Jingxi "Water Guilin" Quyang Lake~~Experience a Different Exotic Charm

Quyang Lake in Jingxi is known as the "Water Guilin." It is a large karst plateau lake reservoir with very beautiful scenery. Here is a detailed travel guide prepared for you, hoping to help you enjoy your trip to Quyang Lake. 🏞️ Jingxi Quyang Lake Travel Guide ℹ️ Introduction to Quyang Lake Quyang Lake is located 28 kilometers northwest of Jingxi City, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in Quyang Town. It is a large karst plateau lake reservoir with a total area of 2,469.9 hectares, a lake surface of 15,540 mu, a length of 15 kilometers, and a maximum width of 1 kilometer. It is known as the "Water Guilin" and the "Ocean in the Mountains." It is the second largest artificial lake in Baise City and a national-level water conservancy scenic area. The lake contains more than a dozen islands of various sizes, surrounded by karst peak forests, with hundreds of Zhuang stilted villages dotting the shores, creating picturesque scenery. 📅 Best Time to Visit * Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October): The climate is pleasant during these seasons. Spring features blooming wildflowers, and autumn showcases colorful forests, making the lake and mountains especially beautiful. * Weather choice: Be sure to visit on a sunny day; the lake water looks greener under sunlight, and photos turn out better. * Recommended times: Early morning (6:30-7:30) when the lake is shrouded in morning mist, creating a fairyland atmosphere; evening (17:00-19:00) at sunset, when the sunset glow spreads over the lake, offering magnificent views. 🗺️ Suggested Itinerary One-day Tour Recommendation Time Activity Notes Morning Arrive at Baqi Village, hike 15-30 minutes to the viewing platform for a panoramic view → descend to visit Zhuang villages Wear comfortable sports shoes for hiking Noon Enjoy local specialty dishes at a farmhouse restaurant by the lake Recommended dishes: sour bamboo shoots stir-fried with snail meat, pan-fried river fish Afternoon Take a boat tour of the lake (1.5-2 hours) → self-drive around the south shore or visit Shuinong Village’s Wind and Rain Bridge You can charter a boat from villagers for good value Evening Capture sunset views at Linling Village or along the lakeside road before returning Two-day Tour Recommendation * Day 1: Focus on core Quyang Lake experiences, including hiking to the panoramic viewpoint, boat tour, and leisurely lakeside stroll. Camp overnight at Pogu Auto Camping Site or stay in a guesthouse in Quyang Town, and stargaze at night. * Day 2: Enjoy the morning mist over the lake, then visit nearby attractions such as E Spring (about 36 km from Quyang Lake, famous for clear spring water and playful geese) or Tongling Grand Canyon (about 40 km away, featuring waterfalls and karst caves). 🚌 Transportation Guide How to Get to Quyang Lake Method Route Notes Self-driving (recommended) Navigate to "Quyang Lake Baqi Village" or "Quyang Lake Scenic Area." About 40 minutes from Jingxi City; about 3.5 hours from Nanning. The south shore road is in good condition; some northern sections are narrow or gravelly, SUV recommended. Public transport Take a bus from Jingxi North Station heading toward Kuiwei, get off at Quyang Town (fare about 15 RMB), then walk a few dozen meters to the lake. Bus frequency is low; plan your schedule in advance. 💰 Cost Estimate Item Approximate Cost Notes Scenic area entrance Free Official boat tour 68 RMB/person (on-site), 58 RMB/person (online purchase one day in advance) Tour lasts about 40 minutes on a fixed route Villager chartered boat About 50-200 RMB/boat (4-10 people) Price negotiable, flexible, tour lasts about 1.5 hours Dining Farmhouse meals by the lake about 50 RMB per person Accommodation Guesthouses in Quyang Town about 100-200 RMB/night; Pogu camping 10-50 RMB/tent 🏞️ Main Attractions and Activities 1. Hike to panoramic viewpoint: Baqi Village viewing platform is a must-visit. A 15-30 minute hike to the top offers a breathtaking full view of Quyang Lake, perfect for photography. 2. Boat tour: The core way to experience Quyang Lake’s beauty. You can choose the official boat or local villagers’ private boats (usually better value and negotiable). The boat weaves through karst peak forests, like being in a traditional Chinese ink painting. 3. Drive or cycle around the lake: The lakeside road is about 30-38 km long. The south shore road is in good condition, suitable for driving or cycling, with many spots to stop for photos and views. You’ll pass Zhuang villages like Bameng Village and Shuinong Village, experiencing local culture. The north shore has some unpaved sections; drive carefully. 4. Visit Zhuang villages: Many original Zhuang stilted villages are scattered around the lake shore, such as Baqi Village, Bameng Village, and Shuinong Village. You can see traditional Zhuang architecture and feel the local lifestyle. 5. Camping and stargazing: Pogu Auto Camping Site is the officially recommended camping spot, offering basic facilities like restrooms and showers with managed fees. At night, you can gaze at the stars; in the morning, enjoy the lake’s misty scenery—a wonderful experience. 🍜 Food Recommendations When visiting Quyang Lake, don’t miss the local specialties: * Fresh fish from Quyang Lake: Fish caught fresh from the lake, prepared steamed, pan-fried, or cooked in sour bamboo shoot fish soup. The taste is fresh without muddy flavor. Pan-fried blue knife fish is recommended. * Sour bamboo shoots stir-fried with snail meat: Made with Quyang Lake’s specialty stone snails, which have firm meat, paired with local sour bamboo shoots for a tangy and appetizing dish. * Five-color glutinous rice: A traditional Zhuang specialty, glutinous rice dyed with plant-based colors, steamed and mixed with honey, sweet but not greasy. * Jingxi rice dumplings: Made with glutinous rice flour skin, chewy texture, usually filled with minced chives and meat, suitable for steaming or pan-frying, a common local snack. These dishes can be found in Quyang Town or farmhouse restaurants by the lake. 🛌 Accommodation Suggestions * Guesthouses in Quyang Town: For an authentic local experience, stay in guesthouses in Quyang Town or lakeside villages. Prices are affordable, and you can enjoy lake views from your window, such as Bameng Village farmhouse. * Lakeside camping: Pogu Auto Camping Site is the top choice, with relatively complete facilities and safety. * Hotels in Jingxi City: If you prefer higher standards or more complete services, stay in Jingxi City (e.g., Baiman Hotel) and drive about 40 minutes to Quyang Lake the next day. ⚠️ Practical Tips 1. Dress advice: UV rays are strong by the lake, and there is abundant vegetation. Prepare sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and insect repellent. Wear comfortable sports or casual shoes for hiking and walking. 2. Safety first: Follow staff instructions when boating, wear life jackets, and especially watch children closely. If exploring undeveloped caves, go in groups, bring flashlights, and wear non-slip shoes. 3. Eco-friendly travel: Please protect Quyang Lake’s beautiful natural environment. Do not litter; carry a trash bag and take your garbage with you to help preserve this green landscape. 4. Respect locals: The villages around Quyang Lake are real living communities. Respect local customs, do not enter villagers’ homes without permission, and avoid disturbing their lives. We hope this guide helps you better plan your trip to Quyang Lake. Have a great time!