Don't just know about Guilin—Chongzuo is Guangxi's hidden gem

Chongzuo, this frontier town in southwestern Guangxi, attracts countless visitors with its unique karst landscapes and rich Zhuang ethnic culture. With picturesque scenery and simple folk customs, it's an ideal escape from urban hustle. Today, let's explore Chongzuo's breathtaking landscapes. Detian Transnational Waterfall is Chongzuo's most renowned attraction. As Asia's largest cross-border waterfall spanning China and Vietnam, it stretches over 200 meters wide with a 70-meter drop. From the viewing platform, witness silvery cascades plunging down cliffs amid misty grandeur. The best viewing period is June-October after rainy season when water volume peaks. Take a bamboo raft for close-up thrills and experience "two countries in one day." Mingshi Countryside, dubbed "Little Guilin," offers poetic rural scenery. The winding Mingshi River meanders through fantastical peaks, flanked by swaying bamboos and golden rice fields. Rent a bicycle for village paths or float downstream on bamboo rafts to savor "boating through emerald waves, people moving through paintings." At dusk, gilded peaks and rising cooking smoke from Zhuang villages compose idyllic scenes. Friendship Pass, among China's Nine Great Passes, is a vital Sino-Vietnamese border gateway. This Han-dynasty fortress features imposing towers and thick walls. From its ramparts, gaze into Vietnamese territory. The nearby French colonial architecture complex reveals modern Sino-Vietnamese history, while Puzhai Border Trade Market offers Vietnamese specialties. Zuojiang Leaning Pagoda, Chongzuo's 28-meter Ming-era landmark, tilts 4°24'—exceeding Pisa Tower's tilt by over 1°. Surviving centuries and earthquakes, it's an architectural marvel. At sunset, the gilded pagoda mirrors beautifully in Zuojiang River. Huashan Cliff Paintings, 2000-year-old ochre-red heritage, depict Zhuang ancestors' rituals, dances, and hunts—dubbed "living fossils of Zhuang culture." Local guides enhance understanding of these mysterious patterns. Culinary must-tries include sour pickled seasonal fruits, vibrant five-color sticky rice dyed with plant juices, crispy taro cakes, and fresh river fish congee. Best visited in spring/autumn for pleasant weather. Allocate 3-4 days to enjoy both landscapes and Zhuang culture. Chongzuo's beauty lies not just in scenery, but in its serene simplicity—a true soul-cleansing retreat.