Guangxi’s Hidden Boat Tour of 7 “Water Skylights” at Sanmenhai Feels Like Entering a Peach Blossom Land
Who understands, family! Just got back from Sanmenhai and I’m wildly recommending it—this isn’t a tourist spot, it’s literally a real-life “Underground River Peach Blossom Land”! The 7 skylights carved by karst landforms connect the emerald green waterways. The boat glides silently with no ripples, the water surface mirrors the stalactites, and sunlight streams through the skylights, sparkling on the water. Photos straight from the phone’s camera look like they have a soft light filter—no editing needed! Here’s a tested, no-fail guide suitable for couples, besties, and family trips~
🌿 Tested must-see spots + hidden photo spots (unique shots guaranteed)
- Sanmenhai Core Skylight Cluster: The only way to explore is by boat! The 1-hour trip passes through 3 main skylights plus several lesser-known ones. The boatman rows almost silently, so quiet you can hear water droplets falling on the river~ Key photo moment: “Skylight beams” from 10 AM to 2 PM when sunlight shines directly. Wear light-colored clothes and stand at the bow to let the light fall on you—instantly magical! My bestie and I crouched at the stern to capture “water reflections,” where stalactites and shadows overlap. Friends kept asking if it was a special effect~
- Changshou Village (Poxin Village): The ancient village at Sanmenhai’s entrance is a treasure! A thousand-year-old banyan tree with lush branches at the village entrance, perfect for slow-life shots on the swing beneath it; rice fields beside the village road (lush green in spring/summer, golden in autumn/winter), babbling streams—anywhere you stand is a pastoral photo op. We even met villagers selling freshly picked sugar tangerines, 10 yuan for 3 jin, sweet, sour, juicy, and super fresh~
- Crystal Palace Cave: A 10-minute drive from Sanmenhai, this “underground art palace” dazzles! The stalactites are crystal clear, paired with colorful lights like stepping into a fairy tale. Don’t miss the “crystal waterfall” where water flows along stone curtains, refracting light beautifully~ (PS: The cave is damp and slippery, wear non-slip shoes and don’t run or jump!)
- Village Trail Hiking Path: Highly recommend the hiking trail behind Changshou Village! A 20-minute walk through bamboo forest, along a small skylight tributary. The stream is so clear you can see little fish. When tired, sit on a rock and enjoy some chocolate—way more scenic than just sitting on a boat~
🚗 Transportation + Tickets (money-saving tested tips)
- Arrival: 3.5 hours driving from Nanning (highway + mountain road, very good condition), 1 hour from Bama, 20 minutes by taxi from Fengshan county town (about 20 yuan per person); public transport: Nanning Langdong Bus Station → Fengshan bus (4 hours, 80 yuan), then carpool 15 yuan/person to the scenic area
- Tickets: Book combo tickets (admission + boat) online 1 day in advance to save 10 yuan compared to buying on-site! Students with ID get half price, seniors over 60 also have discounts~ Recommend buying the Sanmenhai + Crystal Palace combo ticket (150 yuan/person), saving 28 yuan compared to buying separately, great value
- Avoid pitfalls: Buy boat tickets in advance! Long queues in peak season. My bestie and I booked early and boarded immediately, saving 1 hour of waiting~
🏨 Accommodation Recommendations (stay smart, avoid detours)
- Near the scenic area: Poxin Village homestays (100-150 yuan per person), open your window to mountain and water views, hear birdsong in the morning, 5-minute walk to Sanmenhai entrance, get in early at 8 AM to avoid crowds~ The place I stayed included breakfast: corn porridge + farm eggs + pickles, simple but delicious!
