The gentle side of China: Slow travel and local taste in Guangxi

Tucked in the southern folds of China, Guangxi feels like a deep breath in a world that never stops moving. The province is a swirl of misty mountains, quiet rivers, and timeworn villages where life seems to drift rather than rush. Guilin and Yangshuo are its most famous faces, known for their dreamlike limestone peaks and winding waterways that have inspired poets for centuries.

But Guangxi is more than a postcard. Beyond the scenic backdrops lies a slower, softer kind of travel, the kind that invites you to pause instead of plan, to watch the clouds instead of chase them. It’s the kind of place where you can trade your phone screen for mountain silhouettes and let the world shrink down to a single cup of osmanthus tea by the river.

Why you’ll love Guangxi: Living the slow life

In Guangxi, mornings start quietly, with the hum of the countryside and the scent of rice noodles simmering in market stalls. There’s no need to hurry. Breakfast is a ritual, not a race. The market auntie who serves you your bowl of noodles has been perfecting her broth for years, and she’ll smile when you take your time finishing it.

The afternoons stretch out long and easy. In Yangshuo, the best way to explore is by bicycle. You pedal past rice fields and watch the karst peaks rise and fade as you turn each corner. Sometimes you stop for tea, sometimes just to stare at the scenery, because there’s no set destination. That’s the beauty of it; everything unfolds naturally.

As dusk settles, the towns glow softly. Locals gather for street barbecue, the air thick with the smell of garlic and chilli. Conversations wander, laughter drifts across the tables, and no one seems eager to leave. The night feels full but unhurried, like it could go on forever.

In our culture that demands efficiency and being always available, Guangxi offers the kind of slow life we can only dream of – except it’s just a four-hour flight away.

Guangxi local flavours you can’t miss

Guangxi’s food captures its spirit perfectly: simple, comforting, and deeply rooted in place. If you’re visiting Guangxi this holiday season, here are some dishes you must try.

1. Guilin Rice Noodles (桂林米粉)

This is the heartbeat of Guangxi mornings. Thick, springy noodles in a fragrant broth, brightened by spring onion and crunchy peanuts, topped with pickled vegetables for a tangy kick. Locals eat it daily, each bowl slightly different but always satisfying.

2. Luosifen (螺蛳粉)

The legend of Guangxi, or more specifically, Liuzhou, is definitely not for the faint-hearted. This “snail noodle” is pungent, spicy, and unapologetically bold – a flavour that challenges you at first, then grows on you until you find yourself craving it. (Now, I feel like eating it again.)

3. Beer Fish (啤酒鱼)

Yangshuo’s signature dish, best eaten beside the river. Fresh fish is fried in beer with chilli,  spring onions, ginger, and diced tomato until tender and fragrant. It tastes like the warmth of a summer night, best shared among friends and family.

4. Osmanthus Sweets and Tea (桂花糕 / 桂花茶)

Guangxi blooms with osmanthus flowers, and their golden scent drifts into everything. It’s no wonder the osmanthus has been assigned as Guangxi’s provincial flower. You’ll find it in teas, cakes, and syrups, each with a delicate sweetness and fragrance that lingers long after the last bite.

Add Guangxi to your travel bucket list

Guangxi doesn’t ask much of you or demand that you see everything or do it all. It simply asks you to be present: to sit by the Li River as the mist rolls in, to take your time with your noodles, to walk slower than usual and notice more than you expect.

If you long for something quieter yet full of life, Guangxi offers a different kind of adventure. One where the pace softens, the food comforts, and the days stretch just enough to remind you that slowing down is to help you catch up with yourself. Guangxi will show you that the best journeys don’t need to be a whirlwind of checking in at tourist hotspots to be unforgettable.

The fastest way to reach Guangxi from Singapore

Planning your journey from Singapore to Guangxi? The most convenient and fastest way to reach this stunning region of China, famous for its karst landscapes and picturesque rivers, is undoubtedly by flying. Direct flights from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) are available to major Guangxi cities like Nanning (NNG), typically taking around four hours.

Airlines such as Scoot offer nonstop routes, while other carriers provide one-stop options to Nanning, Guilin (KWL), and Liuzhou (LZH), often via connecting hubs. For the cheapest flights, look out for deals to Nanning and consider flexible travel dates, especially in the off-peak season like January.