Detian Waterfall during the dry season, just a railing away from Vietnam

**📍Location**: Guangxi Chongzuo·Detian Transnational Waterfall **🕒Time**: May (dry season, few tourists) **🚗Transportation**: Self-drive/Bus from Nanning to Daxin County, then transfer to direct shuttle to the scenic area --- ### **🌊 Detian Waterfall in Dry Season: Disappointment or Luck?** Detian Waterfall is Asia's largest transnational waterfall. Usually during summer when water is abundant, it's magnificent and spectacular. But this time, I happened to encounter the **driest period in 60 years**, with thin water flow, lacking some of its usual impact. **But!** Because of this, the scenic area was **ridiculously empty**, no queuing at all, and I could even have viewing platforms all to myself. This luck - I don't know whether to call it good or bad. --- ### **🛶 Riding a Bamboo Raft, "Brushing Past" Vietnam** Sitting on a bamboo raft, slowly approaching the waterfall. The most amazing thing is—**the opposite bank is Vietnam**! 🇻🇳 **Vietnamese flags are visible everywhere**, with red flags with gold stars lining the riverbank. My phone easily captured photos of Vietnamese villages, farmland, and locals walking along the riverbank. --- ### **📸 Must-Visit Spots** 1. **Border Marker No. 836**: A China-Vietnam border symbol, many tourists take photos here, though personally I don't think it's necessary. 2. **Detian Temple Waterfall Viewing Platform**: Overlooking the panorama, the dry season actually offers a rare beautiful view. 3. **Cross-border Market**: Experience Vietnamese coffee, baguettes, ice cream, grilled sausages, and buying souvenirs makes the trip complete. --- ### **🍜 Food and Accommodation Recommendations** - 🏠 **Accommodation**: Recommend staying in Daxin County or Shuolong Town, affordable and close to the scenic area. - 🍴 **Food**: Vietnamese spring rolls, Boji Feast, Suan Ye (Guangxi specialty sour dishes). --- ### **💡 Travel Tips** ✅ **Dry Season (November-April)**: Few people, not crowded, but small waterfall volume. ✅ **Wet Season (May-October)**: Spectacular waterfall, but crowded, may need to queue. ✅ **Bring your ID card**! Border areas require ID checks for sightseeing vehicles. --- ### **🌟 Afterword: An Unexpected Border Journey** An unplanned trip that took me right to the national border. Detian Waterfall's dry season showed me a different landscape—less magnificent but more peaceful. The Vietnamese village on the opposite bank was so close yet unreachable, creating a subtle feeling that's probably the unique charm of travel. **"The most interesting part of travel is often the unexpected encounters."** This little adventure at the China-Vietnam border gave me many first-time experiences, which is perhaps the best proof of that.