An ancient canal 36.4 kilometers long connects the Xiang River with the Li River in Guangxi—and offers a special insight into the region’s history. Karst landscapes, rice terraces and rock art also tell the story of how natural landforms and human activity come together here. Depending on your interests, exploring Guangxi can lead to very different themes: water engineering, rural traditions, or a cultural landscape whose images and forms have endured for centuries.
Karst and River Landscapes
In Lijiang National Park, the Guilin Karst component includes both tower karst and cone karst. Huanjiang Karst offers a different focus: this cone karst area lies within Mulun National Nature Reserve. Those who look at the landscape in terms of its formations will find two clearly defined perspectives on Guangxi’s karst here—one that brings both karst types together, and one that places cone karst at the center.
Individual landscapes along the Guilin Li River also offer specific points of reference. Nine Horses Fresco Hill is four kilometers upstream from Xingping. Yellow Cloth Reflection is in Xingping Ancient Town, at a particularly scenic stretch of the Li River; sightseeing boats to Yangdi pass the spot. This brings together two different perspectives: a precise location along the river and its connection to a boat route. Sightseeing boat operations may vary; check before making plans.
Historic Waterways
Lingqu Canal is in Xing'an County, Guangxi, and was completed in 214 BC as a canal project during the Qin dynasty. Its connection between the Xiang River and the Li River is also part of its significance today: the ancient canal is considered an important cultural heritage site and serves irrigation, flood control, water supply and tourism. History and function go hand in hand here—the Lingqu is not only a testament to water engineering, but also a multifunctional project.
In the southwest of the region, Detian Transnational Waterfall is in Detian Village, Shuolong Town, Daxin County. It is connected to the neighboring Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam and is classified as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in China. As of July 2026, the official operator describes the Scenic Area as offering sightseeing, cultural exchange and cross-border interaction. Specific seasonal programs may change.
For travel to the area, the operator lists a direct tourist bus that runs daily from Nanning East high-speed railway station to Detian Transnational Waterfall. The departure time depends on the station’s timetable; check the current time before traveling. This practical connection gives you a specific starting point for planning without prescribing a set itinerary for your visit.
Rice Terraces and Living Culture
The Longsheng Longji Terraces were created at least 2,300 years ago, and traditional rice terrace farming is preserved there. The Longji Rice Terraces are in Longji Town, Longsheng County, and are recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a national 4A-level scenic attraction. The 4A rating may change. Several festivals are held in the terraces: the Longji Long-Hair Festival, the Plowing Festival, the Seedling-Planting Festival, the Clothes-Drying Festival and the Golden Autumn Terrace Cultural Tourism Festival. Check the dates before your trip.
The Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape offers another way to experience the connection between landscape and history. It comprises 38 rock art sites on steep cliffs carved by the winding Zuojiang River and its tributary, the Mingjiang River. The landscape brings together rock art with karst, river and plateau formations. The images date approximately from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD and depict the life and rituals of the Luoyue. Chengyang Eight Villages offers another cultural perspective: the site consists of eight Dong villages.
Discover more destinations: Qinzhou, Guilin, Nanning, Yangshuo, Beihai, Xing An, Hechi, Laibin, Hezhou, Chongzuo, Bose, Guigang, Yulin, Fangchenggang, Wuzhou, Liuzhou.
For the overview of the wider region: China.
