Your Mingshi Journey Begins Here

Mingshi Scenic Area | A Hidden Paradise in a Landscape Painting, A One-Stop Guide to Exploring "Little Guilin" Deep in the secluded area of Daxin County, Chongzuo, Guangxi lies a flowing landscape painting—Mingshi Scenic Area. Surrounded by karst peaks as its backdrop, rice fields and streams as its veins, and bamboo rafts as guides, it's known as the "hidden version of Guilin." If you're a traveler who yearns for pastoral scenery and is fascinated by landscape aesthetics, this guide will help you unlock the poetic experiences of Mingshi! 📌 Basic Information Address: Kanwei Township, Daxin County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Admission: Free (Bamboo rafting costs 120 yuan/person, bicycle rental about 30 yuan/hour) Best Season: Suitable year-round, spring for fresh green rice fields, autumn for golden harvests (better to avoid rainy season) 🚗 Transportation Guide 1. Self-driving (Recommended! Flexible and convenient) From Nanning: Take Hena Expressway → Chongjing Expressway, about 2.5 hours drive with picturesque scenery along the way. From Guilin/Yangshuo: About 5 hours, can be combined with Detian Waterfall (1 hour drive) to form a classic route. 2. Public Transportation Take high-speed rail to Nanning/Chongzuo, then bus to Daxin County, followed by taxi or chartered car (suitable for non-drivers). 🌟 Top 5 Must-Do Experiences 1. Bamboo Rafting · Floating Through a Painting Drift down the Mingshi River on a bamboo raft, with reflections of unique peaks on both sides like ink paintings. Raft guides will share legends behind mountain shapes (like "Guanyin Mountain" and "Ten Thousand Breasts Peak"). Tips: Choose early morning or dusk when mist creates the most photogenic scenes! 2. Cycling Through the Countryside · Chasing the Wind Rent a bicycle and wander along field boardwalks, through sugarcane fields and rice paddies, occasionally encountering water buffaloes and egrets—experience the essence of "slow living." Recommended route: Mingshi Bridge → Zhuang Ethnic Residence Museum → Fish Scale Dam (shallow water play). 3. Climbing the Observation Deck · Panoramic Views Climb to the Longtoushang Observation Deck (free), enjoy 360° views of peaks and fields, with misty surroundings at sunrise and sunset creating a fairyland atmosphere. 4. Exploring Zhuang Culture Visit Zhuang villages, experience handmade brocade and five-color glutinous rice making; watch Zhuang song and dance performances at night (offered free at some homestays). 5. Stargazing Camping · Sleep with Nature Choose a campsite beside rice fields where the Milky Way is clearly visible at night, with frog calls and insect sounds lulling you to sleep (advance reservation required). 🍜 Mingshi Cuisine Must-try foods: ✅ Winnowing Basket Feast: Bamboo woven baskets filled with lemongrass grilled fish, banana leaf rice cakes, and sour bamboo shoots with meat—a visual and taste delight. ✅ Osmanthus Cicada Soup: Local specialty insect cuisine (dare to try?). ✅ Sugarcane juice & Arenga pinnata powder: Naturally sweet, perfect for hot weather! Recommended restaurants: Mingshi Mountain Lodge Restaurant, Rural Farmhouse Restaurant (50-80 yuan per person). 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations High-end choice: Mingshi Mountain Lodge (popular check-in spot with floor-to-ceiling windows facing mountains and water, 600+ yuan/night). Value homestays: Mingshi Nali Hotel, Field Stroll Inn (200-400 yuan/night, including Zhuang cultural activities). Unique options: Riverside tents or Zhuang stilt houses for deeper immersion in nature. 📸 Photography Tips Classic spots: Fish Scale Dam arch bridge, Mingshi Bridge reflections, solitary tree in rice fields (navigate to "Mingshi Scenic Area Photography Point"). Outfit suggestions: Light-colored long dresses/Hanfu with straw hats or oil-paper umbrellas for instant martial arts film vibes. Equipment recommendations: Wide-angle lens for landscapes, telephoto lens for peak details, drone for more stunning aerial shots! ⚠️ Travel Tips Sun and mosquito protection! Bring mosquito repellent and sun hats for the humid riverside areas. Respect farmland: Don't ride over crops or step on rice fields when taking photos. Check weather in advance: Muddy river water after heavy rain affects rafting experience. Recommended combined tour: Pair with Detian Transnational Waterfall and Tongling Grand Canyon for a more fulfilling 3-4 day trip! Conclusion The beauty of Mingshi lies in the silent fusion of landscape and culture, and the healing of the soul after escaping the hustle and bustle. Whether you're poling a bamboo raft into a painting or cycling in pursuit of the sunset, you'll always find your own "pastoral poem" here. Pack your bags and set off—this earthly paradise is waiting for you to become part of the picture!