as the "Three Treasures of Jiuyi." The scenic area is dotted with rivers and pools. Key attractions include the Emperor Shun Mausoleum Scenic Area, Purple Cloud Cave, Emperor Shun Temple Archaeological Site Park (Jade Tube Rock), and Ehuang Peak. Visitors can opt for a combo ticket covering all attractions or purchase individual admission tickets for specific sites like the Emperor Shun Mausoleum, Purple Cloud Cave, or Jade Tube Rock. The Shun Emperor Mausoleum attraction consists of two natural courtyards and nine individual structures, arranged from the exterior inward.Yudai BridgeThe complex features the Ceremonial Gate, Sacred Way, Mountain Gate, Qian Gate, Worship Hall, Main Hall, Resting Hall, left and right wing rooms, left and right stele rooms, stele corridors, all enclosed by palace walls on three sides.Shunyuan PeakYes, this onePianshan DistrictThe main peak is named after the legendary burial site of Emperor Shun at its foothills. Yongfu Temple within the attraction stands alongside the ancient Shun Temple. Built during the Southern Qi Dynasty (479 AD), Yongfu Temple boasts over 1,500 years of history, dating back to the same era as Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. Zixia Rock, located on the mountainside about 1 km south of the Shun Mausoleum Scenic Area, isKarst landscapeUnderground karst cave. The cave features exquisite stalactites and a crystal-clear stream flowing through its vast chambers, which are spacious enough to accommodate thousands of visitors. Located about 2 km south of Shunyuan Peak Scenic Area, Yuguan Rock is another limestone cave with the inscription "Yuguan Rock" written by Li Tingzu of the Song Dynasty above its entrance. The right wall bears carvings by Fang Xinru, the Song Dynasty governor of Daozhou.Jiuyi Mountain"Three large characters," inscribed alongside Cai Yong's "Jiuyi MountainThe "Inscription" and the calligraphy and poems by famous historical figures are carved on the cave walls, scattered across the cliff faces surrounding Yuguan Rock, forming an impressive collection of poetic inscriptions and stone tablets.

No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Yongzhou

Emperor Shun's Mausoleum Scenic Area

Shundiling Tourist Site is located at Jiuyishan Mountain to the south of Ningyuan county, and belongs to the core tourist attractions of Jiuyishan. This is a temple complex dedicated to the sepulcher of Shundi (the ruler of Shun), one of the five ancestral forefathers of the Chinese people. The place boasts sites such as the tomb of Shundi, relevant stone carvings, historic relics, cliff inscriptions, as well as lake and mountainside views. The complex consists of Lingshan (the peak of Shunyuan), the temple of the tomb of Shun, the Path of Gods, and the burial site. This is a great tourist spot characterized by its vendent forests, fresh air, and a large number of historic sites.

Purple Glow Rock

Purple Glow Rock, also known as Chonghua Rock, is an underground karst cave. The cave is divided into inner rock and outer rock. The rock at the entrance is majestic. In the cave, there are wind tunnels, rain holes, thunder holes, the Bayin Hall, and stalactites, which are famous for their large size and exquisiteness. The outer rock is broad with a bright purple roof. When the sun rises and shines on the roof, there will be purple air hovering around it, thus the name Purple Glow Rock.

Ningyuan Confucian Temple

Jiuyishan Xiaguan Sceneic Area

Sanfen Stone Scenic Area

Sanfen Stone, also known as Sanfeng Stone, is located at the southern end of Jiuyi Mountain in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province, with an altitude of 1,822 meters. It is the second highest peak in Jiuyi Mountain. It is said to be the place where Shun was buried, so it is also called Shunfeng, commonly known as Shungong Stone. Sanfenshibei is a large area of ​​primitive secondary forest, covering an area of ​​5,680 hectares, which is the main area of ​​Jiuyishan National Forest Park. There are 596 species of trees growing here, including 52 rare and excellent native tree species. There are two species of trees under national protection, namely Metasequoia and Money Tree; there are eight species of trees under second-level protection, such as Ginkgo, Fujian Cypress, and Bell-Ecalyx; there are more than 10 species of trees under third-level protection, such as Taxus, Lingchun Wood, Toona, and Southern Hemlock. There are as many as 14 species of trees under provincial protection. In that vast sea of ​​forests, there are 104 species of various animals. Among them, there are 16 rare animals such as leopards, macaques, and hawk-billed turtles that are under national key protection. There are also many Yao compatriots scattered here. Their bamboo houses, stilt houses, beautiful costumes, colorful Yao songs and dances, melon baskets and fine wine, and delicacies from mountains and seas have enriched the life of this primitive secondary forest area. The Three Points Stone and the Incense Burner Stone are two pearls inlaid in the green ocean, which are fascinating and intoxicating. To the west of Sanfenshi, there is the Bamboo Forest Attraction, which covers more than 6,000 hectares and gathers more than 20 bamboo species. It is famous for its bamboo and is known as "China's unique bamboo". Jiuyi Bamboo has beautiful shapes and has always been cherished by people. Today, Jiuyi Mountain people use bamboo to make dragon head crutches, bamboo hanging plates, brushes and other handicrafts, which add color to Jiuyi Mountain with its unique charm and welcome visitors from all over the world together with the scenery and scenic spots of Jiuyi Mountain.

ning yuan shi li hua lang guan jing tai

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Guilin

Elephant Hill Scenic Area

The Elephant Hill Scenic Area is located in the heart of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. It derives its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the sweet waters of the Li River. In his work "Records of Elephant Hill," Shu Shu, a Qing Dynasty official from the Ministry of Works, wrote: "The marvels of Guangxi lie in its mountains; the marvels of Guangxi's mountains lie in their rocks, and the elephant-shaped hill facing the provincial capital is the most marvelous of all." With its lifelike form, the attraction captivates visitors and stands as a quintessential representation of Guilin's landscape. In 1995, it was designated as the city emblem of Guilin. The main attractions in the scenic area include: Elephant Hill and Water Moon, Puxian Pagoda, Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua Liquor, Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Love Island, and Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall. Elephant trunk hill and water moon cave "Elephant trunk hill and water moon" is a spectacular wonder here, as described in the poem by Ji Bei Hermit of the Song Dynasty.Harmony of water, moon and caveThe poem reads: "The moon is beneath the water, the moon floats upon the water. The water flows but the moon stays, the moon departs yet the water still flows." On a moonlit night, visiting the Water Moon Cave at the Elephant Trunk Hill attraction presents a magical scene where the moon in the sky, the cave, and the water reflect each other beautifully. Inside the cave, you can find the "Poem and Preface of the Morning Sun Pavilion" by Zhang Xiaoxiang from the Song Dynasty and works by Fan Chengda.Inscription on the water and moon caveAnd over 50 precious cliff carvings including Lu You's poetry manuscripts. Xiangshan scenic area - Puxian pagoda Winding up along the rocky cliffs, you can see the Puxian pagoda standing tall amidst the greenery from afar. Built during the Ming dynasty, this 13.6m-high solid brick lama-style pagoda has a history of over 400 years. On the northern side of the pagoda, there is a line-engraved bluestone statue of a bodhisattva, with the mantra "Namo Puxian Bodhisattva" inscribed above it, hence the name Puxian pagoda in the Xiangshan attraction. Buddhist scriptures record that Puxian bodhisattva's mount is a six-tusked white elephant, making the pagoda's location atop Xiangshan mountain a perfect embodiment of this scripture. Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua liquor This is a natural wine cellar, with two-thirds of the mountain being hollow. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a constant temperature of 19°C and humidity above 90% year-round. Since the Song Dynasty, it has served as an official cellar for storing Sanhua wine. Sanhua wine is colorless and transparent, with a fragrant yet spicy taste. It drawsLi RiverWith the essence of the mountains and the soul of the Li River, it has become a representative of China's rice-aroma liquor. The cellar liquor was designated as a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the three treasures of Guilin. To date, nearly a thousand tons of liquor are stored in the caves. Love island Love island is located on the north side of the attraction, adjacent toLi RiverIt is another scenic viewpoint for distant viewing. The island boasts a beautiful environment and lush vegetation, making it a popular dating spot for locals in the 1970s, hence the name "love island". Today, it serves as an outdoor photography base for wedding celebrations against the backdrop of Guilin's landscape, where couples make their vows of love under the witness of the elephant trunk hill and the moon reflected in the water.

