Nanning, the Unsung City???
This article is specially produced by Nanning · Tanjing.
When it comes to Guangxi, many people think of Guilin, renowned for its "landscape ranking first under heaven," or Beihai with its "long, flat beaches and fine, white sand," or even Liuzhou, where the poet Liu Zongyuan was exiled.
However, Nanning, as the capital of Guangxi for over 60 years, has lacked widely recognized highlights. Many have even questioned, "Why is Nanning the capital of Guangxi?"
Yet, if you take a closer look at today's Nanning, you’ll likely find your own answer.
Along the mist-shrouded riverbanks, futuristic skyscrapers rise one after another, densely packed.
The streets are lined with lush trees and vibrant flowers, and the skies above are clear and bright.
This is Nanning, hailed as the "Green City."
Forty-eight ethnic groups live in harmony, celebrating diverse festivals that showcase their unique cultures.
This is Nanning, rich in ethnic charm.
With air, rail, road, and water networks extending in all directions, it connects directly to Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau, as well as Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Moreover, Nanning is the only coastal capital in western China and the permanent host city of the China-ASEAN Expo.
From an obscure border town to a modern metropolis blending prosperity, natural beauty, ethnic culture, and international connectivity—this is the new Nanning.
But how did Nanning achieve such a remarkable transformation?
It is closely tied to Guangxi’s geographical location.
Guangxi lies south of the Five Ridges—Yuecheng, Dupang, Mengzhu, and others—in the Lingnan region, with the Tropic of Cancer crossing its center.
It is near the southernmost part of mainland China and the only coastal autonomous region for ethnic minorities.
With mountains behind and the sea ahead, Guangxi enjoys abundant sunshine and ample rainfall. Annual precipitation in most areas ranges from 1,200 to 2,000 millimeters, with 70-85% occurring between April and August.
During the rainy season, torrential waters carve out endless mountain peaks across the landscape.
In Qibainong Township, Dahua County, Hechi City, Guangxi, over 9,000 stone peaks rise above 800 meters within an area of 486 square kilometers.
Viewed from above, these mountains stand shoulder-to-shoulder, their bases interconnected—a breathtaking sight known as "peak clusters," a hallmark of karst topography.
Underground, rainwater seeps through cracks and crevices, shaping another wonder of karst landscapes: caves.
Water dissolving carbonate drips from cave ceilings, depositing and precipitating carbonate to form bizarre formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone draperies.
Meanwhile, the warm and humid climate fosters lush vegetation, with Guangxi's forest coverage rate reaching 62.31%, ranking among the highest in China. Vast forests blanket its many mountains, such as Dayao Mountain, Shiwandashan, and Fenghuang Mountain.
The capital city, Nanning, also showcases such unique Lingnan scenery.
Among them, the "Sanli Yangdu" area, famed for its towering peaks, was described in Xu Xiake's Travels:
"Mountains stand in groups of hundreds, some apart, some together; though small, their forms are ever-changing."
Between the densely packed peaks lie deep valleys, with summits floating above a sea of clouds, shrouded in mist.
Rolling hills and mountains are covered in verdant forests, such as Damingshan in northern Nanning, renowned for its "emerald-green layers after rain, peaks upon peaks, brimming with vitality."
Nanning, where "grass stays green through winter, and flowers bloom beyond spring," is so picturesque that it lays the foundation for its reputation as the "Green City."
But before becoming the "Green City," where did Nanning's role as an "international hub" originate?
Guangxi's geographical location is also a key factor.
Looking down on Nanning, a great river flows through—the Yong River.
The Yong River connects to the Zuo and You Rivers in the west and the Yu River in the east, reaching Yunnan and Guizhou upstream and Hong Kong and Macao downstream. Ming Dynasty poet Zhang Yue once praised:
"Two rivers converge north of Yongzhou's walls, a golden stronghold of the Five Commands, how majestic!"
Yet modern Nanning is far more than just a hub along the Yong River.
As the capital of Guangxi, a coastal autonomous region, it lies only 100-200 kilometers from the Beibu Gulf ports, the most convenient seaports for China's southwest, making it a vital gateway to the sea.
It is also about 170 kilometers from the Friendship Pass, a key Sino-Vietnamese border town, facilitating trade with ASEAN.
Leveraging Guangxi's strategic position—backed by the southwest and facing Southeast Asia—Nanning became the first capital of an autonomous region to implement an open-door policy in 1992.
In 2004, after the successful conclusion of the first China-ASEAN Expo, the event was permanently hosted in Nanning.
In 2011, Nanning was officially designated as the central city of the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone.
Thus, Nanning, a pivotal hub within China's Pan-Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, Southwest Economic Circle, Southeast Asian Economic Circle, and Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, shines brilliantly.
To turn the planned hub into reality, Nanning has made rapid strides in improving its external transportation networks.
On the railway front, it has transformed from a terminal node into a central city where four high-speed railways converge.
Connecting northward to national trunk lines, southward to Fangchenggang and Beihai, eastward to Guangzhou, and westward to Vietnam, it forms a railway network with "northbound access, southbound reach, eastbound advancement, and westbound linkage."
