FEEL like traveling to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region but daunted by the Guilin crowds? Then you might want to consider Jingxi. From canyons, waterfalls, springs to ancient villages, the county-level city in southwest Guangxi boasts rich sightseeing resources that people unfamiliar with it just can’t imagine.

Most of the well-known scenic spots of Jingxi are scattered around its city proper. Biking is the recommended way of touring Jingxi, as random roadside views could be as enchanting as those in tourist attractions. Bicycle lanes have been built on most roads and road signs can be seen every few hundred meters, making biking in Jingxi tourist-friendly.

Below are a few scenic spots that you should add to your Jingxi to-do list.

Tongling Grand Canyon

The centerpiece of a trip to Jingxi must be a visit to the Tongling Grand Canyon. Take a walk in the 3.8-kilometer canyon and you will see various karst landforms such as underground rivers and karst caves as well as rare plants such as arenga pinnata palm, toxicodendron vernicifluum (Chinese lacquer tree） and cyathea spinulosa (spiny tree fern). At the end of the canyon is the 188.6-meter-tall Tongling Waterfall, which is hailed as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Guangxi.

Gulongshan Canyon

If you prefer rafting to a walk, then Gulongshan Canyon located not far away from the Tongling Grand Canyon is a perfect choice. A rafting journey through the 6.8-kilometer canyon takes around two and a half hours, during which time you will be able to enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the Gulao, Xinling and Xinqiao gorges. The raft will also pass through Yinbin Cave, Baifu Cave and Shuilian Cave, three karst caves that are 180 meters, 350 meters and 680 meters in length respectively.

Equan Spring

Equan Spring is the source of Detian Waterfall in the neighboring Daxin County of Congzuo City. Across the river formed by the spring is a 15-hole stone bridge dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), which makes a perfect photo spot at sunset. Inside the scenic area is a footpath made of stones carved into the shape of lotus leaves, which will lead you to the spring. Alternatively, you may take the hiking trail for a bird’s-eye view of the whole scenic area.

Jiuzhou

For those who are interested in traditional Chinese handicrafts, the ancient village of Jiuzhou is a spot not to be missed, as this is where xiuqiu (embroidery balls) originated. Legend has it that the first xiuqiu was made centuries ago by a local young woman named Ah Xiu for her lover who was framed by a villain and was about to be executed. The moment she gave the ball to her lover, the ball flashed and the couple were transferred to an Arcadia where they lived happily ever after. Xiuqiu is therefore regarded as a token of love in traditional Chinese culture.

Take a walk in the village and your eyes will immediately be treated to xiuqiu of all sizes and colors in roadside souvenir shops. You will also see women sitting on benches making xiuqiu, a scene seldom found elsewhere.

If you visit Jingxi around the Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on June 14 this year, you will have the luck to experience the local herbal medicine bazaar, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The weeklong event will witness thousands of stalls set up along a 1-kilometer section of Xiuqiu Boulevard in the city center by local residents as well as herbal medicine traders and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors from across the country. Come and be part of a centuries-old tradition, even if you have little knowledge about herbal medicine! (Yu Yuanfan)