Libo County is a county in Guizhou popular for clear streams, waterfalls, and an emerald lake. Due to lush vegetation the air quality is unbelievably clean considering the county is in the eastern half of China.
Understand
[edit]Libo County is located in the southernmost part of Guizhou, the transition zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the hills of Guangxi, and adjacent to Huanjiang and Nandan counties in the southeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, it is the transportation throat of the Great Southwest facing the Great South China and the Great Lingnan, and the nearest channel to the south of Guizhou to go to the sea. It is a county of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in the southern part of Guizhou Province, and is famous for its unique karst landscape and rich natural scenery. Libo is known as the “Emerald of the Earth”. The county has a total area of 2,400 km², with 1 street, 5 towns and 2 ethnic townships under its jurisdiction, 92 administrative villages and 8 urban community committees, with a total population of 186,000 people, of which 93% are ethnic minorities, including the Buyi, Shui, Miao and Yao minorities.
Most of the main attractions in Libo, such as the small seven holes, are outdoors, and the tour experience is best when the weather is good.
Tourist information
[edit]- 1 Qiannan Libo County Tourism Bureau Information, No. 33, Zhangjiang East Road, Nan Shi, ☏ 0854-3610516.
Get in
[edit]
Libo County is served by Libo Airport, with flights connecting to Guiyang, Guangzhou (Panyu) and other cities, making it easy for tourists to get in and out. In terms of highway, Libo is connected to Guizhou and Guangxi through highways, paired with tourist buses and cabs in the county for easy access to scenic spots.
- From Guiyang it is about 4 hours by car and 1.5 hours by high speed train.
- From Guilin/Xing'an it is about 3.5 hours by car, and can be reached by high speed train in about 1.5~2 hours.
- From Nanning it is about 5 hours by car and 2.5~3 hours by high speed train.
By plane
[edit]Libo Zhangjiang Airport is a regional feeder airport, mainly serving travelers to Libo, about 12 km away from the county town. There are airport buses and cabs that can take you directly to there.
From Libo Ancient Town Mengtueli Service Center, you can take the airport bus to Libo Airport for RMB 20 per person. It takes 30 minutes.
By bus
[edit]- 2 Libo Bus Station, County Mansion Intersection, Yuping Street (at the east gate of Xiaoqikong, roadside).
Libo Bus Station is the main passenger transportation station, a common transportation hub for tourists and local residents, connecting Libo with major cities in Guizhou province and parts of Guangxi. You can arrive here from Guiyang, Kaili, Dushan, etc. There are also shuttles to famous scenic spots in Libo, such as Xiaoqikong Scenic Area.
There is also the Libo Xiaoqikong Bus Station, located at the east gate of Xiaoqikong, 100 meters ahead of "Yao Kitchen".
Libo Long-distance Bus Station provides long-distance bus services connecting neighboring cities and regions. The frequency and routes vary according to the tourist season.
By train
[edit]There is a high speed railway to Libo since 2023, making travel time from cities such as Guiyang and Chongqing much shorter.
Get around
[edit]Public transportation in the city consists mainly of buses and coaches.
By bus
[edit]No. 11 bus starts from the new (as of 2024) bus station and ends at the Big and Small Seven Holes Tourist Distribution Center, passing through Libo Ancient Town and a number of major stops along the way. The line departs every day from 7:00 a.m. and runs every 15 minutes, with a fare of 7 yuan.
By car
[edit]If you choose to travel by car, it is recommended to check the route in advance, especially during weekends and holidays when the area around scenic spots may be more congested.
See
[edit]Small Seven Hole Scenic Spot
[edit]Xiaoqikong Scenic Spot is one of the most famous attractions in Libo and a World Natural Heritage Site. The landscape here is picturesque and the main attractions include the ancient bridge of Xiaoqikong, the Wolong Pool, the water forest, and the 68-step plunge waterfall. It is recommended to go early in the morning to avoid the peak of crowd and wear comfortable shoes for long walks in the scenic area.
- 1 Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge, On the Zhangjiang River in the southwestern part of Libo County, near the entrance to the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area. 07:00–18:00. Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge was built in the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a stone arch bridge with seven holes, known for its beautiful natural environment and historical and cultural values, and the green mountains and water around the bridge form a very characteristic landscape. 110RMB/person (Scenic Area Pass), in addition, you need to purchase the scenic area sightseeing bus ticket, which costs 40RMB/person..
