Self-driving in China | Detian Waterfall: See the beauty of mountains and forests and the beauty of water on the national border

The beauty of Guangxi's landscapes goes far beyond Yangshuo and Guilin. The left and right rivers meander eastward, passing through countless peaks on the Bagui land, outlining the magnificent landscape skeleton along the way. Detian Waterfall falls down the steep cliffs on the Sino-Vietnamese border, and the Mingshi River winds up to it, gifting its most beautiful pastoral scenery to both sides. There are trickling waterfalls scattered deep in the mountains and forests and canyons, and quaint old towns that retain memories of time. Southwest Guangxi lacks the bustling crowds along the Li River, but it may make you understand how beautiful the beautiful mountains and rivers that have bowed countless heroes are.

Most travelers will choose to depart from Nanning to Detian. Combined with the tour of several nearby small waterfalls, ancient towns and Mingshi countryside, a weekend can be fully packed. If you have enough time, you can continue to go north from Jingxi Baise to explore the mysterious karst world, or go south from Mingshi Pastoral to the historical town of Longzhou and the border town of Pingxiang are both good choices. Depending on different self-driving rhythms, the self-driving itinerary of Detian Waterfall and its surrounding areas generally lasts 2-5 days.

Shuolong Town

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Day1. Detian Waterfall

Detian Waterfall, located on the border between China and Vietnam, is the largest transnational waterfall in Asia and the second largest in the world. It was once selected as one of the six most beautiful waterfalls in China by China National Geographic. It originates from the Guichun River in Jingxi County, Guangxi. It has water all year round. It flows into Vietnam and back to Guangxi. It passes through Detian Village in Daxin County and falls off a cliff to form a waterfall. China and Vietnam are bounded by a river at Detian Waterfall. This boundary is not so prominent in peacetime. Border residents always roam freely on the river and sell goods to each other. It seems that the border is just an invisible existence. Due to the tension between the two countries and the epidemic, there is no longer lively trade on the Guichun River today. The simple tin houses on the Vietnamese side and the bustling tourists on the Chinese side also form a sharp contrast.

After taking the sightseeing bus to the scenic area gate, go down the plank road and soon you will arrive at the Guichun River. This is the boarding point for Detian Water Bamboo Raft (30 yuan). The advantage of riding a bamboo raft is that in addition to facing the shock of the waterfall, it can also take you "briefly" across the China-Vietnam border. You may be surprised to find that you are only a few meters away from Vietnam. Not far ahead, you will come to Detian Waterfall. There is the famous boundary monument 836 nearby; there are stairs going up on the shore, and you can reach the Vietnamese market that specializes in selling Vietnamese goods. , you can also walk further into the mountains to reach Boundary Monument No. 835 and Qing Dynasty Boundary Monument . Unfortunately, these two boundary monuments have been closed as early as 2018. The road from Vietnam Market back to the entrance of the scenic spot is the most beautiful place to see Detian Waterfall. Along the way, you will pass six viewing platforms, including No. 4, and Observation Deck No. 5 is the best viewing spot.

Like most "money trap" attractions, the Detian Waterfall Scenic Spot has set up its parking lot and visitor center ten kilometers away from the core area of ​​the waterfall. Tourists have to purchase a 35 yuan sightseeing ticket. TicketEnter by train. There are many B&Bs and hotels in the villages along the 8-kilometer stretch from the visitor center to the waterfall gate. These hotels can help guests purchase "pure tickets" for 80 yuan. Self-drivers can obtain tickets from the visitor center with orders from these hotels. Roadblock cleared. It is recommended to schedule your visit to Detian Waterfall in the early morning. Not only can you get better photos because of the early morning sun, but you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the waterfall to yourself before the tour group arrives.

Shuolong

Shuolong, which is only across a river from Vietnam, is now a must-stop for tourists visiting Detian Waterfall. This small border town hidden among the karst peaks was the front line of tense confrontation during the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam forty years ago. Underground in this quiet town, it took more than several years to build an 8-kilometer long Underground Border Great Wall. This huge underground military defense project is criss-crossed and hidden in the streets and alleys of Shuolong, and is connected to the surrounding mountain peaks, boundary rivers, and private houses. It has as many as 135 entrances and exits, and has the functions of air defense and war avoidance. Its original name was 7812 Underground Artillery Defense Fortification, but now it has been renamed: Bianguan Underground Great Wall. Perhaps due to the tense situation in the border areas in recent years, this scenic spot at the head of Shuolong Village is no longer open to the public, but you can still hear the past events of the fierce war from the mouths of the old people in the town.

Shuolong Town has only one main street, but it has not been overly commercialized due to Detian Waterfall. The town has schools, post offices, hospitals and all kinds of living facilities. Major restaurants, hotels and B&Bs are located in Both sides of the main street. I highly recommend No. 93 Kitchen and Daxin Shuolong Villa ; the former is a small restaurant located on the main street of the town. Don’t forget to order the special Vietnamese passion fruit Stuffed short ribs: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the ribs are topped with sour and sweet passion fruit juice. Things that were originally completely incompatible collided with a different taste, local wild vegetables asparagusThe fresh fried fish and fried shrimps from Guichun River are also delicious dishes; the latter Daxin Shuolong Mid-level Villa is a family B&B located on the hillside of the town. Each room has been renovated with large views. The terrace overlooks the distant peaks of Vietnam, and the owner is equally hospitable. At the east end of Shuolong Town, there is a small karst stone peak. Climbing the stone steps you can see the Song General Temple. This temple commemorates the bravery of resisting Jiaozhi invasion during the reign of Shenzong in the Northern Song Dynasty. Warriors, climb up here and have a panoramic view of Shuolong Town and the pastoral scenery of Vietnam on the left.

