Daxu Old Town
Daxu, Guangxi
Take a step back in time at Daxu Old Town, one of the four ancient towns of Guangxi Province. Located on the eastern banks of the Li River, southeast of Guilin, the town is known for its cultural sights, historic architecture, and traditional artisan shops.
Daxu Old Town has a long history that dates back to AD 200. Walk along the main bluestone street and admire well preserved houses, many from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Browse in traditional artisan shops for handmade crafts. Historic sights include the Gaozu temple, Hanhuang Temple, and Seven Star Tomb. Don’t miss the Longevity Bridge, a stone arch bridge from the Ming Dynasty that offers picturesque views of the Li River and surrounding hills.
A number of tours from Guilin visit Daxu Old Town in addition to other area highlights like Crown Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill, or Yaoshan Tea Plantation. Active visitors can join a biking tour of the countryside on the way to Daxu Old Town, or continue on to Yangshuo by way of several other small villages on a multi-day tour.
It’s free to visit Daxu Old Town, but some houses may charge a small fee for a tour.
Wear comfortable shoes; Daxu Old Town is best explored on foot.
Bring sun protection and water if you’re visiting in the summer.
Bring cash, as most small shops and vendors will not take credit cards.
Daxu Old Town is located about 14 miles (23 kilometers) southeast of downtown Guilin: an easy 30-minute taxi ride. It’s also possible to reach Daxu Old Town by public bus, which will require some transfers along the route.
Daxu Old Town can be visited year-round. A festive time to visit is during the Dragon Boat Festival, typically held in June, when Chinese opera and a festival including other performances are held. Expect large crowds during the May and October national holidays, the height of the local tourist season.
Located directly across from Daxu Old Town is Maozhu Island, the largest island on the Li River. A five-minute ferry ride from Daxu Old Town, the island offers visitors a place to enjoy a home-cooked meal, pick fruit in season, or stay overnight with a local family.
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