Three-Day Essence Tour of Hezhou

After lunch, visit Ziyun Cave Scenic Area (Admission: 45 yuan). The cave gets its name from the purple mist curling around the entrance after rain.

It gathers exquisite natural formations: countless stalactites in diverse shapes, a meandering underground river and groups of waterfalls in varying sizes. There are nearly 30 featured spots in total. The vivid statue of Goddess of Mercy of the South China Sea is hailed as a world-class karst wonder. The colorful stalactites are still growing, presenting a continuous stretch of stunning views inside the cave.

After dinner, stroll around Lingfeng Square and Lingfeng Mountain, and admire the national treasure — the Qilin Zun (Kylin Vessel). Afterwards, head to Hezhou Night Market to sample local snacks. Grilled fish here is highly popular among locals, and you can also try barbecue at Hai Bawang and Siyan stalls.

Overnight: A three-star hotel in Hezhou or Gupo Mountain Forest Hotel.

Recommended breakfast: Guangming Congee Shop, a time-honored local eatery. Try the yellow bean curd congee for a fresh, sweet flavor.

In the morning, tour Jade Stone Forest Scenic Area (Admission: 50 yuan). This karst masterpiece was formed over 100 million years ago in the Cambrian Period. More than a thousand years of tin mining since the Song Dynasty has shaped the landscape with exposed rock buds and jagged peaks. Spectacular sights including rock troughs, sinkholes, rifts, the Thousand-Year Camel, Sky Corridor and Narrow Gap can be found here.

After lunch, drive to Gupo Mountain National Forest Park (Admission: 60 yuan), the filming location of classic Hong Kong TV dramas Tea Is My Hometown Brew and Wine Is My Hometown Ale. Enjoy the pastoral scenery of Huangtian along the way.

As the largest natural oxygen bar in South China, the park features Fairy Maiden Waterfall, Fairy Maiden Temple, a vast lawn, Jiupu Xiang Distillery (free tasting of three cups of traditional brewed wine), Fang Family Tea Garden (free tea sampling) and Jiangnan Water Town Film Studio.

Featured dinner: Luhua-style fish, either steamed or braised. The restaurant is located at the crossroads on the way to the hot spring and Jade Stone Forest in Luhua Village.

After dinner, relax at Hezhou Hot Spring (Admission: 50 yuan) to relieve fatigue. The spring water stays at 60℃, containing 1.5 mg/L of sulfur and 38 kinds of minerals beneficial to human health such as zinc, manganese and iron. It works remarkably well for skin diseases, rheumatism, arthritis and skin care.

Late-night snack: Try stir-fried river snails and conch, as well as the famous river snail hot pot at Haiying Stir-fried Snail Shop, an old local restaurant in Babu. Address: Next to Liyuan Hotel, Middle Jianshe Road.

Overnight: A three-star hotel in Hezhou.

Recommended breakfast: Local specialty rice rolls, taro cakes and rice dumpling rolls at a traditional snack shop opposite Babu District Procuratorate on Xinning Street or at the gate of Hezhou Hotel.

Depart for Huangyao Ancient Town in Zhaoping County, known as a Dreamlike Homeland (Admission: 68 yuan). Visit well-preserved Ming and Qing architectures including the former site of Guangxi Working Committee (serving as the Song Mansion in Tea Is My Hometown Brew and the Ancient Mansion in Wine Is My Hometown Ale), Baozhu Taoist Temple, Ancient Stage, Guangning Temple, Sima Mansion, Carp Street and Bagua Maze Street.

Ranked top among the four major ancient towns in Guangxi, it features small bridges, flowing streams, ancient trees, pavilions as well as bricks and tiles dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties, brimming with historic charm.

For lunch, taste signature dishes seasoned with Huangyao fermented soybean, once a tribute to the imperial court in the Qing Dynasty.

In the afternoon, head back.

Huangyao retains its original rustic style, so accommodation and catering facilities inside the town are relatively simple. Private inns and small restaurants line the streets, and several snack shops stand at the scenic area entrance. Local delicacies include free-range chicken, stuffed tofu, yellow bamboo shoots and fresh grass carp. Popular eateries such as Ali Restaurant and Ancient Town Restaurant are located along the main road.

Wandering around the well-preserved Ming and Qing buildings is a delightful experience. At night, with few tourists and local residents returning home, you can walk on the glossy bluestone paths under dim lights and hear occasional conversations from households, creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere.

Scenic rural landscapes can be seen on the road to Zhoujia Reservoir outside the town. Visitors can take a free bamboo raft on the reservoir, which is about a 30-minute walk away. There is also a unique cave dwelling in Xinzhai Village worth a visit if time permits.