Things to do in Rongjiang

2026 Asia 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Zhong Guo Tian Yan Jing Qu

Zhong Guo Tian Yan Jing Qu is nestled among the karst mountains of Pingtang, Guizhou. Built around the 500 m aperture spherical radio telescope FAST, it consists of two parts: the observation deck area in the mountains and the Pingtang Astronomy Town in Kedu Town. This telescope, known as the "China Sky Eye," rests in a natural funnel-shaped depression. More than 4,000 reflector units form a spherical-cap "wok," with a receiving area equivalent to nearly 30 football fields, and its aperture ranks among the world's largest among completed radio telescopes of its kind. From the proposal of the concept in the 1990s to its completion and commissioning in 2016, the project took more than 20 years, with site selection alone lasting over a decade. Astronomer Nan Rendong, who initiated and led the project, is therefore called the "father of China Sky Eye." Climbing to the observation deck to see the "big dish" is the highlight of the whole trip. To leave a quiet electromagnetic environment for the telescope, before entering the mountains you must store all electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras, and smartwatches at the visitor service center, then transfer to a shuttle bus to reach the foot of the mountain and hike up more than 700 steps. Zodiac constellation patterns are embedded beside the steps, and if your stamina is limited you can also take a sightseeing bus instead. Standing on the observation deck at the summit, the 500 m aperture silver-gray "big dish" spreads out completely among the mountains, and the tiered viewing platforms let you examine its outline from different heights. There is no signal on the mountain, and you cannot take out your phone to take photos; this temporary "isolation from the world" is exactly the quiet that this telescope needs to work properly. The astronomy town at the foot of the mountain is a good place to round out the science popularization portion of the visit: the astronomy experience hall features themed exhibition halls on radio astronomy, galaxy exploration, and solar science popularization paired with sound, light, and electric interactive exhibits, and the on-site astronomical cinema screens astronomy films; electronic devices are allowed here, so you can take photos freely; the Nan Rendong Memorial Hall tells the story of the project from conception to completion in six chapters, and after seeing it, thinking back on that "pot" at the top of the mountain will feel very different; for a more thrilling experience, the motion seats in the dome flight theater can take you on a simulated "flight" over the telescope and the karst mountains. This telescope undertakes scientific tasks such as surveying neutral hydrogen in the universe, searching for pulsars, detecting interstellar molecules, and searching for signals of extraterrestrial civilizations, and it has discovered more than a thousand new pulsars since it began operation. With this background in mind, looking again at that "big wok" quietly "listening" to the universe, it is not just an artificial wonder, but more like a tireless listener to the cosmos.

2025 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Yulong River Rafting

Yulong River Rafting is the classic way to experience the Yulong River in Yangshuo. The Yulong River, a tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo, is often called the "Little Li River," with clear waters and a gentle flow year-round. Unlike the motorized rafts on the Li River, here the traditional method of poling bamboo rafts by hand is preserved. The rafts drift slowly downstream without the noise of engines, so quiet that you can hear the soft sound of the pole dipping into the water. Along the banks, karst peaks roll endlessly, while rice fields, villages, and waterwheels unfold one after another—a real-life scene of "a boat gliding on emerald waves, people wandering in a painting." During the rafting journey, you'll pass by ancient stone bridges like Yulong bridge and Fuli bridge built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Fuli bridge features a single arch, with its reflection forming a perfect circle in the water—especially photogenic in morning mist. The Jiuxian village area retains old residences and ancient alleys. Multiple dams along the river create signature moments of excitement as rafts plunge over them, splashing water for brief seconds. The river offers two distinct sections: The upper section from Jinlong bridge to Jiuxian has more dams and pristine pastoral scenery, while the lower section starting from Jima and Shui'edi docks is closer to Ten-mile gallery, conveniently connecting with nearby attractions. Visitors can choose either half or full routes based on time and energy. When riding bamboo rafts through dams, clothes may easily get splashed, so remember to waterproof your phone and other personal items; during holidays, rafts get crowded—if you want to take serene landscape photos, consider setting off early.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Fenghuang Ancient Town

