Background
Location & Geography
The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region covers 230,000 square kilometres of southeast China with Yunnan to the west, Vietnam to the south and the Gulf of Tonkin to the southeast. The capital Nanning is located on Highway A-1 in the region’s south.
Guangxi is known for its distinct limestone karst landscape, with mountains taking up over 50% of the basin-like topography. The Nanling Mountains rise in the northeast, with the Yuecheng and Haiyang Mountains branching off into shorter ridges. Yuecheng also holds Guangxi’s highest peak, Mount Mao’er at 2,141 metres. The Dayao and the Daming Mountains dominate central Guangxi, the Duyao and Fenghuang Mountains are in the north and the Yunkai Mountains create the border with Vietnam.
Countless rivers wind through Guangxi’s valleys, many of which are navigable, and several cut through caves. Among the most notable is the picturesque Li River, which runs from Guilin through the karst landscape to Yangshuo. Guangxi also possesses a scenic coastal area.
Nature
Guangxi has become internationally famous for its karst geography. The region currently has three state natural scenic spots, 11 state forest parks and 30 regional natural scenic spots. Southern Guangxi is bordered by a seacoast, with Beibu Bay, a natural semi-enclosed bay in the northwest of the South China Sea that provides a favourable environment for over 500 fish and shellfish species.
Over 920 species of land-based vertebrates are found in Guangxi, accounting for 43.3% of all those found in China. Among them are 149 species considered endangered.
Guangxi ranks first among the Chinese provinces and regions in rare plant species. About 8,354 species of wild plants have been found in Guangxi, including 122 that are near extinction and need special protection. Among the 670 species of fruits growing in China, 110 take their roots in Guangxi. The region’s tropical and sub-tropical fruits account for 80% of the total grown in China, but Guangxi is best known for high-quality bananas, pineapples and oranges.
A recent survey showed that Guangxi’s forests cover 13.2 million hectares, accounting for 55.54% of the province’s total land area. Guangxi’s moderate climate is favourable to over 8,000 tree species, including more than 1,000 types of arbour. The most precious forest resources are concentrated in the northeast and the Baise area.
Climate
Guangxi’s climate is characterised by a short winter and long summer with the annual temperature averaging between 16ºC and 23ºC. The annual rainfall is between 100-280 centimetres, with the hot, rainy season running from April through September. Its monsoon climate often brings drought, floods, typhoons and hailstorms.
