Why Visit This Ancient Town?
When you’re traveling around Guilin, it’s easy to spend all your time looking at mountains and rivers—and don’t get me wrong, that’s amazing. But if you want to take a break from the scenery and experience a bit of local history, you should definitely check out Daxu Ancient Town. This is one of the best-preserved ancient water towns in Guangxi, and it hasn’t been completely taken over by tourism yet like some other ancient towns in China.
Daxu is located right on the banks of the Li River, about 25 kilometers southeast of Guilin city. It was an important trading port on the Li River for over a thousand years, and back in the day it was one of the biggest towns in the area. Today, the old part of the town is still pretty much intact, with ancient stone streets, old wooden buildings, and a really laid-back vibe.
What I like about Daxu is that it’s still a real living town—most of the people who live here are still local people who’ve been here for generations, not just shops and restaurants for tourists. You can still see old men playing mahjong in the street, women washing clothes by the river, and kids running around. It’s not a museum—it’s a real place where people actually live.
A Bit Of History
Daxu was founded over 1,000 years ago during the Song Dynasty. Back before there were roads and trains, the Li River was the main transportation route in this area, and Daxu was a major trading port. Goods from all over Guangxi would come here to be loaded onto boats and shipped down the river to the rest of China.
At its peak, the town was over two kilometers long along the river, with hundreds of shops and businesses. Many of the old shop buildings from the Qing Dynasty are still standing today, with the original wooden facades and carvings.
The town has managed to preserve so much of its original character because it was bypassed by the new main road when they built it in the 20th century. That kept it isolated, and it kept it from being completely modernized. Today, that isolation is what makes it such a great place to visit.
How To Get There
Daxu is pretty close to Guilin city, so getting there is easy:
- By bus: There are local buses from Guilin that go directly to Daxu. The fare is about 5 yuan per person, and the ride takes about 45 minutes.
- By taxi: A taxi from Guilin city will cost you about 50-60 yuan each way, and it takes about 30 minutes.
- By bike: If you’re feeling energetic, you can bike from Guilin along the country roads. It’s about 25 kilometers each way, and it’s a nice ride through the countryside.
What To See And Do In Daxu
Walk Along The Old Stone Street
The main street of the old town is made entirely of old stone slabs that have been worn smooth by hundreds of years of foot traffic. Walking along this street is like stepping back in time. Both sides are lined with old wooden buildings that used to be shops and warehouses, many of them still have the original signs from hundreds of years ago.
Visit The Old Bridges
The most famous bridge in Daxu is the ancient Guangji Bridge, which was built over 200 years ago during the Qing Dynasty. It’s a stone arch bridge that crosses a small stream running through the town, and it’s still used today. It’s a really beautiful old bridge, and it’s one of the most photographed spots in the town.
Stop At An Old Teahouse
There are still several old teahouses in Daxu where local old men come to drink tea, read newspapers, and play chess. You can stop in, get a pot of tea for just a few yuan, and just sit and watch the world go by. It’s incredibly relaxing.
Walk Along The River Bank
The old town is right on the bank of the Li River, and there’s a nice path along the river where you can walk. You get great views across the river to the karst peaks on the other side, and you can watch the boats going by.
Try The Local Snacks
Daxu is famous for several local snacks. The most famous is Daxu sesame cake, which is a crispy cake filled with sesame and sugar. You can still buy them from old bakeries in the town that have been making them the same way for generations.
Best Time To Visit
- Morning: This is the best time to go. You get to see the town when it’s just waking up, it’s cool, and there are almost no tourists.
- Weekdays: Try to go on a weekday if you can—it’s much quieter than on weekends when there are more day trippers.
- Spring and autumn: The weather is cool and comfortable for walking around the town.
Practical Information
- Entrance Fee: Free! You don’t need to pay anything to walk around the old town. Some of the old historic houses charge a small fee if you want to go inside, but it’s only a few yuan.
- How Long To Spend: You can see everything in about 2-3 hours. If you want to stop for lunch or tea, you can easily spend half a day here.
- Food: There are several small restaurants that serve local food, especially fresh fish from the Li River.
- Facilities: There are public restrooms near the main entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it worth visiting if I’ve been to other ancient towns in China? Yes, because it’s much less touristy than places like Zhouzhuang or Xitang, and it’s still a real living town.
- Can I stay overnight in Daxu? There are a couple of small guesthouses if you want to stay, but most people just visit for the day from Guilin.
- What’s the best thing to buy here? The sesame cakes—they’re delicious, they’re cheap, and they make a great snack.
- Is it crowded? Even on weekends, it’s much less crowded than other tourist spots in Guilin. On weekdays, you’ll probably have the whole old town pretty much to yourself.
Final Thoughts
Daxu Ancient Town is the perfect day trip from Guilin. It’s close, it’s easy to get to, it’s free, and it gives you a nice break from all the mountain and river scenery. You get to experience a bit of history, see what a traditional Chinese water town is really like, and it hasn’t been ruined by mass tourism. If you have an extra day in Guilin, it’s definitely worth the trip out here.
