In recent days, a magnificent ancient city with a staggering investment of 1.8 billion RMB has been shining like a brilliant pearl under the media spotlight.
This ancient city, like a beautifully dressed lady, opens her arms to warmly welcome tourists from all directions. However, it is regrettable that although the ancient city is majestic in scale and fully equipped with internal facilities, and despite being free to enter, tourists seem reluctant to linger here.
This eye-catching ancient city is none other than Taiping Ancient City, located in Chongzuo, Guangxi. She stands quietly there, as if telling forgotten stories from history.
Perhaps calling her a “fake ancient city” is a bit unfair. Because in the long river of history, Chongzuo did indeed once have Taiping Ancient City.
According to ancient records, during the Ming Dynasty, Chongzuo was the capital of Taiping Prefecture, and the former Taiping Ancient City was a shining pearl on this land. It wasn’t until 2006, in order to revitalize the glory of the tourism industry, that Chongzuo rebuilt a “fake ancient city” on the ruins, which is the Taiping Ancient City we see today.
However, replicating the ancient city of Taiping Prefecture was no easy task. After more than a decade of hard work and several changes of developers, the first phase of Taiping Ancient City finally unveiled its mysterious veil to the world in September 2021, at a cost of 1.8 billion RMB.
Located on the banks of the Left River in Jiangzhou District, Chongzuo City, the ancient city is surrounded by the river on three sides. Its unique natural resources make it like a shining pearl embedded in the landscape.
In ancient times, it was said that “the beautiful water bends four times, surrounding three sides, its shape like a pot, hence the name Hucheng (Pot City)”. This is the perfect description of the beautiful scenery of Taiping Ancient City.
When Taiping Ancient City first debuted, it was bustling with excitement. As night fell and the lights came on, the nightscape of the ancient city was like a dream, attracting countless tourists to come and check in.
At that time, the ancient city was crowded and lively. As a continuation of the Zhuang culture in Chongzuo, Taiping Ancient City was reborn on this thousand-year-old land, becoming an artistic treasure trove of Zhuang culture.
Shops, supermarkets, bar streets, restaurants, film studios, star-rated hotels, cinemas and other business formats were all available, providing tourists with a rich and colorful travel experience.
Inside the ancient city, 29 cultural landscapes and 8 natural scenic spots complement each other. Attractions such as the Zhuang Weillou, Yifang Opera Stage, Wind and Rain Bridge, and the Customs Commercial Street all exude a strong Zhuang style. It is precisely because of these unique cultural charms that Taiping Ancient City was rated as a national 4A scenic spot, becoming a shining business card for Chongzuo tourism.
However, the good times did not last long. As time passed, the prosperity of Taiping Ancient City gradually faded, and the number of tourists began to dwindle, for a variety of complex reasons.
Firstly, Chongzuo’s tourist attractions are relatively scattered, making it difficult for tourists to visit them all. The entertainment options within Taiping Ancient City also seem repetitive and lack novelty. Most tourists only rent clothes for photos, take boat rides, play ring toss games or eat some barbecue, making it hard to leave a deep impression.
Secondly, Chongzuo has a relatively small population base. In 2023, the total population was only 2.52 million, with only a small portion staying locally. This means that the source of tourists for Taiping Ancient City is relatively limited, making it difficult to form a stable flow of visitors.
More importantly, nowadays “fake ancient cities” are springing up everywhere, and tourists have more choices. No matter which city you go to, you can see similar ancient city attractions, making it hard for Taiping Ancient City to stand out in the fiercely competitive market. Especially in Guangxi, a major tourism province with numerous attractions, Taiping Ancient City indeed needs to put in more effort to retain tourists.
In fact, to enhance the popularity of Taiping Ancient City, perhaps more promotional efforts can be focused on the city of “Chongzuo” itself. Because Chongzuo is an inherently charming place with unique natural resources and a rich cultural heritage.If the beauty and culture of Chongzuo can be combined with Taiping Ancient City for overall promotion, it may attract more tourists to visit.In conclusion, although Taiping Ancient City currently faces some difficulties and challenges, it is still a place full of potential and hope. As long as we carefully discover and explore its unique features, I believe it will surely shine brilliantly once again.
Chongzuo
Chongzuo, a low-profile city, is like a modest artist quietly painting her own beautiful scroll.