The ancient town of Fenghuang is located in the southwest of Xiangxi, Hunan Province. The ancient city was built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, with the Tuojiang River running through the city. The red sandstone walls stand on the shore, and the Nanhua Mountain is set against the city towers from the Qing Dynasty. A narrow wooden bridge with stone piers is across the river under the north gate of the ancient city. It was the passage out of the city in those days. The bluestone streets in the city, the stilt houses by the Tuojiang River, the numerous ancient buildings and the rich customs constitute the unique charm of western Hunan. The main attractions include the former residence of Shen Congwen, the ancient city museum, Chongde Hall, etc., which are worth visiting.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area

Night Tour of Two Rivers and Four Lakes Take a night cruise on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes to enjoy the mountain and water scenery of Shanhu Lake, Ronghu Lake, Guihu Lake, Mulong Lake, Lijiang River and Taohua River in the city, visit the scenic belt in the core of Guilin City, and experience the water system around the city that is comparable to the water city of Venice. Highlights and Features:The night tour of Two Rivers and Four Lakes is one of the classic products of my Attraction. While taking a boat, you can not only enjoy the scenic spots of the four lakes, famous bridges and mountains, but also watch the fine performances such as osprey fishing, Yao village customs, half-zither falling moon and other fine performances that have been passed down for thousands of years. You can also cruise on the Li River and Taohua River, feel the essence of Guilin's mountains and rivers, "the city is in the scenery, the scenery is in the city", and enjoy the dazzling charm of Guilin at night. Night Tour of One River and Four Lakes Take a night cruise on the One River and Four Lakes to enjoy the mountain and water scenery of Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake, Mulong Lake, Li River or Taohua River in the city, visit the scenic belt in the core of Guilin City, experience the ring-shaped water system comparable to the water city of Venice, as well as classic performances such as osprey fishing with a thousand-year history, Yao village customs, and the naked-eye 3D light and shadow show of the ancient city wall of Mulong Lake. Highlights and Features:The night cruise on One River and Four Lakes is one of the classic products of our Attraction. While taking a boat, you can not only enjoy the scenic spots of the four lakes, famous bridges and mountains, but also watch the fine performances such as osprey fishing, Yao village customs, half-zither and falling moon that have been passed down for thousands of years. You can also cruise on the Li River or Taohua River, feel the essence of Guilin's mountains and rivers, "the city is in the scenery, the scenery is in the city", and enjoy the dazzling charm of Guilin at night. Night Tour of Four Lakes Take a night cruise on the four lakes to enjoy the dazzling night scenery of Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake and Mulong Lake, as well as classic performances such as osprey fishing with a thousand-year history. Highlights and Features:The night tour of the Four Lakes is a high-quality night tour route in our Attraction. You can take a boat to visit the core scenic belt of Guilin City and experience the water system around the city that can be compared with the water city of Venice. Along the way, you can enjoy many scenic spots such as Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake, and Mulong Lake, and overlook famous bridges and mountains; watch the thousand-year-old osprey fishing, Yaoxiang customs, and the exquisite performance of the half-zither falling moon, and enjoy the dazzling and colorful landscape of Guilin at night. Day Trip to One River and Four Lakes You can take a day trip on the One River and Four Lakes by boat to see Shan Lake, Rong Lake, Gui Lake, Mulong Lake, and the urban section of the Li River, enjoy the picturesque natural scenery, and see famous mountains of various shapes. Highlights and Features:Take a day trip on a boat to the scenic belt around the core of Guilin city, where you can appreciate the picturesque natural scenery up close. Along the way, many famous mountains appear in sequence, including Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Diecai Hill, Seven-star Hill, Baoji Hill, and Seniors Hill. Famous bridges from China and abroad in various shapes, and elegant pagodas and pavilions decorate the ancient city of mountains and rivers, allowing tourists to truly feel the charm of Guilin's world-class landscape.

