Nanning is the capital and largest city by population of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China. It is known as the "Green City (绿城) " because of its abundance of lush subtropical foliage. Located in the South of Guangxi, Nanning is surrounded by a hilly basin, with a warm, monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate.
Beginning in 1949, as it underwent sustained industrial growth, Nanning's economy began developing beyond its former role, and the city became essentially a commercial and administrative centre. Today, Nanning is considered the economic, financial and cultural center of Guangxi, and the chief centre for the training of the Zhuang minority in Guangxi. The People's Park is located in the center of the city. The city also serves as a gateway for the China-ASEAN opening up and cooperation.The city is home to several notable universities, including Guangxi University, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi University for Nationalities, Guangxi University of Finance and Economics and Guangxi Arts University.
Zhongshan Rd (中山路) is Nanning's food street, with a vast assortment of street stalls serving many kinds of Liang Guang (literally, the two Guang provinces, Guangxi and Guangdong) foods, as well as food from neighbouring provinces, such as Hunan and Yunnan. It is diagonally opposite the Incity, home of Wal-Mart. Throughout the city there are many good-value restaurants. Few have English menus. However, Zhongshan Rd has now been closed due to renovation.The newly developed eastern end of the city (around Langdong, and the APEC Exhibition Centre) has lots of up-market restaurants, cafes and coffee lounges.(Updated Jan 2024)
Many popular bars are to be found along Minzu Da Dao, the long avenue that runs from east to west through the city, bisecting South Lake. Many have a cover charge, and offer a variety of international as well as domestic beers, in addition to the standard supply of liquors. The '100' bar area (near the city library) has a cluster of up-market bars and coffee lounges, many featuring live music. A number of more intimate, low key bars and pubs can be found in the university district in the north west of the city, around University Road (Da Xue Lu) and Mingxiu Road.
As for every major Chinese city, booking hotels online is more convenient than ever. Chinese website include Tuniu.com, Ctrip.com, and Fliggy.com. Western ones include Hotels.com (run by Expedia).
Local buses serve the city, and are either ¥1 or ¥2 per trip, depending on whether the buses have A/C or not. Buy a bus map of the city for about ¥5 for the routes around the city, which doubles as a city map.
Taxis are also convenient for getting around the city, and most rides within the city should cost under ¥20. Fares start at ¥9 for the first 2 km and are based on time and distance afterwards.
Nanning Rail Transit Line 1 is a 25-station line that connects Shibu and Nanning East Railway Station, crossing the city from east to west, operates from 06:30 to 23:00 everyday (If encountering important days such as holidays, the operating hours will also be extended). The fare is ¥2-6 based on stops. Line 2 crosses from north to south;Line 3 connects Pingliang Overpass and Keyuan Dadao(Keyuan Ave);Line 4 connects Lengtangcun and Hongyun Lu(Hongyun Rd)，cross from east to west;Line 5 connects Guokai Dadao(Guokai Ave) and Jinqiao Coach Station.(Updated Jan 2024)
Share bikes also operate in the city. Mobike and ofo can be picked up from many areas, if you have an account.
District: Jiangnan District, Xingning District, Qingxiu District, Liangqing District, Xixiangtang District, Wuming District, Yongning District
