[advertise]广告[/advertise]YANGSHUO and Guilin have attracted much fame — and with good reason: the mountains are among the most stunning in the world. However, there is more to Guangxi than karst peaks. Many other cities in the province are worth taking the time to visit. The perfect way to explore Guangxi is to find a couple of friends, hire a van, and take off in search of new destinations. With the onset of fall and the accompanying cooler weather and clearer skies, now is the perfect time. Just across the border from Guangdong is the small city of Wuzhou. The most striking characteristic there is the colonial architecture left behind by the British in the late 19th century. It has been preserved to a degree rarely seen elsewhere in China. Cobbled streets with ornate decorative detail, pedestrian malls and a riverfront promenade just begging to be strolled upon. It’s a confident and charming city worth a stopover on the way to Yangshuo. Several hours south of Guilin is the “industrial” city of Liuzhou. But don’t let that fool you. Arriving from Yangshuo, we drove into the city at night, deeply impressed with the sight of the well-lit karst mountains with pagodas perched on top. A cable car ride to the top of one prominent central peak afforded an impressive panoramic view of the city nestled along the winding Liujiang River amid surrounding peaks. But this is China and one can’t escape the crowds, even at the summit. To the south of the city lies Dragon Pool Park, a sprawling minority theme park that provides a full day’s entertainment and leisure. To the south lies the provincial capital of Nanning. As we entered the city, we were again impressed with the bright, flashy, hyper-modern buildings in the new financial district. Although smaller in scale, it’s as impressive as any CBD I’ve seen in China. The rest of the city is rather nondescript. While not the most beautiful city in the world, it has been referred to as “the friendliest city in China.” Zhongshan Road in the city center features a bustling night snack market, not to be missed for its local delicacies, although the derelict historical buildings there could use a bit of a facelift. As the city is flat, sightseeing by bike is advisable and you’ll fit in with the flow of other cyclists as well. The surrounding countryside of Nanning also has a lot to offer. For one, the mountain range in Yangshuo continues all the way down to this part of the province. The nearby town of Wuming has a natural, spring water lake with pristine blue-green water, as if straight from a story book. Even in the winter the water is warm, heated by underground vents. And finally, if you know the right people, you’ll be rewarded with a meal beyond your wildest imagination. Just imagine seeing a cow ending up on BBQ skewers in a matter of hours. I can’t think of any better way to see the sights of Guangxi than traveling by van with a group of good friends. Even though we went during the Spring Festival, the price was reasonable and we paid only about 100 yuan per person per day for the entire trip. When you have a driver at your beck and call the entire time, it’s well worth the cost. And you’ll be able to see more of the wonders that Guangxi has to offer. So, while most tourists might first set their sights on Yangshuo and Guilin, there are plenty of other options in Guangxi. The cities of Wuzhou, Liuzhou and Nanning are great places to start. Explore further to the west and rural areas of the province and you are bound to find even more. Jesse Warren Source:Shenzhen Daily