No. 5 of Night Attractions in Guizhou

Qingyan Ancient Town

Qingyan Ancient Town is located in Huaxi District, the southern suburb of Guiyang, and is known as one of Guizhou's four ancient towns alongside Zhenyuan, Bing'an, and Longli. Established during the Ming Dynasty as a military stronghold, the town preserves numerous well-maintained ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing periods. The filming of the movie "The Missing Gun" brought Qingyan Ancient Town to wider recognition. The ancient town's architecture follows the natural mountain contours, with its city walls built from massive stones on cliffs. It features four city gates at the east, west, south, and north. The exquisite stone and wood carvings in the town's buildings are a major highlight. The south gate of the ancient town, Dingguang gate, is the most magnificent among the four main gates. Historically, it served as the first gateway guarding the southern entrance to Guiyang. The towering gate tower and city walls built with massive stones, along with the winding flagstone path outside the town and surrounding farmland, create a spectacular landscape. Many promotional photos of Qingyan ancient town are taken here. Entering the ancient town through Dingguang gate, the first sight is the Zhaolilun centenarian memorial archway. Built by imperial decree during Emperor Daoguang's reign in the Qing dynasty, this archway features an unusual design - the stone lions carved on its four pillars are upside down compared to conventional ones, creating a peculiar sight. Walking along the ancient stone-paved post road, you'll find shops on both sides selling local specialties. Unique snacks like braised pig's feet, grilled tofu, and rose candy offer distinctive flavors worth trying when you need a break from exploring. The ancient post road winding from the south gate to the north gate serves as both the central axis and main street of the ancient town. Divided by the ancient cultural square at the town center, the northern section is called North Street while the southern section is named South Street. Intersecting with the main street are East Street to the east and West Street to the west. Following East Street eastward leads to Wenchang Pavilion at No. 143, a brick-and-wood structure built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. This octagonal pavilion with multiple eaves was constructed against the mountain slope and served as a gathering place for scholars to study, socialize, and worship the Wenchang deity - visitors may also pay their respects if interested. Heading west along the main street, you'll reach various distinctive religious buildings in Qingyan Ancient Town, including Yingxiang Temple, Ciyun Temple, Wanshou Palace, and the Catholic Church, all exquisitely crafted and perfect for photography. Between South Street and West Street lies a quiet alley called Back Street. This stone-paved lane is one of the most characteristic features of Qingyan Ancient Town, with its bluish-black flagstones polished smooth by centuries of use, reflecting light like mirrors to create a profound sense of tranquility. The narrow, serene path follows the mountain's contours, flanked by layered slate walls, making it an ideal photography spot. The streets and alleys in Qingyan ancient town are deep and winding, but there are signposts on the main street and at every important intersection. Moreover, most lanes can loop back to the main street, so you don't need to worry about getting lost while exploring the ancient town.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Guangdong and Guangxi

Guilin Li River Scenic Area

The scenery of the Li River is exactly what is depicted in the primary school Chinese textbook essay "Guilin's Scenery," and the praise "Guilin's scenery tops the world" is inseparable from this river. The peaks on both banks of the Guilin Li River Scenic Area are tall, majestic, and endlessly varied, making this the essence of Guilin's scenery. "A hundred miles of Li River, a hundred miles of gallery"—green peaks line the banks, emerald waters swirl, gorges and cliffs rise, springs and waterfalls hang, and green islets and treacherous shoals, wondrous caves and beautiful rocks abound; every view is like a typical Chinese ink painting. Dozens of well-known attractions are distributed along the river: Wujiu Beach, Nine Oxen and Three Islets, Bat Hill, Waiting-for-Husband Rock, Caoping scenery, Crown Cave, Xiushan, Half-Side Ferry, Immortal Turning the Mill, Yangdi scenery, Carp Hanging on the Cliff, Wave Stone Wonder, Xialong scenery, Jilong Hill, Eight Immortals Crossing the River, Five-Finger Hill, Turtle Climbing the Mountain, Nine Horses Mural Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection (the filming location for the background of the CNY 20 banknote), Camel Crossing the River, Chaoban Hill, Xingping scenery, Luosi Hill, Fishing Village, Longtou Hill, and more. The main ways to explore the Guilin Li River Scenic Area include taking a boat, riding a bamboo raft, and hiking. Cruising downstream allows you to take in the peak forests and pastoral villages along both banks, making it the classic way to experience the entire river; bamboo rafts are ideal for getting up close to the water and cliff faces on the most scenic stretches; hiking along the river lets you pass through villages and mountain paths, savoring everything at your own pace. The section from Yangdi to Xingping is known as the essence of the Guilin Li River Scenic Area, home to classic views such as Nine Horses Mural Hill, Yellow Cloth Shoal Reflection, and the Xingping scenery—no matter which option you choose, it is not to be missed.

