I've discovered another hidden gem with beautiful scenery and few people
Stop crowding Guilin! Baise hides a vast area of pristine karst wonders, with ethereal landscapes, stunning sinkholes, clusters of waterfalls, mostly free or with highly cost-effective tickets, allowing you to enjoy the mountain wilderness and bird songs even on weekends.
Key Highlights at a Glance
Haokun Lake: The Little Guilin of western Guangxi, free admission with accommodation booking, single ticket only 50 RMB, offers lake hiking and sinkhole exploration
Free Attractions: Longyang Sinkhole, Liyuzui, Quyang Lake, Sandieling/Er Lang/Aipo Waterfalls all free of charge
Popular Combo: Jianlong Mountain and Sanmenhai are about 2 hours from Baise, the most convenient departure point for out-of-towners
Experience: Few people, peaceful, only bird and animal sounds on Sundays, fully immersive natural healing
Classic 4-day 3-night itinerary (best by self-drive or carpool)
Day 1 Arrive in Baise → Lingyun Haokun Lake
Morning: Take high-speed train directly to Baise Station, rent a car or carpool to Lingyun Haokun Lake
Afternoon: Walk around the lake, hike Gaolu Trail, capture reflections of mountains and water, explore sinkholes within the scenic area
Evening: Stay at a Haokun Lake guesthouse, free admission with booking, excellent value
Tip: Ticket price is 50 RMB, covering mountains, water, sinkholes, and hiking trails, very cost-effective
Day 2 Haokun Lake → Leye → Jingxi
Morning: Explore Leye Liyuzui, a pristine sinkhole landscape, free admission
Afternoon: Head to Jingxi, visit Quyang Lake, comparable to Thousand Island Lake, free entry, cycling around the lake available
Evening: Stay in Jingxi city, enjoy Zhuang ethnic specialty cuisine
Day 3 Jingxi Waterfall Loop (all free)
All day check-in: Sandieling Waterfall → Erlang Waterfall → Aipo Waterfall
Activities: Hike to view waterfalls, play in water and take photos, continuous mountain and water scenery, few people for great shots
Tip: Good road conditions, easy to connect by self-drive, wear non-slip shoes recommended
Day 4 Pingguo Longyang Sinkhole → Return
Morning: Visit Pingguo Longyang Sinkhole, an outdoor secret realm, free to explore this underground wonder
Afternoon: Return to Baise Station, end of trip
Optional Add-ons: On the way, visit Chongzuo Jianlong Mountain or Hechi Sanmenhai, both about 2 hours by car, most convenient from Baise
Transportation Guide
Long-distance Transport
High-speed trains directly to Baise Station, with services from major cities in Guangxi and nationwide
Local Transport
Recommended: Self-drive or car rental, attractions are scattered, mountain roads offer excellent scenery
Budget: Take buses from Baise Bus Station to counties, then carpool or taxi to attractions
Popular Spots: No direct public buses to Jianlong Mountain or Sanmenhai, charter or carpool from Baise is most convenient
Tickets and Money-saving Tips
Haokun Lake: Free admission with accommodation booking inside the scenic area; single ticket 50 RMB, multiple activities included
Completely Free Attractions: Longyang Sinkhole, Liyuzui, Quyang Lake, Sandieling, Erlang, Aipo Waterfalls
Bonus: Jianlong Mountain and Sanmenhai require boat expenses, but the scenic areas themselves are free
Practical Tips
Best Season: Pleasant climate in spring and autumn, summer for cooling off, mountains and waters remain green year-round
Gear: Hiking shoes, sun protection, mosquito repellent, waterproof bags (for waterfall water play)
Food: Jingxi sour pickles, Lingyun mutton soup, Bama fragrant pork, Zhuang rice noodles
Accommodation: Lakeview guesthouses at Haokun Lake, hotels in Jingxi city, affordable prices
Avoid Pitfalls: Many attractions are in mountainous wilderness, check road conditions in advance, some sections recommend SUVs
Summary
Baise is a seriously underrated travel treasure with few crowds, beautiful scenery, low costs, and pristine nature. It combines Guilin’s poetic landscapes with the wild shock of sinkholes and waterfalls. With so many free attractions to explore, it’s perfect for travelers who prefer quiet, off-the-beaten-path, natural outdoor experiences. Say goodbye to crowds and immerse yourself in the secret realm of western Guangxi.