Nanning Journals

Nanning: The Deep South

Best of IgoUgo

A January 2004 trip to Nanning by SeenThat

Quote: Sometimes travelers change plans unexpectedly; in one such an occasion Nanning was a stop along my shortest way out of China.

5 Photos

Nanning: The Deep South

Overview

Quote:

Nanning provides a look into a slightly different China; despite being a modern city, it has a slower pace than the eastern coast. Its varied ethnic puzzle seems to be occupied with life’s quality more than with technological development; this is evident in the charming downtown. Trees, gardens and flowers are obviously important to the denizens that walk the wide avenues at a slow pace atypical of the busy dizzy Chinese cities on the east; that is enough for justifying a visit, but Nanning has more surprises for the visitor.The city is the capital city of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and is an important industrial and transport center; the Yong Jiang River div...Read More

Cheer!
Flag

Guangxi Minorities Cultural Relics Center

Attraction | "Guangxi Museum"

Quote:

The Guangxi Museum is Nanning’s main cultural gate; its collections take the visitor into a historical tour beginning with an ancient culture specializing in bronze drums, various dynasties, the Taiping Uprising and the Communist Revolution.The rectangular, low and massive structure is a fine example of Communist architecture and contains six exhibition halls. It was founded in 1978 on People's Square eastern side; in 1988 the People's Cultural Hall was added.The Historical Artifacts Exhibition shows items from prehistoric times up to the Opium War (1840-1842), concentrating in the local culture and its relations with central China (es...Read More

The Guangxi Museum is Nanning’s main cultural gate; its collections take the visitor into a historical tour beginning with an ancient culture specializing in bronze drums, various dynasties, the Taiping Uprising and the Communist Revolution.

The rectangular, low and massive structure is a fine example of Communist architecture and contains six exhibition halls. It was founded in 1978 on People's Square eastern side; in 1988 the People's Cultural Hall was added.

The Historical Artifacts Exhibition shows items from prehistoric times up to the Opium War (1840-1842), concentrating in the local culture and its relations with central China (especially during the Shang and Zhou periods). It includes the earliest hominid fossil found in Southeast Asia, the "Liujiang Man."

Nearby, a fine collection of stone tools is displayed; it includes Mesolithic polished blades and many artefacts from the Neolithic period. Within this display, the most special item - due to the quality of its manufacture and its exquisite polishing - is a large shovel-shaped object of unclear purpose. The early collection includes also a display of ceramic created with a high technological level and a group of iron objects excavated from the Northern Guangxi and dating back to the Warring States period.

One of the most special exhibits is the Ancient Bronze Drums one. During the late Western Zhou period, 2500 years ago, Guangxi inhabitants were creating their own bronze culture. This collection displays three-hundred drums belonging to the eight main types of bronze drums from the Qing Dynasty’s Spring and Autumn Period. Some of the drums reach gargantuan dimensions and display intricate carved patterns and inscriptions. Related bronze items in display include lacquer painted basins, horses, phoenix lanterns (their necks can be shaped to adjust light and clean the ashes), a zun (a snake-headed frog-patterned vessel called), and a unique Yellow Dragon Mirror.

Guangxi Ethnic Relics Center

This late addition to the museum was designed as an outdoor museum which displays some of the ethnic groups populating the Guangxi region typical houses. It includes a bamboo house of the Yao, a stilts-house of the Miao (they prefer being called Hmong), a drum tower and bridge of the Dong, and others. The real-sized display provides an unusual and thrilling experience.

Complementing the outdoors museum, one of the indoors exhibitions is dedicated to the different costumes, weavings, dying techniques, embroidery and other traditional arts of the denizens. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 21, 2007

Guangxi Minorities Cultural Relics Center

Nanning, China

Cheer!
Flag

Guilin

Attraction

Quote:

On SandstoneSoft sandstone is typical of areas that were once underwater. Their destiny being inexorably linked to water, they are easily eroded by slightly acidic – due to the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide – raindrops. This simple story of creation and destruction is responsible for the creation of fractal landscapes across the globe. Usually baptized "Moon Valley," they provide an opportunity to see the spiky, irregular side of nature.Guangxi has been blessed with one of the biggest karst formations on earth; it is so big that the name Moon Valley doesn’t fit. Amidst the wonder is the town of Guilin, which its name became a synonym for the formations....Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 23, 2007

Cheer!
Flag

The Garden of Nanning

Attraction

Quote:

In modern China, traditional Chinese cultural structures are painfully missing; a silent reminder of the Communist and Culture revolutions. Oddly, gardens are the most delicate cultural feature, but have has proven to be the toughest one to eradicate. Nanning trees and flowers literally suffocate the city, transforming it into a point of harmony between humans and nature; I chose here some of the best gardens.Nanhu Lake ParkThe Nanning Southern Lake Park, offers a subtropical backdrop in the southeast of the city. The lake occupies much of the park, while the rest features traditional pavilions and bridges, like the Seven Holes Bridge.Paddling boats allow enj...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 24, 2007

Cheer!
Flag

Around and Within Guilin

Attraction

Quote:

Additional attractions of Guilin are described in this entry; all of them are easily reached independently or with the help of the abundant tourism agencies in downtown.Yueliang ShanThe Moon Mountain is called so due to a semicircular hole passing it through; that’s all what was left of an eroded limestone cave. It is located nearby the town of Yangshuo, and can be reached from Guilin.Unluckily, a cement road was paved through the half moon, damaging much of its natural beauty. Another path leads to the summit, from where an excellent view of surrounding karst formations awaits the visitor.The town of Yangshuo itself is worth mentioning since it i...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on November 24, 2007

Cheer!
Flag

About the Writer

SeenThat
Tel Aviv, Israel

"See http://www.igougo.com/travel_blog/post-p164-5_Questions_for_SeenThat.html We are all pilgrims....."
218 journals
14815 photos
789 reviews

More Journals by SeenThat

More Nanning Journals

Exploring Nanning, Southwestern Chinese Capital

Popular Nanning Hotels

Wharton International Hotel: User Rating: 3 out of 5
Nanning Hotel: User Rating: 3 out of 5
Jin Hua Hotel: User Rating: 3 out of 5
Yongjiang Fandian: User Rating: 2 out of 5
Wanxing Hotel (Beining Street): User Rating: 2 out of 5

Guangxi Minorities Cultural Relics Center: User Rating: 4 out of 5
Qingxiu Mountain: User Rating: 3 out of 5
Qingxiu Mountain (Qingshan): User Rating: 2 out of 5
Nanning Zoo: User Rating: 2 out of 5
Liangfengjiang National Forest Park: User Rating: 2 out of 5

IgoUgo

Nanning Journals

Nanning: The Deep South

Nanning: The Deep South

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Guangxi Minorities Cultural Relics Center

Guilin

The Garden of Nanning

Around and Within Guilin

About the Writer

More Journals by SeenThat

More Nanning Journals

Popular Nanning Hotels