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The Perfect 3-Day Weekend Itinerary for Detian Waterfall and Mingshi Village
- Jana J
- Apr 20
- 6 min read
April 2025
Looking for a lesser-known yet breathtaking destination in China? Picture this: misty karst mountains, rivers winding through rice paddies, and quiet villages where life moves slowly. This is Guangxi, and more specifically, the magical area of Detian Waterfall and Mingshi Village.
You might recognize the landscape from China’s 20-yuan note; this region’s iconic beauty has long captivated travelers. Nearly a decade after our first visit to Guangxi, my husband and I returned to explore a new side of the province: the majestic Detian Waterfall on the China-Vietnam border, and the peaceful, picturesque Mingshi Village, just 30 minutes away.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend escape or mapping out an off-the-beaten-path itinerary in southern China, this guide will help you make the most of a 3-day journey through one of China’s most scenic hidden gems.
Day 1: Fly from Shanghai to Nanning
To maximize our time, we booked a Thursday night flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Nanning Wuxu International Airport.
We landed around 1:30am and headed straight to our hotel.
Where we stayed: Delphi Sky Hotel in Nanning
Around 413 RMB (approx. $56 USD)
Comfortable beds and strong hot showers
Fast, foreigner-friendly check-in and check-out
A generous breakfast buffet
Perfect location for a late arrival/early departure (~5-minute walk from baggage claim)
This hotel is a perfect stopover before heading deeper into Guangxi's countryside the next morning.
Day 2: Mingshi Village – A Peaceful Gem in Guangxi
After breakfast, our private driver picked us up at 10am. The hotel helped us arrange a driver and vehicle for the entire 3-day trip through Guangxi Province. If you prefer, you can also arrange a rental car or hire a driver through a local travel agency.
Details:
Private car: 1500 RMB (approx. $205 USD) total for 3 days
Includes fuel, tolls, and all local stops
Spacious enough for three passengers with luggage
If you’re interested in the contact info for our driver, feel free to reach out by direct message; I highly recommend him for smooth and reliable transport throughout this region.
Where We Stayed in Mingshi Village
We stayed at Mingshi Yaju Resort (名仕雅居), located inside the Mingshi Scenic Area, one of the most tranquil destinations in southern China.
Full transparency: Our two-night stay was sponsored as part of a collaboration with the Guangxi Tourism Board and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Rooms at this resort typically cost around 2,000 RMB (approx. $273 USD) per night, and honestly, after experiencing the level of service, scenery, and value, I would absolutely have paid for it myself.
Important tip: Contact the hotel before arrival so they can arrange a golf cart to pick you up from the entrance of the scenic area as cars are not allowed inside.
We booked the “riverside double bed” room category and the view made our jaws drop. Even the standard rooms here are thoughtfully designed to highlight the natural beauty of the surroundings.
What’s Included in Your Stay:
Bike rentals for exploring the scenic area
A 45-minute bamboo raft ride on the river
Entry to the evening fire show
Scenic area admission
Daily meal vouchers (80 RMB (approx. $11 USD) /person/day)
Complimentary minibar
Afternoon Activities in Mingshi Village
After a relaxing lunch using our hotel vouchers at Mountain Villa (their sister property), we signed up for the bamboo raft ride. Drifting along the river with the karst backdrop was the definition of peaceful.
Later in the afternoon, we biked along the riverside paths to enjoy more of the surrounding countryside. The ride offered postcard-perfect views at every turn.
For dinner, we wandered into Mingshi Xiutianju Garden Restaurant (明仕秀田居花园餐厅客栈). Local specialties worth trying include:
Passionfruit pork ribs
Mountain-style tofu
Bamboo-wrapped sausages
Wild vegetable omelets
Everything was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with love.
Evening Vibes
We ended the day by lounging poolside with local Guangxi craft beer, made with sugar cane. The hotel staff brought out citronella candles to keep mosquitoes away which was a thoughtful touch that allowed us to enjoy the evening to the fullest.
Bring a good book or a deck of cards. The mood reminded me of long summer nights from childhood relaxed, carefree, and full of quiet joy.
Day 3: Visit Detian Waterfall – China’s Largest Transnational Waterfall
After breakfast overlooking the misty river, we headed out to Detian Waterfall, one of the most underrated wonders in China. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Mingshi Village.
Travel Tip for Foreign Visitors: Don’t forget your passport. Since this area borders Vietnam, you’ll pass through a checkpoint where your documents will be reviewed. Expect to share your visa and contact details with border control officials, even though you’re still inside China. Have a translation app handy if you don’t speak Mandarin.
How to Visit Detian Waterfall
Tickets are available on-site or can be pre-booked on Trip.com, which is faster and easier for foreigners. You’ll need to enter your name and passport number.
After ticketing, hop on a shuttle bus that takes you 15 minutes to the main entrance. From there, it’s another 10-minute walk to the waterfall.
What to Expect at Detian Falls
In dry season (like April), artificial pipes are activated around noon to enhance the waterfall’s flow.
During rainy season (June–November), the falls are naturally at full force and the landscape is more lush.
You’ll literally be able to see into Vietnam, and wave at tourists on the other side!
Recommended Route:
Start with a walk along the river at the base of the falls.
Then, make your way up to the viewing platforms for panoramic shots.
Look out for two standout viewpoints:
One shaped like a rainbow pavilion
One designed like a treehouse
There’s also a Vietnamese coffee stall near the viewing decks (expect long lines), but there’s often a shorter queue around the corner.
Afternoon Return
Around 2pm, we wrapped up our visit and returned to the scenic center. If you’re hungry, this is a great time to try one of the Vietnamese-style snack stalls near the bus drop-off area.
We were back at Mingshi Village by 2:30pm, where we tried tandem biking around the village loop. The full ride takes about an hour, but with frequent stops for drone shots and photos, we stretched it to two.
Evening Fire Show in Mingshi
From 8 to 9pm, we joined the local fire performance, just a short walk from our hotel. It was an immersive cultural showcase combining Guangxi ethnic traditions, Vietnamese influences, and modern dance. Guests are welcome to participate; it’s an experience for all the senses!
Day 4: Return to Shanghai
Our final morning in Mingshi was slow and scenic. After breakfast, we wandered through the quieter corners of the village. With cherry blossoms in bloom and karst peaks in the distance, the landscape felt like a dream, distinct from the cherry blossoms in Shanghai thanks to the rural architecture and natural setting.
We left the resort at noon and arrived at Nanning Airport by 2pm for our 5pm flight. The airport has plenty of comfortable lounges, massage chairs, and quiet corners to unwind before heading home.
Final Thoughts: Is Detian Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
If you’re looking for a peaceful escape with stunning natural beauty and cultural richness, Detian Waterfall and Mingshi Village in Guangxi Province are the perfect long weekend getaway.
A few extra ideas:
With more time, consider adding Tongling Grand Canyon or Qingxiu Mountain in Nanning to your itinerary.
This trip is doable over a 3-day holiday, but if you’re pressed for time, you could visit just Detian Waterfall as a weekend trip from Shanghai.
Despite being a national holiday, the area wasn’t overly crowded; ideal for a quiet and relaxing vacation.
Whether you're an expat in China or planning your next domestic adventure, this off-the-beaten-path destination should be high on your list. It’s beautiful, accessible, and still feels like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
This blog post is part of a collaboration with Discover Guangxi and the Guangxi Tourism Board. Our hotel stay at Mingshi Yaju Resort was generously sponsored. As always, all opinions, reflections, and recommendations are entirely my own.
Happy traveling!
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