- Comfortable choice: Fengshan county town hotels (150-250 yuan per person), recommend Fengshan Huayu Hotel, fully equipped, and you can stroll the night market for local snacks
- Resort style: Bama wellness hotels (250-350 yuan per person), 1 hour drive from Sanmenhai, perfect for those combining Bama wellness trips, some hotels have hot springs for ultimate relaxation~
👗 Outfit + Gear (great photos + practical)
- Outfit: Wear white, light blue, beige, or other light colors for stunning photos against the emerald water and cave backgrounds! Summer: short sleeves + light jacket (cave is 5°C cooler than outside), spring/autumn: light sweater, winter: thick jacket (big temperature difference in mountains)
- Must-haves: Non-slip sports shoes (essential for caves + hiking), sunscreen (SPF50+, strong outdoor UV), mosquito repellent (many bugs in mountains), sunglasses, hat (sun and rain protection)
- Others: Power bank (photos drain battery), camera (cave light and shadow shots are amazing), small backpack (for snacks and water), rain gear (mountain weather changes, occasional showers)
📅 3-day 2-night itinerary (relaxed and fulfilling)
Day 1: First encounter with skylights → slow countryside tour
- 09:00 Depart Nanning, drive or take bus to Fengshan, stop at service area for a light meal
- 12:30 Arrive Fengshan county town, check in hotel, have lunch (recommend stewed chicken with soybeans + corn porridge, tender meat perfect with rice)
- 14:30 Taxi to Sanmenhai, boat tour of core skylight cluster, shoot light and shadow photos, listen to boatman’s stalactite legends
- 17:00 Visit Changshou Village, shoot ancient banyan + pastoral scenery, buy fresh sugar tangerines, chat with villagers, very pleasant
- 18:30 Return to town for dinner, visit night market to try Tujia sticky rice cake (dipped in soybean powder + brown sugar, soft and sweet)
Day 2: Cave exploration → hidden hiking
- 08:30 Breakfast at hotel (rice cake + soy milk, both savory and sweet are delicious), depart for Crystal Palace Cave
- 09:00-11:30 Tour Crystal Palace, shoot stalactite wonders, feel the shock of the “underground art palace”
- 12:00 Eat farmhouse dishes near the cave, recommend pan-fried river fish (crispy outside, tender inside, fresh without fishy smell) + stir-fried seasonal vegetables
- 14:00 Hike behind Changshou Village, explore small skylight tributaries, shoot stream reflections
- 16:30 Return to town to rest, dinner with Bama fragrant pork hotpot, warming and delicious
Day 3: Slow countryside stroll → return trip
- 08:30 Early walk along Changshou Village path, see rice fields, streams, ancient houses, take pastoral photos
- 11:30 Lunch (last meal must order stir-fried vegetables + corn porridge, sweet and refreshing)
- 13:00 Buy wild tea and mountain products as souvenirs, pack up
- 14:00 Return to Nanning or head to Bama, end the healing trip
🍲 Must-try local farmhouse flavors
- Signature dishes: pan-fried river fish, stewed chicken with soybeans, stir-fried vegetables, Bama fragrant pork (rich but not greasy)
- Snacks: Tujia sticky rice cake, rice cake, corn porridge
- Drinks: local wild tea, mountain spring water (sweet and thirst-quenching, bring your own cup to refill)
❌ Tested pitfalls to avoid (learned the hard way)
1. Don’t sit in the middle of the boat! Choose bow or stern for unobstructed photos and close views of underwater stalactites
2. Food inside the scenic area is expensive and average; eat in Changshou Village or town for better value
3. Cave is damp and slippery, wear non-slip shoes, don’t touch stalactites (it affects their growth)
4. Book tickets and accommodation early in peak season! My bestie booked last minute with no room, ended up staying in Fengshan town, adding 20 minutes of driving
5. Don’t step on farmland! Changshou Village’s rice fields are villagers’ livelihood, just admire from a distance for photos~
Sanmenhai is truly an underrated treasure in Guangxi! The unique beauty of “water skylights,” the slow life of pastoral villages, few crowds, and great value~ Whether couples shooting romantic photos or besties checking in for healing scenery, you’ll return fully satisfied!