Luocheng: An Adventure in a Hidden Gem
Still struggling to find a unique and fun off-the-beaten-path destination for your vacation? Come to Luocheng—it will fulfill all your fantasies about a hidden treasure of a travel spot!
🚗 Transportation Guide
If traveling by air, you can first arrive at Liuzhou Bailian Airport and then transfer to a bus to Luocheng, which takes about 2 hours. The scenic route will give you a taste of Luocheng’s beauty in advance. If taking the train, after arriving at Liuzhou Station, you’ll find buses to Luocheng right outside the station—super convenient. For those who prefer driving, set off from Nanning along the Quannan Expressway and switch to the Shankun Expressway; the roughly 4-hour journey is both free and relaxing.
🏞️ Must-Visit Attractions
1. **Mianhua Tiankeng Resort**: The "treasure centerpiece" of Luocheng! The tiankeng (giant sinkhole) is about 326 meters deep and 305 meters wide, with sheer cliffs all around. Standing on the viewing platform, you’ll feel like you can touch the sky. The cliffside walkway offers thrilling steps and breathtaking views, while the cliff swing lets you embrace the wind at high altitudes—scream your heart out and release the stress! Don’t miss the cliff water slide, where splashing waves amp up the excitement. Daredevils must try the sky ladder across the tiankeng: with an abyss beneath your feet, every step challenges your courage. After all the fun, unwind at the cliffside hotel—wake up to tiankeng views, fall asleep under the stars, and greet the morning with birdsong.
2. **Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area**: A "gateway to fairyland" crafted by nature. Tianmen Mountain stands nearly 100 meters high and 30 meters wide, with the crystal-clear Jianjiang River flowing peacefully through its arch, reflecting the lush bamboo and green hills on either bank. At the mountaintop, mist swirls around you as if you’ve stepped into a wonderland. From afar, Tianmen Mountain resembles a stage with its curtains drawn or a gate opening wide to welcome you. Here, you can take a boat ride, feel the breeze, listen to the murmuring river, and soak in nature’s tranquility and beauty.
3. **Shiwei Ancient Village**: A "living fossil" of Mulao culture. Stroll along the bluestone paths, where ancient houses and exquisite stone carvings whisper tales of time. If you’re lucky, you might catch a Mulao song-and-dance performance—dancers in vibrant ethnic costumes will draw you into their world with passionate moves and soulful melodies. You can also learn Mulao embroidery or handmade grass-fan crafting from locals, taking home a piece of this unique cultural memory.
🍱 Food Exploration
1. **Lüfen (Filtered Rice Noodles)**: Luocheng’s "morning wake-up call." Made from premium rice ground into silky batter and processed into tender noodles, it’s served with rich bone broth, minced meat, pickled beans, peanuts, and more. Every slurp is pure bliss—utterly addictive!
2. **Datoufen (Big-Head Rice Noodles)**: A must-try for its unique texture. Crafted from early-season rice with a mix of raw and cooked batter, the noodles are thick at the "head," hence the name. Topped with special bean paste, chili sauce, and aromatic braised broth, each bite is chewy, soft, and bursting with flavor.
3. **Fruit-Sauce Grilled Skewers**: The "soul food" of Luocheng nights. Unlike traditional BBQ, these skewers are brushed with secret fruit sauce and grilled over charcoal, blending meaty richness with fruity sweetness. The tender meat paired with the unique sauce creates an unforgettable taste—perfect for gatherings and late-night cravings.
Luocheng, this hidden gem, is brimming with surprises and beauty. Come and start your own extraordinary adventure!