If you’re coming to China and your priority is unspoilt natural beauty, you could do a lot worse than Guangxi in the south of the country bordering Vietnam.

This autonomous region is an outdoor lover’s paradise. A region packed with some of China’s most beautiful mountains, rivers, forests, national parks, waterfalls and rice terraces.

My own Guangxi adventure came back in May 2010 at the tail end of a cross-country tour. Time was limited, so I had to make do with just under a week to take in a handful of Guangxi’s stunning highlights.

It began with a few days in the picture perfect city of Guilin. Then it was onto the impossibly idyllic county of Yangshuo, a dream location of lush karst peaks, vast paddy fields and emerald waters.  

My Yangshuo days played out happily with an eventful flow of hiking, cycling and bamboo rafting. Heck, there was even time to get hands-on with the local cuisine via a private cooking class.

Moreover, it’s impossible not to smile when I think of Yao Village, where I got to meet China’s incredible long-haired ladies.

And of the misty, moody views from Ping’an Village at the very peak of Longsheng County’s world famous rice terraces.

For the full story on these magical Guangxi experiences, check out my travel articles:

Bewitched by the Beauty of Guilin & Yangshuo (coming soon!)

&

Yao Village & the Longji Rice Terraces (coming soon!)

These experiences also feature in my short stories:

The Long Hair Ladies of Yao (coming soon!)

Yangshuo Master Chefs (coming soon!)

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