Mount Qingxiu

The Qingxiu mountain range is the 'green lung' of Nanning City. Located 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles) southeast of the suburbs of Nanning and bordering the Yongjiang River, the mountain range is renowned for its beauty and the clear waters which run through it. It is no wonder they are counted as one of the Eight Wonderful Sceneries of ancient Nanning.

The undulating chains of mountains, verdant trees, liquid springs and historic sites together make Mt. Qingxiu a good place to meet the charm of antique taste and tranquility. Mt.Qingxiu, or Taiqing Peak, is made up of 18 peaks including Qingshan Peak and Phenix Peak. The range covers a total area of 4.

07 square kilometers (about 1.6 square miles), including water area of 14,667 square meters (about 17,542 square yards) and greenbelt area of 25,000 square meters (about 29,901 square yards).

Because of the many lakes and the emerald green trees on the mountains, Mt. Qingxiu is the primary source of fresh air for the downtown Nanning area. Accordingly, it earned the name 'the lung' of Nanning. The main sights in Mt. Qingxiu are ancient Longxiang Tower, Cycads Garden, Tianchi, Yaochi, Sanbao Hall and Thailand Garden etc, each of them deserves an essential visit.

Mt. Qingxiu was originally named Qingshan. On the top of the mount stands a pagoda, Longxiang Tower, which is the symbol of the mountain. The tower was built during the Ming Dynasty and restored in 1986. The pagoda retains the architectural style of Ming Dynasty; inlaid with green bricks and tiles and featuring a 9-tiered octagonal exterior.

From the pagoda, the vista is magnificent, overlooking 20 li (about 6.2 miles) and a panoramic view of Nanning City. Every time the wind blows, you will hear the waves through the lush forests. The Mt. Qingxiu pine waves are famous in the region.

On the mountainside are two big manmade lakes-Tianchi and Yaochi. Tianchi sparkles in the sunlight, and the green pines, blue sky and white clouds mirrored in the water describe a beautiful painting. The lakeside is a good place for resting. Inside Yaochi are two figures of Xi Wang Mu (Hsi Wang Mu, Queen Mother of the West) and on the east, in the granite cliff, is a vivid anaglyph of the Eight Immortals in the legend. Around Yaochi is an orchard of peach trees. In the spring, the blooming peach trees offer yet another aspect of beauty to the region.

Situated to the west of Yaochi is the Sanbao (three treasures) Hall, where there are the three oblate josses of the Zhuang nationality of China. Melting culture with nationalities, the biggest jade lying Buddha in Southeast Asia and the biggest sitting bronze statue of Guangong, (a famous hero in Three Kingdoms Period (220-280)) in China, were both worshipped in the hall. The name of the hall was changed into Kwan-yin Buddhist Temple.

The Cycads Garden in Mt. Qingxiu is the largest garden of its kind in China. In May 2002, thousands of cycads (also called iron trees) bloomed. As the iron tree rarely blooms, it was considered a marvelous spectacle.

Mt. Qingxiu is a stress during the development of Nanning City. In addition to the saving and restoring of the historic sites, some new sights were established. Thailand Garden is the fruit of the exchange and cooperation between Nanning and a city of Thailand, which was designed by a Thai architect. Strolling in the garden, flavored with Thai accents; you may taste the exotic glamour. Also it is convenient that there are cable cars for you to appreciate the landscape of lakes and mountains.

With the continuous restoration and construction of new sites, Mt. Qingxiu has been changing with each passing day to welcome the tourists all over the world. Admission Fee: CNY 15. Opening Hours: The Whole Day Bus Route: 10, 34, No. 1 and No. 2 Ring Road Line