Guigang: Lotus Landscapes and History

Guigang is defined by two distinctive themes: Donghu represents lotus and waterside scenery, while Dananmen and other historic sites tell the story of former transport routes and Guigang’s past. This contrast offers a practical starting point for planning your trip. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Guigang, you can first consider whether waterside nature or architectural and commemorative history should be the focus of your trip.

Donghu: Lotus Landscape and Water

Donghu lies within Guigang’s municipal area, east of the old town and bordering the Yujiang River to the south. Its water surface covers more than 700 mu. The lake was formed from more than 20 large and small lotus ponds; it was formerly known as 东井塘. Donghu is also called 十里东湖.

In midsummer, green lotus leaves, fragrant lotus blossoms, and drooping willows can be seen there. The scenery attracts thousands of swallows; “东湖荷燕” is one of Guigang’s eight new scenic attractions. In 1988, Donghu was designated a scenic area at the Guangxi Autonomous Region level.

Guigang’s nickname, “荷城,” is also part of this landscape. Historically, 70 percent of the city’s area consisted of lotus ponds. At Donghu, this connection between water and lotus is especially vivid in midsummer: the seasonal setting of blossoms, leaves, and willows contrasts with the more enduring impression of the large lake.

Historic Sites and Architectural History

The Dananmen gate tower on the Yujiang was an important passenger wharf, as well as a transfer and docking point for water and land transport. Its former functions included conveying documents, official travel, and commercial transport. The Ming-dynasty traveler 徐霞客 is also said to have stopped at the gate tower. In 2009, Dananmen was designated one of Guigang’s first municipal-level key cultural heritage protection sites.

The former site of the First Guangxi Provincial Party Congress was designated a national key cultural heritage protection unit (“全国重点文物保护单位”). In February 2021, the Guigang Municipal Government had the site converted into an exhibition hall; it reopened at the end of June that year. The reopening featured exhibits, text and images, and audio, lighting, film, and video presentations. If you plan to visit the exhibition hall, check access arrangements in advance.

Other historic sights in 贵城街道 include the former residence of 罗尔纲 and Donghu Park. The park contains the 翼王亭, the 石达开纪念碑, a bronze statue of 石达开, the 翼王祖墓碑, and the 鼎建渡船碑. The names and monuments give these commemorative sites different historical associations without merging them into a single narrative.

登龙桥 is another distinctive historic structure: built from blue-and-white stone during the Qing era under the Yongzheng Emperor, it spans Donghu from north to south. The bridge is about 90 meters long and 3.5 meters wide. These measurements and its orientation give a concrete sense of its design, while its history draws attention back to the lake.

Guigang in a Broader Historical Context

Guigang’s history as a commandery goes back more than 2,000 years. During the Qin dynasty, the Guilin Commandery was established in the historic Guigang region; under Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty, it was renamed Yulin. Local commemorative sites linked to transport, trade, and political events also help put the city’s later history in context.

In the broader regional context of Guigang, the historic Shuiliugou cultural district also offers an architectural point of interest. Its arcade buildings reflect the style of the Republican era and generally combine Western forms with Chinese ornamentation. The collection at the 贵港市博物馆 consists mainly of finds from various locations in Guigang; Han-dynasty tomb finds, as well as Han-dynasty ceramics and bronze objects, are particularly well represented.

The transport network in 贵城街道 is also relevant for getting your bearings in the city: in central Guigang, the Xijiang waterway, the Lizhan Railway, the Nanguang high-speed railway, National Highway 324, and Nanwu Road intersect. Water, rail, and road routes offer another perspective on Guigang, alongside Donghu’s natural scenery and the historic buildings.

Choosing Accommodation to Match Your Interests

When choosing a holiday rental in Guigang, you can prioritize the interests that matter most to you: would you mainly like to explore lotus blossoms and waterside scenery, or are you especially interested in historic buildings, commemorative sites, and former transport routes? Donghu and Dananmen represent different areas of focus.

Discover more destinations: Hechi, Beihai, Wuzhou, Liuzhou, Hezhou, Qinzhou, Yangshuo, Guilin.

For the broader travel overview: Guangxi.