- 2 Three major waterfalls, The three waterfalls are linked together and are located together on the main road of the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area. 7:00～18:00. Broken Bridge Falls, Raya Falls, 68-step plunge waterfall. The Broken Bridge Waterfall is famous for its unique bridge-shaped structure and majestic water flow, where visitors can feel the majesty of the flying water. Raya Falls has a drop of about 40 meters, creating a wide curtain of water, and its quiet surroundings make it a popular spot for taking photos. 68 Steps Falls, on the other hand, is named for its 68 step-like levels, where the water cascades over the steps, creating a view like a silver chain. You don't need to buy a separate ticket after buying a scenic pass.
- 3 water forest, East side of the ancient bridge of Xiaoqikong in the scenic area, about 1.5 kilometers away from the ancient bridge. 7:00～18:00. The Water Forest is famous for its unique karst landscape and rich ecosystem. The area is surrounded by several rivers, creating the peculiar landscape of the Water Forest, where trees grow in the water, creating a beautiful scene of “trees in the water, water in the forest”. The rich vegetation and diverse animal life make it an ideal place for ecological photography and bird watching. The natural environment of the water forest is beautiful, and visitors can enjoy the peaceful natural atmosphere through walkways and sightseeing buses. You don't need to buy a separate ticket after buying a scenic pass.
- 4 Wolong Lake, Located in the downstream of the Water Forest, about 2 kilometers from the Xiaoqikong Ancient Bridge. 7:00～18:00. Named for its mirror-calm waters and beautiful surroundings, Wolong Lake is an ideal spot for sightseeing and relaxation. The clear water of the pool often provides a reflection of the surrounding mountain scenery, making it a popular destination for photographers and nature lovers. You don't need to buy a separate ticket after buying a scenic pass.
Big Seven Hole Scenic Area
[edit]Located upstream from the Little Seven Holes Scenic Area, the Big Seven Holes Scenic Area is also known for its spectacular natural scenery. It is home to the majestic Daqikong Bridge, the quiet Tianzhong Cave and the crystal clear Bilu Lake. It is recommended to take a bamboo raft ride to experience the beautiful scenery along the way.
- 5 Tianzhong Cave, Located in Daqikong Scenic Area, about 3 kilometers from Daqikong Bridge. 7:00～18:00. The cave is famous for its unique stalactite landscape and abundant underground rivers. The cave is wide, with stalactites and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes creating a mysterious and beautiful underground world, making it a popular destination for photography and adventure enthusiasts. RMB 100/person (scenic pass).
- Lake Biyori in Turquoise Hill, Xinjiang, Located in the area of Daqikong Scenic Area near Daqikong Bridge and Tiansheng Bridge. 7:00～18:00. Famous for its clear turquoise lake, the lake complements the surrounding karst landscape and forests, creating a beautiful natural landscape. Visitors can walk around the turquoise lake, take photos and enjoy the unique natural scenery. Viewing platforms are also usually located around the lake for visitors to rest and watch the scenery. You don't need to buy a separate ticket after buying a scenic pass.
- 6 natural bridge, Southeast of Dachikong Bridge, about 2 kilometers from Dachikong Bridge. 7:00～18:00. Tiansheng Bridge is a naturally formed stone bridge, famous for its unique karst landscape and spectacular natural scenery. Visitors can easily access Tiansheng Bridge through the trail in the scenic area and enjoy the surrounding landscape on the way. Tiansheng Bridge is a popular excursion point in the Daqikong Scenic Area due to its unique shape and the beautiful scenery around it. You don't need to buy a separate ticket after buying a scenic pass.
Shui Chun River Canyon
[edit]Shui Chun River Canyon is a typical karst landscape with a winding river and cliffs on both sides. Here you can not only enjoy the magnificent scenery of the canyon, but also participate in rafting activities and experience the excitement and fun of water adventure.
- 7 canyon trail, Located in a scenic area, the entrance to the Gorge Trail is usually connected to the Shui Chun River Bridge. 7:00～18:00. is a trail that follows the Shui Chun River and is designed to give visitors a better view of the canyon's natural beauty and water flow. The trail starts from the Shuichun River Bridge and winds down the river, passing through several viewpoints and rest areas where visitors can appreciate the cliffs, the clear water of the river and the surrounding virgin forest. 70元/人（景区通票）.
Ethnic Villages
[edit]The Libo area is inhabited by several ethnic minorities, including the Buyi and Miao, whose villages have preserved their traditional architectural styles and lifestyles. It is recommended to visit Yaoshan Yao Ethnic Township and Shuiyao Shui Ethnic Township to learn about the local folk culture and taste the authentic ethnic cuisine.
