Nanning Travel Guide

Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has the most prosperous economy in Southwest China, supplying an abundance of agricultural products to the whole Guangxi. Nanning borders Vietnam, is neighbor to Guangzhou, close to Hong Kong and Macau, and faces Southeast Asia. This advantageous location makes the city a commercial and communication center, opening China to Southeast Asia.

History

Ancient Nanning belonged to a nation-territory called Bayue, and did not come under official Chinese imperial jurisdiction until Daxing County was established around it in the first year of Eastern Jin Emperor Daxing (318 AD), with Nanning (or what was then Nanning) as its county seat. In the eighth year (634 AD) of the reign of Zhen Guan in the Tang Dynasty, the soon-to-be emperor Tang Taizong named Nanning Yongzhou, from which the word "Yong (shortened form for Nanning)" was later derived; not until the first year (1314 AD) of the reign of Taiding in the Yuan Dynasty was the place renamed "Nanning" - meaning 'peaceful southern border' - by the central government. Nanning was designated as both the capital of Guangxi Province as well as the center of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1958, nine years after the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is the political, economic, traffic, cultural, scientific and technological and information center of the whole of Guangxi Province.

Attractions

The Guangxi Minzu Wenwu Yuan, inside the Guangxi Museum, is the best place to get a quick introduction to the cultural richness of these groups without leaving the comforts of the city. The fascinating subtropical Gung Medicinal Herb Botanical Garden is the largest medicinal botanical garden in China. More than 4000 medicinal plants from over 20 countries can be found here. Besides, the spectacular Detian Waterfall,the largest waterfall in Asia and the second largest transnational waterfall in the world is within.

In fact, Nanning is a contrast of modern buildings and green parks. White Dragon Park and the People’s Park are pleasant spots for a stroll. The People’s Park houses the Zhenning Fort, and a small Shady Botanical Garden, which features some rare herbs, exotic flowers, a hothouse with local flower varieties, and the requisite 1000-year-old banyan tree.

 

Transportation

By air:  Nanning Wuxu International Airport (NNG) is located in Wuxu Town, about 31 kilometers (19 miles) southwest from the city proper. Since its opening, Wuxu Airport has reached a capacity of some 2.5 million passengers each year and can handle 15 large passenger airliners at one time. Advanced technology, including radar system, VOR system and blind landing greatly ensure flight safety while sound freight transit facilities make passengers' trips easier. The airport also provides special services for different groups of passengers, such as seniors, handicapped and children without companions.

By train: Nanning Railway Station is located in Zhong Hua Lu (Zhonghua Rd.) in the central area of the city. The station was built in 1951. It now has sound passenger and freight transit facilities. Extensive services can also be availed of, such as accommodation, restaurant and shopping centers.

By boat: At the Linjiang Lu Port, Xingdao Cruise Lines offers various one-day cruises and night cruises.

By taxi: Taxis are RMB7 at flag-fall.
 

Weather

Nanning weather is featured by sufficient sunshine and rainfall all the year around. The mean annual temperature is about 27.7 C (81.8 F), with the temperatures of 28 C (82 F) and 12.8 C (55 F) to be its highest and lowest respectively. By virtue of this mild climate, the trees of the city are green all year, hence its name 'Green City'. The rainfall here averages 1,300 millimeters a year, even in the hot summer, the rainfall is quite sufficient. The hospitality of climate makes it amenable for travelers to visit at any time of the year.

Food and Restaurant

Nanning cuisine shares many similarities with that of Cantonese cuisine. It is generally light with dishes placing an emphasis on the freshness of the ingredients. For lovers of spicy food, try old friend noodles (laoyoumian). A thin crepe filled with green onions (juantongfen) is a delicious local snack. Another local favorite is a crescent shaped dumpling (nanning fengjiaohuang) filled with pork and a tasty seafood sauce. Over at Mingsheng Lu is Xiaodulai Shijie, a great food street where you can eat your way up and down the street.

Muslim Restaurant
Address: 25 Xinhua Lu
Phone: 0771 282 1381

Àomén Shíjiē
Description: The wall-mounted photo menu makes ordering a piece of cake. Try the peppery mápó dòufu (spicy tofu with crumbs of pork) or the more straightforward gōngbào jīdīng fàn (spicy chicken chunks with rice) or the tasty méicài kōuròu bāo (pork with cabbage).
Address: 19 Xinhua Lu
Phone: 0771 261 2129
Price: discounted between 2pm & 5pm
Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm

Xù Courtyard Restaurant
Description: It whips up some scrumptious dishes, including orange-peel-flavoured pork-rib wraps (chéngpí zhǐbāogǔ; Y48), secret-recipe roast duck (mìzhì dīngxiāngyā; Y38 per half duck) and plum-marinated huángfēng fish (méizi huángfēngyú; Y38). Chinese-only menu, but some English is spoken.
Address: Linjiang Lu
Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm

Just For You
Description: If you want to meet up and yarn with other English speakers, head to Just For You. This cafe offers a range of American and Southeast Asian fare, and vegetarian pizza (Y38) is served. It's also a popular Chinese-dates-foreigners spot, located behind Sunshine 100.
Address: 61 Minzu Dadao, Sunshine 100, No 33 Shangye Jie
Phone: 0771 571 2801
Hours: 9:00am to midnight
 

Accommodation

Mingyuan Xindu Hotel
Address: 38 Xinmin Lu
Tel: 2118668

Xiangyun Hotel
Address: 59 Xinmin Lu
Tel: 2101999
 

Shopping

Nanning has various local products ranging from fruits to handicrafts to traditional medicines. Lychee, banana, pineapple and mango are the most productive fruits, thus quite cheap. Yangmei Ancient Town on the outskirts of the city has three treasures that are popular with tourists: preserved salted vegetable, fermented bean and ground rice cake. Bulbus-fritilariae Lemon Plum is another traditional local snack.
Leather products are varied and exquisite. Handbags, luggage cases, waistbands and shoes are easily found in the city. Zhuang Jin making (Brocade of Zhuang ethnic minority group) has a long history and is the most traditional and symbolic tourist souvenir of Guangxi Province. The glittering arrays of golden and silver ornaments are also good choices. In addition, Radix Isatidis, a kind of medicine that can cure cold and faucitis, is mainly produced in Nanning.

Nightlife

Visitors can choose from a variety of nightlife to enjoy while in Nanning. Zhuang ethnic folk songs are sung in Min Ge Square and Wuxiang Square. Shinning stars are reflected in the tranquil Yongjiang River. Sitting on the square or taking a walk along the river is a good choice for those who want to unwind after a busy day at work. Strolling through the streets decorated by colorful neon lights, visitors will be dazzled by the many food stalls, bars, nightclubs, gyms and coffee bars. These places are the favorites of the younger generation; while malls and department stores are filled with people shopping until 23:00 every night.

Tips

1. The end of October to the beginning of November is the best time visiting Nanning.

2. The China-ASEAN is held here in each November.

3. The Nanning International Folk Music Festival is held every November at the Nanning Minge Guangchang.