Simple pleasures in Guangxi

Part of the karst formations at the Crystal Palace in Bama Yao autonomous county. [Photo By Yang Feiyue / China Daily]

Before departing from Fengshan to Bama, a trip that takes two hours by bus, I met Jin Yingshan, a 75 - year - old woman from Chengdu, Sichuan province.

"My husband and I have been to Guilin, Changbai Mountain and Qinghai Lake, and we found Bama trumps them all," she said.

"Our children are away at work, and we have our pension money and time. Why not travel and find a place to preserve our health."

A group of tourists carrying plastic buckets was waiting in line to collect water from the upper reach of Panyang River when we arrived at the village of Poyue in Bama.

Local officials said most would stay at a hotel or in local farmer's house for months while enjoying Bama's natural resources.

Baimo Cave, at the upper reach of the river, is one of the area's major scenic spots, featuring similar landforms to Yuanyang Cave and Wanshou Valley.

Two other popular attractions in the area are Life River and the Crystal Palace. Life River is a tortuous narrow river that resembles the Chinese character ming, meaning life, in cursive script.

One and a half hours drive from Bama's central area, Crystal Palace distinguishes itself from other karst caves in the region by the number of white rock formations it contains.

Whether staying for months for the sake of one's health or taking a shorter timeout from the stresses of modern life, these three counties are sure to leave you feeling at touch with nature and rejuvenated.