Chongzuo (崇左; Chóngzuǒ) is a city in Central Guangxi.
Overview
Chongzuo is among the Karst mountains and near rivers and sugar cane fields.
Getting There
By bus
There is a regular bus service to Nanning (¥48), Pingxiang, and Longzhou.
By train
Chongzuo is approximately in the middle of the railway line between Nanning and Pingxiang with two to three trains each day from each of the cities and a travel time of around 1h40.
Getting Around
You can find most things you need in the area near the bus station. Local buses are ¥2 and can take you to the train station or the Leaning Pagoda. 3-wheeler taxis abound, a ride from the bus to the train station is ¥3.
Sights
- Leaning Pagoda (斜塔, Xiétǎ), (bus 3 from the bus station, make sure you tell the bus driver you want to go to the pagoda, it is 500m walk from where to bus stops). The whitewashed pagoda stands on top of a large rock in the middle of the river. When you get to the riverbank, a small boat can take you across to climb the pagoda for around ¥5. It is not possible to cross when the water is too high, mostly during the rainy season in spring/summer. ¥5.
- Chongzuo Ecology Park (崇左生态公园, Chóngzuǒ Shēngtài Gōngyuán), (a minibus from the bus station (1hr, ¥10) can drop you off at the park). Open all day, go before 7:30AM or after 6PM to see the monkeys. A research center by Beijing University on the white-headed leaf monkey (白头叶猴, báitóu yèhóu), of which around 500 individuals live in and near this reservation. Every morning, they leave their caves to spend the day on the hilltops, then return in the evening around sunset. There are observation points around the caves. During the daytime, you most likely won't be able to see them. There are rooms to stay and a restaurant in the park, but as of July 2011 the park was virtually empty and these facilities out of service. Things may be different in the main season (Sep/Oct to Mar), when more tourists come to the area. Admission is technically ¥80, but you may get a reduced ticket for ¥40 if you ask nicely.
Eating
There are various small restaurants around the bus station, offering rice noodles (the regional specialty is 老友面, lǎoyǒumiàn) as well as ready-made dishes to point at.
To reach a large food market, walk to the right when you exit the bus station, about 200m past the intersection under a large blue roof.
Hotels & Accommodation
There are several cheap hotels near the bus station, offering simple but clean and spacious rooms from ¥50.