qi shi er zhai dou niu chang

Selected for Best Things to Do in Guangxi

Li River Four-star cruise ship

Basic information about the 4-star cruise The Li River cruise has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, taking into full consideration travelers' sightseeing experience and expectations. Strict regulations have been implemented regarding cabin space per person, traveler seat specifications, cabin dining table dimensions, and deck walking area per person. The upgraded cruise features upholstered sofas covered with fabric or genuine leather, significantly enhancing both comfort and aesthetics compared to standard cruises. High material standards have been set for cabin flooring, ceilings, wall panels, and dining tables, with clear renewal periods established for decorative items like curtains and tablecloths, creating an elegant and sophisticated viewing environment for travelers. The cruise is fully equipped with premium sanitary facilities and thoughtful humanized design details throughout. Layout structure and decoration The four-star cruise features double-deck cabins and double-deck promenade decks with spacious views, providing at least 1.4㎡ of space per person. The deck is equipped with a sunshade and leisure tables and chairs, surrounded by 1.2m-high aluminum alloy safety railings. The cabin floor features highly wear-resistant composite wood flooring and premium carpeting. The interior is elegantly decorated, showcasing cultural elements or ethnic characteristics, adorned with fresh flowers and greenery. The dining tables are crafted from elm or ash wood with luxurious carved embellishments. Visitor seats are designed as armrest-style, upholstered in genuine leather for comfort and contemporary style. Meal The double-decker cabin offers Chinese and Western buffet options or customized specialty meals for travelers. The tableware and tea sets are made of high-quality ceramic materials, complete with both Chinese and Western dining utensils. There is also a mini bar to cater to the diverse entertainment needs of travelers. Each row of seats or table is equipped with a tablet near the windowsill, providing smart services such as accessing Guilin travel information, entertainment, and ordering meals.