xiao dong jiang

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Guangxi

Longji Rice Terraces

Longji Rice Terraces is a massive cluster of terraced fields in the Guilin area. Several ancient ethnic minority villages are located here, inhabited by the Zhuang and Yao peoples. The famous villages arePing'an Village, Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai, Guzhuang Village, and Huangluo Yao Village. It is relatively convenient to take a self-drive trip to Longji Rice Terraces. Sightseeing here mainly involves hiking, enjoying the views, and taking photos. You can also taste local farmhouse dishes, stay in a homestay with beautiful scenery, and experience the customs of ethnic minorities. Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces scenic area: a classic picturesque pastoral landscape Visit Longji Rice Terraces,Ping'an VillageIt is a classic destination, as tourism was developed here early and the dining and entertainment facilities are more complete. There are 170 households and over 700 residents in this Zhuang village, mostly a settlement of the Zhuang people with the last name Liao. The terraced fields are mostly composed of small plots, and the scenery is quiet and beautiful. In fall, when the crops mature, the fields turn golden, and the fall-colored terraced fields are especially beautiful at this time. The viewing platforms in the attraction are "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers," though visitors need to use some imagination when enjoying them. "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" refers to the seven small hills left over from when the fields were first opened, like seven little stars accompanying the moon-shaped terraced fields. "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" refers to the nine small ridges branching off from the main Longji ridge here, and the five slightly protruding hilltops like five tigers, which surround the terraced fields and guard this land. Longji ancient Zhuang village terraced fields: a time-honored pristine landscape Longji ancient Zhuang villageIt is one of the ancient villages with a long history in the attraction, dating back to the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty.Longji ancient Zhuang villageWith more than 200 households and over 1,000 residents, this Zhuang village is mostly a settlement of the Zhuang people with the three last names Pan, Liao, and Hou. Due to poor transportation and late development, the original terraced field view is preserved here, and the traditional stilted wooden houses distributed along the mountain ridge are authentic and form a unique view. When visiting, you can walk up along the bluestone path, admire the stone bridges, stone tablets, stone carvings, and other relics that tell of the past, pass by the "Ancestral Field," and reach the "Longgou" viewing platform to overlook the beauty of the entire village. On the way down, you can stand at the "Youlong Xiajiang" viewpoint to see the terraced fields spiraling down like a giant dragon all the way to Jinjiang, which is truly spectacular. Jinkeng Hongyao rice terraces: majestic curves of the fields In addition to the spectacular and grand rice terrace scenery, the long hair of the Red Yao women here is also a beautiful sight. Dazhai Village has 245 households and a population of over 1,130. It is a Yao village, mostly a settlement of the Yao people with the last name Pan. When visiting, you can choose to walk up along the stone path and first go to the "Longji Rice Terraces - Thousand-Layer Sky Ladder" viewing platform to see the terraced fields stacked layer upon layer like a sky ladder reaching the clouds, which is very magnificent. Continuing upward, there is the "Xishan Shaoyue" viewing platform, where you can overlook the panoramic view of the terraced fields, which is truly spectacular. If you want to go to the "Golden Buddha Peak" viewing platform to enjoy the amazing view of the entire mountain sitting upright like a Maitreya Buddha, you need to take the cable car directly from Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai at the foot of the mountain to reach it. Travel route: 1-day tour:Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces or Ancient Zhuang Village Rice TerracesOr Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai + Huangluo Yao Village. If you only have one day to visit Longji Rice Terraces, it is recommended to head straight to one of the villages after purchasing the admission ticket to enjoy the scenery and taste the local farmhouse cuisine. 2-day/multi-day tour: Jinkeng Hongyao Rice Terraces-Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces-Longji ancient Zhuang village terraced fields. If you plan to stay for a few more days, you can visit in order from the farthest to the nearest to Guilin city. Admire the terraced fields, explore ancient villages, and experience the customs of ethnic minorities. Enjoy sunrise and sunset: Watching the sunrise over the rice terraces is a must-do for many visitors here, and even many photography enthusiasts come specifically for the sunrise. In the Jinkeng Red Yao Rice Terraces, there are three sunrise and sunset viewing spots: "Xishan Shaoyue" is a viewing spot that is farther away but offers a broader field of view, making it great for both sunrise and sunset — many promotional videos of Longji Rice Terraces were filmed here; the "Longji Rice Terraces - Thousand-Layer Sky Ladder" viewing platform is relatively close to the foot of the mountain, where you can see the Yao villages and feel the integration of culture and nature, making it suitable for watching the sunset; "Golden Buddha Peak" is a spot for photographing the sunset. Because it is relatively far, not many people used to take photos here, but since the cable car from the entrance of Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai directly to Golden Buddha Peak opened, taking photos here has become much more convenient.