Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area is located in Qingxiu District, Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is a national 5A - level tourist attraction. The scenic area features undulating peaks, lush forests, secluded rocks, steep cliffs, clear springs, and unique rocks. It is well - known for its distinctive natural scenery and rich cultural heritage.
The total area of Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area is 13.54 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 6.43 square kilometers. There is a wide variety of subtropical plants in the scenic area, which remain ever - green throughout the year, forming a huge natural botanical garden. There are also many buildings of different styles in the scenic area, such as the Zhuang Brocade Square with ethnic characteristics and the Longxiang Pagoda full of classical charm, which complement the natural scenery perfectly.
History and Culture
Qingxiu Mountain has a long history. According to historical records, as early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Buddhist monks built thatched huts on Qingxiu Mountain to practice Buddhism. It has been one of the Buddhist holy places in Nanning ever since. Since then, literati and scholars of past dynasties have left many poems and odes praising Qingxiu Mountain, adding a rich cultural connotation to it.
In the Ming Dynasty, the magistrate of Nanning built many pavilions and towers on Qingxiu Mountain, making it a popular tourist destination at that time. In the Qing Dynasty, the construction of Qingxiu Mountain further developed. The Longxiang Pagoda was built during this period and has become one of the landmark buildings of Qingxiu Mountain.
In modern and contemporary times, Qingxiu Mountain has been continuously renovated and expanded. Many new scenic spots and facilities have been added, gradually developing into a comprehensive scenic area integrating tourism, leisure, entertainment, and science education.
Main Scenic Spots
Longxiang Pagoda
Also known as Qingshan Pagoda, the Longxiang Pagoda is the landmark building of Qingxiu Mountain. It is 52.35 meters high and is a nine - story octagonal pavilion - style brick pagoda. The pagoda body is in a grayish - blue color, simple and elegant. Standing on the top of the pagoda, you can overlook the entire Nanning urban area. The Yongjiang River meanders like a ribbon, and the urban buildings are scattered in an orderly manner. The scenery is extremely spectacular. The surrounding area of the pagoda is surrounded by green trees, with beautiful scenery. It is one of the must - visit check - in points for tourists.
Thousand - year Cycad Garden
The Thousand - year Cycad Garden is one of the largest and most comprehensive cycad specialty gardens in the country. There are nearly a hundred cycads over a thousand years old in the garden, as well as a large number of other cycad varieties, with a total of more than ten thousand plants. The cycads have different shapes. Some are tall and straight, while others are small and delicate, showing the unique charm of cycads. Tourists can learn about the growth habits and evolutionary history of cycads here and feel the magic of nature.
Zhuang Brocade Square
The Zhuang Brocade Square is a scenic spot with strong ethnic characteristics in Qingxiu Mountain. There is a large - scale Zhuang brocade sculpture on the square, which is colorful and has exquisite patterns, showing the traditional Zhuang brocade art. There are also many plants with Guangxi characteristics planted around the square, such as banyan trees and palm trees. Here, tourists can enjoy Zhuang ethnic dance performances and taste Zhuang ethnic special cuisine, and gain a deeper understanding of Zhuang culture and customs.
Guanyin Chan Temple
The Guanyin Chan Temple has a long history. It was first built in the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the oldest temples in Nanning. The temple has a simple and elegant architectural style and is full of incense. There are many Buddha statues such as the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva enshrined in the temple, looking solemn and serene. Tourists can burn incense and worship Buddha here, make wishes, and feel the solemnity and sanctity of Buddhist culture. At the same time, the surrounding environment of the temple is quiet and secluded, making it a good place for spiritual cultivation.
Orchid Garden
The Orchid Garden is one of the characteristic scenic spots in Qingxiu Mountain, covering an area of 320 mu. A large number of orchid varieties are planted in the garden, such as Cymbidium sinense, Cymbidium ensifolium, and Cymbidium faberi. Orchids are in bloom all year round. The landscape design of the Orchid Garden is ingenious, using the natural terrain and plant collocation to create an elegant and quiet orchid world. Tourists can admire the beautiful postures of orchids and smell the delicate fragrance of orchids here, feeling the fragrance of nature.
Delicacies
Laoyou Noodles
Laoyou Noodles is one of the characteristic delicacies in Nanning and can also be tasted around Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area. It is mainly made from pickled bamboo shoots, fermented black beans, chili peppers, and meat through stir - frying and boiling. The noodles are smooth in texture, and the soup is rich, sour, and spicy, with a unique flavor. Especially in winter, having a bowl of hot Laoyou Noodles can make you feel warm all over and energetic.
Lemon Duck
Lemon Duck is a famous dish in Guangxi and can be tasted in restaurants near the scenic area. Native ducks are used as the main ingredient, and seasonings such as lemons, pickled buckwheat heads, and pickled ginger are added during the cooking process. The duck meat is tender and juicy, with the fresh fragrance and sour taste of lemons. It is appetizing and greasy - relieving, and is a popular dish among tourists.
Rolled Rice Noodles
Rolled Rice Noodles is a common snack in Nanning, and there are many shops selling it around Qingxiu Mountain. It is made from rice milk ground from rice. After being steamed, it is rolled with various fillings such as minced meat, green beans, and black fungus. The rolled rice noodles are soft and glutinous, with rich fillings. Paired with a special sauce, it tastes very delicious.