In aviation, the new terminal of Wuxu International Airport was officially put into operation in 2014. It serves 104 cities, including 25 ASEAN destinations such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Additionally, the Nanning International Airport Complex, integrating civil aviation, intercity railways, highways, and urban rail transit, was launched this year.
With a total investment of 6.6 billion yuan and a planned construction area of 300,000 square meters, the project will enable seamless multimodal transfers upon completion.
In Nanning, you can embark on spontaneous journeys with ease:
Reach most cities within the region in about two hours, neighboring provincial capitals in around three hours, or fly directly to Thailand within two hours to enjoy exotic charm.
By now, Nanning has established its hub status. But how will the "Green City," blending modern vibrancy with natural beauty, further shape itself?
Blessed by a subtropical climate of "abundant rain and warmth, evergreen throughout the year," Nanning is lush with verdant canopies and vibrant blooms.
In urban development, the city has planned over 10 large parks and hundreds of street green spaces, showcasing a unique subtropical garden landscape.
Within the parks, green hills and clear waters embrace each other.
For instance, Qingxiu Mountain in Qingxiu Mountain Park features undulating peaks, swirling clouds, and two vast artificial lakes halfway up the slopes, where trees cast dancing reflections.
Poet Liang Tianzong once praised, "The scenic splendor of Qingxiu Mountain towers above all peaks, further graced by ancient pines standing tall."
Nanhu, the city's largest inner lake, lies within Nanhu Park.
Covering over 930,000 square meters—three-quarters of the park—its crystal-clear waters and enchanting scenery captivate visitors.
Along the streets, tree species characteristic of southern China exude vitality.
These include fruit trees like mangoes, garcinias, and jackfruits; flowering trees such as hibiscus, bauhinia, and magnolias; and ornamental trees like royal palms, fishtail palms, and small-leaf banyans.
They bloom year-round, maintaining their evergreen charm in all seasons.
Amidst the verdant mountains and clear waters, road construction within the city is also in full swing.
Roads such as Minzu Avenue, Yuanhu Road, Zhonghua Road, Beida Road, and Jiangbin Road form the city's ring line.
Over 20 bridges, including Zhongxing Bridge, Yonghe Bridge, Huluding Bridge, Beida Bridge, Taoyuan Bridge, and Nanning Bridge, span the rivers, creating vital crossings.
In 2016, the opening of Nanning Metro Line 1 marked Guangxi as the first ethnic minority autonomous region in China to have a subway system.
By this year, Nanning will have completed 157 metro stations, accelerating the development of its subway network.
Thus, a new Nanning, where modern prosperity is nestled among flowers and fruit trees, has emerged before the world.
In addition, the 48 ethnic groups living here, such as the Zhuang, Miao, Yao, and Hui, infuse the city with rich ethnic customs.
In terms of entertainment, there are countless colorful folk activities.
During the Spring Festival, there's the "grinding swing"; in March, the "flower cannon snatching"; in May, dragon boat races, along with board shoe dances, rice cake grabbing, and lions climbing the "Golden Mountain"...
Culinary delights blend the flavors of Southwest China, offering mildly spicy, sweet, and sour dishes like eight-treasure rice, lemon duck, old friend noodles, eight-immortal noodles, dry-tossed noodles, rolled rice noodles, and fermented rice noodles...
This once-remote border town has now transformed into a beautiful metropolis encompassing natural scenery, an international hub, modern prosperity, and ethnic charm—truly all-encompassing.
The Wuxiang New District, located in the southern part of the city, is not only a multifunctional area integrating logistics, leisure, and entertainment but also a model of ecological urban development, epitomizing "inclusivity."
Within the district, the grand Cultural and Arts Center houses a theater, concert hall, and multifunctional venues.
The Guangxi Sports Center, spanning over 1.3 million square meters, exudes modernity.
For residential living, Nanning·Tanjing, a green smart home system product jointly developed by Sunshine City and DTD in the eastern Wuxiang Lake area, covers approximately 177,000 square meters with a total floor area of about 857,000 square meters. Embracing the urban aesthetic of "half landscape, half city," it boasts scenic views of Wuxiang Lake and Binjiang Park.
As the second "Tanjing" product nationwide, the project integrates natural elements like mountains, water, rocks, beaches, and waterfalls into its design philosophy, blending human living experiences and architectural excellence with local multicultural heritage to showcase a creative fusion of artistry and modernity.
In terms of amenities, the surrounding area offers abundant metro access, hospitals, and commercial facilities, while the development itself includes multifunctional spaces for education, health, and technology.
Facilities such as a children's playground, infinity pool, fitness club, youth sports courts, community cinema, and café-bookstore create a new urban lifestyle amidst lush greenery and clear waters.
This is Nanning—a natural garden with Lingnan charm and a youthful city striding toward modernity.
As an all-embracing "Green City" and a pivotal hub, it is destined to shine with its own brilliance in the future.