Self-Drive Tour – The Rainy Journey in Southeast Guizhou (Part 2)

Passing by Guanyan, I saw the surging traffic and crowds, so I decided not to venture deeper and turned the car around to leave. After passing Sanjiang in the afternoon, it was only about a hundred kilometers away from Congjiang County, so I decided to reach Congjiang before nightfall. Starting from the Wind and Rain Bridge in Congjiang, I drove against the flow of the Duliu River. The drizzle never ceased, with the swaying windshield wipers, the fluttering ancient banyans, the fleeting stone wall villages, the dense bamboo forests, and the winding National Highway 321. As the terrain rose, the river water became turbid, and the dark and oppressive sky made the boulders on the river surface stand out starkly. The river course widened and narrowed unpredictably, sometimes veering left, sometimes right, with the river beach strewn with rocks and the muddy waves splashing. Zhaoxing Dong Village, one of China's six most beautiful ancient towns, was undergoing road construction. The muddy and puddled road surface after the rain, crushed by heavy vehicles, was uneven, making it feel like driving a tank rather than a car. Despite this, the grating sound of stones scraping the chassis was still unsettling. The most beautiful is Libo, especially in the rain. For several days, the sky has been overcast with continuous rain. Having passed Xiaoqikong, the moist air was filled with the scent of trees and grass. Taking off my hiking boots, rolling up my trousers, I stepped barefoot into the swift stream. This is a vast water forest, where vines climb along the riverbank acacias, tree roots embrace the rocks, and the stream water strikes the roots. They have been entwined in a life-and-death embrace for thousands of years. Bending down and looking up, the endless spray reflects the colorful flowers and plants, and someone's slipper floats and sways on it. The return journey passed through Jinzhong Cave and Mandarin Duck Lake. Hearing such a vulgar name, I lost interest in sightseeing and wanted to take a picture of the lake and leave. Approaching the lake, I saw the lush trees in the water from afar, the fine rain falling on the lake surface creating a layer of mist. Several boats were moored at the shore, with oars askew, and it seemed possible to row by oneself. Upon inquiry, this was indeed the case, which brought great joy. Thus, I invited a friend to board the boat, and the small boat tilted and swayed forward. As we went deeper, the water became dark green and opaque. The Chongyang trees in the water stood silently, enduring the wind and rain for years. With each paddle stroke, the gentle green waves spread out like satin, and the reflections of the green mountains and bamboo in the water also shimmered. I couldn't help feeling a sense of ethereal tranquility, which came from the silence. The rain grew heavier, but as it entered the lake, it made no sound, nor did it hitting the leaves. In the depths, the trees stretched across, forming a spider web maze. The bamboo forest formed paths, resembling archways. Further away, the water and trees were hazy, with only the dim sky visible, and the mist rising from the lake surface was like an illusion... I couldn't help feeling a sense of profound solitude, as if I were alone in a boat in a silent world, merging with it, and tears of profound emotion fell. 🚗 Self-drive loop: Guangzhou - Liannan - Hezhou - Yangshuo - Guilin - Longsheng - Sanjiang - Zhaoxing - Rongjiang - Libo - Guigang - Zhaoqing - Guangzhou Total distance about 3100 kilometers 📃 Time: About fifteen days. 👣 Sightseeing: Sanjiang, with its unique ethnic customs and mysterious Zhuang mountain and water landscapes, and the world's number one Wind and Rain Bridge Rongjiang, inhabited by Zhuang, Miao, and other ethnic groups, has a distinctive ethnic character and charm. You can taste the local specialties and experience the rich ethnic flavor in the surrounding farmers' markets. Libo is the most beautiful spot on this trip. The Libo World Geopark is China's largest karst forest natural reserve. Walking among the peculiar peaks and stones is like entering another world. Passing through Guigang, a small city with unique fishing village charm and water town features, be sure to taste the freshest local seafood. Zhaoqing, now within the territory of Guangdong, has a variety of natural landscapes such as primeval forests, caves, and lakes. Don't miss the Longmu Temple, which is as famous as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, although the ticket is a bit expensive.