Do
[edit]- 1 Yuanyang Lake. Yuanyang Lake in Libo is a popular tourist attraction that offers a unique boating experience. Visitors can rent transparent rowing boats on the lake and row into the Wizard of Oz by their own manual rowing, with a transparent bottom that allows them to clearly see the fish and water plants underwater, and bring along a water gun for a water fight. This adds to the fun and wonder of boating. Boating activities usually take place between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased directly, without the need to exchange tickets.
- 2 Mawlam Forest National Park. The park is known for its karst peaks and funnel landscapes, where visitors can participate in caving adventures. The caving routes here are divided into two classic routes: the main caving route and the classic route through the karst primitive funnel forest, which provide a rich experience of nature exploration. While exploring the caves, visitors will have the opportunity to see stalactites of different shapes and underground rivers, and feel the wonder and mystery of nature.
- 3 Xiaoqikong. Tree Adventure：the challenge of courage and wisdom. On a sunny weekend, with the curiosity and expectation of the unknown tree world, we stepped into the fantasy world of "Tree Adventure" in Xiaoqikong Scenic Spot. Each step of the program is full of challenges and fun. There are obstacles of various shapes and difficulties, such as climbing nets, swing bridges, high-altitude zip lines, tree flyers, and so on.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mengliu Buyei Style Town, East Gate of Libo Xiaoqikong (small seven holes). The night here is waiting to be savored by every traveler. The night market is bustling with lights and starlight intertwined into a dream. Buyei flavor snacks are fragrant, the freshness of roasted fish, the sweetness of patties, the mellow of rice wine, each bite is the ultimate temptation to the taste buds. Handicrafts are in abundance.
- 2 Zhangjiang Tribe. This is a shopping street with a concentration of ethnic minority specialty stores. Nearby are many stores selling specialty goods of the Buyi, Shui, Miao and Yao ethnic groups, which are suitable for tourists to shop for souvenirs.
- Libo County Yuping Town Yi Xiang Ethnic Craft Shop. Specializing in all kinds of ethnic minority ornaments, such as handicrafts of the Shui ethnic group, the Buyi ethnic group and the Miao ethnic group.
- Deng Ji Feng Pig Shop. Specializes in selling local Li Bo preserved meat products, the quality of which has been praised.
- Aqua Horse Tail Embroidery Shopping Center. Specializes in aqua embroidery handicrafts with strong ethnic characteristics.
Eat
[edit]- 66 Three Sour Shop, No.83, Lida Road. Outsiders feel at ease rushing shrimp sour, very tasty. Very fragrant and appetizing kind of sour and spicy flavor. 70RMB shrimp and sour small pot +4RMB rice; rice is 2 yuan/person, free to renew.
- 1 Jinfeng Hot and Sour Soup, No. 60, Tangdi Road. The two meat and one veggie in the set menu are optional in the store! $78 MT package for two people.
- 2 Casserole Chuang Bean and Rice Hot Pot, No. 77, Tangdi Road. A boon for those who love light Cantonese! The meatballs that came with the hotpot were light and flavorful, and the kidney beans were delicious after they were cooked. $68 MT set for two people.
Drink
[edit]Libo is home to ethnic minorities such as the Buyei and Miao, and ethnic songs and dances are often performed at night. In local cultural squares or restaurants, visitors can enjoy traditional folk dances, music performances and folklore shows and experience the strong local culture.
Xiaoqikong Scenic Spot holds night excursions in the evening, where tourists can enjoy the unique karst landscape and night scenery under the moonlight, especially the lakes and waterfalls look especially charming under the night lights. }}
Night market and food street in Libo is a good place to experience the local food culture. Visitors can taste the traditional cuisine of the Buyei and Miao ethnic groups, such as fish in sour soup, rice noodles, barbecue, etc., and experience the local flavor.
During the peak season and specific holidays, some hotels and scenic spots will organize bonfire evenings, in which tourists can participate, experience ethnic dancing and singing, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Sleep
[edit]- Dapeng Commercial Hotel (荔波大鹏商务酒店), 12 Zhangjiang Middle Rd, Libo, ☏ +86 854 3618866. A decent 3-star tourist hotel, definitely better in quality than most 3-star hotels in small cities, even has nice, soft towels.
Stay safe
[edit]- 2 Libo County Public Security Bureau.