Hechi Travel Guide

Hechi Facts

Chinese Name: 河池 (hé chí)
Population: 4,290,000
Area: 33,500 square kilometers (12,934 square miles)
Location: in the northwest of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwestern China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Jinchengjiang, Yizhou); 4 counties (Nandan, Tian'e, Fengshan, Donglan); 5 autonomous counties (Bama Yao Autonomous County, Du'an Yao Autonomous County, Dahua Yao Autonomous County, Luocheng Mulam Autonomous County, Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County)
Area Code: 0778
Zip Code: 547000
GDP (2019): CNY 87.81 billion (USD 12.73 billion)
Nationalities: Zhuang, HanYao, Mulam, Maonan
 

China’s Tin City & Famous Longevity City

Hechi is located in the northwest region of Guangxi, neighboring Nanning to the south, Liuzhou to the east and Baise to the west and Guizhou Province to the north. Hechi is rich in non-ferrous metals and China hydropower. The proven storage capacity of 10 kinds of non-ferrous metals in the city is 9.61 million tons. The indium reserves rank the first in the world and tin reserves account for one third of the national total reserves. As one of the energy centers in southern China, Hechi has more than 60% of Guangxi's hydropower reserves. Also, it is famous as the longevity city in China. There are 838 people over 100 years old and 28 people are over 110 years old. Besides, the ethnic minority population accounts for 85.23% of the total population and visitors can experience various customs of minorities. As for tourism, Hechi features a spectacular karst landscape, fancy caves, primeval forest and strong national customs.

Hechi Attractions - Things to Do

Hechi is endowed with great natural and breathtaking sceneries. At present, the city has four tourist regions: the Yizhou region that include Yizhou City, Luocheng County; the Hechi region that include Jinchengjiang District, Nandan and Huanjiang counties, Hongshui River dam area and alpine lake region, including Dahua, Bama, Donglan and Tian'e counties; and finally, the Panyang River region that include the Donglan, Bama and Fengshan counties.

Lihu, a Yao Nationality Township in northeast Nandan County, is inhabited by nine ethnic minorities and neighboring the Libo County of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, well known for its natural beauty and strong ethnic presence.

Sanmenhai Ecological Tourist Zone in Fenshan County is the core area of the World's Karst Landform, combining grand karst doline and cave groups and underground rivers. The scenic spot is definitely a karst geopark.

Xiajian River in Yizhou is said to be the home town of Liu Sanjie, the greatest folk singers of the Zhuang ethnic minority. This is the place with full-bodied local ethnic culture. Anyone will be satisfied with songs drifting over the river. 

How to get to/around Hechi

40 kilometers (25 miles) from the downtown Hechi, Hechi Jinchengjiang Airport operates flights to/from Chongqing, Guilin, Guiyang and Huizhou.

Hechi also has convenient railway and highway transportation to Nanning, Guilin, Liuzhou and Guizhou Province. In the city, there are three railway stations that trains to Nanning and Liuzhou pass by. They are located at Jinchengjiang District, Nandan County and Yizhou City respectively.

Additionally, the central bus station of the city is situated at 40, Jincheng Dong Lu, Jinchengjiang District. Nowadays, it is only a two hours' drive from Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi, to Hechi. The distance between this city and other big cities like Guilin, Liuzhou and Guiyang, has also been shortened to a little more than three hours.

Weather

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Hechi has a subtropical monsoon climate at low altitude, featuring a long and torrid summer but a short and warm winter. It has abundant sunshine and rich in rainfall, with an annual average temperature of 17-22℃ (62.6-71.6℉).   

 When to Go:  Any season throughout the year but April to October is recommended.

Hechi Travel Tips

 History: Before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC) brought it into the domain of Guilin Shire and Qianzhong Shire, Hechi was inhabited by many ethnic groups in Southwest China. During the early 1960s, it belonged partly to Liuzhou, Baise and Nanning special zones. Hechi Special Zone was then set up in 1965, and it was promoted to a regional city by year 2002.

 Physical Features: The city is varied and complicated in landforms. It has widely distributed Karst Landform which makes up sixty-six percent of Hechi's territory. Mountains are usually found in the fringe areas, and the terrain basically declines from the northwest to the southeast.

 Special Local Products:
Food: dried beef, musk pork products, Bama camellia oil, chestnut, wild grape wine of Du'an County
Handicrafts: brocade of Maonan ethnic minority, ornament of Yao ethnic minority

 Local highlights: Ethnic minorities make up over eighty-three percent of Hechi's total population. Zhuang, Yao, Mulao, Maonan, Miao, Dong, Shui lived together with the Han people for generations. Zhuang is the largest ethnic group in the city, making up more than sixty-seven percent of the citys population. Where ethnic minorities lived in compact communities, local festivals and folk customs must be the most attractive factors in luring visitors.

- Last updated on May. 31, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Hechi Travel
Asked by K from UNITED KINGDOM | Jun. 07, 2018 09:56Reply
Bus times Nanning and/or Liuzhou to Hechi
Hi, When does the bus run? What time is the last bus.

Also, Which bus station do Nanning - Hechi.buses leave from? And at what time(s) do they set off?
Answers (1)
Answered by Maria from UKRAINE | Jun. 08, 2018 02:09
00Reply


From Langdong Coach Station, the direct bus to there only departs at 08:25. The ticket fare is CNY100 per person.
From Liuzhou, you are suggested to take the direct bus from South Coach Station. The bus schedules are from 06:40 to 20:10 with the frequency of around 40 mins. It costs CNY70 per person.
Asked by J roberts from USA | Jun. 21, 2017 12:04Reply
How do I get from Nanning to Hechi?
Answers (1)
Answered by Jim from ICELAND | Jun. 26, 2017 04:29
00Reply


I have heard that there are the direct shuttle bus at Langdong Bus Station heading for Hechi.
Asked by Lim from MALAYSIA | Apr. 24, 2015 21:24Reply
How to get in Sanmenhai from Nanning
Answers (1)
Answered by Eric from USA | Apr. 25, 2015 04:08
00Reply


Well, you can take long-distance bus at Nanning Landong Bus Station, and get off at Bama Bus Station. The schedules are 08:00, 09:00, 10:30, 11:40, 13:10, 15:40 and 18:00. The ticket fare is CNY 100 to CNY 120 per person. After arriving, hire a private car to get to Sanmenhai Scenic Area directly.
Asked by Deborah Tinsman from USA | Oct. 30, 2014 00:31Reply
What bus would I take from Guilin to Hechi?
Answers (2)
Answered by Thomas from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 30, 2014 00:52
00Reply


You can first take a bus from Guilin General Bus Station to Liuzhou, and then transfer another one to your destination.
Answered by Darcy from DENMARK | Oct. 30, 2014 01:14
00Reply


I remember there are direct buses to your destination from Guilin General Bus Station. You can go for a consultation first.
Asked by Alfred Vick from UNITED KINGDOM | Jul. 12, 2014 02:49Reply
After the new airport opens in August in Hechi, Guangxi, what will be most convenient route from London - I am tourist
Answers (1)
Answered by Savin from CANADA | Jul. 13, 2014 02:43
00Reply


It is a domestic airport, so won't help much! I suggest you fly from London to Guangzhou first. Then transfer to another flight to Nanning. Upon getting there, take shuttle bus line 2 to Langdong Bus Station. There you can take a direct bus to ur destination.
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