Chongzuo: Border River, Waterfalls and Zhuang Culture

In the wider region around Chongzuo, border landscapes, waterfalls and Zhuang culture meet a complex history. Those looking to choose between nature experiences, traditional villages and historic buildings for their trip will find a wide range of themes here, across different places in the region.

Waterfalls and Border Landscapes

The transnational Detian Waterfall is located in Detian Village, Shuolong Town, Daxin County, on the upper reaches of the Guichun River, which forms the border between China and Vietnam. The Detian Transnational Waterfall Scenic Area in Shuolong Town is a national 5A-rated tourist attraction; it received this rating in 2018 and continues to hold it. The transnational natural and cultural area around the waterfall also includes the Guichun River, a cross-border market, Border Marker No. 53 and Paotaishan Mountain.

Two areas of different sizes offer further ways to explore this landscape. The Detian-Laomian Scenic Area in Shuolong Community was rated an AAAA attraction on December 23, 2016. It covers four hectares and is privately operated. The Dayang Yougu Scenic Area, also in Shuolong Community, was rated a state-run AAAA attraction on September 21, 2018; it covers 90 hectares. In a 2024 overview, Detian Waterfall and the Laomian Scenic Area were described as important destinations in Daxin County.

The Shatun Tiered Waterfall is another feature of the wider region’s landscapes, consisting of seven cascades. A 2013 travel account described fishermen navigating bamboo rafts between the waterfall’s cascades.

Zhuang Villages and Living Traditions

The traditional village of Longjian in Longjiantun, Aijiang, was founded in the 1920s. It has 26 preserved traditional Zhuang stilt houses and is located one kilometer from the Chinese-Vietnamese border. The number and style of the houses give a visit a distinct cultural focus, quite different from the waterfall landscapes.

In January 2025, performances by young Zhuang people singing and dancing in traditional dress were described in Detian Zhuang Ancient Village in Longjiantun, Aijiang. Visitors were able to join in the dancing. The account combines cultural observation with a shared experience, without implying that the event takes place on a regular schedule.

City History and Distinctive Architecture

Another strand of history leads to Taiping Ancient City in Jiangzhou District, on the banks of the Zuojiang River. Its history dates back to the Song Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, Taiping was the seat of Taiping Prefecture, one of Guangxi’s eleven prefectures. Construction of the city wall began in 1372. Preserved sections of the wall and old city gates can be seen on Taiping Road.

In 2018, Chongzuo began redeveloping Taiping Ancient City. As part of the project, an inland canal was reconstructed and extended at its original site, and the old city wall was restored. Features described include the Taiping Prefecture Tower, several hundred lakeside buildings in the Lingnan-Huizhou style, two stone wind-and-rain bridges with tiled roofs, a stele bearing the character “寿”, Houguan Pavilion and a Zhuang roundhouse. A 2024 report described the 4A scenic area as offering folk customs, regional cuisine, leisure activities, creative products and themed accommodation. Also described for 2024 were experiences involving traditional clothing and customs, as well as photographic mementos of the visit.

The Zuojiang Leaning Pagoda is also known as Guilong Pagoda and Shuibao Pagoda and stands on a river island. The octagonal tower was built with three storeys in 1621; two more storeys were added during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi period. Building histories like this offer a different perspective on the region from its waterfalls: the focus here is on architectural form, construction phases and historical use.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Trip

When choosing a holiday rental in Chongzuo, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first: the border river and its waterscapes, Zhuang villages and traditions, or city history and architecture. The places mentioned are in different parts of the wider region, including Shuolong Town, Aijiang and Jiangzhou District. So choose your accommodation’s location based on the destinations that matter to your trip. This lets you plan your stay around your interests rather than combining nature and cultural sites into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Hechi, Nanning, Yangshuo, Guilin, Bose, Qinzhou, Fangchenggang, Yulin.

View the overall travel guide: Guangxi.