Chongzuo, Guangxi - Detian Transnational Waterfall! So beautiful it leaves you speechless

Guilin, Guangxi, although not the most unique scenery in Guangxi, I have visited several times without feeling particularly amazed. Perhaps it’s because its reputation as the best scenery under heaven sets our expectations too high. The Detian Waterfall is special because of its transnational nature—the large waterfall is in China, while the smaller one is in Vietnam. This is a tourist area shared by two countries, but please note, do not cross the border. You can take bamboo rafts from both countries’ scenic areas to tour the waterfall on the river below, which offers a unique experience. Under the waterfall, bamboo rafts from both countries pass by each other, creating a distinctive scene. Our side’s facilities are clearly better, while the Vietnamese side looks somewhat rundown with little development. However, the Vietnamese people’s image is just as we see on TV. The highlight of the scenic area is these two waterfalls. Personally, I think it’s worth seeing, and I give it a five-star rating. The scenic area is quite cool, around 30 degrees Celsius. When I visited in mid-July, it felt comfortable, not too hot. This year, it has become a popular fishing spot for Vietnamese anglers at the waterfall, sparking a craze. Enough said, here’s the travel guide. Self-driving: This year, out-of-province cars get free or half-price tolls in Guangxi from Friday to Sunday (check Baidu for details). I missed the discount after learning about it. Just navigate directly to Detian Transnational Waterfall by car, and you’ll arrive at the edge of the scenic area. During the day, someone guards the entrance requiring ticket purchase to enter the town, but at night no one checks. It’s recommended to book a hotel inside the scenic area so you can enter directly, and ask the hotel owner to help buy tickets. If you choose to travel independently without a car, buy a combined ticket; the scenic area offers shuttle buses from the town (visitor center) to the scenic area entrance. Tour route: The area is small and can be walked through in about an hour. Be sure to take a bamboo raft to experience the waterfall’s passion, and you can also see Vietnamese people on boats selling products to Chinese tourists. Many Vietnamese young men stand outside the waterfall selling cigarettes; I didn’t buy any, so I don’t know if they’re genuine. There are signs along the road warning not to buy, as it counts as smuggling, but I saw some guys buying and no one stopped them. My photos were taken along the viewing platform path; don’t follow people up the mountain—there’s a wooden bridge leading up and then a right turn. Overall, Guilin, Guangxi is worth a visit, and I give it a five-star rating. The scenic area is beautiful and worth going to.