No. 16 of Best Things to Do in Guangxi

Silver Cave

The Silver Cave attraction is located in Maling Town, Lipu City, and is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. Silver Cave is a typical karst cave that runs through twelve mountain peaks. The cave features sparkling and dazzling stalactites, earning it the reputation of being a wonder among the world's karst caves. In 2026, the attraction completed an upgrade of its cave lighting technology, comprehensively refreshing the illumination of its 18 major scenic spots with a "dual-zone integration" concept for visual experiences. The geological rock zone employs museum-grade lighting control to restore the silver luster of stalactites, while the magnificent terrain area utilizes 3D mapping technology in the "vicissitudes of time" hall to showcase geological evolution from the Devonian period to karst formation, creating China's first 360-degree immersive karst lightscape. Pioneering biophilic lighting, contactless interaction, and AR scene integration, the design achieves symbiosis between nature and technology with "visible light, invisible fixtures." Core attractions like the musical stone screen, Yaochi fairyland, silver diamond, Buddha's discourse, money tree, and primordial pearl umbrella gain enhanced depth and dimensionality. Multiple social media photo spots along the route blend natural wonders with digital innovation through AR interactions, bringing 100-million-year-old karst marvels to vibrant, interactive life. This upgrade preserves the core advantage of the cave's natural views while infusing new cultural significance and communication value through innovative experiences, transforming the attraction from "sightseeing-oriented" to "immersive experience-focused," successfully creating a unique tourism model for Guilin's karst caves. The attraction deeply integrates high-quality surrounding resources to create a diverse cultural tourism experience matrix: the earth memory meteorite wonder museum combines meteorite collections, paleontological fossils, geological science education and 4D interactive experiences, enriching study tour content; Yinlong ancient village preserves complete traditional northern Guangxi residential architecture with profound historical heritage, serving as an ideal destination for exploring ancient village culture and experiencing folk customs; the Xiaogingshan Lipu taro planting base, leveraging the nationally protected geographical indication product Lipu taro, has developed a distinctive agricultural sightseeing area integrating standardized planting, rural scenery viewing and farming experiences; Xiangshang Guixu centers on Lipu taro culture to create an immersive cultural experience space featuring taro culture exhibitions, farming activities, specialty cuisine, creative markets and folk interaction, making Lipu taro culture tangible, appreciable, experiential and consumable. The attraction is built upon natural landscapes, centered around cultural experiences, and supported by distinctive agriculture. It connects diverse formats including cave sightseeing, science education, ancient village exploration, taro field leisure, cultural experiences and flower viewing, striving to create a new pattern of comprehensive tourism development that deeply integrates agriculture, culture and tourism. Through attraction-driven development, industrial synergy and cultural empowerment, it effectively promotes industrial growth in surrounding villages, increases employment and income for residents, and strengthens village collective economies. This achieves coordinated progress in ecotourism, ancient village culture, specialty agriculture and rural revitalization, establishing a high-quality development model for the integrated growth of agriculture, culture and tourism in Maling town. Next, the attraction will implement a three-phase agricultural-cultural-tourism integration upgrade project. Focusing on key areas including the Silver Cave core landscape, earth memory science education, Yinlong ancient village cultural preservation, Xiaogingshan Lipu taro planting base improvement, and Xiangshang Guixu Lipu taro cultural experience enhancement, the project will further improve touring facilities, diversify offerings and elevate service quality. It aims to strengthen the integrated industrial chain encompassing cave sightseeing, science education, ancient village leisure, farming experiences, taro culture displays and distinctive homestays. Through this construction, the project will comprehensively promote deep integration between the attraction and surrounding villages, specialty agriculture and cultural resources, continuously expanding brand influence and industrial driving force. It strives to build a high-quality development model for agricultural-cultural-tourism integration in southern Guilin, injecting stronger momentum into rural revitalization.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Hechi

Sanmenhai Area

Nestled among the karst peaks of Fengshan County, Hechi, Guangxi, the Sanmenhai Area is a cluster of collapsed skylights connected by an underground river. The cave ceilings collapsed and linked with the surface, leaving seven skylights arranged like a string of beads resembling the Big Dipper, with three currently accessible by boat. The journey begins on a bright lake before entering a dark cave, then emerging back into the light, with the scenery of mountains, water, caves, and sky alternating before your eyes—creating the illusion of "seas within mountains and gates above seas," which inspired the name Sanmenhai. Geologists and cave researchers call this skylight cluster the "Window of the World" and the "Karst Geology Museum," as it remains largely untouched by human development. During the boat tour, the first stretch of water forms a lake encircled by cliffs, its surface a deep blue. The second skylight, known as the "Half-moon Skylight," reveals a rock opening resembling a crescent moon hanging above. The innermost skylight passage is deep and maintains a constant temperature—warm in winter and cool in summer. When sunlight slants through the opening onto the water, the turquoise lake and submerged rock walls reflect like a piece of jade immersed in water. The tour is primarily by boat, alternating between bright lakes and dark caves. Each passage through shadowy waterways is met with light from the skylights, offering perfect photo opportunities on sunny days when the water displays distinct layers of color. Due to its remote location, a round-trip to Fengshan town requires planning for travel time. The experience is boat-centric and pairs well with other karst views in the county on the same day.