Guangxi, a land of tourism wonders, sparkles like a brilliant pearl. Guilin’s landscapes are unparalleled, Liuzhou’s Luosifen is world-renowned, and Beihai’s romantic charm is intoxicating. However, in this dazzling tourism galaxy, Chongzuo shines just as brightly, her scenery no less stunning than other cities.
Chongzuo enjoys a warm and pleasant climate all year round. The sky is as clear as a mirror, white clouds drift lazily, mountains are like ink paintings, waters are crystal clear, sunsets are poetic, and lakes are picturesque. Here, every landscape seems to be a masterpiece carefully crafted by nature, making it hard for visitors to leave.
Step into Chongzuo, and you will be enchanted by the mountains, waters, and pastoral scenery. The peaks and forests stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a poetic painting; the crisscrossing fields sing a rustic song. Clear streams meander through the mountains like silver ribbons, adorning the land with beauty.
Everyone who comes to Chongzuo is shocked by the stunning scenery, exclaiming it to be a “paradise on earth”. Moreover, Chongzuo is only a two-hour drive from Nanning city center, making it easily accessible for people to get closer to this beautiful land.
Detian Waterfall is a calling card of Chongzuo and a pride of Guangxi. It attracts countless tourists with its magnificent momentum and spectacular scenery. The average annual water flow is three times that of Huangguoshu Waterfall, making it awe-inspiring. As the filming location for the TV series “The Journey of Flower”, it adds a touch of mystery and romance.
The Guichun River surges from the north, while the towering Putang Island stands majestically, blocking the river’s flow.
The water falls from a cliff over 50 meters high, splashing and creating a misty fog. Under the refraction of sunlight, the waterfall presents a dazzling array of colors, with a deafening roar and magnificent momentum.
Mingshi Pastoral, known as the “Southern Guangxi Pearl”, boasts vast farmland and fresh air. It is surrounded by green mountains and rolling hills, with clear streams winding through like poetry.
Here, you can experience the tranquility and harmony of nature, listen to the mountain songs of the Zhuang people, and enjoy the fresh and simple village farm life.
Taking a bamboo raft is the best way to experience the essence of Mingshi Pastoral. Starting from the upstream boat dock, you drift with the current, taking in the mountains, villages, and fields along the way.
Amidst the green, dotted with mountain peaks, a clear, winding river flows quietly, like a piece of emerald jade. In the clear water, aquatic plants sway gently, and fish swim freely.
A few ducks pass by, creating ripples and breaking the tranquil reflection of the mountains, making people suddenly realize: this is not a painting, but a masterpiece of nature.
Friendship Pass is one of the top ten famous passes in China, witnessing the historical evolution and development of the southern border. On the left side of the building is the Zuobi Mountain city wall, and on the right is the Youfu Mountain city wall, both majestic.
It not only has a long history but is also an important landmark in modern Chinese history, carrying a heavy historical and cultural heritage.
Huashan Rock Art is another must-see attraction in Chongzuo.
Its successful application for World Heritage status filled the gap in China’s rock art world heritage projects, adding a strong stroke to Chongzuo’s cultural heritage.
The ancients used red ochre mineral powder to create magical murals, and those “dancing little people” are so vivid, as if the ancestors are showing us their life, beliefs, and life philosophy.
Boating on the river and looking up at the red rock paintings on the cliffs, it feels like traveling through time and having a spiritual dialogue with the ancestors.
The Left River Guilong Leaning Tower is known as China’s “Leaning Tower of Pisa”.
Although the tower leans, it stands firm, and its unique name is known far and wide. When boating around the tower, the tower body visually leans towards the viewer, making people exclaim in amazement. It attracts countless tourists to visit with its unique posture.
Perhaps many people have never heard of Chongzuo, but because of this, it can remain “aloof from the world”, maintaining a rare tranquility and purity.
Compared to the lively Guilin, Chongzuo has a bit more serenity and peace, more like the Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming.
Setting foot on this land, you will feel a longing and yearning for life, a realm of returning to nature, returning to reality, and returning to innocence.
So, next time if you have the chance to visit romantic Guangxi, remember to take a look at Chongzuo.
There, you will find a piece of tranquility and beauty that will deeply nourish and soothe your soul.