Suan Ye
Suan Ye is a special snack in Guangxi and can be found at snack stalls inside or around the scenic area. It is made by pickling various seasonal fruits and vegetables such as radishes, cucumbers, and papayas. Suan Ye has a sweet and sour taste, is refreshing and greasy - relieving, and is a good choice for tourists to quench their thirst and satisfy their cravings during the tour.
Tickets
The ticket price of Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area in Nanning is relatively affordable. The adult ticket is generally around 20 yuan. Tourists can buy tickets through the official website of the scenic area, major online travel platforms, or the ticket windows of the scenic area. At the same time, the scenic area offers corresponding preferential policies for special groups such as children, students, the elderly, and military personnel. For example, children under 1.2 meters in height are free of charge, and students, the elderly, etc. can enjoy a 50% discount with valid certificates. Specific preferential information can be inquired with the scenic area staff when purchasing tickets.
Opening Hours
Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area is open throughout the year. The opening hours are usually from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm every day. During some special holidays or events, the opening hours of the scenic area may be adjusted. Tourists can pay attention to the official website or announcements of the scenic area to get the latest opening - hour information. It is recommended that tourists reasonably arrange their visiting time within the opening hours to fully explore all the scenic spots in the area.
Tour Routes
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first enter through the west gate and go to the Zhuang Brocade Square to appreciate the ethnic - characteristic sculptures and performances and feel the Zhuang culture. Then, go to the Guanyin Chan Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha and experience the solemnity of Buddhist culture. Next, head to the Thousand - year Cycad Garden to admire the ancient cycad plants and learn about their unique growth habits.
After that, go to the Longxiang Pagoda and climb to the top to overlook the beautiful scenery of Nanning urban area. After coming down from the Longxiang Pagoda, go to the Orchid Garden to enjoy various beautiful orchids. Finally, you can taste the special cuisine of Nanning at the restaurants or snack stalls in the scenic area to end your pleasant journey. Of course, tourists can also adjust the route appropriately according to their own interests and time.
Transportation
- Bus: You can take buses such as No. 10, No. 32, No. 33, No. 89, No. 94, and No. 97 in Nanning and get off at the North Gate Station or the Main Gate Station of Qingxiu Mountain to reach the scenic area.
- Subway: Take Line 3 of the Nanning Subway and get off at Qingxiu Mountain Station. You can directly reach the west gate of Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area after exiting from Exit B.
- Taxi/Online Car - hailing: Take a taxi or an online car - hailing service within the Nanning urban area and directly enter "Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Area in Nanning" as the destination, which is convenient and fast.
- Self - driving: If you choose to drive there by yourself, there is a parking lot in the scenic area. However, the parking lot may be crowded during holidays or peak tourist seasons. It is recommended to plan your itinerary and parking location in advance.
Must - visit Scenic Spots
- Longxiang Pagoda: It is 52.35 meters high and is a nine - story octagonal pavilion - style brick pagoda, the landmark building of Qingxiu Mountain. Standing on the top, you can overlook the entire Nanning urban area. The Yongjiang River and urban buildings are in full view. Its simple and elegant architectural style complements the surrounding natural scenery.
- Thousand - year Cycad Garden: One of the largest and most comprehensive cycad specialty gardens in the country. There are nearly a hundred cycads over a thousand years old and a total of more than ten thousand cycads in the garden. You can learn about the growth habits and evolutionary history of cycads here and feel the magic of nature.
- Orchid Garden: It covers an area of 320 mu and has a large number of orchid varieties in bloom all year round. The landscape design is ingenious, creating an elegant and quiet orchid world. You can admire the beautiful postures of orchids and smell their fragrance here.
Tour Suggestions
- Learn about the distribution of scenic spots and opening hours of the scenic area in advance and reasonably plan your tour route to save time and energy.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Since the scenic area is large and you need to walk a lot, comfortable equipment will make your tour more relaxing and enjoyable.
- You can bring a camera or a mobile phone to take pictures of the beautiful scenery and characteristic buildings in the scenic area and leave beautiful memories.
- When tasting food at restaurants or snack stalls in the scenic area, pay attention to choosing regular merchants to ensure food hygiene and quality.
- If you are interested in Buddhist culture, you can stay at the Guanyin Chan Temple for a longer time and participate in relevant temple activities. However, pay attention to following the temple's regulations and etiquette.
- When traveling in summer, pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention. Bring sunscreen, a hat, mosquito - repellent water, etc.
Precautions
- Comply with the regulations and order of the scenic area. Do not scribble, spit, or litter in the scenic area. Keep the scenic area clean and beautiful.
- When climbing the Longxiang Pagoda or other high places, pay attention to safety. Follow the signs and the guidance of the staff and do not take risks by climbing in dangerous areas.
- Respect the religious beliefs and cultural customs in the scenic area. Do not make loud noises or behave inappropriately in religious places such as the Guanyin Chan Temple.
- Some scenic spots in the area may be under maintenance or closed. Tourists can consult the scenic area staff before the tour to learn about the latest situation and avoid delaying the itinerary.
- During the peak tourist season, there are many tourists in the scenic area. Pay attention to keeping your personal belongings safe to prevent them from being lost or stolen.
- If you travel with children or the elderly, take good care of their safety and physical condition to avoid over - fatigue.