河池市

Why this place

Hechi is a mountainous karst prefecture in northern Guangxi, on the Hongshui River, and it is thick with limestone peaks, caves and the villages of the Zhuang, Miao and Yao peoples. It is one of the poorest and most beautiful parts of the province.

What to see

• The Hongshui River gorge, with karst peaks on both banks
• The Miao and Yao villages of the northern counties, with their own dress and festivals
• Donglan and the long-lived-people villages, which are a local claim to fame

What to eat

• Guangxi mountain cooking, with pickled vegetables and river fish
• Hechi is known for its 'Bama' longevity-linked foods — hempseed and black rice

Best time

October–December and March–April