Day2. Sandieling Waterfall

Starting from Shuolong Town, go north along the national highway G359. It takes about 30 minutes to drive to the more niche Sandieling Waterfall. The waterfall is more than 30 meters wide and has a height of 100 meters. Cai Hongzun, a man from the Qing Dynasty, once wrote a poem: "The green hibiscus falls like a pearl when it is split open. The flying spring flows down hundreds of channels and flows across the river. I came to visit the scenic spot, and the scenic spot is like a picture." Waterfall It is located right on the highway and there is no entrance fee. Climb the wet stone steps all the way up to the bottom of the waterfall. There is a lot of water in the rainy season, so you need to be careful to prevent moisture. There are lush weeds on both sides of the stone steps, so it is recommended to wear long pants.

Tongling Grand Canyon and Jiuzhou Ancient Town

Sandieling Waterfall has reached the boundary of Jingxi City . From there, heading in the direction of Jingxi , you can also pass Tongling Grand Canyon (ticket 115 yuan) , 08:00-17:00). There is a waterfall in the Grand Canyon with a height of 188 meters, the highest single-level drop in Asia. The total length of the canyon is 3.8 kilometers. Along the steep stone steps all the way down, you can see many precious plants: isatis root, acupuncture, cypress trees, etc., throughout the entire canyon. The whole tour of the canyon scenic area takes about 2 hours.

Jiuzhou Ancient Town, about 12 kilometers away from Jingxi City, is also a scenic spot that you can pass by: the ancient town is not big, and local villagers live here. Jiuzhou is the hometown of hydrangeas. In addition to the souvenir shops selling hydrangeas all over the street, the women sitting on the street making hydrangeas are also a unique sight here. At the Wenchang Pavilion at the end of the ancient town and the surrounding ancient bridges, the landscape forms a classic old town. State pastoral photos. Jiuzhou Ancient Town has now built a visitor center outside the gate and charges 48 yuan for admission. Online reviews are very average. If you want to avoid this low cost-effective "charge", you can continue to drive 200 meters along the main road outside the gate of the ancient town, turn from the path on the right into Jiuzhou Village, and then enter the ancient street.

Jingxi has endless scenery. On a day trip starting from Detian Waterfall (Shuolong) , in addition to the above attractions, you can also go to Aibu Waterfall and Erlang Waterfall . The former is about 16 kilometers away from Jiuzhou Ancient Town . You need to go up the mountain before reaching the navigation point. After passing a stone bridge, continue along a path to reach the waterfall. Aibu Waterfall is De One of the sources of Tian Waterfall, the surrounding leisurely pastoral scene is also worth stopping to check out. The latter Erlang Waterfall is farther away in the depths of the mountain forest. There is a Longmen Stone Arch Bridge and a mountain temple above the waterfall. It should be noted that both waterfalls need to enter the mountain from a small road next to the main road. The road is narrow and it will be difficult to pass a car.

Day3. Mingshi Pastoral

Starting from Detian Waterfall (Shuolong) to the south, it is only a 30-minute drive to reach this scenic spot that is "unknown to people who grew up in a boudoir". The Minh Shi River originates from Vietnam and travels among beautiful karst peaks. There are rice fields between the mountains and rivers, and everything you see is green. Among the green, there are dotted with different moods everywhere. of mountain peaks. Mingshi Pastoral is famous for "A Thousand Bones of Flowers", but compared to the lively Yulong River in Yangshuo, there are far fewer tourists here. Mingshi Pastoral Garden itself does not require tickets. Tickets are required for the Ethnic Folk Customs Garden and for the boat ride (120 yuan for a pass). There will be tour guides on the way to introduce you, and there will be various small performances during the river cruise: folk song singers, flute players. Although the journey is not short, it is not too boring. The disembarkation location is a Zhuang customs garden, and the entire trip will not exceed 1 hour half an hour. But if you are not interested in such commercial attractions, you can lie down in a well-equipped hotel and B&B, in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, and enjoy the idyllic slow life of this place of residence.

At the bridgehead of Mingshi Pastoral Garden, there is also a place called Longtoushan Observation Deck. The observation deck has built a hiking trail to the top of the mountain. Nowadays, the peak at the head of the village may have been contracted by local villagers. There is a phone number for the contractor on the rock wall at the head of the bridge. You need to call the old man to let you enter the mountain. The cost is about 15-20 yuan, and it takes 15 minutes. Can reach the top. Climbing high and looking into the distance, Mingshi Village rises in the gentle embrace of peaks smoke from cooking pots , the rice fields roll up golden in the sunset The valley is full of ethereal echoes of Zhuang Jia’s songs and dances - this is the Chinese people’s ideal pastoral.

The accommodation conditions in Mingshi Garden are relatively mature. In addition to the expensive Mingshi Villa and Daxin Mingshi Yaju Hotel , there are also hotels with different price ranges and avant-garde designs. There are many B&Bs to choose from. Daxin Mingshi Pusu Guesthouse and Muyan Inn are relatively popular online. The two hotels are not far from each other, and the farmhouse at the intersection of the hotel is also good.

June to October is the best time to go to Detian Waterfall and its surrounding scenic spots. Even if the summer is very hot, the waterfall has plenty of water due to the coming of the rainy season. Before going to It is best to fully check the weather for that day before going to Detian Waterfall. In winter, the Detian Waterfall has less water and the effect will be greatly reduced.