Hechi Travel Guide

Bama Longevity Village (Bama Yao Autonomous County) is one of only five recognized longevity hotspots in the world, alongside regions in Georgia, Pakistan, Ecuador, and Sardinia. The area has an extraordinary concentration of centenarians — approximately 30 per 100,000 people, far exceeding the global average. Visitors come from around the world to study the local lifestyle, diet, and environment that contribute to longevity. Key attractions include the Baimao Cave (a massive karst cave with geological formations), the Panyang River (known for its mineral-rich waters), and the Changshou (Longevity) Village where visitors can meet and learn from local centenarians. The area's natural environment — clean air, mineral water, and alkaline soil — is believed to be the key to the locals' remarkable health.

Qibainong National Geopark is a breathtaking landscape of towering karst peak clusters that rise dramatically from the valley floor. The name "Qibainong" means "Seven Hundred Valleys" in the local Zhuang language, referring to the countless depressions (nong) between the peaks. Covering 323 square kilometers, the geopark features over 5,000 individual peaks with an average height of 500-800 meters. The most spectacular viewpoint is at the "Thousand Peaks Viewing Platform," where visitors can see an endless sea of karst peaks stretching to the horizon. The park is also home to the Yao ethnic minority, who have cultivated terraced fields on the steep mountain slopes for centuries.

Yizhou District is the legendary hometown of Liu Sanjie ("Third Sister Liu"), the most famous folk singer in Zhuang culture. The Liu Sanjie Cultural Park is a riverside complex dedicated to her legacy, featuring a large bronze statue of Liu Sanjie, traditional Zhuang performance venues, and exhibition halls showcasing Zhuang music and dance. Visitors can watch live performances of Zhuang folk songs (known as "mountain songs"), participate in traditional dance, and take bamboo raft rides on the Longjiang River where Liu Sanjie was said to have sung from. The park comes alive during the annual San Yue San festival when Zhuang people from across Guangxi gather to sing.

Baimao Cave is a massive karst cave system in Bama County that is one of the area's most popular attractions. The cave is over 4 kilometers long and features enormous chambers, towering stalactites and stalagmites, and underground rivers. What makes Baimao Cave unique is its reputation for "negative ion therapy" — the air inside the cave has exceptionally high concentrations of negative oxygen ions, believed to have health benefits. Many longevity-seeking visitors spend hours sitting inside the cave breathing the air. The cave also has a unique skylight opening where sunlight streams in, creating dramatic light effects.

The Panyang River flows through the heart of Bama County, its emerald-green waters winding between karst peaks and rural villages. The river is the lifeline of the Bama longevity region — its mineral-rich waters are believed to be one of the key factors in local longevity. Visitors can take bamboo raft rides along the river, swim in designated areas, and walk along the riverside paths. The river is particularly beautiful in the early morning when mist rises from the water surface, creating a dreamy, ethereal landscape.

Jiuwan Mountain National Nature Reserve is a vast protected area on the border of Guangxi and Guizhou covering 252 square kilometers. It features well-preserved subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests, deep gorges, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife including clouded leopards, black bears, and various primate species. The reserve has several hiking trails that take visitors through different forest ecosystems, past ancient trees, and to scenic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding mountains. It is an excellent destination for eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts.