Nanning (南宁; Nánníng) is the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south-west China. It is a large, modern city and a transport gateway for travellers to and from Vietnam.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Officially known as Nanning City (南宁市, Nánníng Shì), it is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. Nanning is often called the "Green City" because of its abundant tropical vegetation and many parks. Nanning lies in a hilly basin in middle Guangxi and has a humid subtropical, monsoon-influenced climate. Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the city has evolved into an important political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub in the region, especially serving as a gateway for China–ASEAN cooperation.
Local buses serve the city, and are either ¥1 or ¥2 (with AC) per trip, you can use digital map of the city for the routes around the city. Taxis are also convenient for getting around the city, and most rides within the city should cost under ¥20. Fares start at ¥9 for the first 2 km and are based on time and distance afterwards. Share bikes, share e-bikes and share cars also operate in the city. Nanning's Metro (南宁轨道交通, Nanning Rail Transit) began operation in 2016 and has been expanding quickly ever since. Most places of interest in Nanning are now within walking distance of a metro station. The metro offers an unbeatable combination of convenience and affordability.
1 The Museum of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区博物馆, Guangxi Museum), 34 Minzu Avenue, Qingxiu District (青秀区民族大道34号) (just outside Exit B of the Minzu Square (民族广场) 3 Metro Station), ☏ +86 771 2707027. 09ː00-17ː00, no entry after 16ː30, closed on Mondays (public holidays excepted). The only national-level museum in Guangxi, it has quite an eclectic exhibition. The museum's large collection of pottery and porcelain is displayed on the first floor, while on the second floor, there are exhibits on the early culture of Guangxi, including a collection of bronze drums, prehistoric tools and metalwork.
1 China-ASEAN Expo (中国-东盟博览会), 106 Minzu Avenue, Qingxiu District(青秀区民族大道106号) (Convention and Exhibition Center 1 Metro Station). The China-ASEAN Expo is an international economic and trade event co-hosted by the economic and trade authorities of China and the 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat, and hosted by Guangxi. It is held in mid-September every year and lasts for five days. The last two days are open to the public and you can buy tickets to visit. ¥100. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Nanning Bird and Flower Market (南宁花鸟市场), 2 Kunlun Avenue, Xingning District (兴宁区昆仑大道2号) (400 metres west of Exit B1 of Jiangqiao 5 Metro Station).
Zhongshan Rd (中山路) is Nanning's food street, with a vast assortment of street stalls serving many kinds of Liang Guang (literally, the two Guang provinces, Guangxi and Guangdong) foods, as well as food from neighbouring provinces, such as Hunan and Yunnan. It is diagonally opposite the Incity, home of Wal-Mart. Throughout the city there are many good-value restaurants. Few have English menus. However, Zhongshan Rd has now been closed due to renovation.The newly developed eastern end of the city (around Langdong, and the APEC Exhibition Centre) has lots of up-market restaurants, cafes and coffee lounges.(Updated Jan 2024) There are dumpling stalls and small eating houses all over the city.
Many popular bars are to be found along Minzu Da Dao, the long avenue that runs from east to west through the city, bisecting South Lake. Many have a cover charge, and offer a variety of international as well as domestic beers, in addition to the standard supply of liquors. The '100' bar area (near the city library) has a cluster of up-market bars and coffee lounges, many featuring live music. A number of more intimate, low key bars and pubs can be found in the university district in the north west of the city, around University Road (Da Xue Lu) and Mingxiu Road.
Chinese cities are generally speaking very safe in terms of violent crimes, and Nanning is no exception. But petty crimes like pickpocketing are quite common. On public transportation, be extra-careful about your mobile phones and wallets. Pyramid/Ponzi schemes are endemic in Nanning, and similar to other pyramid schemes in China, criminals operating these schemes can resort to violence if their scam is about to be exposed. Simply avoid any dubious investment scheme is sufficient for normal visitors. You should also be careful if strangers are trying to talk to you and sell you something or leading you somewhere.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Nanning typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 22 rainy days.
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