Liuzhou

Liuzhou is a hidden-gem industrial city wrapped in the aroma of luosifen. It has not only authentic everyday street life, but also stunning karst landscapes and brilliant night views along the river. Here is a 3-day, 2-night, step-by-step eating and sightseeing guide for you, easy-paced and ready to follow!

Day 1: Old-Town Street Life and Stunning Night Views

• Morning (Qingyun Minsheng Market): Get up early to experience the best of Liuzhou’s morning markets. Eat your way through Lushui Tangyuan, five-color sticky rice, cassava soup, and corn juice, and soak up the lively local atmosphere.

• Afternoon (Liuhou Park + Liuzhou Museum): First stroll through Liuhou Park and enjoy the relaxed feel of a Jiangnan-style garden. It is especially photogenic if you wear modern Chinese-style clothing or a qipao. Then head to Liuzhou Museum for an immersive look at the city’s cultural depth (remember to book in advance; closed on Mondays).

• Evening (Ma’anshan Park + Fengqing Port Night Market): Go up the mountain around 4:30 p.m. (taking the elevator is recommended) to overlook the “Ω”-shaped bend of the Liujiang River and catch the breathtaking moment when the whole city lights up. In the evening, go to Fengqing Port to watch the musical fountain shows (one at 20:00 and one at 21:00), and browse the night market while you are there.

Day 2: Healing Landscapes and Industrial Romance

• Morning (Longtan Park): A free natural oxygen bar. Check in at Jingshan, the Wind and Rain Bridge, and the crooked-neck tree; the karst scenery is so beautiful that every casual shot looks cinematic.

• Afternoon (Liuzhou Industrial Museum + Water Bus): Visit the vintage locomotive and industrial-style exhibition areas to feel the rugged romance of this industrial city. Afterward, go to Nanchedu Wharf and spend 3 yuan to experience the water bus for an immersive cruise along the Liujiang River.

• Evening (Yaobu Ancient Town + Shengli Barbecue City): Yaobu Ancient Town has gorgeous night views and is a great place to rent ethnic-style clothing for a styled photo shoot. Late at night, head to Shengli Barbecue City for stir-fried luosifen and stir-fried duck feet, and experience the soul of Liuzhou’s late-night dining scene.

Day 3: Lesser-Known Hidden Spots and a Leisurely Return

• Morning (Xilai Ancient Temple + Liuzhou Confucian Temple): Xilai Ancient Temple faces the Liujiang River and feels peaceful and restorative. The Confucian Temple is known as the “Little Forbidden City of Guangxi,” with red walls and dark tiled roofs that are very photogenic.

• Afternoon (Free Time for Food + Return Trip): Have one more bowl of authentic luosifen in the city, buy some local specialties such as Zhuo He Ji pork jerky, and head home at an easy pace.

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Must-Eat Food List

Besides luosifen, Liuzhou has plenty of authentic local flavors you should not miss:

• Luosifen: Recommended old shops include Jubao, Caomei, Xinyue, and Haochan. Remember to add a fried egg and duck feet. Local spice levels are quite strong, so choose mild spice if you cannot handle heat.

• Luosifen Duck Feet Hot Pot: Recommended places include Feiluo Zhuang and Liu Fangfang. The duck feet are soft and fall off the bone, while the tofu puffs soak up the broth; the sour-spicy flavor is very appetizing.

• Chilled Beef Offal Salad: Recommended places include Tianshan Beef Offal and Shunshuiwan Beef Offal. The crisp, tender beef offal paired with sour-spicy sauce is wonderfully refreshing.

• Specialty Snacks: Cassava soup at Qingyun Market, Sister Lu’s stir-fried ice on Wuxing Street, old-fashioned cake, and pressure-cooked lemongrass oysters at the night market.

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Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to Stay: The area around Wuxing Pedestrian Street is the top choice, with food streets right downstairs and easy access everywhere. If you want river views, choose the area around Yaobu Ancient Town, where the guesthouses have a good atmosphere. For better value, consider staying near Liunan Wanda.

• Getting Around: Taking the high-speed rail directly to Liuzhou Station is the most convenient option. In the city, renting an electric scooter is recommended (about 30-50 yuan/day), giving you the most freedom for eating and exploring. Taxis can get stuck in traffic during holidays, so it is best to avoid peak times.

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