Hidden Jade Lakes in Guangxi, Valley Waterfalls and Starry Sky Caves All Gather Here
Complete 3-Day 2-Night Guide to Jingxi, Guangxi|Lakeview Karst + Underground Caves + Forest Waterfalls, A Secluded Scenic Escape
A 2.5-hour self-drive from Nanning, featuring emerald lakes, peak forests and canyons, dreamy underground caves, multi-layered forest waterfalls, few crowds and stunning views. Full plan for dining, lodging, and activities—perfect for a short self-drive getaway!
🚗 Transportation
Self-drive (Top choice)
Nanning → Quyang Lake in Jingxi: 2.5 hours, free parking at the scenic area;
Quyang Lake → Tongling Grand Canyon / Gulongshan Grand Canyon: 40 minutes;
Canyon → Jixing Underground Cave: 30 minutes, smooth roads with karst countryside views along the way.
Public Transport
Direct bus from Nanning East Station to Jingxi city center, then local buses to each scenic spot; carpooling with friends saves time and effort.
📅 Three-Day Itinerary (Route + Food + Accommodation Fully Covered)
Day 1 Full Day at Quyang Lake|Ten Thousand Mu of Karst Lake Views, Surrounding Peak Forests, Lakeside Rural Villages
Itinerary
08:00 Depart Nanning, arrive at Quyang Lake by 10:30
11. 00 Climb the viewing platform to overlook the entire emerald lake, check in at the water islands and continuous peak forests
12. 30 Lunch at a lakeside farmhouse
14:00 Drive or cycle around the lake, visit waterside villages, trendy bamboo railings viewpoints, and flower lawns by the lake for photos
16:30 Take a boat tour on the lake, weaving close through water peaks, see white-walled villages on the shore
19. 00 Watch the sunset by the lake, the water gradually shifts to a blue-green gradient perfect for photos
20. 00 Stay overnight at a hotel in Jingxi city or a lakeside guesthouse at Quyang Lake
🍜 Food for the Day
Lunch at lakeside farmhouse must-tries:
Quyang Lake river fish, pan-fried native duck, Jingxi sour porridge, wild vegetable stuffed tofu, corn porridge, about 55 RMB per person;
Snacks: mugwort rice cakes, sour wild vegetables, local sugarcane juice.
Dinner in the city:
Rice rolls, five-color glutinous rice, barbecue with beer, stroll the night market for local snacks.
🏨 Accommodation Options
1. Quyang Lake lakeside guesthouse: lake view right outside the window, quiet and healing, 180-320 RMB/night, ideal for sunrise watching
2. Chain hotels in Jingxi city: complete dining and supermarket facilities, convenient transportation, 130-220 RMB/night
Day 2 Full Day at the Grand Canyons|Waterfalls, Mossy Canyons, Suspended Walkways
Itinerary
08. 30 Depart after breakfast for Gulongshan Grand Canyon
09. 00 Enter the park, hike along forest boardwalks through moss-covered canyons, visit the narrow sky slot, giant waterfalls, and underground dark rivers
12. 00 Lunch at a farmhouse near the park entrance
13. 30 Transfer to Tongling Grand Canyon, deeply explore the primeval rainforest, thousand-foot waterfalls, cave streams, and green valleys
16:30 Hike the water curtain walkway to feel the mist of the waterfall up close
18:30 Return to Jingxi city
🍜 Food for the Day
Breakfast: Jingxi rice rolls, soy milk with fried dough sticks, corn porridge, about 8 RMB per person
Mountain lunch:
Wild mushroom chicken soup, stir-fried cured meat with bamboo shoots, fresh river fish, cold wild vegetable salad, light and refreshing mountain flavors, about 50 RMB per person
Dinner in the city:
Special sour soup chicken, steamed pork with rice flour, handmade rice dumplings
🏨 Accommodation: Stay another night in Jingxi city
Convenient transportation, no need to get up early for the cave tour the next day.
Day 3 Underground Caves + Return|Dreamy Colorful Water Caves, Stalactite Secret Realm
Itinerary
08. 00 Depart for Jixing / Dragon Palace Underground Caves
09. 00 Enter the cave to explore colorful lit stalactites, underground dark river water boardwalks, and take photos in the tranquil starry sky cave
11:30 Simple farmhouse lunch at the cave exit
13:00 Self-drive return to Nanning
🍜 Food for the Day
Simple meal featuring farmhouse rice noodles, steamed sweet potatoes, stir-fried native chicken, about 40 RMB per person; on the way back, buy mangoes and hawthorn specialties.
📌 Tips for Visiting Each Scenic Spot
Quyang Lake
1. Best photo times: 10 AM and sunset, when the lake water shows emerald gradient green
2. Free lake ring road, boat tickets purchased as needed, no ticket required for the viewing platform
3. Windy by the lake, bring a light jacket and sun protection
Gulong / Tongling Grand Canyons
1. Entire route is hiking boardwalks with many steps, wear non-slip sports shoes
2. Heavy waterfall mist, bring raincoat and waterproof phone case; mosquitoes are common in summer, bring insect repellent
3. Canyon temperature is relatively low, rainforest is cool and shady, perfect for summer heat relief
Underground Caves
1. Constant 18°C inside the cave, feels icy cool in summer, bring a jacket
2. Narrow stalactite boardwalks, travel light, touching cave walls is prohibited
3. Dark river photos with blue-purple lighting create a strong atmospheric effect, no filter needed for stunning shots
💰 Budget Reference for Two People for Three Days
Two nights accommodation: 300-600 RMB
Three meals of specialty cuisine: 700 RMB
Three major scenic area tickets and boat packages: 680 RMB
Self-drive fuel and parking: 300 RMB
Average per person about 900 RMB, a one-time check-in of mountains, waters, caves, and lakes with excellent cost performance
Avoid the crowded Guilin, come to Jingxi for a niche mountain and water escape
Clear Quyang Lake looks like scattered jade in the mountains
Hike through primeval canyons and mossy waterfall secrets
Underground caves hide dreamy blue-purple dark rivers
See lakes, peaks, caves, and waterfalls in three days and two nights
The ultimate short self-drive trip in Guangxi