Guangxi has been an autonomous region in the far south of the People's Republic of China since 1958. The official name of the province is "Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region."
Guangxi is home to twelve ethnic groups and is primarily known as the historical settlement area of the Zhuang people. Only 25 percent of the population are Han Chinese. Additionally, Han, Yao, Miao, Dong, Mulam, Maonan, Hui, Gin, Yi, Sui, and Gelao people also live there. In 1958, Guangxi was granted autonomous status due to its high proportion of ethnic minorities.
In the southwest, Guangxi borders Vietnam for 1,020 km, and in the west, north, and east, it borders the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, and Guangdong.
Due to its cultural and scenic diversity, Guangxi boasts many attractions and has long been considered one of the most impressive and beautiful provinces in China.
Nanning is the capital of Guangxi Province and has a population of 1.3 million inhabitants. The city boasts a history of 1600 years and a rich cultural heritage. The name "Nanning" was given during the Yuan Dynasty and means "peaceful south." The name was chosen in the hope that the south, which had been a battleground for numerous wars, would finally remain in peace.
The city's surroundings offer numerous attractions and are known as "China's green city" due to its lush vegetation. In recent years, the main streets and riverbanks of the city have been restored and are wonderful to explore on foot.
To the east of the city lies the Botanical Garden, the largest of its kind with over 2,000 out of a total of 5,000 species of medicinal plants. In the immediate vicinity of Nanning, along the Yong River, lies the beautiful 17th-century town of Yangmei, worth a visit. Also worth exploring is the Yiling Cave with its spectacularly illuminated stalagmites. The surroundings of Yiling Cave also invite to get explored.
Located 32 kilometers from Nanning, this international airport handles over 10 million passengers annually and connects the city to many destinations within China. It also offers a few international flights (e.g., Bangkok).
The airport has a well-developed shuttle bus system and is linked to the high-speed rail line between Nanning and Pingxiang.
Situated 28 kilometers outside the city center of Guilin, this airport operates around the clock and serves numerous domestic flights along with a small selection of international routes. Recently renovated extensively and put increased emphasis on sustainability.
The airport features a good transportation network including shuttle buses, car rentals, and taxis. Efforts are underway to integrate the airport into the high-speed rail network.
