Quyang Lake | Guangxi's hidden water karst free secret spot
🔥🐳 Jingxi · Quyang Lake (Guangxi's hidden water karst, free secret spot)
1. Basic core information
📍Address: Quyang Town, Jingxi City, Baise, Guangxi. For navigation, search for Baqitun (viewing platform) first
🎫Entrance ticket: free admission; only boat rides, boardwalks, and camping require payment
🅿Parking: village entrance parking lot 10 yuan/day with no time limit
⏱Best seasons to visit
· Best: April–May, September–November. The lake water is clear green and stable, with a high chance of morning mist
· Rainy season June–August: heavy rain makes the lake water murky; winter dry season exposes mudflats, less scenic
⏱Recommended visit duration: 1 day is enough for a relaxed visit; 2 days 1 night recommended for a full lake tour plus camping
Also known as: water Guilin, Guangxi’s little Ha Long Bay, a highland karst gourd-shaped lake with over 10 peak forest islets scattered across the water. Very few visitors, surrounded by original Zhuang ethnic villages. Ideal for aerial photography, hiking, watching sunrise and sunset, and lakeside camping.
2. Transportation (self-driving preferred)
1. Self-driving (highly recommended)
· From Jingxi city center: 40 minutes direct, fully paved roads with many curves, drive slowly
· From Nanning: 3.5 hours via Guangkun Expressway direct
· Lake loop: 30 km lake road, can stop anytime for photos. Avoid the north shore small road with low-clearance cars to prevent scraping
2. Public transport (inconvenient, mostly locals)
Take the bus from Jingxi bus station to Quyang Town, then taxi 3 km to the lake. Limited schedules and inconvenient return trips.
3. Local transport
Rent an electric bike by the lake for 50 yuan/day to ride around the lake; short distances can be walked.
3. Cost details (latest for 2026)
1. Official large boat tour: 58 yuan/person, 68 yuan/person on site. 90-minute fixed route, managed by the dock, reliable with no price hikes
2. Villagers’ private boats/bamboo rafts (Baqitun dock)
Shared boat 30 yuan/person, 4-person private boat 80–120 yuan negotiable, 1.5 hours with free stops, can visit hidden water bays for reflections. Agree on duration and route before boarding. Life jackets required.
3. Transparent glass boat: 50 yuan/hour, perfect for shooting jelly-like water surface photos
4. Qizhen suspended boardwalk: 20 yuan, overlooks the lake bay, a prime spot for morning mist photos
5. Pogu campsite camping: 10 yuan/person, fishing and barbecue allowed
4. 8 must-visit highlights (no backtracking)
1. Baqitun hilltop viewing platform (the soul spot, free)
15-minute walk on a gentle mountain path to the top, overlooking the entire double-gourd-shaped lake with islands scattered like stars.
· Early morning: lake mist, ink wash landscape
· Evening: sunset golden light covers the lake, best photo spot all day
2. Boat tour on the lake (must experience)
Boat weaves through karst peaks, passing ancient Zhuang villages by the water, Five Finger Peak, Jade Rabbit Moon Worship, and other shaped rocks. The water is crystal clear. The boat’s rear is perfect for shooting peak forest reflections.
Tip: 10 AM has the softest light, no backlight for photos.
3. 30 km lake loop for driving or cycling
Passes Bahao Bay, Pogu campsite, multiple Zhuang villages, rice fields, bamboo groves, stilt houses, and fish ponds. Every scene is a painting. Bahao Bay sunset spot is legendary.
4. Pogu car camping base
Large lakeside lawn for tents, RV parking, fishing. The night sky shows the Milky Way with the naked eye. Early morning mist on the lake.
5. Original Zhuang ethnic villages (Bamengtun, Dongfeng Village)
Stilt wooden houses, old banyan trees, drying fish, rice fields, and fish ponds. Locals live normally. Great for cultural photography but do not enter homes or disturb residents.
6. Qizhen suspended viewing boardwalk
A lesser-known paid spot, a mid-mountain skywalk with full mist atmosphere.
7. Lakeside shallow water play area
Shallow and clear water, good for wading in summer. Watch for slippery underwater rocks. Wear creek shoes.
8. Drone aerial photography high point
Open lake surface with no obstructions, god’s eye view of thousands of islands in a row, perfect for cinematic shots.
5. Two itinerary options
Option 1: One-day streamlined visit (most visitors)
2. 00 PM Arrive at Baqitun parking → hike to viewing platform for panoramic shots
3. 00 PM Take a boat tour around the lake (private boats offer better value)
5:00 PM Drive the lake road, stop at Bahao Bay to wait for sunset
7:00 PM Lakeside farmhouse dinner with fresh lake food → return trip
Option 2: Two days one night deep slow travel
Day 1
Afternoon: climb viewing platform + boat tour
Evening: drive lake loop, check out Pogu campsite
Night: stay at Baqitun lake view guesthouse, stargaze
Day 2
Early morning: revisit viewing platform for morning mist
Morning: hike in hidden Zhuang villages, lakeside stroll
Noon: farmhouse lunch, buy dried fish and sour snacks as souvenirs, return trip
6. Must-try local food (all available at lakeside farmhouses)
Signature dishes
1. Quyang Lake boiled live fish: original fresh sweet flavor, must order
2. Zhuang tofu balls, pan-fried river fish, farmhouse chicken soup, stir-fried cured meat with bamboo shoots
Snacks & specialties
Jingxi rice dumplings, Zhuang sour snacks, rolled rice noodles, Jingxi fragrant glutinous porridge
Average meal cost about 50 yuan per person. Ask for price list before ordering.
7. Accommodation options
1. First choice: Baqitun lake view guesthouse
180–280 yuan/night, windows face the lake directly. The owner can help book boat tours and lend hiking poles. Very convenient for sunrise viewing.
2. Alternative: Jingxi city hotels, 150–220 yuan, well equipped, 40-minute round trip daily
8. Photo outfit & best times
1. Golden shooting times
Sunrise 6:30–7:30 (morning mist), sunset 5:30–7:00 (orange sea lake surface)
2. Outfit: white or light-colored dresses, resort style; straw hats and sunglasses as props; mostly mountain roads, wear non-slip sports shoes throughout