Baise (prefecture) Voyage Tips and guide

Baise is a prefecture in Guangxi.

Metropolitan (1.Youjiang District) Baise's urban area is a modern city with green parks, bustling markets, and rapid development.

East (2.Tianyang District, 3.Tiandong County, 4.Pingguo City) The east of Baise is the Youjiang River Valley, which has beautiful scenery, the Zhuang ethnic's Baeuq Rox Doh culture, beautiful mountains and rivers, and is rich in mangoes and other fruits.

South (5.Debao County, 6.Jingxi City, 7.Napo County) The southern part of Baise is rich in karst landforms and waterfalls, and also has unique southern Zhuang culture such as the Black Zhuang.

North (8.Lingyun County, 9.Leye County, 10.Xilin County, 11.Tianlin County, 12.Longlin County) The northern part of Baise is the intersection of the northern Zhuang culture and the Bouyei culture, where ethnic minorities gather. It is also the area of Baise's representative sinkholes.

	Note: Although Tianyang is listed as one of Baise's urban districts, in fact it is a county several dozen kilometres away from the Baise city centre.
	(Information last updated 13 Oct 2025)

Map of Baise (prefecture)

• 23.90103106.619431 Baise — the prefectural capital city
• 23.333333107.5666672 Pingguo — A key industrial city in Baise, renowned for aluminium and mineral resources.
• 23.133333106.4166673 Jingxi — A border city in Baise, serving for cross-border trade with Vietnam.

Baise spans a large area of about 36,000 km² (14,000 sq mi), yet remains one of the less densely populated prefectures in Guangxi. Three distinct geographic zones divide the region: a mountainous northern area, a Youjiang River basin, and an southern fringe along the border. The northern mountains bring cooler winters and abundant forest cover, while the southern border zone is influenced by subtropical winds and has a milder climate.

Baise is home to a highly diverse linguistic environment: the majority of the population belong to the Zhuang ethnic group, and Zhuang-language varieties are widely spoken, especially in rural and minority-populated areas. At the same time, Standard Mandarin serves as the lingua franca across ethnic groups and is the dominant language in formal education, government, and media. In urban and Han-Chinese dominated areas, Chinese dialects such as the Yong-Xun Cantonese appear alongside Mandarin and Zhuang.

Baise is served by only a airport: Baise Bama Airport (AEB ^IATA). The airport only offers one or two flights per day, three days a week. It only provides services connecting Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Changsha.

See also: Driving in China

Baise is served by several major expressways. The G69 Yinchuan–Baise Expressway enters from the north and links Baise with the broader national network. The G78 Shantou–Kunming & G80 Guangzhou–Kunming Expressway comes in from the west, connecting mountainous areas with the city. Meanwhile, additional expressways like S30 Hezhou–Xilin Expressway serve Baise, forming a multi-directional road network that supports its role as a regional transport hub.

See also: Rail travel in China

The Nanning-Kunming Railway, built in 1997, is the earliest railway in Baise prefecture. It provides southeast-northwest railway transportation, connecting the east and north of Baise prefecture. The Nanning–Kunming highspeed railway opened in December 2015, linking Baise with the provincial capital Nanning and Kunming. Baise is also served by regional lines such as the Tiandong–Jingxi railway which support both passenger and freight traffic in the southern counties of Baise.

There are bus stations in every city and town in Baise prefecture, you can easily enter Baise prefecture from nearby cities and towns by bus.

Visiting Baise prefecture without car is feasible but requires careful planning. Public transportation options are limited in towns. Train services, such as the Baise–Nanning high-speed rail, are available, but it can only serve the eastern part of Baise. Local buses cover the prefecture, and taxis are accessible in cities but may not be readily available in more remote locations. For a more structured experience, consider joining a group tour, which can alleviate concerns about transportation, accommodations, and meals. However, group tours often have fixed itineraries and may offer limited interaction with local communities.

Baise prefecture has multiple railways, so all areas of Baise prefecture are served by trains, but there are no trains in the northern counties except Tianlin, and Napo in the southern counties.

There are bus stations in every city and town in Baise prefecture. The main passenger transport companies are Chicheng (驰程) and Xiandai (现代), their buses run between cities and towns every day.

Baise is rich in history and culture, with several notable sites reflecting its diverse heritage. The region is home to various ethnic communities, each contributing to its unique cultural tapestry. Baise University and Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities are both the most famous universities in Baise and the surrounding areas.

Baise played a pivotal role in China's revolutionary history. The Baise Uprising in 1929 was a significant event in the Chinese Communist Party's history. Visitors can explore museums and memorials dedicated to this period, providing a deeper understanding of the region's contribution to the nation's development.

Baise offers a wealth of natural beauty. The region is characterized by picturesque villages with traditional architecture, lush forests, and diverse landscapes. Notable natural attractions include the Dashiwei Sinkholes National Geopark, home to the world's largest cluster of giant karst sinkholes, and a part of the Leye‑Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark, known for its rich biodiversity.

Baise's industrial history is evident in its mining and aluminum production sectors. While much of the traditional manufacturing has been modernized, the region offers opportunities for industrial tourism. Visitors can explore historical mining towns and learn about the evolution of the local industry.

Baise is a vibrant area of ethnic cultures, each contributing to a rich calendar of festivals and celebrations.

• Double Third Festival: April annually. In Zhuang culture, this is the most important festival, so people will hold many activities, such as singing folk songs, Zhuang opera performances, etc. The entire Guangxi will have a few days off for this festival, and every town in Baise will hold activities full of ethnic characteristics to celebrate.
• Torch Festival: July annually. Yi people is a ethnic group in Longlin County. Celebrated on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, it involves lighting torches to ward off pests and evil spirits, accompanied by traditional dances, wrestling, and horse racing. The festival is a vibrant display of Yi culture and community spirit.

Baise's cuisine is characterized by bold flavors, innovative use of local ingredients, and a deep connection to cultural traditions.

• Rice Noodles (米粉) — A staple in Baise, rice noodles are served in various styles, including broth-based, stir-fried, and dry. They are often accompanied by toppings such as beef, pork, or duck, and garnished with pickled vegetables and spice water. The dish is known for its rich flavor and satisfying texture.
• Cantonese cuisine — As the westernmost region of Cantonese culture, Baise has produced many Cantonese dishes with Zhuang characteristics.

Although China's overall security is not bad, Baise is a border area and underdeveloped area, and violence may still occur in some corners. Many people in rural areas still own guns, and shootings occur occasionally in cities. Teenagers in Baise also like to express themselves through fighting and other ways, so please stay away from them.

• Guizhou and Yunnan — Baise is a city at the junction of Guangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan, and it is very convenient to reach them by various ways.
• Hechi — A northern Zhuang culture region, has Fengshan Geopark and Jiudun Skylight, which are well-known karst landform scenic areas with beautiful sceneries.
• Detian — It is within easy reach of southern Baise and has many beautiful attractions.